I will be in the market to purchase a new road bike this spring. My price range is up to $2000. My LBS sells Cannondale, Fuji, and Raleigh. I am 298lbs., and 6' tall. I have loved Cannondales my whole life, so I will definitely be going that route. My question is, which one? I will be using the bike mostly for general road riding, commuting once in a while, and a century or two this summer. I would like something comfortable, but not geriatric feeling. I was originally looking at the CAAD9 because of countless excellent reviews, and with it being made in the USA really is appealing. I started looking at the Synapse and Six series lately too, and am not sure how I feel about carbon. I know it is the latest and greatest thing, but is it really better than C-Dale aluminum? I really had my choices narrowed down to the CAAD9-3 or the Six Carbon 6. What do you guys think?

I have a 2007 CAAD9 and love it and would recommend it, but I don't think I would use it for commuting. The Synapse are a nice bike, have ridden them before and you can get them in an aluminum frame as well.

at 6' and close to 300lbs, if you're not racing you shouldnt be in carbon. CAAD9 is a great all purpose frame. You'll be really pissed if you drop $1600 on that six 6 and this happens.....

At that price a preowned titanium bike can be attainable, additionally I'd suggest custom gussets on every angle till you get in decent shape

FYI, I got mine when I was 315, I'm down to 285 now, and it's holding up quite well. I would recommend a new hand built wheel set though. Velocity Deep V's or Mavic CXP33's.

Once Cannondale gets you. You are got. I still have a 3.0 Crit frame I bought back around 1988. Still a great bike.

Me too .... I have a 2.8, 3.0, original no-number race bike from their first year, and a CAAD 8

I have an alloy Synapse and love it. I just ordered the HI-MOD Synapse carbon frame set today. I can't wait for this frame set to come in. Cannondale to me, is all the bike that I want. The Synapse is a great bike.

I must say I was steering away from the synapse initially. I guess I was more worried about what other people would say about me riding a sissy bike with lax geometry. But I don't plan on racing, and I would like to try a century or two this summer, so I want something that will be comfortable. If I can I want to put about 80 miles or more a week. This is something I am entering in whole hearted, and I am giving up some other hobbys so I can focus on this one. I guess I really don't want to make the wrong decision with this first road bike. I would like to get something with a decent frame that I can upgrade components on and be happy with the frame for a long time. I'd rather keep a frame for 5 years and have dura-ace/sram red/campy record, than buy a new bike every two or three years with 105. Maybe how much I plan on riding isn't worthy of those components in some hardcore riders eyes, but I like nice things, lol. I like the CAAD9 pricewise and in the looks department, I'm just worried it will be a jarring uncomfortable unforgiving ride for 20+ mile rides, or the one or two century rides.

Ride for yourself, not some douchbag that will judge you by your ride.

I hear ya. How ever did Team Liquigas endure the taunts while riding Synapse at Paris-Roubaix? Mon Dieu, you'd never want to be in that league!

^ lol. Go for the synapse. Im pretty sure noone is going to make fun of you (maybe me just to get the bike from you) , and if you want a Cdale and comfort, that is what its made for.

Ride the Synapse and CAAD9 and decide which you like better. Performance-wise, i'm not sure if the higher end Carbon Cannondales are better than the CAAD9, or are they just "carbon".

I have an CAAD7 Optimo, https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/c...del-5RR7D.html, and I couldn't be happier. I have had it for three years and I put 100 commuting miles a week on it and the occasional 50 mile ride on the weekends.

I have a Six Carbon 5 and love it. I was 200lbs when I got it and have had no problems. All my rides would be considered general road riding. . It is a comfortable ride and the steering is precise. Quiet and smooth.

kr32

i have just ordered a sixcarbon 5

can you tell me anymore about it good or bad

jzjz

Have the shop fit you, body-geometry-wise. But if the frame fits, go Synapse. You are a big guy. You'll like the frame setup better with the Synapse.

Also, go aluminum. If you look on page 3 of this carbon bike supplement, you will see why.

I have an 07 Synapse...aluminum w/105 components. It was my first road bike and I was fitted on it based on my desire to do just what you are planning on doing...general road riding for fitness and some longer centuries/charity rides. I'm taking it to the LSC Philly this summer. I'm not plannning on racing so it works well for me and you can still get plenty of speed. That's more about the engine than the bike would be my guess.

Will my next bike be another Synapse? Not sure on that because as I ride more my feelings may change but I still want a bike I can endure longish rides on. Just get what feels good so you'll keep riding it and not park it in the garage because it is "just not comfortable".

so how long will a carbon frame last under a 155 - 160 lb. cyclist? Page 3 of that manual could almost scare someone away from carbon...unless they want to replace it every few years...lol

I do know that I have been hammering some of the same carbon arrows into targets at around 270 fps for years with no failures due to over/longtime use.

I would say forget everything you think you know. Ride a Fuji, a Cannondale, find another LBS and ride some other stuff - check out a Specialized or Kona, or Bianchi and a Trek. What I have found in the past is I fell in love with the looks and, shall I say attitude of a bike before I even rode it. I bought the darn thing and guess what? The fit was never right, I was never comfortable on it, etc. You need to buy a bke for fit, how it rides, etc. Yes, you have to at least like the look of the bike - don't buy something that's ugly - but do yourself a favor and at least ride 5 different bikes - if nothing else it'll ease any buyers remorse if end up with a carbon Cannondale (which I own by the way, Cabon/Alum Six13 - which fits me perfectly). Good luck and let us know what you buy.

So here's some advice,

I own two Cannondale bikes: a CAAD 9 and a Capo. These two bikes aren't even remotely the same in ride feel, so suggesting one Cannondale road frame rides just like any other is a flat out lie. The CAAD 9 has a "springier" rear triangle and uses better aluminum than the Capo, which means its more compliant over longer distances. You can use the CAAD 9 as an all-round bike, but keep in mind you will run up against limits like no clearance for fenders and restriction to 700x25 or narrower tires.

Carbon will not blow up on you; its the strongest material currently used for bike construction. If you desire a CF frame, by all means test them out and see which one you like best. Also, don't be deterred by country of origin; Taiwan has been ahead of the US in CF bike manufacturing for quite a while now.

In any case, $2000 can buy a lot of bike, but remember that you will need at least an additional $500 for extras like shoes, pedals, clothing, and a helmet. With a lowered budget of $1500, a CAAD9 with 105 is certainly a very good value.

I'd go for the CAAD9, then save your pennies and get a sturdy set of wheels. Some 36-spoke Open Pro rims laced to whatever would be a good idea.

What people think of your bike selection shouldn't even be a concern because you're riding it not them. Trying different bikes is the way to go, don't limit yourself just to one brand because different companies make bikes with different geometries. If you're new to riding then you're probably not very flexible so don't aim for an aggressive looking bike because while it might look nice it might end up being a torture chamber. CAAD9s always get good reviews because they're solid bikes and the low cost makes them a good quality starting point, and while it's a racing frame you can set it up for a more upright riding position and get more aero as your flexibility improves.

I'm actually in the process of building up my new Six Carbon frame :-)

It's my 3rd cannondale. 1st was a 2003 CAAD7, next was a MTB (2007 F4)...now this..



I love cannondale's products...most of the clothes I have are cannondale too (domestique bibs, gloves, various jerseys)...can't beat the lifetime warranty they have on everything. I'll continue to buy from them as long as they keep making such awesome stuff..

Unfortunatly that's the attitude of a lot of people who would be much better served riding a bike with a relaxed geometry. They would rather suffer for the sake of going "fast" (which is a relative term) than have a bike they can actually enjoy riding.
I'd go with the Synapse, but would also check out Giant's Defy line, Specialized Roubaix and other relaxed frames.
And I have a Caad9 which I love, but I love my Roubaix even more after 50+ miles on the Caad9 the day before.

Oh, and a good fitting with someone who knows what they are doing will make as much difference as the bike itself.
Good luck!