Torn Between Two Bikes
 

I am torn between the Cannondale Supersix Evo, and the Synapse. I test-rode both, but I cannot tell without a day-long ride. I like the fact that the supersix has a fun racy geometry. I like the fact that the Synapse is smooth and comfortable. I wish I can afford both bikes, but I have to chose only one. I do not want to regret my purchase. Please help me make my mind. Thanks.

Comfort is key...so based on your description above I would steer towards the Synapse. Check with the shop to see if you can do a longer test ride...or if they know folks that have the same or similar bikes that would allow you to take them for a long spin.

-j

Is it reasonable to ask the local bike store for 1/2 day ride?

Are you riding century's or 40 mile rides?

Century = Synapse
40 = Super Six

Make your decision and don't look back.

Sure. Ask. The policy among LBS varies a lot. I once looked at a bike and wanted a test ride. They told me to come in late Saturday pm and keep it until Monday evening over a three day weekend. The store manager said a couple hour ride isn't enough to base a decision on.

I want to do both. On weekdays I do short rides 20-40. Yet I am shooting for a century. Maybe I am asking for too much.

Do they typically fit the bike for a test-ride?

I have a Trek Emonda and my average ride is 38 miles. I've also done a few 80+ rides with no problems.

Sounds like you want the Synapse, then go for it.

They adjust the saddle position and seat height. That's about it. And maybe putting on pedals you ride. The larger stores usually have demo pedals while the smaller ask you bring your own pedals in.

Then you need to get the more comfortable bike. I've done a metric century on a track bike and unless your Quasimodo (or extremely flexible) then riding in the aero position for 4+ hours is not very nice.

Maybe ask the LBS if they can recommend some tweaks to the Synapse (i.e. a more appropriate stem) that you can change over to make it more racy when needed?

The comfort of the Synapse is not something I noticed while riding it, but it is something I read.

So your saying you found the Synapse not particularly comfortable?

Just throwing this out there. I had a friend who was tossing up between a Specialized Allez and a Cannondale Synapse. He had the same issue you had Allez was too sporty and the Synapse too relaxed. He opted for the Fuji Roubaix which is right in the middle, but there are probably other bikes in the middle of the two extremes.

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.

What are you riding now, and how is it setup?


I'm in my late 40s, but I'm comfortable for 6 hours or more with 7+ inches of saddle to bar drop.

Inka Binka?

My Synapse is nearly slammed while I run several spacers under the stem on my CAAD 10. Fairly similar position actually.

How did people ride big miles before endurance bikes? .. You know, like 10 years ago

The same way I still do.

The term "endurance bike" makes me cringe when I hear people say it.

All the MAMIL's were 10 years younger (with smaller guts)?

Race bikes used to have different handlebars - the flats were much closer to saddle height and the drops were deep. It didn't seem like people had the same fascination with "slamming" their quill stems. Maybe I'm over remembering though.

They're both good bikes, and incidentally, they're both race bikes. Pick the one you think looks cooler and go ride.

Easy answer is ride both, and a few other bikes, until you are confident that you can feel the differences, then choose the one that feels best.

Get either one.
Then save up and get the other if you feel you want/need it.

That's basically what I did: I purchased a Cannondale CAAD 10 earlier in the year. I really like this bike and hope to do some shorter races with it.

But I also hope to do some longer rides, centuries, etc. Could I use the CAAD 10? Sure. But I don't feel like always messing with the stem, or adding/subtracting a bag, pump, light, etc. depending on what I'm doing that day.
Lazy? Maybe. but I also wanted a bike with compact chain ring (50/34). The CAAD is 52/36.
With all the hills in my area, I want something more geared for hills. Also wanted a bike with a more "endurance" geometry. I'm selling some stuff to help finance the expense, so it's not that big a deal for me.

...plus, I figure these 2 bikes total what some pay for 1 full CF bike. ;)
Eh, I'm just excited to have found the sport and want to enjoy it fully (on a budget). :)

Really the best advice for someone who really likes to ride (and is willing to sell the wife and kids to finance the hobby ;) )

If you usually do day-long rides .... can you spend six hours or more hours in a full bend enjoyably? I know my lower back and the muscles between my trapezius at the base of my neck start hurting after a couple hours all the way down. If you are planning to do a lot of epic rides, I'd consider a more relaxed-geometry bike, but you know yourself best.

These two bikes are at the far ends of the spectrum ... but as rms13 points out, people used to do all-day rides with racy geometry bikes. (Of course, it was their pain and suffering which prompted the "endurance bike" movement. :)) But the bikes were designed to do different things. If you do not plan to race, why by the race bike?

Also, is it the full-bent position, the low bars, the quick handling which comes from steeper head tube and shorter wheelbase ... what part of 'fun, racy geometry" appeals to you?

You could probably get the bars on the Synapse as far below the saddle as the Super Six, and by swapping the stem change it to ultra-comfort mode when you planned to go really long distances (dtrain confimms this.) If it is twitchy handling you like, you could probably do the same on the Super Six.

I still say, ride both some more, and ride some other bikes. If no one bike strongly recommends itself, you will probably spend a lot of time wondering if you made the right choice. Keep testing these two and others until one bike or another decides for you.

If you are only going to buy one bike for the next few years, spend a few extra days making sure it is the one.

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.

Ha! Actually, I'm selling some musical gear. As a younger musician, I had the foresight to buy what I wanted back then - knowing that if I ever got married, my buying days would be mostly over. :cry:

So now that I'm older and married, I can sell off some of this gear to finance the new hobby. The gear goes - the wife stays with me. :)

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.