wcHHMiB6

I am trying to decide between two different bikes that I have a chance to buy. I have test ridden both and both feel and fit great so there is no preference based on feel.

I plan on riding 3-4 days per week for fun and some exercise.

Cannondale Synapse 6
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...6-tiagra-16613

I can get this bike for about $850



Fuji Roubaix 3.0
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._20000__400306

I can get this bike for $650


Obviously I would like to spend less money but I am guessing that the Cannondale bike is WAY better? My 2 questions are:

1. Is it really worth it to spend $200 more to get the Cannondale?

2. Which of the two bikes would you buy and why?

Thanks in advance.

igknighted

Tiagra is much nicer if you plan to use the drops a lot, but if you're going to ride the hoods most of the time (99% of recreational riding) you may not ever notice a diffence. The frame of the cannondale is nicer, but will you notice it? Maybe, maybe not. If you have the extra $200 put it into clip less pedals and shoes, or other accessories and cycling clothes. It'll make a much bigger diffence on your rides than "$200 more bike".

kstephens

I don't think the Cannondale is way better. I rode both of those while shopping for a new bike a month or so ago. Neither one was that much better than the other. I ended up going another brand based strictly on how I felt and fit on the bike. I would definitely make sure you ride them both and get whichever one you feel better on.

nwbikeman

The Tiagra group is slightly better but I have found that the Tiagra shifters are about the only difference and that they hold up a little better, but not $200 worth. But before you buy see if you can find a last years model Specialized Allez or Roubaix as there are a couple other models with Shimano 105 10 speed for around $950 and this is a lot better spec across the board.

Menel

Synapse is a long wheel based, relaxed, road/comfort geometry bike.

Roubaix is a short wheel based, aggressive, road/race geometry bike.

Fuji Roubaix is positioned more against the Cannondale CAAD9.

I'd choose the Roubaix. But that's personal preference simple because it's the style I ride now and would likely suite my riding style better.

wcHHMiB6

Wow, thanks for the replies. I definitely thought that the Cannondale was WAY better so it looks like I was wrong!

Pace

I have the Fuji Roubiax ACR 2.0 and the C-Dale Synapse 3, both are great bikes, the Fuji has carbon stays and forks, the other is full carbon so I can't really give you a fair comparison there. They both ride extremely well, I am a bit more upright on the Synapse, and it's extremely comfortable. I rode the MS150 on the Fuji on both days and I didn't have any back problems afterward. They are both excellent bikes.

R_Z

Is there a reason you limited your search to these two bikes?

youngmrzee

Save your money, bro. Go all out on something. The first time around for me I bought a crappy frame but made sure I was into AT LEAST 10-speed stuff. I didn't want to mess around with 9-speed because I knew I'd be serious about cycling and would have to upgrade. After a few years saving with that setup, I just bought a Trek Madone 5.9 frame and just switched all of my hodgepodge of 105, Ultegra, and DA stuff over to the nice frame and am moving on from there.

tl;dr save your money. Blow the majority of it on one nice thing that'll last you a while.

tFUnK

They are different bikes. Aside from the obvious (components group), they also have different geometries, as mentioned. The Cannondale will be a more relaxed, versatile bike while the Fuji seems to be more aggressive. If you could test ride both and see which one feels better, that would be the ideal thing to do. The geometries should be different enough to be noticeable at a test ride.

dissident

I was leaning towards the aggressive bikes until I test drove them and went with a Felt Z85. Great bang for the buck and I really like the attention to detail on the bike. Ride is very similar to a synapse, more upright. Very smooth ride. Definitely test ride bikes before choosing. Make sure the bike fits, that's most important, not what people on the internet will say to you.

M_FactorX19

this. honestly as a new rider i think i would suggest the Cdale based off the geometry and the better shifters. i own a Fuji Roubaix ACR (carbon stays, BB30, completely upgraded) and really like that bike but it is an agressive fit and i use it for fast group rides and to race on. so for me thats what i was looking for and im not sure thats really what you want.