RachaelP

Hi, so I am fairly new to road cycling and have been doing it for about a year (on and off for winter) I've been using my husbands Bianchi bike but now its time I purchased my own.

I am looking at a few and just want other peoples opinions/thoughts

Canondale Synapse 105

Ribble R872 disc enthusiast-Not available until Dec they said... or

Vitus-zenium-cr-road-bike-105-2021

Any advice greatly appreciated

sw20

I'd got for this

https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bi...nfarbe=BK%2FBK

Iride01 

With just a year of experience, I wouldn't buy a bike I couldn't try out in person. My last bike I bought in 2020, I got to ride two different bikes for 10 miles each before deciding. The LBS was willing to let me ride more.

If you are in your early 20's and very adaptable, you'll have less of a problem with something that doesn't quite fit. So an online purchase blind to how the bike feels and fits you might go okay.

Entirely just IMO.

MinnMan

Get a bike that is reasonable, that fits, and that you can get your hands on now.

If you really take to cycling, there will be n+1 later. just get something decent and go have fun while the weather is good.

Nothing wrong with a Synapse.

RachaelP

Ok, ill check the Canyon out. The issue is getting my hands on a bike now. I've done a fair bit on my husbands bike but its slightly too big for me and it'd very old. I agree, I want a bike now but want a fairly decent one without spending the earth. I'd love to try a few bikes but that isn't easy when different shops sell different brands

MinnMan

Canyon is mail-order only. As previously posted, it's a bad idea for a newbie. Get the Synapse if it fits and go riding. Don't overthink it.

RachaelP

I haven't tried any other bike yet other than this one I'm riding, should I just got to a bike shop and speak to them? I find shops quite limiting as some won't sell all brands.

MinnMan

YES

Major brands have proprietary arrangements with bike shops so that they are not competing with themselves in local markets.
No shop will carry more than one of Specialized and Trek.. Depending on the market, they may also carry Giant, but in other cases, they too will be in a separate shop. And then one of those will also carry Cannondale. And each will also have a few other smaller brands.

If you want to ride a wide variety of brands, you'll have to visit several shops.

RachaelP

Ok thanks, thats helpful.
The Canyon although a bit more pricey looks nice so will see if I can test that and then the cannondale ill also try

Zaskar

A good shop will have a handful of good brands. With your (limited - not judging) experience, I'd focus on finding a shop you like - not a bike you like. You will feel the difference in fit more than brand. Having a shop to help pick the right geometry (race, endurance, etc) and size... then do the fit, will make all the difference in the world. Ride this next bike for a few years THEN, for that next bike, focus on the nuances of the (almost imperceptible) differences in the various frames/brands.

RachaelP

Thanks everyone, now all I need to do is find a bike shop...any recommendations? Nearest one to me is leisure lakes but not sure how I feel about them...I think they would be ok for a first bike?!

MinnMan

You can't. It's mail order only.

MinnMan

We have no idea where you live.

The Nike slogan comes to mind. Just do it.

Chandne

If you are in the US (Leisure Lakes, FL maybe?) I'd absolutely get the Cannondale. If something happens, you can get local dealer support, plus those Synapses are well liked and reviewed well.

PeteHski

If you mean Leisure Lakes in the UK, they are a good shop in terms of quality bike stock. But I have to say their servicing (Daventry shop) has been terrible for me. So much so that I'm not going there again.

RachaelP

Yes, so Ive been into Daventry one today and came out more confused than I went in! I am going to go to Corley Cycles as they are independent. It appears the bikes I have been looking at all have their downfalls so going to start with a proper bike fit and go from there in terms of geometry

PeteHski

Good move going to Phil Corleys. That is the shop I would always recommend locally and they are very knowledgable. It's a very small world!

While you are in MK you might want to consider popping into Rutland Cycling and maybe the Trek shop (both in MK centre). That would cover all the major bike brands for you. Rutland are a Giant/Liv dealer which are always pretty good value for money. Rutland also sell Cannondale, Specialized, Scott and Cube. Corleys sell mainly Trek, Specialized and Cervelo, which are all generally a little more expensive than Giant like-for-like spec.

I think if you go to Corleys and have a good chat in there, they should point you in the right direction.

RachaelP

Thank you, I feel like I need to take a day off and go round them all just to cover all bases.

It defo is a small world!

PeteHski

Great plan!
I would actually start at Rutland Cycling, as they have more stock and variety of brands (including the Cannondale Synapse you mentioned) to drool over. Then go on to Corleys, who are undoubtedly the most experienced shop in the area. The only downside with Corleys is that it effectively limits your bike choice to Trek and Specialized models. But they will put you on something suitable within your budget.

surak

I echo the suggestion of finding a good shop you will like to work with in the future. You don't have to buy a bike from them, especially with the supply issues there's a good chance you can't even if you wanted to, but finding a shop that will answer your questions and make sure your bike is right for you and in proper condition can mean a lot for your confidence as a new owner.

I bought my first road bike from a shop that did zero to keep me as a customer, but fortunately there were other places I could take it to. My next bike was from a shop where the owner did my bike fit and has continued to answer my questions and work with me without any sales pressure. My next bike after that is a Canyon- by that point I felt comfortable enough to buy one without a test ride, but definitely not before I had tens of thousands of miles on my first two.

RachaelP

I am finding not many places have much stock. Hopefully I can at least test a few different bikes for feel and then go from there.

I dont think the canondale is a great option after speaking to a fellow cyclist as its quite heavy. Ive so for ruled out more than I've ruled in. Cannondale Synapse, Canyon, cube attain all seem to have downfalls on either speed or groupset or aluminium against carbon. My list of requirements is getting better but with that comes price £££££

PeteHski

I certainly wouldn’t rule out Cannondale at this stage. A friend of mine has a 2020 Synapse Ultegra build and finds it very comfortable for endurance riding. He also has a lighter Cervelo race bike, but he rides the Synapse pretty much exclusively on our local potholed roads. It’s not that heavy really.

I ride a 2019 Giant Defy Advanced Pro with current Shimano 105, which is hard to fault and great value. I chose the Giant because it comes with an excellent pair of tubeless carbon wheels, which is rare in this price range. The latest Shimano 105 is now so close to mechanical Ultegra as to make no real world difference.

RachaelP

What about buying the components separately and building the bike? I know someone who has built many bikes so this is another avenue I am exploring

Iride01 

The bike manufacturers can get components and put them on a new frame way way cheaper than you or I can. I put all new components on my 1991 Paramount about five years ago. Since it was just a frame and fork, I had to buy everything else. My total cost in the bike wasn't much less than what I could have bought a new bike with the same stuff. And I pinched pennies and waited for the best sales. I also did all of the work, and acquired a couple new tools I may never use again.

Getting back to the trying out bikes at LBS's. Don't dwell too much on whether a bike model they have there has the exact components you want. If it is the size frame you need, then go ahead and ride it to see if it fits you well. The frame will fit pretty much the same on any tier level of that particular model line. If you like the way it fits, then they can check to see if there is one at the distribution center or another nearby store that has the group set and other stuff you want.

I did that with my current bike I'm riding.

SoSmellyAir

Unless you go to Carlsbad, CA.

Canyon Home US | CANYON US

I am waiting for them to reopen after pandemic so I can try an Endurace.

I have a 2016 (prior generation) Cannondale Synapse Carbon, and I love it.