Originally Posted by Metieval

I need to understand something here. My 2006 CAAD8 was a rocket ship. Pedals thought about moving and the bike launched 5 feet at a time. An Al 105 synapse is the same way... Both bikes felt alive.

Tonight I test rode this caad10 http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/bik/3877097265.html and it felt like a slug and seriously was worse than my Giant cypress Sx. The stupid part... That 53 chain ring was barely missing any paint at all. I'd guess 100-200 miles if that. The only questionable thing seat post clamp bolt and the inside of the stem clamp bolt heads was all corroded and rusty. The derailleur cables was fine, but the rear brake cable was corroded the entire length of the top tube. Frustration is because I am right between a 54 and 56 so always sized up to a 56. Maybe the bike was just tight from not having been ridden?

Anyways frustrated with my fit with the CAADs and frustrated with that ride (maybe it was those crappy Bontragers) I called a local bike shop and was like hey I am down in Cinncy (80 miles from home) looking at a Rival CAAD 10 will you match the price for a Al synapse 105. $1,275. He said yes so.... I am thinking I'll slam the stem on the Al. synapse, add RS80's and Conti 4000s 's. maybe eventually throw SRAM Force on it. Or ride it hard, put it away wet for a winter bike.

My issue Cannondale don't have an 56 raw Al 105 synapse, and I'm not sure I want white. Did I act too hasty?