Hairy Gary custom steel frames look pretty good for what you want. They are supposedly nice to ride, but expensive. Check out there website.

Google it.

I have the same bicycle (Synapse) and while I agree the frame soaks up *everything*, I'd be faster on my K1200S w/167hp...

My plan is to do a century this summer too.

Something comfortable for you.

Something you are familiar with.

If it's a hilly century a wide range of gears is a nice thing to have if this would be a first century.

Something that is not too hard to pedal. A road bike of some kind is less work than an mtb. Not absolutely needed, just easier.

Two water bottle cages would be helpful.

As mentioned Audax bikes would probably be best, but anything is doable.

What do you have?

Unless you have no choice or something to prove, a 3 gear chainset is much better then 2.

I just finished a century with a 2 gear chainset on hilly terrain and my thighs were really cramping near the 80 mile mark.

Yes, see link, no, no.

https://www.bacchettabikes.com/jh-AeroMain.htm

This bike is designed from the ground up for going long distances fast. All my centuries have been on it.

Some ad copy: The Aero has an impressive resume: winner of the Race Across Florida, top three finisher and overall division winner of RAAM (Race Across America) and numerous other accolades. For 2006, the legend continues.

I concur with carbon. I got a Synapse last September after riding numerous centuries and other long rides (i.e. California AIDS Ride) on an aluminum/carbon fork bike. It turned what used to be jarring rough asphalt into gentle thumping. A century used to leave me somewhat spent, but now I still feel fairly fresh.

I'm looking at either a Giant OCR c3 or a C'dale synapse carbon 3 triple right now (waiting for test ride on the right sized synapse). I'm hoping to get up to century distances this year, but that's just a hope at this point. I rode the alloy version of the synapse which has the carbon fork. It is quite nice for an aluminum frame, but the full carbon of the ocr is just smoother over the little stuff. I want to try the synapse carbon before I pull the trigger on the ocr which is a little soft but rides nice (both have mostly 105, the synapse has 105 brakes that the ocr lacks).

If you're looking for a traditional road bike I'd look at the Synapse, Roubaix, OCR or Pilot for their Relaxed riding position and vibration dampening features. Those are just the ones from some of the biggest manufacturers(and easier to find), I'm sure there are others with similar features.

"...on end"...as in your butt will be planted on the saddle for a long period of time. So make sure you have a saddle that is comfortable and suited to your style of riding regardless of the bike/frame you end up getting. When I rode the MS150 last year, what made the second day so tough was not what I expected...my legs were fine but my butt was...er...you've heard the expression...the saddle really gave me the "red-a$$". Pretty sore. No, REALLY sore. I must have ridden over a fifth of the course semi-standing...the pain in the legs was nothing to the pain in the...well, you know. Whatever bike you settle on, recommend you put in the time in the saddle and get used to it. My biggest lesson learned from last year.

One last plug for the Synapse- I've ridden CAAD8 and the Synapse and in my (limited) experience I found nothing facilitated hill-climbing quite like the C-dale, for my build, style of riding, etc. LBS is a friend so he let's me try out a number of different bikes (except his Cervelo R2.5 carbon...haven't ridden that yet). And I have the steel Gunnar. Funny, my times wouldn't show any difference between the two bikes but I like the lighter Synapse for routes with hills although the Gunnar is my overall favorite. IMO the full carbon removes me a little too far from the feel of the road, and the steel Gunnar with carbon fork is just right, has character.

Good luck in your choice.

I am still planning my first century, but last fall I borrowed a demo bike, a Serotta Concours CS, Titanium with carbon seat stays and fork. I did a 60 mile ride with over 6000 feet of vertical climbing and had never ridden the bike before that day. At the end of the ride I wanted to do it over. The feel was so smooth and controlled, whether climbing, or flying downhill at speed. The seat, which I thought would be a horror since it was so hard never made itself evident. The ride was pure magic.
I have since ridden a Trek Pilot over 70 miles, it was my final test drive prior to ordering a new bike.

I have a Serotta Fierte on order.

I completed my first long-distance race (Tecate to Ensenda) in the early 80's on a 10-speed Huffy "Santa Fe". As I was going up the first major hill I was passed by a guy on a fancy bike in full team kit. As he effortlessly glided past me he smiled and said, "Ooooo, Huffy!". By the way, he wasn't the only one who passed me that day!

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!! We have a winner!

Lucky07 boils it down to the bare essence.

BTW, I've done centuries on hybrid, road, 70's beater, and fixed gear bikes. Put a Brooks on it and I'll ride it.

Agreed...that's all you need bike-wise. I did a couple of centuries last year of 4000' vertical, and many metrics or longer that were quite climb-intensive, and I am so glad I rode them on a Brooks Pro and Columbus Zona steel frame, (with "traditional Eye-tay-yun race" geometry).

Although I wouldn't have minded doing the same on my no-longer-owned titanium rig ('00 Tuscany).

I think the Litespeed Veneto is the perfect comfort bike for doing centuries.

Idiot comment.