New to the road - a bazillion questions
figbat
Posts: 680
After years on an MTB I have finally decided to give the road a go. I'll still do the MTB but wanted to try out road riding and open up my options. So, last week I became the owner of 2011 Cannondale Synapse. Not sure on all the components, but it has 105 mechs, Ultegra levers/shifters, Tektro brakes and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. Aside from a few marks and scratches the frame is in great nick and everything works well. However, I now have a whole new load of stuff to learn! I'll put questions in separate threads (after searching the forums first, of course!).
Anyway, the thing that sort of tipped my over was that we have a thing at work in September - a road sportive thing in aid of ParalympicsGB and I wanted to do it 'properly' (rather than on my MTB with slick tyres). A well-known Olympic cyclist will be joining us too, so, y'know, you have to look the part.
So, that's me.
Anyway, the thing that sort of tipped my over was that we have a thing at work in September - a road sportive thing in aid of ParalympicsGB and I wanted to do it 'properly' (rather than on my MTB with slick tyres). A well-known Olympic cyclist will be joining us too, so, y'know, you have to look the part.
So, that's me.
Cube Reaction GTC Pro 29 for the lumpy stuff
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
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Yeah - that was the obvious one. Someone I know is selling some 105 calipers which I have asked about. I am used to hydraulic discs on the MTB and these calipers are definitely less inspiring.
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
With respect to levers and brake calipers compatibility is only really a thing if you read the Shimano compatibility charts. They will all work, but some a bit better than others. The 105 5800 calipers are good though.
If you start mixing shifters and mechs it does get a bit more involved since Shimano changed the cable pull on their newer stuff...
I'll get a notepad out and get precise model numbers for everything on it though.
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Only other thing to say is that for a second hand bike I'd be tempted to replace the chain and cassette just so I know their wear history.
Any rim brakes will be after hydraulic disc brakes, so don't dismiss the Tektro on that basis - you might upgrade to 105 or Ultegra and find these aren't what you are used to as well.
Saying that - on bikes I have had Tektro I have gone for Shimano and noticed a difference, but you might want to give them a good try out first. I would say firstly make sure you have good pads on the calipers, and that they are held in place with pad 'holders' like so: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-essent ... ts-4-pack/ then you can remove and insert the pads when worn out. These pads have been recommended by those of this parish in the past: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/swissstop-flash ... rake-pads/
I second that, or even 105 brakes would be a huge improvement.
But don't worry about compatibility, all Shimano stuff works just as well with everything else. Ive got Ultegra shifters with 105 callipers, I've had Sora shifters with 105 callipers, Ive had Dura Ace shifters with Ultegra callipers. They all work. But with everything about the bike, just make sure you spend time getting component set up properly and save yourself a load of time and hassle.
I have bought the brakes from the guy - these are almost new, largely unmarked with pads you might describe as "nicely run-in". Obviously I realise they'll need to 'run-in' again on my rims, but m'point is that they are a decent set from a trusted source. They are 105 5700s, which Shimano say are fully compatible with my Ultegra 6600 levers (they don't claim any compatibility with the Tektro calipers, and they worked, right?).
Plus, they match the 105 5700 derailleurs I have already on there, so it all looks better, which is important too.
Other than that I have sourced some innertubes, a small pump and a bottle tool carrier thing (I wanted to avoid having an overstuffed saddle bag and hate having big things rammed in my jersey pockets). My MTB has donated its double-sided SPDs and gets a new set of single-sided ones. I think I might be ready to get out there. I hope so, because I plan to ride it home from work tomorrow - around 18 miles or so (depending on which way I go).
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Anybody want some lightly used 105 5700s in grey?!
I've obviously put the Tektros back on and adjusted them to my liking and they appear to stop the bike so I'll focus on other stuff first, like servicing the BB30 (another thread open on that one).
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
Oh, and tyre choice. I'm not at all keen on the Mavic Yksions that arrive on the retail Kyserium Elites.
Precisely. Also I may have a taker for them already, but thanks for the interest.
Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere