So I'm looking into getting into road biking. I have some friends that are really into it and I'm looking to start. From my job, I have access to quite good discounts on both Cannondale and Specialized bikes so those will be the brands I'm considering. I was looking into the Cannondale CAAD10 105, Synapse 105 and the Specialized Secteur Elite Apex and Allez Comp Compact M2 Apex. For the money, which bike would be the best buy based upon the specs of each bike? I know the synapse is more for comfort than the CAAD10 but is there a big sacrifice in performance?

ride them all, get the one you are most comfortable with ... neither is better or worse than the other, both brands make excellent bikes and all four mentioned are excellent machines...

Ditto.

Another thing is every Specialized you're considering is SRAM and all Cannondales are Shimano? Isn't there an opposite drivetrain brand for around the same price on all of the models you've listed?

In one word, no. They will ride differently but performance is not sacrificed in a big way. The components will probably be a bigger indication of performance, and the biggest indication of performance is the rider.

This may seem somewhat counterintuitive given the obsessive nature of most cyclists, but my advice: buy the bike that fits your budget and gets you most excited to ride it.

Check the gear ratios. In uk at least, speciLozed currently selling with compact cranks on the double models.

The CAAD 10 is the sportiest and you will feel that in the riding position and the ride.

The Synapse Alloy and Secteur will have compact geometry and comfort oriented rides. Neither will match the comfort of their CF counterparts but unless you are routinely cruising at 18+ mph on rough pavement it won't be an issue.

No, the comfort level and riding position of each bike will not affect its performance at all.

I do believe the Synapse alloy have a semi-compact geometry while the Specialized Secteur has a full on comapct geomentry. You will notice that in their riding position with the Specialized having a more upright, more comfortable position even down in the drops. Either of these bikes will be very close. I believe the Cannondale has a slight advantage in component group and price. If so, the Cannondale Synapse alloy is the better value.

First of all, welcome aboard DBz.

The CAAD10 is going to be a rocket.
The Spec, slower than the CAAD.

What kind of riding do your friends do?
Cruising or high speed rides?

Ride them and decide afterwards. They are both top shelf bikes. I personally like Cannondale. I think they look so good also I like the way the word "Cannondale" rolls of the lips

seriously?? ugh

fixed.

obvious fanboi is obvious.

Hey! "...between the 'dale and the" spec "I'd take the 'dale..."

of course you would... that's why you're a fanboi...

Actually, those are your words from another thread where I substituted the word "trek" for "spec".

I had a CAAD 9--sold it, and now own a Specialized Tarmac Pro (Carbon), and a Cannondale Six13, (Carbon/Al hybrid). The Tarmac is very tight and fast, yet very comfortable. The Six13 is only slightlier buzzier, but similar geometry, and very similar in ride quality. It is a discontinued model, however, and is excellent. You see, it really depends on the geometry of the bike, the quality of the components, the quality of the aluminum, the quality of the carbon, etc. etc. The distinctions are nuanced. You have to pretty much know what you are looking for. It takes time to figure this all out. Bottom line: Cannondale and Specialized both make excellent bikes of varying quality materials and components....you just have to ride them to see which you like. In any case, you will not go wrong with either brand.

I've just gone through the rounds of shopping myself and decided to get the Synapse Alloy 5. Particularly compared to Specialized it seemed a better value. Neither are discounted here much, but Specialized's comparable quality models were definitely more expensive, pretty much across the board. I asked a Spec. salesperson about that and his only response was that if I rode one I'd understand. Yeah, thanks.

changing my words to fit your desire does not a pwn make... pwned? na, not at all...

You can't be serious. Each of those bikes will be as fast as their rider. I'm no slower on my Allez Elite than I was on my Tsunami Scandium, and there's a guy near me who rides a steel bike with downtube shifters, rear rack, and metal fenders faster than I did on any bike.

edit: I also know someone who races Cat 2 on an Allez.

Agree with you 100%.

Specialized sucks because I do not ride or sell them

Cannnondale is fantastic because I own a couple and sell them.

That's the Bikeforums standard response and all you need to know.

BTW...in all seriousness, I think the CAAD10 is the best aluminum frame on the planet. And not because of a relationship with Cannonndale. That frame is holding a Dura Ace groupset for retail sale. It's that good.

In other words, if you have to ask you'll never get it. Never good to pull out that line with a customer.

Shhhh!
(Of course I'm not!)

Both Cannondale and Specialized make excellent bikes.

All four of these bikes will perform nearly identically, assuming that the rider position is the same. Remember, this is a human powered vehicle, not a motorcycle; changing a few bits on the bike will not improve the engine at all.

Each bike will feel a little different so it's worth your time to test ride them. Pick one out, keep it clean and maintained, and don't look back.

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