Bike buying advice for a newbie (choosing between 2 bikes)

lorzy28

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ive decided to get into road cycling (I did dabble in it a bit around 8 years ago when I done triathlon however not seriously, so Ill just write that off!). Any help/advice would be greatly GREATLY appreciated!

I'm looking to buy a new bike and was wondering if anyone could advise between the following 2 bikes:

1) Cannondale Synapse Claris 2015

Technical Spec
Frame Women's Synapse Alloy, Optimized 6061 Alloy, SAVE PLUS
Forks Synapse SAVE, Carbon blades, 1-1/8"
Rear shocks N/A
Wheels Maddux RS 2.0, 32-hole (36h 58 -61cm)
Tyres Schwalbe Lugano, 700x25c
Shifters Shimano Claris
Front Deraileur Shimano Claris, 31.8 clamp
Rear Deraileur Shimano Claris
Crank
Casette Sunrace CSM66 12-32T, 8-speed
Pedals Wellgo
Saddle Cannondale Women's Road Ergo
Seat Post Cannondale C4, Alloy, 25.4x300mm
Handle Bars Cannondale C4 Women's Compact, Butted 6061 alloy
Stem Cannondale C4, 31.8mm, 7 Deg
Headset Synapse Si, 25mm top cap
Brake Set Tektro R315 w/ quick release

2) 2015 Womans Cube Axial WLS

SPECIFICATION
Frame Aluminium Superlite, AMF, Double Butted, RFR-Geometry, Integrated cable routing
Fork CUBE CSL Race Carbon, Tapered
Headset CUBE Z-t ECO, top zero-stack 1 1/8" (OD 44mm), bottom integrated 1 1/2"
Stem CUBE Performance, 31.8mm
Handlebars CUBE Compact Race Bar
Grips CUBE Grip Control
Front Brake Shimano Sora BR-3500
Rear Brake Shimano Sora BR-3500
Brake Levers Shimano Sora ST-3503
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora FD-3503BL, Clamp 34.9mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora RD-3500GS, 9-Speed
Shift Levers Shimano Sora ST-3503
Cassette Shimano CS-HG50,11-30
Chain KMC X9
CrankSet Shimano Sora FC3503, Hollowtech II, 50x39x30T, 170mm
Front Tyre Conti Grand Sport Race SL, 25-622
Rear Tyre Conti Grand Sport Race SL, 25-622
Saddle CUBE WLS Active 1.1
Seatpost CUBE Performance Post, 31,6x350mm
Seat Binder RFR Close 34.9mm
Weight in Kg 9.3 Kg
Front Wheel Shimano WH-R501
Rear Wheel Shimano WH-R501
Colour White/Blue/Green

ovi

the cube has the better gearing.

diamonddog

^^This

ovi

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Avail-2-Womens-2015-Road-Bike_73900.htm?sku=231957&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=AdwordsProductAds&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=CjwKEAiA2IO0BRDXmLndksSB0WgSJADNKqqoSZYcpve4mnVXIq-T0uBjKl_EQ0XsxVRVRonFqwlamxoCE-_w_wcB#
This Giant Avail has Tiagra gearing

trailflow

The cube is better specced. It would help if you included the price of each bike.

The Giant suggestion above looks like good value if its the same price range as the others.

lorzy28

Thanks folks! The reason I'm looking at these 2 is because they are on sale at local bike shops!

Cube is £350 reduced from £699

Cannondale is £420 from £600

Only reason for sale is that they are 2015 models and last couple n stock

lorzy28

Actually the cube is reduced to this price because they have about 7 in stock and need to make space for newer bikes. Nothing wrong with the bike. Just to clarify!

trailflow

£350 is a good deal for the Cube.

ovi

I would get the cube

lorzy28

The Cube was too big unfortunately. It was a 50cm but I need a 48cm. Thought I'd get away with it but I'm not sacrificing comfort just to save a few £££. The Cannondale is a 48cm but is at another store and they're getting it delivered to my local store within the week so I can test ride that.

Comfort > Price right?

Yellow Peril

another vote for the cube at that price point, it's also got the better groupset, enjoy

Dandelionclock30

I've got the Cannondale Synapse in a 48 but with Tiagra groupset and its a really nice bike, its very comfortable and nippy. I did find the stock tyres to be not very good and changed them for ones with more puncture protection. Hope it fits you o.k.

lorzy28

Yes-I can't wait for the Cannondale to arrive at the store-it's just taking a bit longer due to the festive period!