JGSnCA

I've narrowed my selection down to these two bikes and can get either one for around the same price give or take $200--not a deal breaker.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...4-comp-compact

The Roubaix is an 11 speed but I'm not wild about either color but could live with the carbon.

https://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes...mpact-crankset

Cannondale color appeals to me more and I think it has a better/lighter crank. Not sure the wheels, MAVIC AKSIUM WTS, are any better than the Fulcrum S5 on the Roubaix.

I've learned a great deal from the people on this forum and you've helped educate me this far. What say you experts with far more knowledge than me. Thanks in advance!!!

hokie cycler

Go with your gut, they're both good bikes.

10 Wheels

Get The One that Talks to you.

TexMac

Those bikes are both good. Test ride them and see which one feels better.

Bah Humbug

You like the colors on the Cannondale better? Buy that one. Ride it hard.

Blue Belly

I'm a big fan of buying a frame & building it up the way you want. Most bikes sold as a package have compromises to fit it into a price range. I like that you aren't stuck on a "brand". Find what it is you want out of a bike & go after it that way.
the one thing I do notice is that the Cannondale has a bit steeper head tube angle(on a 58cm), with the same trail. This should provide a bit sharper steering. The seat tube angle is the same for both frames @ 73deg. So both should give a nice ride, theoretically. Id get on both of them & see what they do when you pull on the bars & put some power into the pedals.

robbyville

I'd agree with the others that both are great bikes and that you should try for comfortable fit, etc. Couple things to help or perhaps consider:
Roubaix is 2014 line, the SL4 frame is new from 2013 and has not been changed, but you do have the new Ultegra components which have changed drastically from previous versions. The brake levers are more comfortable and the front derailleur shifting is much much smoother. Shifting overall on the new ultegra is much better than previous. It also comes with an 11-32 cassette which is nice if you live in a hilly area. The only thing that always bothers me with Specialized is the cheaping out on the brake calipers which are not Ultegra (which are very nice), I don't know the model they use. I know that it's common to substitute some parts to make the bike more price competitive but that's not how I'd do it and not at a $3k level.

The Synapse of course has a great reputation, I'm not sure if there are any major re-works being done for 2014 and at least it's a full Ultegra group but it's the previous version so if you were going to get it, there should be some good sales out there. Perhaps it would be worth waiting for the 2014?

MikeWMass

They both have FSA cranksets.

thechemist

That synapse color scheme is beautiful but I would go 11speed no question.

robbyville

true enough, I just meant the calipers

SirHustlerEsq

I think the Cannondale is unlovably-ugly; the Roubaix has the modern components. However, I would probably buy the Cannondale though because they spend less time litigating with smaller companies over name association.

You should probably ride both and decide because they head-tube is way taller in the Roubaix and for that reason my buddy selected the Synapse and he loves it.

squatchy

What a nice problem to have. Like others have said ,,,,ride em if you can. I have a Roubaix and love it. I am also very interested in buying that Cannondale. I saw a display at The Pro Challenge and is sure was nice.

Not to confuse the issue ,,lots of write up on the SL4. Seems most like the SL3 better as it is not as stiff. Apperntly Specialized considers the cobblegobbler (seat post) part of the makeup of the bike so as to offset the super stiff SL4 frame.

Not sure of the Synapse that you posted the link on,,,,but, the demo I saw at the Pro Challange had chain rings now that can be swapped out from standard to compact,, or vise versa, without having to change the entire crank. Thats kinda cool, even though it only takes a few mins to swap out a crank.

znomit

Cannondale

rgwinn

Did you evaluate the similar Trek Models? Just curious, as I am looking at similar bikes.

Those two look both look really good.

CLKKELLEY

Volagi Liscio 2
www.volagi.com. I have a Cannondale Synapse and just rode this bike 100 miles today on very rough roads and 5300 feet of climb and the ride and disc brakes are incredible!

JGSnCA

I test rode the Domane 5.2 and liked the ride a lot. However, call we crazy, I couldn't get over the red/white color scheme. I want a bike I love to ride AND its looks appeal to me. I kept my last rode bike 11 years so I don't want to get tired of looking at it.

As far as the Roubiax SL4 Comp Compact and Cannondale Sysnapse Carbon go I would give the Roubaix a slight nod in terms of ride/comfort, but not much at all. My problem is I'm 6'3" and to get a bike my size I'm being quoted delivery times of 4+ weeks as the 2013's go out and the 2014's start to arrive.

JGSnCA

Great looking bike but I didn't see the price anywhere?

JGSnCA

I think the Cannondale site is still showing specs for 2013 and that the 2014 model will have 11 speed.

rgwinn

I completely understand. Thanks for the feedback, I am sure you will be happy with whatever decision you make, and you will have to post a photo when you do.

99Klein 

Looks like a win win to me.

CLKKELLEY

JGSinCA,
just go to the STORE section of their website and then BUILD A BIKE and you can build a Liscio2 CF or Vieje steel model with the components, brakes and wheels you choose and get an exact MSRP when you ADD TO CART at the end. If you called a dealer in your area you might do better than MSRP like I did.