mooxster

A CAAD9 7

and a Synapse 7

and a Specialized Allez

When you test ride a bike how far do you usually go?

BTW, they are all around 900$. Good, bad, indiferent?

roadiejorge 

Just tell them you'll be back tomorrow to give them a ride report.

mooxster

lol yea...nice...

ill try that

whitemax

I'll know within 5 or 6 miles but you may be different. The CAAD 9 is the more aggressive bike if that is what you are looking for and can be dressed up quite nicely with higher level grouppo.

mooxster

its def more aggressive than the other two. but it also IMO is the most physically appealing. And I believe they are all leftovers from 08

procrit

Caad 9's will take anything you can dish out. The seat stay design makes the ride extremely comfortable, and the bb stiffness is everything you could hope for.

roadiejorge 

Just keep in mind that if you set it up in an aggressive riding position longer rides might not be that comfortable if you aren't that flexible. The shop should let you take it for a test ride anywhere between 30min to an hour, the shop I bought mine from did.

topflightpro

I would also suggest trying to ride it over various terrain. Find out how you feel going downhill on it, going up hill and riding on the flats.

I can fly downhill in an aero tuck on my bike and be perfectly calm. But if I ride my wife's, which is a tad too small for me - I ride a 56, she rides a 54 - I am always a little nervous. The different geometry just doesn't suit me.

Tober1

Don't even ride them. Just buy the CAAD9.
I actually rode those 3 bikes before I bought mine
The CAAD is better value than the Spec, but I guess it depends what kinda riding you're going to do.
A 10 minute ride will probably tell you the same things a 30 minute ride will. If you're not well fit for the bike that will have some effect too. Just keep that in mind.

ridethecliche

It comes down to fit.

The CAAD9 is a bike designed to be ridden aggressively, but that doesn't mean that it can't be set up to ride a little more comfortably.

SoreFeet

If you can rent the various bikes out and take them on extended rides it will make life better. Simple things like saddle adjustment should be done along the way. The difference between a few CM of seatpost can make a big difference.

900$ new can get you a pretty okay functional bike. 900$ in the used market can get you one fine vintage steel bike if you shop around. Buying second hand carbon components is a risky because you don't know the history.

I'd say you should carefully look at the geometry charts and decide what you want. If you are looking for all out comfort select the bike with the tallest headtube. It makes a big difference. Good luck.

intence

Just buy the CAAD9, the Synapse is far less aggresive. I believe both the CAAD9 and Aluminum Synapse are made in Bedford, PA (not certain about the Synapse though). The CAAD9 was one of their high end frames a few years ago. Cannondale has been pretty good about trickling the frames down to the mainstream, meaning you get a really good frame at a decent price.

Unless you're having major fit issues with the CAAD9, I wouldn't consider anything else on that list or in your price range.