studs

I'm a newb to the road world, looking to get into my first road bike. After walking into my LBS with a $400 budget I was in for an awakening. I quickly fell in love with the Trek 2.1 with the CF chain stays and fork but after some research I'm finding out the Tiagara STi derailleurs/shifters (105 in rear, Tiagara shifters and front derailleur) are not recommended by a majorty of reviewers online. The Cannondale comes with shimano 105 throughout, a carbon fork, but many reviewers didn't care for the Shimano WH-RS-10 wheels. The Trek is a good looking bike but it is made overseas and I prefer to buy american when I can (cannondale made in PA). Just looking for opinions from riders not just salesmen at my LBS. Will I really have to upgrade parts on a $1200-$1300 bike? I'm not doing any triathalons or anything just looking to get out on the road reliably (and get away from the old lady for awhile). Also I'm about 6'2" 215lbs do I have to be worried about warping rims?
Thanks in advance,
-studs
Trek Specs
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...1#ReviewHeader
Cannondale
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/c...5C_9RAS5T.html

DevDel

Can't speak for the Trek, but the Synapse is a solid bike. Try to avoid the triple crank unless you really need it.The WH wheels have held up to my 190lbs just fine. Half those complaints about wheels are because people think they are pro mechanics and incorrectly tension the spokes. It does come with a real butt wedge of a seat though.

Japhy

I like the Synape...been riding one for about 2 yrs. Solid entry level bike.

Made in USA....but not for long. So if there is a made in USA one there, snap it up.
ms

c.miller64

The Synapse is made in Asia.

c.miller64

My mistake- it's the CF Synapse that is made in Asia.

APKjuniorFL

Ahhh don't fall for that old trick... I doubt you will really notice a huge difference between 105 and Tiagra. It's really more a factor of what fits and what feels right - no one really cares what components your bike has when you're going 20mph

DwayneS

I got the 2.1 a couple of weeks ago and love it. It's 105 derailer helps a lot and it shifts very crisply and never hesitates, even up a hill. As for the wheels, they're standard. They'll hold your weight and they're pretty decent for the price of the bike. It is also worth mentioning that it has the same geometry of the Madone and a really nice CF fork and a CF seatpost and seatstays.

As for the Synapse I can't say as I've never rode one or even looked at one in a store. I would think the CAAD 9 would be better competition for the 2.1; though, it's a trade off for componetry over the frame.

qwer

I'm from Europe. Last year I test rode both the Synapse and the Trek (1.9 - same as the 2.1 except for the carbon stays - but with Shimano 105 and Bonetrager Race wheels instead of the SSR, at least over here in Europe). Both are pretty similar and on the comfortable side in terms of a road bike. If the price difference isn't too high, I'd go with the Synapse as the specs are better. Also, if sometimes later you want to switch from Tiagra to 105 (or 10 speed), the parts you have to change on the Trek (cassette, front/rear derailleur, brakes/shifters etc). plus labour (unless you do it yourself) will most likely be more expensive than the actual price difference between the two bikes.

Sundragon

I got my 2.1 as my first road bike this past weekend. I had been researching a lot and had come down to the Trek, the Specialized Allez, and the Caad 9-7. The Caad was my last choice(even though it seems to be well liked in reviews) because the local Cannondale store has terrible customer service and extremely pushy sales staff. I didnt like the way the Allez road(kinda "stiff") and I didnt feel like it had a lot of breaking power. I also didnt like the Sora shifters on it as the little thumb buttons were right in the way of my hands. The Trek road really well, didnt feel stiff, had good breaking power, and shifted smoothly.

Again, this is my first road bike, so take that for what its worth to you, but these are my experiences from my first road bike purchase.

kayakdiver

I'm not all that familiar with the Trek 2.1 but we did have a guy show up last Saturday with one for our local group ride. I thought it was a pretty decent looking ride. How does it ride? I have zero idea. I know.... does not help any but it did look good

aggarcia

As a Trek 2.1 owner I am a little biased, but here is my two cents. There is not much difference between 105 and Tiagra shifter, but a big difference over Sora shifters. Find the bike the best fits you for the type of riding you plan to do. Also factor in LBS support and then price. Like another poster mentioned that his local Cannondale dealer was poor. Having a good LBS and the relayed support makes a world of differnce. Make sure what ever bike you buy you want to ride. If you are not drawn to ride your bike you will not ride it. I have had my 2.1 for two months all I want is to ride it on my free time. Does this make sense? Good Luck.

EKCooper

I have a Synapse 7 and like it (my first road bike). Despite the fact that most everyone here adores the CAAD9, I liked the Synapse better. I think the Treks are great looking bikes and they have a good reputation, but I think they're a bit overpriced (just my opinion - I have a Trek hybrid). My price range only put me with the Synapse 7, CAAD9 7, and the Trek 1.2. Either of the bikes you're looking would be great I think!

BigBlueToe

I would think both bikes will work well right out of the box. If you want to upgrade something, like Tiagra to 105, it's a decision that will wait until you've had time to ponder and time for your bank account to recover. The Tiagra should work fine. I put a Tiagra front derailleur on my wife's bike and she's never had a bit of trouble with it.

I'm someone who really likes a triple chainring. I have them on both of my road bikes. I'm 58 years old and a recreational rider, and when I confront a really steep hill I'm so glad I have a granny gear! I don't know what the objection to them is, other than a bit of extra weight? I've never had a mechanical issue with mine. They shift like I want and don't break down.

I used to weigh 215 - I'm now down to 190! I don't think you will have wheel/spoke problems unless you start pounding through potholes, crashing into curbs, etc. Loaded touring is a different story, but I don't think you'll be doing that on either of those bikes.

EKCooper

I'm right there with you! I don't mind my triple. Objections? Possibly added weight? Perhaps an afront to manhood (or womanhood)? LOL! As a third degree black belt, I'm really not concerned about what a 'triple' says about me! And, like a lot of people have said on the forums, more of the weight should come off the engine rather than the bike! There was a person on one of the other threads who said the intention of his "hot or not" thread didn't get across since there were a lot of (I think he said) 'crap' bikes posted. Just shows it's all perspective. There are some bikes on here I drool over and others people rave about that I don't look twice at. Thank God we all have different opinions or the world would be boring! Take care!

studs

You guys have me looking at the CAAD9-5 now also. I like the 105 components and the fact that somebody in PA handbuilt it not just a automated machine in Taiwann, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Of course the MSRP is getting up there, I just have to get out there and start pricing the local shops I guess. I don't mind saving a few more bucks to get the better bike it's just hard to tell yourself this is all I need here, and then that little ******* in the back of my brain starts saying it's only $200 more for the 9-5, gotta find my balance between how long I wait and when I can just get out and ride! (also gotta figure out how I am going to tell the wife how much I want to spend on a bike) Thanks for the wisdom!

gettingold

You won't feel warm and fuzzy too much longer, they are moving production off-shore. Although all of its bikes are no longer built here (some still are), Trek remains a US owned company (that appears to be important to you). Cannondale is not.

studs

Someone else has told me same. I gave up on the made in USA thing it's kinda sad but it's way things are going today, it's not a huge factor but if it I couldn't decide by features I would have bought the US model. I went back to Bert's (local LBS) to check out the 2.1 again and after weighing options I think I am going to get the 2.1. I've saved about $600 so I'm halfway there and have time to change my mind but that carbon/aluminum frame is a selling point for me. Components I can upgrade the frame is what it is. Thanks everybody for your input.

thirdin77

The CAAD9 is a race bike, the Trek is nearly a race bike, the Synapse isn't a race bike.

If you test ride them on long enough rides, something closer to an hour, you'll likely notice a difference in fit and handling.

Ignore the advice about avoiding the triple. They work very well for many people and the compact crankset is more common mostly because it's more marketable- lighter, more simple, same gearing range, etc.

However, it'll be best if you can test ride one bike with a triple, one with a compact and then decide for yourself.