RBnewbie

Hello everyone, I am a newbie to the road cycling community. I am considering a new road bike but have difficulty choosing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have test ridden both Cannondale Synapse 4 and the Trek Domane 4.5. Both give a smooth ride, and are comfortable. Domane seems to have slightly better components but also slightly more expensive.
I am 45 years old, with relatively good fitness, and want a responsive but mostly comfortable ride. I ride about 30-40 miles per week, in Colorado, with hilly and mountainous terrain. Any thoughts or recommendations (even other bikes) would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to riding with some of you. Thanks.

jeepseahawk

Both of those bikes are designed for comfort in mind and good companies in the bike world. Would pick the one you like best. Someone else will chime in on other brands.

ncpaul

I was facing the same decision a few months back. Have you had a fitting to see if one fits your body better? I ended up going with a Focus Ialco Ergoride 4.0. The geometry is really close the the Snyapse but the price was much better. However I did buy a closeout from 2012. I am really happy with my purchase. It is a great frame and comes with nice components and solid wheels

carl_h

I also was trying to decide between a Domane and a Synapse not that long ago. I went with the Synapse 5 and haven't looked back. This is not to dismiss the Domane. Either is a fine choice. Focus more on which one you like the feel of rather than which one has better this or that. Your fit on the bike is more important than which crank the bike comes with.

I'm in Oregon with hilly terrain. I'm using a compact double with 11-28 cogs and do just fine.

mtalinm

don't buy any other bike before you have test-ridden the Domane over rough terrain. it's that good.

Tartar

I don't mean to interject with other options, however IMHO you might also like to try a Specialized Roubaix. As for the 2 options you listed, I have noticed a lot of fanfare going for the new Domane! Good luck on your hunt for a new bike. Also might like to point out that Specialized is running a sale for next 2 days or so with some fairly significant discounts( like $400 off a Rouabix Elite with 105).

RBnewbie

Thanks everyone for your time and your responses. I am looking to spend about $2500US.
I have test ridden the Specialized Roubaix carbon, and Allez Elite, but felt the Synapse and Domane were more comfortable and smoother. I have yet to ride a Felt Z series, but hear good things about them and the Focus bikes. It's a tough decision. I'm not complaining...there are certainly more important things to worry about...it's a nice position to be in! Thanks again.

jeepseahawk

I think it was designed for Tour de France cobblestone section, little suspension to soak it up.

gerard2013

I agree with what a dealer wrote, get the bike that you think looks cool as hell. I chose the Domane and, like most people, love what I ride.