mrdeep

I'm about to buy my first road bike, I've only ever had hybrid/mountain/etc bikes in the past.

My average ride will probably be around ~15 miles a couple of times a week, with occasional longer rides on the weekend, probably on the order of 3k miles per year.

I live in NYC, the streets are generally fine, but every now and then I will have to ride down a potholed street and dodge pedestrians, cars, etc.

I've done some research, decided that I like Cannondale bikes, I've mostly been looking at CAADs or similar bikes.

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I've found 2 used bikes that I'm considering, both are the same size (54cm) and price ($950) and pretty much stock.

Bike 1: 2004 Cannondale R3000
https://web.archive.org/web/200406070...el-4RR3KD.html

This bike is older, but well maintained. I like the idea of having really nice components, but I might not really appreciate them? I assume this bike is lighter, which once again, I like the idea of, but I'm not racing or climbing a ton (but I will be carrying it up 5 flights of stairs). I slightly prefer this bike aesthetically. It includes a couple of accessories like pedals, saddle bag, computer, bottle cages so it'll probably end up being a bit cheaper.

Bike 2:
https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...riple-crankset
(Or actually, the 2012 version, but the website for that one is uncooperative:
https://web.archive.org/web/201202292...6-tiagra-19954

This bike is practically brand new. This bike seems like a safer first road bike, it'll be more comfortable and it will be a very long time before I have to replace or upgrade components based on how much I'm going to be riding.

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Ultimately, I want a bike that inspires me to ride more. I want something that feels fast, nimble, and efficient.

Is comfort going to be an issue if most of my rides are around 15 miles?
Can I make both bikes comparably comfortable through fit & tire pressure (for my kind of rides)?
Any advice on how 2004 Dura Ace components compare to 2012 Tiagra?
How significant are the advances in frame technology over the past ~9 years?
Should I just flip a coin or buy whichever one I can get a better deal on?
Any other advice?

Thanks in advance!

Silvercivic27

Synapse.

Dunbar

I'd be inclined to go with the new bike. But the older bike with full 10sp Dura Ace and Mavic Ksyrium wheels is tempting. Those older Dura Ace shifters are supposed to be the best around.

look566 rider

Go with the 2004 C'dale. 8 year old Dura Ace is still better than new Tiagra.

mrdeep

Thanks for the input, may I request a quick one liner reason why?

Silvercivic27

It's kind of like asking should I buy a 2004 BMW 525, or should I buy a 2012 Toyota Camry. Technology has come a long way in the last 8 years. Without going car into it, because I don't like typing much, I think you're going to be much more comfortable and satisfied with the newer equipment. There's probably going to be less issues with compatibility and finding parts, especially for someone new to road cycling.

Dunbar

If the OP was asking about older 9sp equipped bikes I'd say you have a point. The particular Cannondale R3000 is 10sp with a standard 1-1/8" threadless headset and standard road wheels. I don't really see where finding compatible parts is going to be an issue. Now, it almost certainly will require more maintenance in the first year or two of ownership than a brand new bike would.

carpediemracing 

Interesting question.

The 2004 bike has a CAAD7 frame, based on the specs. This is, as someone pointed out, a pretty standard frame even now, with a 1 1/8" steerer tube fork. It's a perfectly serviceable frame - my teammate has a similar CAAD8 and he's been racing on it since he got it new in 2006-ish.

10s parts, although going "out of style" on the pro circuit, will be around for a while. I'm still on 10s and don't have any solid thoughts on upgrading. Maybe in 5 years or something, but for now I'm committed to 10s and there is enough support out there to keep it that way.

DA parts are a bit lighter, okay, but the significant thing about better components is their durability - they perform more consistently through a given amount of time, compared to less expensive parts. This is because of the quality of construction - the aluminum is cold forged (shaped under pressure at essentially room temperature) instead of heat-forged or cast (shaped at high temps or poured into molds, the latter making for brittle aluminum). The pivots are higher quality, some have brass bushings instead of steel or no bushings so they work when soaked, they wear longer, etc. If you can examine the bike you should be able to wiggle the rear derailleur, front derailleur, brakes, and shifters. See if they wiggle more than "a little bit". If they flop around they're a bit worn. If they move just a bit that's normal - you should be able to get a lot of serviceable life out of them.

You'll have to replace the wear parts of course - chain, cassette, and, after many years, chainrings. Brake pads too. The DA brakes will be good forever, based on my experience with similar brakes.

I personally do a chain every year or so, cassettes every two or three chains. I get about 3000-5000 miles from a DA or Record chain, about 2 times that mileage for the cassette (since I race on a different cassette some of my miles aren't on my training cassette).

I have DA level components on my bike (Record/Chorus) and I have a 10s drivetrain that I've used, on and off, since 2005 or so. The rear derailleur is still in great shape, shifters, etc.

I don't know the new Tiagra but I'm guessing that you'll see 3000-5000 miles of usable life on some of the more frequently used parts like the derailleurs. You may not notice the decrease in performance because it declines slowly but steadily (frog in boiling water analogy) but you'll notice it if you replace a part and suddenly the shifting really tightens up. Even with good components it makes a difference when you replace wear parts (chain+cassette or better yet chain+cassette+chainrings). The difference is that you won't need to replace the rear derailleur to get close to optimal shifting again.

On the other hand you can replace whatever Tiagra parts that wear out enough with better parts.

The Synapse has one thing going for it - the frame/fork, especially if it fits you better and/or you want to put bigger tires on the bike. Fit is the most important thing about a bike - offer me a $20k road bike to ride and if you're offering me a 63cm bike it won't do me any good. Offer me a custom fit $2000 bike and it'll be close to the optimal bike for me. Larger tires make the biggest difference in comfort and durability/forgiveness in terms of flats/bumps/etc. The Synapse is designed for larger tires, not sure what is the max.

The parts, though, are pretty low level. I wouldn't consider the BMW vs Camry question to be quite right - I'd consider it "would you want an 8 year old Mercedes or a new Chevy Aveo?"

Silvercivic27

A Chevy Aveo would be a GMC Denali or a Walmart bike. An alloy synapse with tiagra is a beige, vanilla Camry. Sorry.

macca33

Tough decision and perhaps appropriate to convey my experience, having taken up riding - 20 years after I decided driving was more fun, which it isn't :-( - in last October.

I purchased a very well maintained and great condition 2001 Norco RD-2 (Ultegra 9-speed) which has an Easton 7005 aluminium frame and is a ripper to ride - everything works perfectly. In March, just gone, I fell to temptation (and a great colour scheme) and bought an almost perfect condition shop-demo 2011 CAAD10 Ultegra 10-speed, etc.

Comparing the two, the frame size / geometry is almost exactly the same and the Ultegra on both shifts very nicely (I do prefer the Ultegra 6700 hoods / brifters for comfort and the lack of cables), but I can tell you now, I MUCH prefer riding the new bike - it is so much more dynamic in handling, comfort and acceleration than the older bike, which you would expect from frame / technology that is contemporary and not a decade old.

So, unless you have your heart set on the older bike, I'd opt for the new one. Others have cited component differences and I accept that (DA is nice - I have it on another bike), but - components wear and if you really want the better stuff, you can replace the Tiagra groupset as you go, or do some buying / swapping / selling to replace those components over time - knowing that you have a great frame as a base.

Good luck with your choice and enjoy whichever you decide upon.

cheers

MikeWMass

I'm guessing you can see that mileage on derailleurs per year for as long as you are likely to own the bike. Tiagra is good stuff, and will not wear out in a year. And IMHO, the consumable parts like cassette and chain are likely to last longer than DA, as they don't sacrifice strength for low weight, and don't have titanium cogs. Just be sure to keep an eye on chain wear, as in any 10 speed system.

h2oxtc

I have 2 Caad 8's, one with DA 10s the other with Campy 11s. Love them both, but wouldn't commute with either - they're too nice to subject to the rigors of commuting. I've tried Tiagra and wouldn't choose to ride with it - but maybe for a commuter bike. Given only those two choices my choice would be the Caad. Personally, I'd be looking for a third option.