Cannondale Synapse vs Cube Attempt

jarrvo

hi all,

its that time of year again and i like many others have a question regarding 'best' bike for £1k as i qualify for the c2w scheme for the first time.

Im not a time trialist and neither do i take part in club races, however when build up the fitness i may look at sporives.
What i tend to mostly do is jump on the bike and head out for long ish rides upto around 100 miles+.

So im looking for something that is comfortable on longer rides, but light enough to take part in the odd sportive if needed.

After reading a few articles including the bike of the year i like the look of the Cannondale Synapse & Cube Attempt.

Does anyone have an experience of either.

Do any Attempt owners find the slightly more aggressive geometry uncomfortable over longer rides?

sampras38

I have aq 2011 Attempt Compact as a winter training bike, and for the money is a cracking bike. It's a Compact version with 105 throughout. My best bike is a Cube Agree GTC SL with Dura Ace. The Attempt is actually a little more forgiving than the Agree with regards to Geometry and you should have no problems doing a 100+ sportive on it. I can do them on the more agressive GTC with no problems.

jarrvo

Hi Sampras, thanks for the feedback regarding the geometry i was a little worried that it may be a little to aggressive.

i think the Attempt is going to edge unless i can get a good deal on something a little more expensive

thanks again

sampras38

jarrvo wrote:

Hi Sampras, thanks for the feedback regarding the geometry i was a little worried that it may be a little to aggressive.

i think the Attempt is going to edge unless i can get a good deal on something a little more expensive

thanks again

Alot can come down to your own flexibility, and some can ride more agressive bikes than others. I don't find the Attempt particularly agressive though, and it's a good spec for the money. 105, Fulcrum wheels, Ultremo ZX tyres. Lovely looking. I changed the saddle on mine but only because I prefer Fizik's, and Look Keo pedals, which I have on both Cubes.

jarrvo

I currently ride an 2009 Allez compact with 56cm frame, and ive started to suffer from a stiff neck on longer rides and Im not sure entirely why.

I would like to get measured and a full fitting if possible, but i know my inside leg is 32.5" so i tend to sit just between a 56/58cm frame.

I will try and give both a test ride over the weekend if any of the local bike shops have them in stock.

sampras38

jarrvo wrote:

I currently ride an 2009 Allez compact with 56cm frame, and ive started to suffer from a stiff neck on longer rides and Im not sure entirely why.

I would like to get measured and a full fitting if possible, but i know my inside leg is 32.5" so i tend to sit just between a 56/58cm frame.

I will try and give both a test ride over the weekend if any of the local bike shops have them in stock.

I'd bet my mortgage your kneck pain is down to a poor fit. Only way to solve the problem is to get a proper fitting, as different bike brands of the same size can have different geometry. Both my Cube's are 56 but feel completely different.

You may be a little too stretched or the bars could be too low. You could try experimenting with a shorter stem (get a cheapy off ebay), or go straight to a bike fitting service.

taimur

tough choice since i am biased to both Cannondale and Cube. If i was you i would pick the Synapse for comfort.

If you're anywhere around a Size 54-56, i would say look at the Cube Agree SL 2010 at Chainreactioncycles. its a steal at that price. Its Cube's "most aggressive Alloy" frame so expect it to be less comfy than the Synapse for sure!

Also look up Cube sizing in detail or get fitted professionally. Cube in same size with other brands is usually feels slightly smaller for example. Cannondale 58 may feel like a cube 56 etc.

jarrvo

thanks, i looked at the Cube last night and your right its a great price unfortunately my work takes part in the Halfords Cycle to work scheme and i dont think CRC are covered.
I have emailed a member of the halfrods team to see if they can source the same bike at a similar price

one question about sizing.

I have an inside leg of 32.5" or 83cm, what frame would best suit me the 56 or 58cm?

I tried the bike fit sizing calculator here and my results suggest a seat tube height of 54cm, which equates to the 58cm in the agree or a 56 in the attempt? http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO&INTRO_LINK=NOREDIR

Does anyone have a any thoughts?

sampras38

jarrvo wrote:

thanks, i looked at the Cube last night and your right its a great price unfortunately my work takes part in the Halfords Cycle to work scheme and i dont think CRC are covered.
I have emailed a member of the halfrods team to see if they can source the same bike at a similar price

one question about sizing.

I have an inside leg of 32.5" or 83cm, what frame would best suit me the 56 or 58cm?

I tried the bike fit sizing calculator here and my results suggest a seat tube height of 54cm, which equates to the 58cm in the agree or a 56 in the attempt? http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO&INTRO_LINK=NOREDIR

Does anyone have a any thoughts?

I don't think Halfords will be able to source a Cube but there's no harm in trying. That's perhaps one of the restrictions of the C2W scheme.

jarrvo

ive been to look at both the cube attempt, agree and the cannondale alu synapse, the agree does seem very small in comparison to my allez, even the 58cm seems a tad smaller.

Halfords can source the cube but its at rrp only, so any savings wont be reflected.

Im leaning more towards the attempt unless i can negotiate a better price on the agree