cannodale synapse carbon v roubaix comp

sloxam
sloxam Posts: 861
edited October 2007 in Road beginners
as the insurance has paid out i am looking for my summer bike. i can get another roubaix but there are better deals on synapses at the moment. any opinions on the synapse as i know the roubaix, although comparisons are welcome
i hate hills (cos i'm fat)

www.justgiving.com/steven-loxam/

Comments

  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    Synapse everytime , Tried them both before buying last year . Roubaox was a bit dead and unresponsive in comparison to the Synapse . Doesnt make it bad just not what I was looking for .
    You can turn the Synpase into a more race orientated machine by removing the spacers and fliping the stem . The Roubaix you are more restricted .

    There are other options as well . Do a search on its been discussed before I think .
  • Lagavulin
    Lagavulin Posts: 1,688
    Steveorow wrote:
    You can turn the Synpase into a more race orientated machine by removing the spacers and fliping the stem . The Roubaix you are more restricted.
    Really? I saw the review in November's Cycling Plus which seemed to praise the Roubaix for its swappable stem.

    I'm interested as II've promised myself a new bike and I'm considering a decent spec'd Synapse or the '08 Roubiax Expert as a reward for getting through the winter.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD 9
    2008 Wilier Izoard
  • scapaslow
    scapaslow Posts: 305
    Bought a carbon 105 synapse in May of this year and think it's fantastic. I've never tried a roubaix so can't offer a comparison.
    I've ridden a good number of miles on it over the summer and would summarise it as fast, responsive and very comfortable over long distance. I think the finish on the frame is superb and it looks good as well. The only extra maintenance needing done in that time has been to tighten the gear cables.

    Great bike. Try and get a test ride.

    Is there anything specific you want to know about it? What type of riding are you planning to do on it?
  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    Lagaviulin.....
    Never saw the review so not sure wwhich model it was . The Roubaix I tried was tested more than a year ago so may not be same model . Apolgies for any confusion .

    The Roubaix was very upright and the stem looked limited in adjustment ( visually not scientific ) . THere was also no fork spacers from my recollection on the Roubaix ; the cannondale has a good 2 inches that can be removed . Henc my comment .
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    The Roubaix has
    S-Works Pro-Set stem, 31.8mm handlebar clamp, 4-position adjustable, Ti hardwareS-Works Pro-Set stem, 31.8mm handlebar clamp, 4-position adjustable, Ti hardware
    (from Specialized web site).

    I don't know this bike but on another thread (see below) I read that the stem has an asymetric shim which provides four different stem angle possibilities.
    Yes that's right, the 4 positions are +16, +8, -8 and -16 degrees. Clever stem.
    from this thread
  • pieinthesky
    pieinthesky Posts: 417
    I have no experience of either of these bikes but if it helps, everything I have ever had with the Cannondale name has been rubbish and everything Specialized has been fantastic. Mostly MTB gear though.
  • sloxam
    sloxam Posts: 861
    scapaslow wrote:
    Bought a carbon 105 synapse in May of this year and think it's fantastic. I've never tried a roubaix so can't offer a comparison.
    I've ridden a good number of miles on it over the summer and would summarise it as fast, responsive and very comfortable over long distance. I think the finish on the frame is superb and it looks good as well. The only extra maintenance needing done in that time has been to tighten the gear cables.

    Great bike. Try and get a test ride.

    Is there anything specific you want to know about it? What type of riding are you planning to do on it?
    having done 5k on a roubaix this year and loved it i was just wondering if any one had an experience of both and any pros and cons
    i hate hills (cos i'm fat)

    www.justgiving.com/steven-loxam/
  • allaction
    allaction Posts: 209
    I have a 2007 Synapse Carbon 105 and have just done over a thousand miles on it. Highly reccomend it (two friends have bought them after praise I gave and love it). Really comfy on long rides and fast enough for me (faster than me in fairness). I got the blue and black http://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/07/ce/ro ... RCL2C.html shown here with Ultegra. Looks awesome in the flesh and quality of finish is superb. The 2008 model is cheaper but not as well specced I hear. You would do well to get a good deal on a 2007 model (got mine for £1100 down from £1600 in the summer). Cannondales have had a reputation for bad frames which the earlier post alluded to but that was eighties and early nineties from what I gather. Last ten years they have been as good as anyone else at mass producing superb bikes.

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