TimS

I'm new to road bikes, but I've been riding on the road, albeit with a mountain bike, for the last 6 years. I've spent the last several months researching bikes endlessly, and I think I have it narrowed down to a few - planning to make a purchase this week because of shrinking inventory. The few I have it down to are a Cannondale Synapse 5 (or possibly a Felt Z85), or a Trek 2.1. I realize that these bikes have rather different geometries, and are suited for different types of riding. However, being new to this, I'd appreciate any ideas of what might work for me.

Most of my riding consists of early morning 10 - 25 mile ventures, usually with a 30-50 mile ride on the weekend, for fitness/training and just to get out and have fun. I see myself doing club rides, centuries, and possibly some mild competition down the road. Being used to the mountain bike, and living near pot-hole filled Boston, I like the idea of a smoother ride. However, I'm pleased with the Trek's acceleration and liveliness. Unfortunately, it seems to give a harsher ride.

If I go with a Synapse, I've got two concerns - One is being judged by other riders for having a relaxed ride. The other is wondering what if I'm going to want a more aggressive frame in just a few years, say if I enjoy competition. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Bioluminescence

Does this matter too much to you? After all, it's to have fun. So if you're having fun why let others' opinions bring you down?

Just my two cents though. They're all great bikes!

TimS

Thanks for the perspective. I do have a tendency to over-think things...

dissident

Test ride them and see which one feels best. I just bought a Felt Z85 and love it.. the anodized aluminum, attention to detail, 105 components, upright posture, ride feel. It felt just like the synapse for quite a bit less money to me which is why I went for it over the synapse. It has carbon fiber forks and seat post as well. I didn't like the ride of the CAAD10 by comparison and the trek 2.1 was fine, nothing special though and more expensive for nearly the same components. I still need to take a high res picture the bike yet.. maybe Friday.

I personally think it is great looking too and it's not really common around here in my particular town so it gets a few looks. Looks more expensive then it is. It comes with 700x25 wheels which is my preferred wheel for handling bumpy roads a bit better. And up here, with temps that get below -20 in the winter numerous times, the frost heave definitely takes it's toll on roads.

chibibike

how does the synaps look relaxed? it looks like a speed demon to me. it's cooler looking than both of the other bikes, just a smudge more than the trek cause i'm a trek lover.

Mike F

I have a Z85 and it is perfect for the type of riding I do. Im older and have been away from cycling so long the relaxed geometry is really comfortable. Buy whats fits best and meets your needs. If your going to do longer rides a relaxed geometry may be better, if you see yourself doing races then look at a more aggressive geometry.

10 Wheels

I am 69 and have 30,000 miles on a Felt F-85.
Get one that fits best.

TimS

Good to hear the positive reviews of the Z85. With the CAAD10 being mentioned, I did try that out, but just felt too stretched out on it. Is it easy to adjust the stem on a Synapse or Z85 to give a more aggressive geometry should I choose that down the road? Thanks for all the comments. It's given me a good bit of a confidence boost with my decision-making.

Mike F

You can remove spacers, flip the stem (its adjustable on z85 by rotating the shim), try different lengths or upgrade too lighter parts but the bike itself will always have a relaxed geometry. You could really mess with the time-space continuum and get a fork with a shorter rake or blade length but then you could have toe-overlap and handling issues.

dayday82

imo, F85.

wb_dad

Curious to know what you decide. I've got a post with a similar list of bikes somewhere around here. Hoping to ride the last few on my list and make a call soon. The Z85 (ridden) and Synapse (not yet ridden) are on the list. Really curious to ride the Raleigh Revenio as it's a full 105 bike with similar relaxed geometry and goes for about the same as the Felt.

TimS

I will definitely try to not mess with the space-time continuum. Sticking with the spacers and such sounds like a good option down the road. Looking at the F85 online, that seems to have a similar geometry to the CAAD - maybe even more aggressive? Anyway, given how I didn't like the CAAD as much, I think I'll steer clear of the F series for now.

wb_dad, I'll let you know what I decide. I also noticed the Revenio, but no shop that I've looked at has it. Any other bikes that are on top of the list for you? Just curious...

As of now, I'm definitely leaning towards the more relaxed geometry - It feels like it better fits the type of riding I want to be doing. And then, in 5 or 10 years if I've started to get into racing (I'm only 28), there's always going to be carbon race bikes. :-)

wb_dad

Did a blitz of bikes on Friday morning at a bike shop that carried a bunch of different brands. Biggest complaint is that they didn't have a single bike with the combination of frame size and components that I was directly interested in. I realize it's hard to expect them to carry so many models in so many sizes, but it was hard to get a real feel for it. That, and maybe I'm not an experienced enough rider to be able to mix-n-match parts in my head.

I rode a properly sized Revenio (but the 1.0 model, with Sora and CrMo fork), a Giant Defy 3.0 (Sora again), a C'dale Synapse (wrong size, but with 105 components), and a 2010 (?) Fuji Roubaix (rental bike). Pretty sure that was Sora again. (I should probably take notes. )

The Giant was poorly setup and didn't shift all that well. Lots of clicking. They were super busy with rentals when I popped in, so I just took it out as is. Might have colored my opinion, but it was my least favorite. The Fuji was fine and setup better, but was not really distinctive in any way. Both of these suffered in my mind because of the Sora components which I have and am looking to upgrade from.

The Synapse was *way* too big, but I took it out just to feel the 105s again. Very nice bike. Really felt like it was jumping out from beneath me when I put my mind to a hard effort. Hard to get a better judge of that one, though, because it was a 58cm and I should have been in a 54. They didn't have any that size ready to ride.

Of those 4 bikes, though, I think I liked the Revenio (even with the Sora stuff) the best. It was setup very well, shifted very nicely, and felt good. It was obviously heavier than the other bikes, with the CrMo fork and slightly heavier components, but it really was a nice ride.

I'm trying in my mind to mate the nice shifting of the 105s with the frame of the Revenio. Unlike at least one other shop, I'd have to just buy the Revenio (in the 3.0 model). The shop wouldn't bring one in and build it in the hope of me buying. (Another shop agreed to do that with a model they didn't have in stock.)

So... right now at least... I think it's between the Revenio 3.0 and the Felt Z85. Seems to be the best bang for the buck. The Felt is going to come from EMS because no LBS in the area carries them. It's also really my closest "bike shop" and will do a free tune-up which not everyone has offered with a new bike. (?) The Revenio will have to be ordered un-ridden in that particular model, but they said they could have it in just a few days.

Not sure if this helps you at all. Good luck with your search.

wcHHMiB6

Do you have that low self esteem to care what some idiot might think or not think about you having a relaxed ride? Lol.

TimS

wb_dad, Thanks for the thoughts! How is the search going for you at this point? So I actually put down the money for a bike a week or two ago, and finally was able to pick it up on Wednesday! What a long wait... Anyway, I ended up going with the Synapse 5, and I love it. Like wb_dad, the first time I rode it at a different shop, the derailleurs were poorly adjusted - the chain even came off once while shifting on the flats. But after riding it again at a new shop, I loved it. The Z85 was a close second for me, but the Cannondale just felt like a smoother ride to me, and I think it will treat me better on the longer rides.

I got the last Synapse 5 they were able to order, but it was unfortunately a triple. However, they did a conversion to a compact double, pretty much free of charge. Got the clipless pedals (I'm new to those), got sized. I finally was able to take it for an actual ride this morning, and it is phenomenal! It feels natural, comfortable, and fits my body perfectly. Can't wait to take it out again...

wb_dad

Congrats. While I searched various LBS for the "perfect" combination of bike and price, I stumbled on a 2010 Specialized Roubaix on Craigslist. After factoring in tax and accessories, the carbon Roubaix ended up being about the same price as the various aluminum bikes I was looking at. It's used, but barely. Had only about 300 miles on it and really looked like it just came out of the store. Not a blemish on it. Now... if only the weather around here would cooperate long enough for me to ride it....