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10-03-11, 05:49 PM
Hi All,
Just bought my first real road bike this weekend and wanted to say 'hello'.
Was at the LBS last Friday night test riding bikes. I narrowed it down to two bikes - the Cannondale CAAD10 (with SRAM Rival), and the Cannondale Carbon Synapse line.
The CAAD10 was incredibly responsive, light, stiff, and the SRAM stuff was a dream. I tried the much more expensive Ultegra, and the SRAM (in my opinion) smoked it. However after 15 minutes of riding, I really started to notice the stiff frame and wonder if after 1, 2, 3 hours it would get old.
They I rode the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Within 1 minute I knew this was the bike for me. With the more expensive Carbon, I was wanted to get the lower SRAM Apex gear to be closer to the price of the CAAD10 with Rival. I figured I'd get the best frame I could and upgrade components down the road.
One problem - the only one they had in my size had been purchased while I was test riding the first bike.
Damn.
So then the bike store guy asked if I would consider the next model Synapse up in the line which they had in my size. It had 105's better rims, crank, stem, seat, etc. The drawback were it was Shimano and the higher price.
After he offered me a great deal on it, I couldn't say no. So, I told them to change out the tires to the Continental Grand Prix 4000s's and we had a deal.
I only had time for a quick ride this weekend with it, but couldn't stop smiling the entire time.
In a word: WOW.
I am so pleased with how smooth and comfortable the ride is while still be very responsive.
This is my first time on 105's. They are nice. Not great, not bad, but nice. I still wish it was SRAM Rival, though. :)
I figure when the 105 stuff wear's out, I can upgrade to the SRAM.
Here's a pic:
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3/cds5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/cds5.jpg/)
Just bought my first real road bike this weekend and wanted to say 'hello'.
Was at the LBS last Friday night test riding bikes. I narrowed it down to two bikes - the Cannondale CAAD10 (with SRAM Rival), and the Cannondale Carbon Synapse line.
The CAAD10 was incredibly responsive, light, stiff, and the SRAM stuff was a dream. I tried the much more expensive Ultegra, and the SRAM (in my opinion) smoked it. However after 15 minutes of riding, I really started to notice the stiff frame and wonder if after 1, 2, 3 hours it would get old.
They I rode the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Within 1 minute I knew this was the bike for me. With the more expensive Carbon, I was wanted to get the lower SRAM Apex gear to be closer to the price of the CAAD10 with Rival. I figured I'd get the best frame I could and upgrade components down the road.
One problem - the only one they had in my size had been purchased while I was test riding the first bike.
Damn.
So then the bike store guy asked if I would consider the next model Synapse up in the line which they had in my size. It had 105's better rims, crank, stem, seat, etc. The drawback were it was Shimano and the higher price.
After he offered me a great deal on it, I couldn't say no. So, I told them to change out the tires to the Continental Grand Prix 4000s's and we had a deal.
I only had time for a quick ride this weekend with it, but couldn't stop smiling the entire time.
In a word: WOW.
I am so pleased with how smooth and comfortable the ride is while still be very responsive.
This is my first time on 105's. They are nice. Not great, not bad, but nice. I still wish it was SRAM Rival, though. :)
I figure when the 105 stuff wear's out, I can upgrade to the SRAM.
Here's a pic:
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3/cds5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/cds5.jpg/)