Bi Big Bike Decision - Help needed

lancsroads

Hi All
I want to get a new Road Bike and I'm torn between the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra and the Ribble Scuro RS.
Please see the Specs below.

Ribble Scuro RS Carbon Road Frame L (54cm C to Top)
Ribble Scuro RS Carbon Road Forks 1 1/8" ITS
ITM Headset 1 1/8- 1 1/2 Hidden 45x45 46mm
Shimano Ultegra 6700 10 Spd Double Groupset
Shimano 6700 BB Cups (Ultegra 10 double/triple) Eng
Shimano Ultegra 10 Spd 6700 Brakes
Shimano 10 Spd Ultegra 6700 Cassette 11-23
Shimano 10 Spd 6700 Ultegra Chain
Shimano Ultegra Dbl 6700 10 Chainset 170 39/53
Shimano Ultegra 6700 10 Double Front Gr Braze-on
Shimano Ultegra 6700 Rear Gear Short
Shimano STI Levers Ultegra 6700 10 with Cables Double
Pro-Lite Pr Whls Gavia Carb Alu 50 Clincher 10 Only Shim
ITM Triango Carbon (31. Bars Black 40cm
ITM Triango Carbon (31. Stem Black 70mm
Selle Italia Flite Genuine Gel Saddle Black
Vittoria Rubino 3 Rigid Tyre Black/Black 700x23mm
Prorace Inner Tube 700x20/23 SV42mm
Fizik Dual Handlebar Tape Black/Blue
Look Keo 2 Max Pedals Grey
£2298.15 :shock:

Frame:Synapse CarbonFork:Cannondale Synapse Carbon SAVEFront Derailleur:Shimano UltegraRear Derailleur:Shimano UltegraNumber of Gears:20Shifters:Shimano UltegraChainset:FSA SL-K Light Carbon BB30Chainrings:34/50Bottom Bracket:FSA BB30Cassette:Shimano Ultegra 11-28Chain:Shimano UltegraFront Brake:Shimano UltegraRear Brake:Shimano UltegraBrake Levers:Shimano UltegraHandlebars:Cannondale C2 CompactStem:Cannondale C2Headset:Synapse SL 1.1/8Rims:DT Swiss R-1700Front Hub:DT Swiss R-1700Rear Hub:DT Swiss R-1700Front Tyre:Schwalbe Durano 700x23cRear Tyre:Schwalbe Durano 700x23cSaddle:Fi'zi:k Aliante Delta Mg railsSeatpost:Cannondale Synapse Aero CarbonWeight:16.5lbs (7.5kg) approx for the 56cm version
£2449.99 :shock:
Your thoughts are much appreciated. It's a lot of money and I want to be as sure as I can be. I prefer the look of the Cannondale but looks are secondary to performance
Hope you can help.

cougie

Interesting - ones a compact and the other is standard chainset. Do you have a preference on that ? What do you ride at the moment ?

rogerthecat

You have answered your own question, m8 go for the Cannondale, when stuck between bikes, aesthetics are important. The DT Swiss hubs are a no brainer also.

The logical approach would be to ride both bikes before spending that kind money, if that is possible then……

Opinions are like a.holes everyone has one.

But who am I, and what do I know! Freedom of choice is one of the few freedoms we have left, and no I am not Scottish.

graham_g

No way in hell I'd be spending more than £2k without riding it first. Unless it was custom made for me of course. Get a test ride. Ignore spec too; you can always upgrade stuff - Cannondale are renowned for years of R&D which has gone into their frames so bear that in mind when staring at spec sheets on a screen as there's more to it than just 'which groupset/wheels/rear/mech' etc.

lancsroads

Thanks for the replies so far. Much appreciated. In answer to some of questions above. I was riding a Ribble Nero Campag Athena, until I was wiped out by a car. Last bike now deceased. I'm ok now and riding MTB but getting the urge to get back on the roads. I liked the Nero and was wondering whether I would get more and better spec for my money going Ribble and is some of the cost in the Cannondale is for the name? As has been pointed out though Cannondale have years of R&D behing them? It is a lot of money and that is what has prompted me to come on here for views.

Seb @ Slipstream

Don't just look a the spec. There is carbon and carbon ! Different weaves, strength and build quality. A cheap carbon frame can be too flexible, too stiff, harsh, heavy etc. See what you can find out about the frames and see if you can ride them. You get what you pay for with bike frames. Within reason.