Which road bike?

[vickster]

Haha. I am going to see it tonight. It's just that I once bought a bike that was too large and didn't really notice it until I rode it a few times. I just don't want to make the same mistake in buying this bike, having a short ride thinking its ok then realise later on a long ride that its too small.

If it’s only a tiny bit too small, you can as said fit a longer stem.

 

[davidphilips]

Happy to help look over it if required.
I'm only over in Baildon?
Several others are local to leeds too.

This is a very kind and helpful offer and unless you can bring a friend thats knowledgeable about bikes then take James or another experienced cyclist.
TBH even if i was viewing a bike (and i have been cycling and repairing bikes for more years than i care to think about) if i had the chance of taking another experienced cyclist i would as its very easy to miss something.

 

[drkash]

This is a very kind and helpful offer and unless you can bring a friend thats knowledgeable about bikes then take James or another experienced cyclist.
TBH even if i was viewing a bike (and i have been cycling and repairing bikes for more years than i care to think about) if i had the chance of taking another experienced cyclist i would as its very easy to miss something.

Yes it is a extremely generous offer indeed. I wouldn't really want to put anyone out tbh. But if anyone is close to Huddersfield and doesn't mind going to see the bike with me tonight around 6.30pm then that would be awesome!

 

[drkash]

I went to Evans today and tried the 56cm and it was a good size for me. Annoyingly when I went to see the red Cannondale it was actually a 54cm and the seller was mistaken! It was a beautiful bike although several bolts had rusted and wet couldn't get the seat up!

I'm now down to two bikes I think, will prefer the synapse. Which of these two do you think is better value?

£300...
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synapse-Sora-Alloy-Road-Bike-2016/9GX7

£450...
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synapse-105-Alloy-Disc-Road-Bike-2016/9EVM

Both are 2016 and look in good condition. Is the extra £150 worthwhile for the 105's and disc brakes? Thanks

 

[vickster]

I went to Evans today and tried the 56cm and it was a good size for me. Annoyingly when I went to see the red Cannondale it was actually a 54cm and the seller was mistaken! It was a beautiful bike although several bolts had rusted and wet couldn't get the seat up!

I'm now down to two bikes I think, will prefer the synapse. Which of these two do you think is better value?

£300...
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synapse-Sora-Alloy-Road-Bike-2016/9GX7

£450...
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Cannondale/Synapse-105-Alloy-Disc-Road-Bike-2016/9EVM

Both are 2016 and look in good condition. Is the extra £150 worthwhile for the 105's and disc brakes? Thanks

Yes for the 105, for Promax disc brakes, perhaps not!

 

[Venod]

I agree with @vickster, the Promax max disc brakes are not the best cable operated brakes out there, but the 105 kit is good, I have had Promax brakes on a Cannondale and found them adequate but not as good as TSP Spyre, having said that during the pandemic I couldn't find any Spyres for a build, so I put some cheap Chinese copies on, intending to swap them out when Spyres became available, but they are fine so I have just left them on. They were about £8 a caliper !

 

[drkash]

How does the Trek Madone 3.5 compare with the Synapse? Is it an endurance type bike for comfort or more for racing? It has Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur and crankset. Rest 105s.

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Trek/Madone-35-C-H2-Road-Bike-2013/1LH7

 

[Jameshow]

How does the Trek Madone 3.5 compare with the Synapse? Is it an endurance type bike for comfort or more for racing? It has Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur and crankset. Rest 105s.

View attachment 690379

Looks quite an endurance fit to my eye.

The reach is quite short with a high head tube.

 

[StuAff]

Madones of that vintage were, in many models, more endurance-oriented than now. Back then, it was Trek's entire high-end, so your choice was 'Madone in more comfortable fit' or 'Madone in racier fit'.

 

[Venod]

It looks an endurance from that pic, but I get confused with the trek branding, I like their bikes though, I have a Trek MTB it's one of the best MTB's I have owned.

 

[DCLane]

Madone's an endurance bike.

If you're OK to travel this would probably go for £400-450. It's a pure race bike - I've got one - but they're great: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285294735568

 

[drkash]

Madone's an endurance bike.

If you're OK to travel this would probably go for £400-450. It's a pure race bike - I've got one - but they're great: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285294735568

Thanks for the share. I picked up the Trek Madone just now, think I got a good deal at £375. Looks in good condition, well looked after. Looking forward to riding it tomorrow!

Thanks for the advice all, really grateful

 

[DCLane]

That looks decent @drkash

I'm only in Dewsbury, so may see you about in the area.

 

[Jameshow]

Thanks for the share. I picked up the Trek Madone just now, think I got a good deal at £375. Looks in good condition, well looked after. Looking forward to riding it tomorrow!

Thanks for the advice all, really grateful

View attachment 690767

That is a bargain!
I paid that for my Cannondale 5 years ago and it was in much worse nick, washing lines and 105!!

I also think older carbon bikes are a bit more robust than later ones. Much like the early grp sailing boats.