Cannondale Synapse Sora (Al) or Spesh Secteur Sport???

BoydD

Hi,
New to road cycling, had a mountain bike for years and rode mainly trail centres but really fancy a road bike but something I can ride all day. My LBS stocks mainly Spesh and Cannondale and I get on well with the guys and would prefer to buy from them.

so trimmed it down to:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec025342
or
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec025005

I've ridden both around the car park and I'm drawn towards the Cannondale. Both bikes seem to have pretty good reviews.

Any comments or observations would be great. Thanks, Boyd

geoff93

Both good bikes, very very similar and it comes down to personal preference, and by that, you've already picked the Cannondale!

Duffer65

I'd go for the Spesh as it is slightly better spec'd...Tiagra RD etc. But you've ridden both so go with the one you liked best.

Btw the Jamis Ventura Comp is a good bike for the money Similar spec to the Spesh but a lot cheaper.

unixnerd

Very similar bikes. If you intend to keep the bike a while and upgrade the parts I'd get the 'dale as it has a better frame. If not have a look at the wheelsets and pick the bike with the lighter one.

markybhoy67

I have a 105 Synapse, would highly recommend it.

I went for this over the CAAD8 and CAAD10 purely for the more relaxed geometry.

I went from a alfine hub gear hybrid to this road bike, I now laugh at all the 50 - 60 milers that I done on the hybrid, the Synapse is just so much more relaxed especially on long rides.

Climbing hills, isn't any easier though, you just get up them faster

Just make sure the bike fits you properly, I made an expensive mistake before with a cracking Felt Z series bike, that I just couldn't get to fit.

unixnerd

Climbing hills, isn't any easier though, you just get up them faster

If you want to climb hills quickly get some nice light wheels. I bought 1500g Pro-Lite Braccianos and they made hills much more fun.

markybhoy67

unixnerd wrote:

Climbing hills, isn't any easier though, you just get up them faster

If you want to climb hills quickly get some nice light wheels. I bought 1500g Pro-Lite Braccianos and they made hills much more fun.

I was only joking, taking the hills is a lot easier on the new bike.

But cheers for the recommendation for new wheels as this is next on my shopping list.

I have RS10's and was thinking of going up to RS30's, but still looking about the now at other options.

jgsi

Nowt wrong with Sora... it has been a damn sight quicker to adjust, stay in trim, quieter than Ultegra... it is just obvious that, the levers are not carbon, thats all.

unixnerd

Nowt wrong with Sora

+1. I have it on my tourer, done 1000s of miles with no probs. It's much easier to operate if you're wearing heavy winter gloves too.

chiark

Both are great bikes, and whatever you'll buy will make you happy. I ended up with a Synapse 105, and have not regretted it for a minute - well, other than when I can't get out on it

BoydD

Thanks for all your comments. I've decided I'm going to order the Cannondale, chiark thanks for your comments, I'm new to road riding and the Synapse Sora has a triple chain ring so hopefully the hills shouldn't be too much of a problem (fingers-crossed).

Well my local LBS will be £700 better off tomorrow morning, good start to the week for them. thanks again for your comments, Boyd

markybhoy67

BoydD, did you try and haggle with the bike shop?

I got my 105 synapse for £850

My local bike shop offered me the sora for £610

Cycle lane is the name of the shop.

Worth giving them a call, or at least shop about and play local bike shops off each other.

stavrosk83

I've had a Cannondale Sora for the past month or so and am very happy with it so far!

I compared it against a trek 1.2 and to be honest there wasnt much in it at my beginner level, so i opted for the Cannondale because the frame seemed very nicely put together.

Compared to my old MTB it certainly makes me want to get out more which can only be a good thing!!

I wish i could have stretched to a Tiagra which has the shifters behind the levers but it has mostly been shifting fine, maybe a wee upgrade down the line! Front derailleur has been rubbing a bit last week but I put that down to things just settling in or possibly something i'm doing wrong. Shop said they are fine for carrying out adjustements like that.

Enjoy!

BoydD

markybhoy67, thanks for the info but all ordered now, I didn't get a discount but they threw in a couple of good cages, spare tube and an air tool. I probably could have shopped around but they're one of my local shops and they are pretty approachable good guys who really seem to know there stuff.

Pick it up on Friday so already planning rides for the weekend and just found out my wife's friend is visiting so I'm effectively a widow this weekend. This week just keeps getting better and better!!

sumosprintstar

I have a Synapse 105 and it never fails to make me smile. I hope you enjoy your bike as much as I enjoy mine.

BoydD

just a little update to let you know how I'm getting on with my Synapse.

Had it just nearly a week now and already into it for around 120 miles, really pleased and enjoying my riding. Ordered a 56, thought I'd need a 58 but tried a couple in the LBS and due to the geometry of the frame the stand over height and the fit of the 56 was spot on.

I was using an old pair of MTB spds initailly I had kicking around but bought a shiny pair of spd sl 105s after a couple of days and have been impressed by how much more you can get out of the action. When I get my head around it I'll put a proper post in the Your Bikes section with a photo etc.. in the meantime thanks for your comments before my purchase.

sumosprintstar

Good choice. Glad you are enjoying it.

chiark

Excellent, thanks for the update

In 6 weeks I've seen my average speed go up to 17.5mph, which I am more than happy with, and am now riding 25 miles in the evening, every other evening, enjoying it massively