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Torn Between Two Bikes

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Old 10-29-15 | 08:03 AM
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Ask yourself what kind of riding you do most. shorter spirited rides? Get the supersix. all day weekend type rides, get the synapse. I got something in between but If I were to do it over again I'd get a racy geo bike. I find myself doing weeknight rides which dont allow for more than 40miles of distance so. I did a total of 2 metric centuries this year. much less than I anticipated since its hard to simple take 3-4 hours out of my day and just cycle
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Old 10-29-15 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by truflip
Ask yourself what kind of riding you do most. shorter spirited rides? Get the supersix. all day weekend type rides, get the synapse. I got something in between but If I were to do it over again I'd get a racy geo bike. I find myself doing weeknight rides which dont allow for more than 40miles of distance so. I did a total of 2 metric centuries this year. much less than I anticipated since its hard to simple take 3-4 hours out of my day and just cycle
If a bike is fitted properly and you've got the appropriate flexibility and core for the bike it shouldn't make much difference. I choose based on wind conditions, I find wrestling certain bikes in crosswinds to be far more fatiguing than riding distance. Once the muscles in my shoulders start to tire the rest falls apart quickly.
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Old 10-29-15 | 09:30 AM
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If you leave the 1" spacer-crown thing on top of the head-tube, it's not a "race geometry" in terms of reach.

A set of 23 or 25mm tires on an 18mm inside-width wheel at <=90psi is pretty comfortable on my Evo, and with the stem on a 5mm cap it's nowhere near "twitchy". I don't ride over enough dirt, light gravel, or cobbles requiring 28mm rubber so I will keep my Evo. I would like to do the Rouge Roubaix though, want 28mm rubber for that.
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Old 10-29-15 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by GuitarBob
How old are you? How flexible? How athletic? I'm a geezer at 50, but I want to be low on a bike, even if it's for 100 miles.
You and me both Bob!

If it were me, I'd take the SS Evo. I'm thinking OP you'd be happiest with the Synapse.
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Old 10-29-15 | 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq
If you leave the 1" spacer-crown thing on top of the head-tube, it's not a "race geometry" in terms of reach.

A set of 23 or 25mm tires on an 18mm inside-width wheel at <=90psi is pretty comfortable on my Evo, and with the stem on a 5mm cap it's nowhere near "twitchy". I don't ride over enough dirt, light gravel, or cobbles requiring 28mm rubber so I will keep my Evo. I would like to do the Rouge Roubaix though, want 28mm rubber for that.
What do you mean by "stem on 5mm cap" ? Thanks.
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Old 10-29-15 | 03:40 PM
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I think he is saying that his Evo doesn't feel twitchy even with just a 5mm cap under the stem. Most Cannondales come with a 25mm conical cap and a few other spacers. That set up is fine (for me) on my CAAD10 - but I traded out the 25mm for a 5mm on my Syanpse to get my hands lower (and my position is 'fairly' similar on both bikes now).
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Old 10-29-15 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by dtrain
I think he is saying that his Evo doesn't feel twitchy even with just a 5mm cap under the stem. Most Cannondales come with a 25mm conical cap and a few other spacers. That set up is fine (for me) on my CAAD10 - but I traded out the 25mm for a 5mm on my Syanpse to get my hands lower (and my position is 'fairly' similar on both bikes now).
Yep
Originally Posted by titani
What do you mean by "stem on 5mm cap" ? Thanks.
Removing this which came with the bike:

To this:

Suddenly the bike tracks like it should in corners, doesn't ride like a chopper. My point is simply that leaving the gigantic spacer under there is not "race geometry", you're still not leaning that far forward with it.
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Old 10-29-15 | 04:50 PM
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I think the only answer is N+1
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Old 11-01-15 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by rms13
How did people ride big miles before endurance bikes? .. You know, like 10 years ago
Less comfortably perhaps?
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Old 11-01-15 | 01:18 PM
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Old 11-01-15 | 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by SirHustlerEsq
Suddenly the bike tracks like it should in corners, doesn't ride like a chopper. My point is simply that leaving the gigantic spacer under there is not "race geometry", you're still not leaning that far forward with it.
I've wondered if a bike handles differently with a bunch of spacers. I guess you answered that.
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Old 11-02-15 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by titani
I now ride a CAAD8. Looking to upgrade. Something lighter, more efficient, better wheels and tires, better components. I am 55 yet fit, no back issues. Aero position does not bother me.
I recommend the synapse
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Old 11-03-15 | 10:23 AM
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Great post I've been eyeballing both of these bikes myself to go test ride. I plan on doing some racing but much like you also would like to do anywhere from 30-100 mile bike rides and race locally
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Old 11-03-15 | 11:44 AM
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Not sure why everyone thinks that the EVO is uncomfortable on long ride. EVO is super smooth, and extremely comfortable.
It's all about how you set up your cockpit to make it comfortable for your own liking. I came from a FELT Z2 "endurance frame" and I prefer the EVO.
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Old 11-03-15 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
The endurance bike fad got started by Specialized with the release of the Roubaix.
They had the Sequoia a few years before the Roubaix: Specialized Bicycle Components

My first road bike, eventually swapped out all of the 'comfort' bits, save for the elastomer insert fork, and enjoyed it a lot more.
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Old 11-03-15 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by joejack951
They had the Sequoia a few years before the Roubaix:
and it sold as well as the Edsel.

The endurance bike fad started with the Roubaix.
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Old 11-03-15 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
and it sold as well as the Edsel.

The endurance bike fad started with the Roubaix.
You have to love the Edsel reference. Way to dig deep for that one.
OP, if you are torn between these two bikes, than I would go to another shop or two and try some different bikes. Maybe one of those will speak to you more. You may try some others and then come back to one of the originals as well. In my experience it is usually pretty obvious which bike I like the most. My first road bike, I was torn between a Cannondale and a Specialized. I was given the advice to visit another shop and try something else. I tested a Giant and then a Felt. The Felt just felt better by a long shot.
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Old 11-03-15 | 12:09 PM
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Easy answer is buy both bikes . You will have one for the short ride and one for the long ride . Problem solve .
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Old 11-03-15 | 12:14 PM
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Shuffleman in post #42 has the best advice
Originally Posted by Shuffleman
OP, if you are torn between these two bikes, than I would go to another shop or two and try some different bikes.
if you don't know which to buy, you likely will buy one and question your choice until you cannot enjoy it---even if it was the best choice. Try different bikes, in and out of your price range, feel different things, see how your thinking develops.

Don't pull the trigger until you are absolutely sure of your target.

(Unless you could afford to buy another pretty soon, in which case, definitely buy both. You can always sell one---and buy yet a different bike.)
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Old 11-03-15 | 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BoSoxYacht
The endurance bike fad got started by Specialized with the release of the Roubaix. It was designed as a road bike for rough roads, not as a race bike for old inflexible fat guys. After a few years other manufacturers caught on that stiff and fat MAMILs were buying them because they could get more upright on them, they found a way to market them that wasn't offensive to fat old guys that were buying them. If you have the flexibility and core strength of a fat old man, an Endurance bike with an upright position might be best for you.

I have no problem with long rides on a race bike with lots of saddle to bar drop. My back is flat when in the drops, and my neck never bothers me.
What CAT level are you BoSox? What I find funny are all the slow guys on slammed race bikes that are still slow. Some know better. I can get a flat back on my Roubaix.
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Old 11-03-15 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by rms13
How did people ride big miles before endurance bikes? .. You know, like 10 years ago
The didn't just endure, they persevered! Weren't you riding a perseverance bike? Haha
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Old 11-03-15 | 01:16 PM
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Bikes: Kuota Ksano. Litespeed T5 gravel - brilliant!

If a bike doesn't excite you, then you won't ride it. I'd get the Supersix Evo if that's the one that gets your heart racing.
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Old 11-03-15 | 01:44 PM
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Most of my rides are under 50 miles so I went with the Supersix EVO. It has done just fine on century rides as well. In fact, I was not even tired after the century rides. I think all of the endurance geometry talk is just a marketing gimmick. Get the Supersix. It's a blast.

Last edited by series1811; 11-03-15 at 01:54 PM.
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Old 11-03-15 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Campag4life
What CAT level are you BoSox? What I find funny are all the slow guys on slammed race bikes that are still slow. Some know better. I can get a flat back on my Roubaix.
CAT3, but I usually will race Masters 35+(I'm 48).

I just measured my road bike and it has 5" of drop(I thought it was 6"). I can comfortably get a flat back position when needed, but it's also fine for all day rides. I don't think my position is aggressive compared to what I see here, but it's not upright either.
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Old 11-03-15 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by series1811
I think all of the endurance geometry talk is just a marketing gimmick.
I wouldn't call it a gimmick, but it's not necessary for everyone. The term "endurance geometry" is a little misleading.
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