Great forum.

Getting into road biking and test road some Cannondales, which I liked. LBS has a 2008 Cannondale Synapse with Ultegra that I can get a good deal on (under $2,000) and then has current year as well.

Question is whether you would chose the 2008 model with 2008 Ultegra over a 2010 model (some slight upgrades on frame I think) with 105s.

Would definately appreciate your thoughts!

If it matters, I think the 2008 bike also has better wheels -- entry level Mavic's v. Shimano.

Mark

I would recommend going with the CAAD9 4 Model. Many will probably do the same.

https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...0RA94C-CAAD9-4

According to Cannondale's website, the MSRP on the 2010 Synapse Carbon 5 is $2149.00.

If that is the bike you are talking about (with the older 105), I'd say go with the 2008/Ultegra Synapse.

Thanks.

Should have said that I don't really plan on racing and want something a bit more comfortable -- thus the carbon Synapse.

Yes, that is the one I'm talking about. What do you mean by older 105?

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...-road-groupset

Got it, thanks. Didn't realize there was a new version of 105s.

My sense is that at around $1,800 the 2008 Carbon Synapse w/ Ultegra is a pretty solid deal - the same bike in 2010 version (granted Ultegra has been completely redone for 2010) has MSRP of over $3,000.

I'm thinking the 2008 Synaspe with the Ultegra is a better deal too ----- pull the trigger. Oh and welcome to the C-dale club. Lp

Thanks. Cannondale's seem really nice. I tested the new Giant Defy Advanced and didn't love it, although might have been result of 15 degrees outside....

I had hoped to test one of the Orbea bikes but no LBS carries near me.

Based on looking around, Cannondale seems to offer some of the best deals around and people really like them.

I'm happy to join the club!

Yeah, go for the 2008 Synapse. If you're not racing, that is the best Cannondale around and as a non-racer, you will be as fast on it than any other Cannondale...and have to be less contorted.

That's an interesting point. I tested the Six Carbon 3 and it feels fast (and looked damn good) but certainly is a little more contorted and not sure I would be comfortable riding a century on it. I'm 30 - feels weird to get the Synapse now bc I theoretically should be with the Ferrari over the Audi A3 (the comparison my LBO made).

Question is whether it makes sense to get the Six Carbon 3 on the theory that I could make the fast bike more comfortable but once I have the Synapse 3, I can't make it faster. That's the advice from my LBO, but I'm just not sure. Thoughts?

neither one of them will make you appreciably fast. your time spend training on them, however, will. the six carbon 3 has more responsive handling (read, twitchy), which is a good characteristic in a race when you are taking corners at high speeds. but it will not make you faster. fyi, pro teams do race on relaxed geometry bikes. the cervelo test team races the RS at paris-roubaix & liquigas races the synapse at paris-roubaix, too.