New comfortable carbon bike

russweb

Hi all
I'm thinking of getting a new bike with a more relaxed, comfortable riding position. I am wondering about Felt Z35 or Cannondale Synapse carbon. Both £1300 and right at the top end of my budget.
Anyone got one of these or got other recommendations
Would be greatly appreciated

Russ

Gary D

Russ,

I posted a similar question a while ago. See:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12556289

I didn't consider the Felt, but the one I am leaning very heavily towards at the moment is the Bianchi 928 C2C. It comes it at £1325 list price for a compact.

I have yet to test ride any of them but if the Bianchi rides as good as it looks then decision made for me

Gary.

russweb

Thanks Gary

redddraggon

Bianchi C2C with Veloce.

sloxam

i have a synapse and i have also owned a roubaix. both are top machines but the synapse gets my vote. seems stiffer but fast and very comfy. the felt has had a good write up in the mag but it is a first season bike (i think) and a longer feedback period would give more insight into its performance imo.

ninjaslim

I haven't ridden the synapse but have the System six and would highly recommend the Cannondale System Six Pro 105 Compact (£1699 2007, gotta be discouted somewhere) I have the SRAM Force model and have ridden 120 miles + in 6 hours and been well comfortable, but knackered. From what I've read it's pretty much about how rough you want to ride and if off road / cobbles is your bag then synapse is for you but if you're after road miles in the saddle, like a three week tour, then system 6 is the frame for you and Giro winner Di luca.

bowser

im stuck with the same problem theres so many good bikes out there now at the £1300 mark
every time i pick up a copy of cycling + im tempted with a new choice!
it seems such a competitive price point and the bikes you can buy now with the level of equipment specced is unbelievable compared to a few years ago
seems more and more people are taking up cycling which is good and nowadays most "starter bikes" come with lightweight frames and decent kit unheard of in my day took me years to afford a 531 frame!
i recently returned to cycling after a couple of years lay off after surgery
i have a giant scr 3 at the moment which i have gradually upgraded brakes wheels etc.
but am now tempted with a comfortable carbon steed for long day rides
i have narrowed down my search to a cannondale synapse 105. the felt z35.
and possibly the bianchi c2c . all come with great spec but as mentioned apart from the bianchi i would have to use the mail order option without trying out first
obviously the best deals are over the internet . but i do like to patronise a lbs if possible
would be interested to know how you get on with your choice also

Nuggs

I just bought a Roubaix for £1,300 and love it to pieces.

I was going to go for the Felt, but they don't import the 61cm frame into the UK.

No regrets about going for the Spesh though!

FORUM EXPERT

Madone 5.2 just won Sportive bike of the year.

At your price point look at Madone 4.5 Same geometry just different carbon lay up

thexvw

Just bought a Roubaix comp, its the first carbon bike I have ever owned and I am really pleased with it.

PostieJohn

I absolutely love (probably more than is actually healthy) my C2C Veloce, it's so comfy, I can and do sit on it for hours on end.

As a rule I'm a lazy bugger, but my C2C gets treated properly, it's always clean and maintained, which wouldn't happen if it was 'just a bike', no matter how much it cost.

I did have to travel about 60 miles to buy from a, not so LBS, instead of Evans, which was well worth it.
The set up has never let me down, unlike bikes purchased from chain stores.

Gary D

I finally ended up going for the 928 C2C after test riding the Roubaix and Madone 4.5 as well. There wasn't a huge difference between them, but the Bianchi just had the edge as it was just so comfortable.

Practically, I don't think you could go far wrong with any purchase in this price bracket as they all seem really good bikes. Originally, I quite liked the Synapse, but trying to find a dealer reasonably close to me that would also allow a test ride was all but impossible!! Therefore, that got crossed off the list.

I think in the end it will come down to small subjective preferences.

Order is placed and I am just waiting for confirmation of the delivery date from the LBS.

Can't wait...

PostieJohn

I know this is a really mean thing to do, esp as I know your bike will be fantastic, but check this thread out:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=fit+bike

Gary D

Thanks Postie, but I had already seen that.

It wouldn't affect me at all because I have completely wimped out and gone for the 105 version - but the LBS are putting a triple chainset on it :oops: :oops:

My logic is, that when I get fitter and faster, then I have the option to easily change to a compact or even a double. It's a lot more difficult and expensive to do it the other way around.

My indulgence is that I am probably going to upgrade to the FSA K-Wing Carbon bars they look really bling!!

Gary.

SteelyCam

Gary D wrote:

I finally ended up going for the 928 C2C after test riding the Roubaix and Madone 4.5 as well. There wasn't a huge difference between them, but the Bianchi just had the edge as it was just so comfortable.

Now how is that for service? I joined the forum tonight to ask for help deciding between the newly price reduced Roubaix Elite 08 (£1,099) which I am going to see tomorrow, and the Trek Madone 4.5 I pawed over at lunchtime today. You've narrowed your choices down to them, test ridden them, and opted for a third option which looks and sounds fantastic! Brilliant.

Can anybody support the Specialized or Trek in this comparison, or should it Bianchi all the based on what I've read? (I stress I'll still do my own test rides). I'm jumping from a 23 year old 531c to this, so I expect to be blown away by any one of the three. It will be for recreational riding and sportives, but I like to put the pedal down when I can. :roll:

PostieJohn

I'm jumping from a 23 year old 531c to this, so I expect to be blown away by any one of the three.

There's your problem, I suggest you measure your grin, after each ride, because they are all similar. Like me, compared to what you were on, it's all down to personal choice.

sicrow

I bought the Roubaix yesterday, comfy and at the reduced price level now a bargin

HungryCol

The Bianchi 928 C2C is a lovely lovely bike and has tempted me greatly in the past but I'm staying loyal to Cannondale and my new fast-as-lightening Six13 8)

russweb

Hi everyone

I'm now thinking more about the Spesh ROubaix than the Felt. Anyone got views on whether the comp is worth the extra money over the Elite?
Also is there much difference between 2007 and 2008 models, looking for a bargain a always....

Thanks

Russ

Nuggs

russweb wrote:

Hi everyone

I'm now thinking more about the Spesh ROubaix than the Felt. Anyone got views on whether the comp is worth the extra money over the Elite?
Also is there much difference between 2007 and 2008 models, looking for a bargain a always....

Thanks

Russ

I can't comment on the differences between the two, bit I have the Elite and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

davelakers

I would have thought that above all these, the PlanetX Carbon @£999 with Dura-ace/Ultegra would be high on a lot of peoples lists?

Im counting the days until I can get one................................

markos1963

Just bought an Orbea Onix with 105 group and whr550 wheels and its fantastic, comfy but stiff enough to zipp up the hills. I believe that they are about 1300quid in this build.

gkerr4

davelakers wrote:

I would have thought that above all these, the PlanetX Carbon @£999 with Dura-ace/Ultegra would be high on a lot of peoples lists?

Im counting the days until I can get one................................

it's not really known as a comfortable bike though - it has a pretty racey geometry - i;m not saying that it wouldn't be comfy for a long day in the saddle, but the bikes being discussed here are designed specifically for that.