NE Tiger

1st road bike purchase imminent after a year of hybrids.

Here's my current list:
Trek 1.2
Cannondale Synapse 7 Sora
Felt F95
Bianchi Via Nirone 2300
Jamis Ventura Comp

I would greatly welcome your thoughts (and nominations to add to the list)

bobones

The Felt F95 looks the best value to me. It has a mix of Sora and Tiagra derailleurs with Microshift shifters that have far better ergonomics than Sora or 2300 shifters in terms of comfort, power of braking from the hoods, and the ability to shift from the drops. At 19.8lb, it's almost 2lb lighter than the Jamis, and I would guess, the lightest bike on your list (weights not published for others). The F95 is also a great looking bike benefiting from Felt's attention to detail on things like smooth welds, frame protectors for cables and chain stay, custom reusable cable ends, and smart looking finishing kit. With its race-proven geometry, this is a frame that will take upgrades down the line. I've got an F85 so I'm probably a bit biased!

Lebron6theking

I dont know much about the others, but i just bought a trek 1.1 as my first road bike and I love it. It took a few days to get accustomed to, but now I ant stay off of it. I'm sur the 1.2 is just as great. So th trek gets my vote. However, if these bikes are at lbs's around your areas I would recommend test riding them all. I test rode a few and I knew for sure I wanted the the trek! Let us know what you decide on!

lazerzxr

I think you would be happy with all of the above, get the one you like the colour of - seriously

roadwarrior

The Synapse will have the best shock absorption in the frame. It just depends on what you want.

thcri

'
That and which LBS do you feel will give you the best support after the sale.

ColinL

It also has a tall steering head. I'm not positive about the others, but I know that the Synapse does and it's considered an 'endurance road' bike.

I think I posted in NE Tiger's thread talking about comfort on his hybrid bikes. MAKE SURE to get a custom fitment on this bike and not only get the right size frame, but if you need a different stem (especially if you want/need >10 degrees of rise) or a different seatpost then get it right upfront. Most shops offer trade-in credit on OE seatposts and stems, although it won't be much because the original equipment stuff is pretty cheap in this case.

Spacemunky

I always recommend Bianchi because I love my Bianchi bikes and I love the brand and its history....with that said you should get a fitting BEFORE buying a bike to tell what your body will fit into the best. Things to consider:

1. Height vs leg/torso ratio...do you need a long top tube or a short one.
2. Flexibility....short head tube or large
3. Seat tube angle and head tube angle....touring vs twitchy race steering

M_Wales

Budget?

Have you taken a look at the new 2012 Raleigh's?

The Militis 3,2,1's and Revenio carbon 3,2,1's are looking very nice... I'm looking to pickup a Militis 3 frame myself..

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/

DP Roberts

I'm also considering Felt vs. Cannondale. Does your LBS still have 2011 Cannondales on hand, or are they already selling the 2012s? I bring it up because the 2012 Synapse 7 Sora appears to have gone up quite a bit in price (over $100). The new Synapse 6, which has the new 10-speed Tiagra, only went up $30.

baj32161

Well...I am currently riding a Synapse 5 and I love it. I am not a newbie and find this the most comfortable aluminum framed bike I have ever ridden. You may find differently of course but I just thought I would offer a little input. They are all good entry level rides and any of them should make you happy for many miles. Make sure you get a good fit and buy the bike from the shop that gives you the best service. That could prove invaluable over the long haul.

Cheers,

Brian J.

Cheers,

Brian J

nosaj

I have a Felt F85. I'll take the Microshift shifters over Sora/2300 any day.

NE Tiger

Thanks for the input. I rode the 1.2, the Bianchi and a similar Cannondale today. Hope to get to the others in the next few days. Early leader is the Bianchi, based on feel, but also the 15% off sale means I could move up to the next price point bike for $0.

kabex

The Felt 95 is the best value, Microshift shifters are much better than Sora as everyone pointed out- if you upgraded them on your own it'd be ~$120+

CuRed

Bianchi.
You know you want one.

ultraman6970

The trek is the raciest of all but at that level IMO just pick the one u like the most. Personally I would have taken a look to scott speedester S50. I was into racing so the stuff i always pick is racing orientated machines. BMC street racer is a fabulous bike but dont think it is sold in the US no more.

Good luck and enjoy your new bike.

DP Roberts

Really? I'd not tried them yet, the guy at the LBS was trashing Microshift (and the Felts in general) compared to the Shimanos on the Giant Defy. I guess I'll find out more if/when they have one in my size, but how do the Microshift shifters compare to Shimano?

bobones

Ergonomically, they're far superior to 2300 or Sora. They're more comfortable on the hoods and the brake levers offer better leverage and stopping power from the hoods. Unlike Shimano, the brake lever is not used in shifting. Instead a small lever behind the brake is used to shift up the cog (up to 3 at a time on the rear) and a small button on the outside of the shifter is used to go down the cog. Unlike 2300 or Sora shifters, shifting from the drops is possible in both directions. Shifting action is crisp and precise and the shifters emit an audible click at each position. Shimano shifters are definitely quieter and perhaps feel smoother as a result. I am very happy with the looks, performance and quality of the Microshifts on my F85 although I probably would have preferred if it came with 5700 105 shifters in the first place, but it's a no brainer if the choice is 2300 or Sora.

Spacemunky

This

joe_5700

How is the Trek 1.2 "racier" than a Felt F95 or Jamis Ventura?

DSC

I recently purchased the Jamis Ventura Comp. It's my first road bike as well. I'm very happy with my purchase. The bike is well made, has decent spec's, and although it's not the lightest bike in the group (since your coming from hybrid's), it will feel ridiculously light. I was shocked at how fast this bike is. There were only 2 thing's I didn't like: the tire's (white Vittoria Zaffiro's) which came wrapped in plastic tape to keep them white which was a PITA to remove, and the crappy pedal's (that have cage's), which alot of entry level bike's come with. To be honest I was leaning toward's the Felt, but I got the bike for 599.99 brand new from a sporting good's store, so it was hard to say "no".