Sportster2009

I now own a canondale caadx with ultegra comonents and it is buttery smooth. I am loving it. I used to have a carbon synapse with apex components. The caadx is so much more enjoyable to ride. The shifting is just so smooth. At one point I had a carbon spec roubaix with ultegra components and it was also a great bike that i loved, but was twice as much. No way do I think that bike was worth twice as much as my caadx. The diiference mainly was the frame. Just makes me beleive that with the way frames are built these days that the difference in a bike off rack is more in the components than the frame. As long as the bike fits you properly, the components to me are more important.
I read so many posts that people recommend getting the best frame and upgrading components later. I say get a bike with that fits well with the best components. I think that the components play a bigger role in how enjoyable a bike is to ride than the material the frame is made out of. I would rather have an aluminum bike with high end components than carbon with lower end components.
Also the whole carbon is smoother thing I think is way over hyped. Tire width plays a much bigger role than frame material. If you want a bike tahat is comfy for long rides then get a bike that can fit at least 28mm tires. That will make a much bigger difference in ride quality than carbon vs aluminum.

Jiggle

I agree with all points.

Campag4life

Do you believe your aluminum CAADx with 28c tires has as good if not better ride quality than a carbon Synapse with 28c tires at the same pressure?

I find that hard to believe if the case but want to see if you are comparing apples.

twinTI

I would agree that once you get up a certain price point for a complete new bike you reach a point of diminishing returns. Especially with the frame.

As far as the components go. I think from about the 105 level. Most people would have a hard time feeling the difference in performance.

rpenmanparker 

Would somebody please define smooth. It seems to be terribly overused here. Kind of reminds me of a "bold" wine. If everything is so buttery smooth (ugh, I hate that phrase), OP should not have to pedal at all and be able to just slide down the road.

therhodeo

You sir are a troglodyte.

copswithguns

Having ridden aluminum, then carbon on the same roads, I can't completely agree. carbon sucks up more of the road buzz, a lot more actually. And I can feel that it's far more stiff than aluminum was (Allez vs Roubaix SL4 here).

Yes, the components will help with weight, shifting, etc., but it sounds to me, OP, that your Roubaix didn't fit you as well and this bike is just right for your body type, hence the perceived "better bike" feel.

rpenmanparker 

You should be aware already that racial slurs have no place on this forum. If you persist in insulting my ethnicity, I will be compelled to report you to the authorities.

canam73

My Argon 18 Krypton is flamboyant with hints of chocolate and mulberries.

My Mercier Draco AL is assertive with mild cat piss.

StanSeven

What tire pressure are you using? The only way this makes sense is with 28 tires at low pressure so everything is squishy smooth.

therhodeo

I at least said sir.

big john

The buttery smooth road.

rpenmanparker 

I didn't know Mercier came from New Zealand. Oh wait, you said mild. Never mind.

merlinextraligh

There's one big confounder in your comparison. The Caadx and the Synapse have different geometry so how you fit on the two bikes is going to be different, and how the bikes handle and ride is going to be influenced by the geometry differences.

So most of what you're experiencing may well be that the Caadx fits you better, and the geometry fits your riding style and objectives better.

canam73

Truth be told it wasn't that mild until I put some wider tires on it. Call it "oaking".

rpenmanparker 

I've been meaning to build up a pair of old time wooden wheels. I just can't decide if I want American or French Oak. I am leaning toward French. It would be neat for my bike to ride like a "Limousin".

Looigi

Buttery smoothness is nice, but fit is most important. It should fit like a glove.

canam73

What about something that had sherry? Might help on climbs.

rpenmanparker 

See, I think so too. And that fits with whether the oak should be new or used. The ride would surely be mellow with used oak, but the new would likely be toastier, don't you think.

canam73

New on the front, used for the rear.

rpenmanparker 

Done and done!

merlinextraligh

Aged Slovenian beechwood.

Cerchio Ghisallo Wood Rims - Wheelbuilder.com

shoemakerpom

This is very interesting since I rode with a guy last week that upgraded the exact opposite. He went from a Caadx to a new synapse with disc and was loving it. I asked him how it felt position wise to the caadx since I ride a systemsix and he thought the position was more enjoyable but not so aggressive.

Drew Eckhardt 

Beech. Made by Cerchi Ghisallo.



Perfect match for a Renovo frame

Avispa

Would be interesting if titanium was added to this list. I've seen claims carbon can be made as the smoother option, but i've seen same claims regarding titanium. Supposedly much better at damping the frequency of vibrations. Personally i am not swayed by the larger tire dimensions, and not too stiff frames either for that matter.