bartholomew mic

I am seriously considering getting cannondale synapse,two people I know have different opinions.One guy thinks the synapse is fab.He thinks it would suit me I dont race I like to do long distances when I can.I am not the quickest but not the slowest by a long way.I want to improve my speed and but I dont want to get beat up as well.The next guy thinks the synapse would be ok at the start but my speed will not improve.He thinks I dont push myself hard enough and the handling is slow but it is a very comfortable bike.He also thinks if I want a comfortable bike get the giant defy advanced much faster and almost as plush.Now I am really open to suggestions looking at the felt range as well very nice bikes also great value for money.

superdex

bike not slow. engine slow. make engine better, bike go faster.

fauxto nick

Bikes aren't fast riders are fast. If someone is telling you a bike choice is going to be the difference between you being fast or slow they're hopeless. I mean if we were talking about comparing a hybrid to a road bike maybe, but we're talking about differences in stiffness and performance. If you aren't looking to race and you like being on the bike for a long time then the Synapse sounds like a great choice. If you're an average rider I wouldn't put too much stress into the small benefits of stiffer more aggressive bikes.

It sounds like the second guy with an opinion against the Synapse is giving you the opinion that is good for his training not yours. If you like the Synapse get it, it's a great bike. I know that I could take my super stiff Cannondale System Six to a race or take a Synapse and feeling equally confident on both.

Don't get sucked into the bull**** that the bike makes the rider, I would be willing to bet that about 80% of average riders wouldn't even be able to tell the performance differences between a stiffer "faster" bike and a Synapse. I can't speak for the Giant, but I can say that in the end get what's comfortable and motivates you to get out and ride.

frankum

The bikes because you're slow.

/Thread.

njkayaker

Talking about "speed" without any actual numbers makes no bloody sense!

Cannondale, Giant, Feltm (and others) all make nice bikes. To a gerneral degree, there aren't going to be any performance differences when comparing bikes at about the same price point. And the performance enhancement you get from spending a lot of money is very small.

The Synapse has a reputation of being a very good frame ("race worthy", even) as well as being comfortable for long rides. I thnk the Giant Defy is a similar style frame. Felt has a reputation of being a good value.

Just as an example, a very good rider I was riding with was on a Synapse (Aluminum) and was not held back at all by it.

thomas p

I agree with the above comments the synapse is a really great bike.So is the Giant cant go wrong with either bike.Make up your own mind and get the bike you really want.I was thinking of getting the synapse it has got some brilliant reviews on lots of internet sites and magazines.

bartholomew mic

Your all right of coarse its not about the bike.Where did I hear that before ,I will take my time and look at all my options .As I am not in any great hurry to buy and as its nearly 2010 there some good bargins in the 2009 range I will hold on for now.

khatfull

If you're not looking to race but rather for comfort on long distances as you say the Synapse would be a perfect choice. I got a CAAD9 because I entertain the thought of racing and I like a more aggressive position on the bike. The Synapse, for a given frame size, is going to have a taller headtube than the CAAD9. The Synapse-CAAD9 difference would be closely analgous to the Specialized Roubaix-Tarmac difference.

None of these bikes, the Synapse included, is ever going to hinder your progress.

EKCooper

I have a Synapse and love the comfort. Well, after changing the saddle. LOL! Since buying my Synapse and starting cycling in April, my mph, cardio, and leg strength have all steadily increased. I've even moved from a triple to a full crank and still doing well on the hills. I don't know about the Giant, but I can tell you I think the Synapse is comfortable and won't slow you down. The only person that will slow you down is you. Choose the bike that feels the best, ride, and have fun! Good luck!

dcvelo

Anyone who tells you with a straight face that a Giant Defy is "much faster" than a Cannondale Synapse is someone you don't want to rely on for advice.

operator

The bike is faster than you.

rubic

I have a Cannondale Synapse and it is so comfortable. It came with a half way decent engine which I constantly try to tweak for additional power.

ZXiMan

+1

BHF

I went from a Specialized Allez Comp with 105 components to a Synapse 4 with Sram. The difference to me was significant. The Synapse puts the power to the ground better. It was also more comfortable. I test drove lots of bikes before I bought the Cannondale, and I think the biggest thing that sold me was it fit the best. Fit to me is everything. If I'm comfortable even an old worn out motor like me can make it go.

bigtea

The sad truth is that the Synapse is slow. Most good cyclists cruise at around 45 miles per hour on an average bike. The Synapse tops out at 38mph while cruising. On down hills you will be lucky to hit 90mph in a Synapse. My higher end bike routinely hits 110mph on downhills.

Homebrew01

Buy the one that feels the most comfortable to you, not your friends.

dewaday

My Synapse is significantly faster then its rider.

mzeffex 

I'll say the defy since:

A. I have one.
B. In my opinion looks nicer.

Maybe I'm biased.

Tsuru

Saw a guy on a Synapse just the other day doing 40..... uphill.... wasn't even pedaling. Amazing.

khatfull

Good God, just buy the damned Synapse, plant your ass on the saddle, and start pedaling. You'll never pedal faster than that bike is capable of going. Never. /thread

TestyEPOCERA

+

roadwarrior

Your friend is an idiot.

In the world of bikes, he's not alone, however.

PluperfectArson

Grog here is correct.

BarracksSi

Another Synapse video, this one with Patrick Stewart narrating (yes, really) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIi_2...eature=related

And, yes, the bike's fast.

Nachoman

If you meant to say kilometers per hour, rather than miles per hour, you would be correct.