For a week , will it matter ?

ilovegrace

I am Going to Gran Canaria for a week at the end of August and are in the process of hiring a bike from freemotion.
Would my heart says the Cannondale Super six but my back shouts "Synapse".
I am 54 with a history of back problems , however after a bike fit and regular exercises this seems to have settled.
I ride a lOOK 566 which is endurance based and a great bike but I would love to try the super six , will the change from endurance to race geometry make that much difference with it been for a week or should I play safe and go Synapse.?
regards
ILG

trek_dan

Check the stack/reach (and maybe setback) against your current bike and decide which is most similar.

sloppyschleckonds

You could probably suffer a week of a more aggressive position. Bear in mind you'll be going uphill a larger % of the time.

Wind can also be a factor in GC so a more compact position may help on the climbs into headwinds, bearing in mind there isn't a lot of vegetation/ shelter.

banditvic

The main difference you may notice is that the Synapse has a 32 cassette and the six has a 28 none of the steerers have been cut so all are a pretty relaxed ride.
At the end of August definitely go for the Synapse because of the heat, can get in high 30's when you start climbing.
If its too hot stay on coast roads and get a CADD 12.

kingstongraham

I hired the Synapse from them and it was a really nice ride. Very predictable on the descents.

drlodge

banditvic wrote:

The main difference you may notice is that the Synapse has a 32 cassette and the six has a 28 none of the steerers have been cut so all are a pretty relaxed ride.
At the end of August definitely go for the Synapse because of the heat, can get in high 30's when you start climbing.
If its too hot stay on coast roads and get a CADD 12.

This. I hired the Synapse because of the 32T and used it a lot. The climbs aren't that steep but when it gets hot, your body can only put out so much energy. It really is no fun grinding away in the heat.

Garry H

You're on holiday, get the Synapse.

svetty

Those descents would be great on the Evo......

drlodge

Svetty wrote:

Those descents would be great on the Evo......

Yeh but you'll spend about 4-5 times the time hurting on the ascent.

banditvic

My descent times arn't brilliant over there due to brakes wrong way around, great for your arse muscles though.

ilovegrace

Thanks for the in-put chaps.
Going to order tonight and still undecided.
Will some-one just hire me a synapse and be done with it , the cheque will be in the post.
Synapse it is then.
regards
ILG

sloppyschleckonds

Where are you staying? Do a bit of research as there are some really good climbs out there, and some shocking routes you'll want to avoid.

ilovegrace

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Where are you staying? Do a bit of research as there are some really good climbs out there, and some shocking routes you'll want to avoid.

Please do tell .
We are staying in Maspalomas.

mfin

Are you seriously thinking of going cycling for a week, possibly doing more riding than you normally do, and thinking of riding a bike that doesn't fit you just because you like what you've heard about the bike?

(That's what it sounds like).

ilovegrace

No , normally do 200 a week , in the North Yorks moors plenty of climbs( Tour of Yorkshire route ).
I intend to ride 2-3 hrs a day , the only difference is I fancy a more racy bike than my endurance one.
regards
ILG

letap73

Probably too late in influencing your decision - however, as someone with lower back issues my back flared up on one of my bikes with the least aggressive set up - ( I have since flipped the stem and dropped it - no back issues with that bike since doing this). I own a supersix evo which is remarkably confortable - the geometry only causes issues for me in the sense that my saddle height is fairly high for someone of my height. Saying this the Synapse is very highly rated and you probably won't lose out on your ride experience.

sloppyschleckonds

ilovegrace wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Where are you staying? Do a bit of research as there are some really good climbs out there, and some shocking routes you'll want to avoid.

Please do tell .
We are staying in Maspalomas.

If you use strava do a segment explore on Maspalomas and filter on CAT 2 climbs, Fataga, Vallen ayagumes are nice loops you can do and look for one called Palmitos Park. Further afield is Soria climb and the VOTT.

First.Aspect

Who said the climbs aren't that steep on Gran Canaria? Are they mad?

The Evo will not have a cut steerer tube, so if you aren't comfortable, you'll be able to raise the bars. But ask for a 32t cassette rather than the normal 28.

SmithAndEastern

definitely avoid the more aggressive riding position, the last thing you want is your back giving way and spoiling the entire trip:(

ilovegrace

Good to hear your feedback.
Not on Strava . I am a bit of a Luddite where IT is concerned , just like to ride the bike hard /easy as I feel.
Had enough of lap times , interval sessions , clock watching when competitive running.
Planning on buying a map from feemotion and may do a ride with them if one is on.
I see they offer bike insurance @ 25 ish euros , is this advisable?
thanks
ILG

banditvic

We didn't have any insurance and a friend of ours went over the barrier hospitalising himself and totaly trashing rear wheel off of EVO.
Bar tape and front shifter scratched. They charged him £125.00 and gave him his unused rental back, which is quite good considering what the bike was like.

ilovegrace

banditvic wrote:

We didn't have any insurance and a friend of ours went over the barrier hospitalising himself and totaly trashing rear wheel off of EVO.
Bar tape and front shifter scratched. They charged him £125.00 and gave him his unused rental back, which is quite good considering what the bike was like.

thanks for the info Bantivic.
Hope I mange to stay upright !
regards
ILG

darkhairedlord

banditvic wrote:

My descent times arn't brilliant over there due to brakes wrong way around, great for your ars* muscles though.

Why are your brakes the wrong way around?
Surely you've heard of the "californian cross"?

gaz047

Just done the Fataga loop (again). Been here a few times and free motion have always been great to deal with. If you do get a map off them, this loop is clearly highlighted.
I did the loop on the super six the first time we came and on the synapse last 2 visits. doable on both, but as mentioned earlier its nice to have a 32 especially when baking hot. Have a great trip

sloppyschleckonds

That Fataga climb is quite popular, but whatever you do don't allow anyone to talk you in to doing the Fataga/ Soria loop.

drlodge

The serenity climb, returning either via Soria or (as I did) via Ayacata, is beautiful.

MikeBrew

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

That Fataga climb is quite popular, but whatever you do don't allow anyone to talk you in to doing the Fataga/ Soria loop.

Fataga, Ayacata, Soria is actually OK an OK loop, albeit that the road down from Ayacata to the Tauro pass junction and the Tauro pass itself are rough surfaced descents. The poor road surface is more of an issue when doing that same loop in the opposite direction, when you're fighting gravity as well as a poor surface...

That said, they do quite a lot of resurfacing over there, so it may have all changed since I was there last year.

ilovegrace

So we are back , what can i say ?
It was the best of times it was the worst of times.
Ended up with the Synapse on the advice of this thread , some one said they used all of the gears , me to.!!
But , and what a but , planned ? on doing the Fataga route G60 , G65 climb was hard but Ok on the way down met a a guy who cycles for the Freemotion cycle team , rode for a few miles , told men to carry on the road straight back to Masapolomas.
Which I did literally , and , ended up on the Motorway , absolutely shit myself. Horns blaring , no idea where I was going, 30 degrees no bottles left, what the ***k am i doing here ?
Wont bore you with any more, suffice is to say a very generous chap took me and bike back to the resort.
Port Pollenca for me anytime.

LeeDa

It's not so much the frame but how many spacers are on the steerer. Maybe you can get the same position on the super6 as the Synapse.

sloppyschleckonds

ilovegrace wrote:

So we are back , what can i say ?
It was the best of times it was the worst of times.
Ended up with the Synapse on the advice of this thread , some one said they used all of the gears , me to.!!
But , and what a but , planned ? on doing the Fataga route G60 , G65 climb was hard but Ok on the way down met a a guy who cycles for the Freemotion cycle team , rode for a few miles , told men to carry on the road straight back to Masapolomas.
Which I did literally , and , ended up on the Motorway , absolutely shoot myself. Horns blaring , no idea where I was going, 30 degrees no bottles left, what the ***k am i doing here ?
Wont bore you with any more, suffice is to say a very generous chap took me and bike back to the resort.
Port Pollenca for me anytime.

Ive seen quite a few people riding on the motorway there, not exactly the M25 though is it?

ilovegrace

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

ilovegrace wrote:

So we are back , what can i say ?
It was the best of times it was the worst of times.
Ended up with the Synapse on the advice of this thread , some one said they used all of the gears , me to.!!
But , and what a but , planned ? on doing the Fataga route G60 , G65 climb was hard but Ok on the way down met a a guy who cycles for the Freemotion cycle team , rode for a few miles , told men to carry on the road straight back to Masapolomas.
Which I did literally , and , ended up on the Motorway , absolutely shoot myself. Horns blaring , no idea where I was going, 30 degrees no bottles left, what the ***k am i doing here ?
Wont bore you with any more, suffice is to say a very generous chap took me and bike back to the resort.
Port Pollenca for me anytime.

Ive seen quite a few people riding on the motorway there, not exactly the M25 though is it?

Three lanes cars on them all , that is a motorway to a country boy like me .by the way . does any one take notice of bike reviews , I rode the Synapse and a very good bike it is to , but to say that it is a so called 5 Star and my Look is 3 1/2 , its all bollocks as far as i can see.