Cannondale Super Six 105 vs Scott CR1 Comp 105

dg1

Hi all,

I was hoping to get some advice. I am about to buy a bike (decision day tomorrow) but am newish to road biking (although not biking in general). I read a lot of forums and reviews and have gone out and test ridden some bikes. The final shortlist is:

Cannondale Super Six 2011 105 (£1,799)
Scott CR1 Comp CD 2011 105 (£1,599)

I understand they are slightly different (race vs sportive) but they are the ones I liked the most (didnt like the Carbon Synapse for whatever reason). Slight bias to the Scott but it might be because the SuperSix was slightly long for me which will be sorted in the fitting.

The thing is, both road v nicely and were both surprisingly comfortable but the test rides were shortish. I cannot really separate them which would normally lead me to price being the decider but the key problem is I am not yet accomplished enough to understand or feel significant differences between them. This may change in a few weeks/months so I want to try to future proof my decision with the help of some advice from you lot!

Main use will be 2 x 10 mile flatish commutes each day (I will be working hard on homeward journey) and am considering joining a bike club like Kingston Wheelers (if they'll have me) but this is not definite as two young kids make 5 hour rides at weekends a tough call. The commute is too long to enjoy on my single speed and have tried an sold every other style of bike out there!

Importantly, both from a different LBS but both shops are fantastic and will look after me so no real differentiator there.

Any views would be appreciated. Sorry for the newbieness of the questions.

Thanks

dg1

I am fit from running a lot and pretty competitively minded so I don't want to give the impression that comfort is the priority. I was a fast bike that doesn't rattle my teeth...

londoncommuter

Are you sure you need to be spending this much for your commute? With all the little (and some not so little) knocks commuting bikes get, have you thought about a £700 or £800 aluminium/tiagra instead? If the road bike bug does bite then maybe get some carbon bling just for the weekend.

Appreciate that wasn't your question so I'll shut up now.

keef66

Scott

dg1

londoncommuter wrote:

Are you sure you need to be spending this much for your commute? With all the little (and some not so little) knocks commuting bikes get, have you thought about a £700 or £800 aluminium/tiagra instead? If the road bike bug does bite then maybe get some carbon bling just for the weekend.

Appreciate that wasn't your question so I'll shut up now.

Actually, that is where I started out looking at second hand CAAD9s on Ebay and also the Genesis Equilibrium. Also had alu CX bikes but the way I see it now is I want something that I get excited about being on. I need a good workout because running is trashing my knees. The CR1 also felt much nicer the the £899 Scott S35 (unsurprisingly!). Thanks for your response.

unixnerd

Your comment about the Synapse is interesting. I'd have thought that would be the perfect bike, or maybe a Specialized Roubaix.

dg1

unixnerd wrote:

Your comment about the Synapse is interesting. I'd have thought that would be the perfect bike, or maybe a Specialized Roubaix.

That's what I thought too. I assumed it would be Synapse > CR1 > Supersix for my needs but the rides (10 mins each) didn't pan out that way hence my nervousness. Weird but the SS seemed comfier and faster (and the Synapse demo bike had Ultegra). It's like buying an expensive tailored suit just before starting a diet - its fits now but in 3 months time.....?

Anonymous

dg1 wrote:

I am fit from running a lot and pretty competitively minded so I don't want to give the impression that comfort is the priority. I was a fast bike that doesn't rattle my teeth...

In that case have you thought about a Scott Addict? The R3 is the cheapest at £1999.

I am a bit biased on this though, seeing that I've just ordered one (in fact I ordered it two weeks ago and was hoping to have it by now).

dg1

I sat on one but the price starts to get truly ridiculous. I started with a £1000 budget but dragged up to £1,299 because I can get the CAAD10 for "only" £300 more. Then the CR1 carbon was "only" £200 more than that then the Supersix is "only" £200 more than CR1. I drew a firm line at £1,800!

I'll be the only SuperSix/CR1 man being passed by mountain bikes. 'All the gear, no idea...' :oops:

Anonymous

dg1 wrote:

I sat on one but the price starts to get truly ridiculous. I started with a £1000 budget but dragged up to £1,299 because I can get the CAAD10 for "only" £300 more. Then the CR1 carbon was "only" £200 more than that then the Supersix is "only" £200 more than CR1. I drew a firm line at £1,800!

I'll be the only SuperSix/CR1 man being passed by mountain bikes. 'All the gear, no idea...' :oops:

LOL, you may pass me as I'm crippled by the side of the road wishing I'd brought the more comfortable CR1 and not the racier Addict.

Evil Laugh

Is the supersix 105 the same bike as the old six carbon?

Fwiw I had a synapse carbon and now own a six carbon. The six is nowhere near the bike the synapse was. It's ok but the ride on the synapse was way smoother, it felt stiffer to me at the bb, it was finished better, just a nicer bike. All carbon fork, internal cables, braze on mech etc.

Were the tyres on the synapse pumped up to 120psi or something because to this day it's still the comfiest bike I've ridden.

Not meaning to push you into buying one just find your experience strange.

dg1

Evil Laugh wrote:

Is the supersix 105 the same bike as the old six carbon?

Fwiw I had a synapse carbon and now own a six carbon. The six is nowhere near the bike the synapse was. It's ok but the ride on the synapse was way smoother, it felt stiffer to me at the bb, it was finished better, just a nicer bike. All carbon fork, internal cables, braze on mech etc.

Were the tyres on the synapse pumped up to 120psi or something because to this day it's still the comfiest bike I've ridden.

Not meaning to push you into buying one just find your experience strange.

I think the fact the road I test road it on was long, straight and newly redone means that is the reason I could not detect much differemce. The CR1 test was on much worse roads but was still zippy and comfortable. It's a shame you can't get overnight test rides!

I do agree the experience is strange hence my post as the outcomes seem illogical. I am leaning towards the CR1 because it just felt nice and according to the Scott website, the frame goes right up to £5K plus bikes before the different frame for the very top CR1. I suspect all will be more than enough bike for me so the cheapest one also felt the best. My worry is it got 3 out of 5 on BR review whereas SS got an emphatic 5 out of 5.

taimur

My vote would be on Synapse Carbon, last year they picked it as bike of the year for good reason i am sure....

Next in-line Super Six.

Since i am biased i will also mention my bike at half the price Like you, i also left home expecting to return with a CAAD 9 Tiagra but instead ended up with this. After 4 months, i can not recommend it enough!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44403

dg1

taimur wrote:

My vote would be on Synapse Carbon, last year they picked it as bike of the year for good reason i am sure....

Next in-line Super Six.

Since i am biased i will also mention my bike at half the price Like you, i also left home expecting to return with a CAAD 9 Tiagra but instead ended up with this. After 4 months, i can not recommend it enough!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=44403

Thanks. I found a Cube stockist near Richmond so going to test ride the 2011 Cube Attempt at lunch time that won the Best bike for £1000 test. It's £999 so feels less risky than £1,799 assuming I like it. Thanks for the pointer.

gingernash

If any help on the original question, I spoke to a Scott dealer and they said that the Scott carbon frames are the same from the lower priced models to top end whereas Cannondale obviously have different qualities with the high end stuff being Hi-Mod.

I have a SuperSix 105 on order having previously considered going for the Cube Agree GTC Race but then changing my mind. The Cube Attempt looks good and will be well specced. Sizing is a bit funny on Cubes so might be a size up then you would normally expect.

Make sure you ask for discount on bike or a percentage of free accessories of the bike's value. I managed to get discount off bike for my SS 105 so that was handy.

TMR

londoncommuter wrote:

Are you sure you need to be spending this much for your commute?

Absolutely this. If all you're doing is a 10 mile commute, then buy a Carerra Hybrid from Halfords and spend the rest of the money on your family.

gingernash

Are you sure you need to be spending this much for your commute?

I agree with this. I originally bought a Spesh Allez Elite for weekends but that is now my commuter and I still wish that my commuter was worth a bit less plus had room for proper mudguards and a rack.

Butterd2

I have the CR-1 105 from 2009 and I have been really pleased with it doing everything from short commutes to 100 milers over the Pyenrees. Having not ridden the others it's impossible for me to compare.
Concur with the other comment that the CR-1 frame itself is a top end frame so buying it with 105 gives you good upgrade options (there's no point putting Dura Ace on some frames but it would not be out of place on the Scott).

Wamas

My thoughts are to buy the CR1 for weekend runs, great bike, and with the £200 you save instead of buying the Cannondale, buy yourself a second hand bike that takes mudguards for the commute.

You say you are new to road cycling, within the first year of commuting, you will realise just how corrosive road salt is on your components. Not the best for your nice carbon bike.

I use my Allez for commuting (30-38 miles depending on the route I take) but wish that it took better mudguards than the crud racers, as they don't last as long as a decent set of mudguards.

The CR1 comes out at the weekend in the drier months.

bcss

Would go for a TI bike if commute is the main purpose, if you crash once with carbon it's most likely gone, you ll still be able to do longer rides as well

Crankbrother

I'd consider the 'dale to stand a bit more upgrading than the Scott if you got hooked ...

But i'd look around for a deal on a bike to get something around the £1k mark ... That'd likely get you £1300 worth of bike if you try hard ... A bike at that price point won't be that different from a £1700 bike, likely just lesser wheels and saddle ... The things that younalways end up changing not long after anyway ...

You could then ride it on your commute to see how youbget on and if it's not quite right or you decide you want to keep it as your 'good' bike then you'd still have some cash to buy a commuter bike ... Even a C'dale badboy cn be had for just over £500 ...