Cannondale yea or nea?

[djtwigster]

On the lookout for a new bike and had narrowed it down to a Cannondale Synapse 105 carbon or a Cannondale CAAD 12. Both nice bikes but went to a local bike shop and they told me to steer clear of the Cannondale because of the bottom bracket bearing problems. He suggested i try a Trek Emonda ALR which on viewing is another sound choice. Any advice lads, i cycle about 5000kms per year mainly for fitness with the odd charity cycle thrown in and the option of interclub league racing next year. Currently on a cheap B'TWIN which is grand but really need something lighter for the hills.

 

[outlash]

yes

 

[rideswithmoobs]

Wheelbase in staveley have a few sizes of the. Synapse 105 carbon 2016 £2499 down to £1700. Think it's 52 and maybe 54 left

 

[vickster]

Have you ridden them? Do so, then decide

 

[cyberknight]

Is the LBS a trek stockist perchance?

 

[S-Express]

The LBS makes a fair point about the BB bearings though. Plenty of other bikes out there to choose from, rather than buying one with an inherent design flaw.

 

[steveindenmark]

Jannie loves her CAAD 12 and she has had no problems with it.

She took a size smaller than normal, the cannondale frames seem to be a bit bigger than normal.

 

[Keith Oates]

It's down to which model you like the most but for me the Trek is the better option.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[smutchin]

Have you ridden them? Do so, then decide

You're not going to get much of an idea about bottom bracket longevity from a short test ride.

 

[vickster]

The BB is not a driving reason behind my bike choices nor indeed any specific component

 

[Shortandcrisp]

The BB is not a driving reason behind my bike choices nor indeed any specific component

Same here.
Isn't that Trek a Bb90 BB, or have they used a different system on the Emondo? Trek's push fit BB had the same issues as the BB30 but could only be purchased from Trek at about twice the cost!
The real issue for me would be that the two bikes you mentioned are completely different geometries.
Having recently suffered a spinal cord injury, I'm considering buying a Synapse (if my Consultant allows!). It has the tallest head tube and lowest stand over height, for a given size, of all the bikes I've considered. I also have a Caad10 ( the Caad12's predecessor) in the garage. Can't see myself being able to ride that again!

 

[smutchin]

The BB is not a driving reason behind my bike choices nor indeed any specific component

Fine, but the op asked if the reported BB problems were really a good reason to dismiss Cannondake bikes. A test ride isn't really the answer to that specific question.

 

[vickster]

Same here.
Isn't that Trek a Bb90 BB, or have they used a different system on the Emondo? Trek's push fit BB had the same issues as the BB30 but could only be purchased from Trek at about twice the cost!
The real issue for me would be that the two bikes you mentioned are completely different geometries.
Having recently suffered a spinal cord injury, I'm considering buying a Synapse (if my Consultant allows!). It has the tallest head tube and lowest stand over height, for a given size, of all the bikes I've considered. I also have a Caad10 ( the Caad12's predecessor) in the garage. Can't see myself being able to ride that again!

My Pearson pave has a super tall head tube, very obvious compared to my other bikes. With a flipped stem its really quite upright for a carbon road bike. Might be worth looking at their current range?

 

[Shortandcrisp]

My Pearson pave has a super tall head tube, very obvious compared to my other bikes. With a flipped stem its really quite upright for a carbon road bike. Might be worth looking at their current range?

Thanks Vickster, I'll take a look. No hurry as it's the turbo for me until next Spring. Not gonna risk wet roads, leaves, ice etc. just yet!

 

[Shortandcrisp]

My Pearson pave has a super tall head tube, very obvious compared to my other bikes. With a flipped stem its really quite upright for a carbon road bike. Might be worth looking at their current range?

Sorry, running the risk of hijacking the OP's thread. My apologies.

Liking the look of these Victor, especially their names! Probably a little more kudos on the club run than a bike from a mainstream producer. The geometry is very similar to the Synapse. Head tube 0.1cm longer on the Cannondale! in the 51cm frame.

Which model do you have, if you don't mind me asking? Have my eye on the 'Imnotanumber' or the more expensive 'Hammerandtongs.' But, experience tells me that it's probably not worth paying another £1000 for the top of the range model.