rugerben

The important part. Just read this if you are short on time!!!
I'm comparing the following bikes:
Cannondale Synapse Alloy5
Cannondale CAAD9-5
Cannondale Six-5
Giant Defy Alliance1

How much of a comfort difference is there between the Synapse and the CAAD9? I know the Synapse is supposed to be super comfortable, but how much performance does it give up? Also, is it even worth it to get the Synapse if I'm not getting the CF ones?

How much of a difference would I see between the Six-5 and the Giant Defy Alliance1? I knoe the Six has a CF rear end, whereas the Giant has a lot more CF (most of top tube, and seat tube). Am I likely to feel a difference?

Which is the lightest of these bikes? How much should I expect them to weigh? Remember, I'm used to older bikes where an awesome bike was 20lbs. Are all of these sub 20lbs I assume?


How do these bikes compare?


Here's the longer story:
The LBS is really impressed with the way I ride. They are considering making me a "pro" for them, and have me lead shop rides. This means I get an awesome bike inexpensively. Problem is that the newest road bike I have is 19 years old. I'm a student and have very little money. Spending $600 on a bike would be a stretch for me because of my tight budget, which is one reason why i hang out on C&V and buy old bikes.
But now I have the opportunity to buy a new, awesome bike for a fraction the retail cost. The bike store is a Cannondale and Giant retailer, so my bike will be one or the other.
I do know bikes, so it's not like you're talking to a newb here. I just don't know the specific handling characteristics of each of these bikes as they compare to one another. I know the best way to see how I like them is to ride each. I will. But before I do, I want to do my homework as thoroughly as I can.

My needs in a bike:
1) Comfortable on long rides.
2) Fast
3) Light

I don't care about bling factor at all. I'm no racer and have no illusions of becoming one, but I'd like to be able to climb hills, and corner well.

I have some of my own ideas about each of these bikes, but I'd like unskewed views.
I obviously have two bikes in the $1400 range that are all AL, and two bikes that are in the $1700-1800 range that are AL/CF hybrids.

EKCooper

I have the Synapse 7. My final decision came down to the CAAD9 - 7 and the Synapse 7. To me, the Synapse was more comfortable and I was looking more for comfort. I have just flipped the stem on my Synapse, but still looking more for comfort.

The alloy Synapse and CAAD9 felt similar in weight and they're both 20# or more. Not the lightest and certainly not compared to my wife's Fuji Roubaix Pro.

Only way to do it. Good luck! I do like my Cannondale, so I think you'll find a good bike no matter what.

Innergetic

I ride a CAAD9-7 and my only gripe is the sora shifters (which of course would be fixed with the 105 on the 9-5). As for weight, it's and aluminum frame. Don't expect it to compete with the weight of carbon frames. In my opinion it depends on what your needs are. The CAAD is a great crit bike, very stiff and responsive on corners, hills, sprints. Yeah, you're lugging a little extra weight but you're glued to the road. I have a lot of trust in Cannondale, so those are the only bikes I'll talk about.
The Synapse is a much more relaxed riding position. It will satisfy your need #1, but I'm not so sure about the other two. IMHO, it's an old man bike. Now this may suit you. If not, move on.
The CAAD is MUCH stiffer, and will be more responsive. It has more aggressive geometry and will likely push you that extra bit. You'll feel good in terms of power transfer from you to the road, even if it may hurt a bit more.
The Six is probably your best bet there. It has an aluminum front with carbon rear stays and fork. It's spec'ed quite nicely and will give you a nice blend between comfort and speed.

Verdict: go with the Six-5

Much Love,
MagliaBianca

guadzilla

Ehh.. dont have much advice in terms of bikes, but how was Thermopylae?

V (always had a soft spot for the words in your sig!)

rugerben

Thermopylae was great. If you want my bikes... come get them!

Depending on the pricing I can get, it looks like this may boil down to a decision between the Defy Aliance1 and the Six-5.
Six-5 has slightly better spec with that Ultegra RD, but the Defy has more CF structure.

Any thoughts on a comparison between these two?

Innergetic

Trust the cannondale
The Defy may have more CF structure but with a composite fork (road chattah) and 105 it's just not as well rounded as the Six-5. Go with the Six-5, it'll keep you happier longer.

rugerben

It's what I'm leaning toward. I realize weight isn't everything, but how much should I expect a six-5 to weigh?

Also, I hear so many wonderful things about the CAAD9, I'm going to have to figure out if it's worth making the jump to the Six, or if I should stick with a CAAD9 and save the coin for upgrades.

Of course it all depends on how much each of these will cost me.

guadzilla

This probably will throw a monkey wrench into your list, but there is an interesting full-carbon bike, with SRAM Rival, available from Neuvation Cycles for $1600 - not much more than your current budget of $1300ish.

I am trying to decide whether go straight for a Look 566/Felt Z35, or whether to get a CAAD9-5 for now instead, and this was an interesting wrinkle for me to consider. Fodder for your thoughts as well, perhaps?

V.

EKCooper

Ha! And, everyone has an opinion.

Again, go with what feels good. I have an aquaintance trying to decide if he's going to upgrade after a couple of months. I had the same feeling, but realized no matter what bike I have, I'm never going to race, so it doesn't matter. Oh, and keep within your budget. Our economy is where it is because people can't afford the things they have. Well, come on, I obviously have to say things like a wise old man since I have an 'old man bike'.

By the way, only approaching 40; so not old at all.

rugerben

The ony reason I ma considering these bikes is because my bike shop is probably getting me a pro-form and I will be able to get one of these bikes for approx 35-40% of the retail price. Otherwise, I could never afford these bikes. I am a student, and only buy things that I can back up with actual money that currently exists. that's why I've been riding a $250 CraigsList bike till now.
That being said, I think I've ruled out the Synapse. Not because it's a geezer bike , but because I have my C-dale T400 touring bike if I want a road bike with relaxed geometry.
I do appreciate the advice from my elders, so thank you.

vkalia- As much as I appreciate it, $1600 (or for that matter 1300) would be way out of my budget. The can only get this discount if I buy through my LBS.

guadzilla

Oh sorry, I did read your OP a few days ago re your budget, but it slipped my mind when replying yesterday.... I just glanced at your bike choices quickly and went from there!

V.

intence

If you don't mind the Geometry, i'd say the CAAD9 or the Giant. From a budget perspective, i'm not sure if any of the more expensive bikes are much better than the CAAD9. I might consider springing for the Carbon Six, but for the regular Six i'm not so sure. For years Cannondale's been dedicated to using an Aluminum rear end (Six13, SystemSix, etc.), this year they suddenly flip things around with the Six.

My vote is for the CAAD9 considering price.

n00bL35

I've always been a fan of the Defy Alliance. The CAAD's are a little too aggressive for my taste, although I think they are great bikes.