I have norrowed it down to these 2....advice appreciated

[coco69]

Cannondale is what i have decided however i am stuck between these 2....personal opinions would be great

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/6101/cannondale-super-six-6-apex-compact-road-bike-2012-sale

http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/p/9756/cannondale-synapse-105-racing-road-bike-2013

 

[Sittingduck]

I'm currently lusting over a Supersix (105). I suppose it depends what type of 'geometry' you want. The Synapse is meant to be slightly more comfortable (checkout those bendy seatstays) and the Supersix is more racy, although I would wager that for 90% of riders in most situations the difference will not be that noticable.

 

[AndyRM]

I'd go with the SuperSix. Lovely bike!

Depending on what size you want, you could get it a bit cheaper from here: http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/cannondale-super-six-apex.html

 

[jugglingphil]

Are you able to ride either of these before buying?

 

[coco69]

no there are no stockists of cannondale within my area

 

[400bhp]

Aren't they quite different geometries?

The synapse being much more relaxed geometry?

So, depends upon what you want.

If I was buying a carbon bike, I would buy the Super 6 that's for sure.

 

[Rob3rt]

Totally different bikes!

Synapse is a "sportive" bike, more upright and relaxed.

SuperSix is a thoroughbred racer.

I would vote SuperSix because it is easier to modify the fit to raise the front end and shorten reach to emmulate the position of a "sportive" geometry frame on a race bike than it is to lower and extend it to emmulate a race geometry on a sportive frame (based on the most readily available components, if you search enough you can do either), i.e. oddly enough a race geometry is more readily adaptable in terms of fit than a sportive frame. I think the sportive frame may have slacker angles and longer wheelbase too, so it won't be as responsive, but it is a while since I looked at the geometry so not sure on this.

The comfort features such as SAVE seatstays on the Synapse, I am not sure if they carry over to the SuperSix or not, I wouldn't worry about those either way, they won't increase comfort hugely with regards to the Synapse, nor will they add enough flex to warrant concerns of power transfer with regards to the SuperSix (if it has them). My TT bike has SAVE micro suspension seatstays, they claim it makes it more comfortable for a triathlete so they can run better after, but lets face it, a TT bike is hardly built for max comfort, these do not compromise speed to any degree a mortal would notice.

 

[black'n'yellow]

As above - bit of a strange choice - two completely different bikes, with different frame materials, purposes and prices.

 

[400bhp]

Strange wheel choices for those bikes too. Wouldn't they each be better on the opposite bikes?

Not that that should put you off buying either.

 

[Rob3rt]

BTW, also two totally different groupset's, 105 vs Apex, on paper may be approx equal, but in practice will feel quite different to use.

 

[Hacienda71]

£1400 for a bike running Apex seems a lot to me. I would have thought you would get at least Force or Rival at that price point.

 

[Rob3rt]

Strange wheel choices for those bikes too. Wouldn't they each be better on the opposite bikes?

Not that that should put you off buying either.

Are they not RS10 on both bikes? That would be the same as I got on my CAAD9 also, decent wheels actually, lasted me about 3 years before the bearings told me to fark off and the rear started popping spokes.

 

[400bhp]

Looks like R501's on the carbon bike and RS10's on the synapse?

I'm probably wrong here but wouldn't it be better to have the lower spoke count/better wheels on the better bike?

 

[Rob3rt]

Probably would, but aren't those set's of wheels pretty similar anyway? Both are very cheap, relatively heavy wheels (not being a wheel snob, I ride Fulcrum Racing 7's day to day).

 

[e-rider]

I'm currently lusting over a Supersix (105). I suppose it depends what type of 'geometry' you want. The Synapse is meant to be slightly more comfortable (checkout those bendy seatstays) and the Supersix is more racy, although I would wager that for 90% of riders in most situations the difference will not be that noticable.

the spec states that the Synapse has a 2-2.5cm longer headtube - that will be very noticable!
Odd to have ended up with two very different bikes - I was expecting to see two bikes that were essentially the same; and then it would be down to colour!!!

The supersix is the best bike - simple. However, doesn't mean it will suit you best. The Synapse is designed for one of these new middle aged, ex-golf playing sportive riders