Defy, Roubaix, Synapse: what else is similar?

Icm76
Icm76 Posts: 21
edited July 2009 in Road buying advice
I've ridden the Giant Defy, and the Cannondale Synapse, both good but neither gave me the feeling that "this is the bike I must buy." Planning to try the Specialized Roubaix in a week or two. What else is worth a look? Obviously I'm looking at the more 'comfort' oriented, softer riding road bikes here.

Thanks for any recommendations or suggestions.

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Cervelo RS
    I like bikes...

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  • Icm76
    Icm76 Posts: 21
    Cervelo RS
    I looked at this briefly on their website yesterday. Much more desirable than Giant et al. very expensive though.

    There is a dealer in my region who sells Wilier and Orbea. Wilier range looks to be mostly quite low down and aggressive, anything in the Orbea range that might be worth a look?
  • allaction
    allaction Posts: 209
    I can heartily reccomend the synapse. It is like a magic carpet ride, I'm on my second now and think they are hard to beat.
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    As far as I know the "carbon racers" e.g. Tarmac Elite are known for comfort too, it might be that the "comfort carbons" are actually rather boring because they haven't got the same aggressive geometry.

    Carbon at that level is usually comfortable - I test rode a Jamis Xenith Comp last summer and felt no bumps, like a magic carpet ride.

    Bottom line: Don't look TOO much into the comfort difference between the "comfort" and "race" models, though some bikes such as the Kuota KOM are known to be bone shakers.
  • Try the orbea onix.Great looking bike(if you like oversize frame of course) and a good ride.Got mine on monday and i have to keep going into the garage to look at it :)
    SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES; NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS
  • Mothyman
    Mothyman Posts: 655
    i had the same issue as you - i went for the roubaix comp - am very happy with the comfort, the hill climbing and steady plodding but my friend's bike seems faster on the flat ...i think mine will be perfect for the long rides without wanting to smash all records.
    if i wanted to be a bit more serious over shorter distances I'd look at the tarmac...or maybe that willier that is reviewed in this weeks bikeradar

    others here suggested orbea onix, trek madone 4.5.

    i have not yet met anyone who bought giant or roubaix or synapse to be unhappy with them..we love them all

    enjoy testing
  • VerwoodAsh
    VerwoodAsh Posts: 196
    I went from a 2006 carbon synapse to a 2008 S-works Roubaix. Both brilliant bikes.

    The Synapse was better on the hills but the roubaix is even more comfortable over the longer distance. The roubaix is taller in the head tube and more relaxed but to be honest I don't notice it being that much more softer than the old bike.

    The only reason I changed was because I like change and I was able to get the Roubaix at a steal of a price. If I hadn't then the Synapse would still be hanging on the wall in the garage now.

    Try either bike - you won't be disappointed.
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    Depending on your budget, I can recommend a carbon Bianchi C2C.

    I've had mine for over a year now and it's a very comfortable bike for long rides; and I chose it over the Roubaix and the Madone (similarly priced versions around the £1,500 price mark) and after testing various other bikes. It's 'comfort' orientated as you describe it but it's certainly not 'soft' - the geometry is closer to a racer than an out and out sportive bike, which appealed to me and I've not regretted my choice. I've got friends with Roubaix's and they love them, another friend loves his Cannondale. I don't think you'll go far wrong whatever bike you choose, ultimately it's down to your own taste and feeling for a bike.
  • dmb101
    dmb101 Posts: 16
    Willer izoard or ti offering?
  • N4PALM
    N4PALM Posts: 240
    Look 585 Optimum
    Colnago CLX/Arte/Primavera
    Giant Defy
    Cannondale Synapse
    Look 566 Origin
    Specialized Roubaix
    Colnago C-50
    Cervelo RS
    Lapierre R/S LITE
    Felt Z


    Thats my top 10 list of "sportive/Comfort bikes I plan to try". Thats pretty much in order of reach shortest to longest based on top tube length, tube angles and head tube lengths. Theres not an awful lot in them tbh.

    While I havent ridden any of these bikes I have done quite a bit of research into their geometries and done a lot of silly maths, on paper they look like they do the trick.

    I'm a long legged, short bodied guy I have a lot of saddle bar drop so I find the more agressive geometries punishing after a couple of hours, such as my focus variado. I can see myself buying a Synapse one day, tho I'd be buying the Colnago or the Look 585 opti if I won teh lottery!


    ps. for some reason I omitted the Bianchi C2C, I think becuase despite its taller headtube the top tube is still long. Tho you may find thats fine.
  • Philby
    Philby Posts: 328
    Another vote for Bianchi C2C
  • Icm76
    Icm76 Posts: 21
    Thanks for all the replies and suggestions on this thread, I had hoped to have had a few more test rides by now and made a decision. Frustratingly though I've been crocked courtesy of my LBS, so it's put a bit of a dampener on my summer riding :( Will be a while before I can do any meaningful test rides :x
    PianoMan wrote:
    Bottom line: Don't look TOO much into the comfort difference between the "comfort" and "race" models, though some bikes such as the Kuota KOM are known to be bone shakers.
    The most exciting bike I tested was an '08 Giant TCR, very smooth, but a little too stretched out. So I reckon I probably don't need to be as restrictive in my choices as I originally thought. There is a Specialized Concept store close enough to me that I can make a trip, testing Tarmac v Roubaix and Secteur will be a good comparison.
    N4PALM wrote:
    Look 585 Optimum
    Colnago CLX/Arte/Primavera
    Giant Defy
    Cannondale Synapse
    Look 566 Origin
    Specialized Roubaix
    Colnago C-50
    Cervelo RS
    Lapierre R/S LITE
    Felt Z
    This is a great list, thanks! I feel like I need to test ride about 40 different bikes before I can make up my mind.
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    Frustratingly though I've been crocked courtesy of my LBS

    What happened?
  • kozzo
    kozzo Posts: 182
    Icm76 wrote:
    I've ridden the Giant Defy, and the Cannondale Synapse, both good but neither gave me the feeling that "this is the bike I must buy." Planning to try the Specialized Roubaix in a week or two. What else is worth a look? Obviously I'm looking at the more 'comfort' oriented, softer riding road bikes here.

    Thanks for any recommendations or suggestions.


    Scott CR1 ?


    It has one fault: rear mech hanger is not replacable....
    (in fact this was reason not to buy for me as I destroyed one in the big crash)
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,741
    cycling plus did a big round up of all the sub £2000 road bikes in the april issue, the conclusion was the top 3 were the Giant (TCR?) the Wilier Mortirolo and the Look

    also highly regarded were the ribble sportive, the cinelli willin, and others I can't remember off the top of my head, you may be able to find the article or a cut down of it on this website somewhere
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • vinnn
    vinnn Posts: 62
    I have a 2008 Synapse Carbon and can't fault it.
    It gives a lovely silky ride whilst remaing stiff and stable under high speeds. When I first bought it I was surprised at how much less beat up I was after long rides compared to my aluminium bike.

    I'm sure other carbon sportive bikes give a similar feel however I can't comment much on those apart from my test rides of the Roubaix and the Felt Z35, both were good but the Synapse Carbon was a better fit for me and seemed stiffer laterally with my 14st behind bouncing on it, I also don't really like the look of the compact frames but that's a personal thing.
  • Icm76
    Icm76 Posts: 21
    edited July 2009
    EdZed wrote:
    Frustratingly though I've been crocked courtesy of my LBS

    What happened?
    Accident following the stem bolt coming loose, knee injury that's going to take longer to heal than I hoped. I have sought medical & legal advice, but I'd like to stay on good terms with the LBS in question if possible. For now I have to wait and see if there is any long term damage.
    edhornby wrote:
    cycling plus did a big round up of all the sub £2000 road bikes in the april issue... Look
    Which model Look?
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    Sorry to hear that, hope your knee recovers quickly and you're able to ride asap.

    The recent C+ bike of the year feature was a test for racing and sportive bikes in the £1,200 - £1,700 price range. They tested 37 bikes and the top three were the Giant TCR Advanced 3, the Time Speeder and the Wilier Mortirolo. The group below included an Argon 18, a Cinelli Willin', a Ribble Racing Sportive and a Trek Madone. As far as I can see there wasn't a Look bike in the test. It certainly had plenty of choice.

    see http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/b ... ders-20989

    Viner bikes are well regarded and are worth a look see http://www.vinerbikes.com/

    For what it's worth, I'd still recommend trying a carbon Bianchi C2C if you can :wink: