Cycling Thread

[pylon]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Going to buy my wife a bike for xmas, she has been fit at our LBS so i know i need a 50cm frame for her.

They have a Cannondale Synapse 6 there with Tiagra components. It is last years model with a $1399 retail that they have on clearance at $799.

Decent deal or what else should i be looking for out of them.

That is an excellent deal.

[Bill Bumface]

Still no ideas for a 29er roof rack? I tried a Thule, the style that is a trough for your wheels and has an arm with a clamp to grab your frame, and it's not even close to long enough.

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Still no ideas for a 29er roof rack? I tried a Thule, the style that is a trough for your wheels and has an arm with a clamp to grab your frame, and it's not even close to long enough.

What about a fork mount rack? I have a buddy with a XL Tallboy and it seems to work for him. I think it's a Yakima. He had to get an adapter because it has a 15 mm thru axle. For my tallboy I have a hitch mount rack that the wheels fit in the trays and a clamp comes down on the frame, it's a swagman. And in my truck I use a fork mount I rigged up, with the 15mm adapter.

[Bill Bumface]

Nice! You are correct, the Yakima is 53.5" which is much longer than the others I'd been looking at. Thanks!

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Going to buy my wife a bike for xmas, she has been fit at our LBS so i know i need a 50cm frame for her.

They have a Cannondale Synapse 6 there with Tiagra components. It is last years model with a $1399 retail that they have on clearance at $799.

Decent deal or what else should i be looking for out of them.

I have that exact bike (except a 54 cm frame). Excellent bike. Rides great and never had any problems with it. At $800 that's a bargain. I got it at $1100 and thought I was getting a deal...

[TimSJ]

Went into the bike shop today to look at the bikes for the wife. They are trying to get me to buy her the following.

Cannondale CAAD9
Carbon Fork and Seat post
105 Components
Shinamo RS-10 Wheels

I can buy for $1,299 including a set of Shoes and Pedals for her.

Which is the better deal?

[BlackEleven]

The Synapse is $500 less? I'd take the Synapse at those prices. A slight upgrade in components plus shoes and pedals is not worth $500.

Plus, unless she's into racing, the Synapse is probably better for her. The CAAD is meant more as a training bike for racers (the full carbon feels lighter after training on an aluminum frame).

[TimSJ]

She is getting the bike to do Trialthlons.

The Syanpse is actually a 7 not a 6. not sure if that makes a huge difference.

I am leaning towards the cheaper one as i am cheap. But just wanted to make sure that this CAAD9 at that pricing wasn't a much better deal that i shouldn't pass up.

[BlackEleven]

You can buy bikes specifically made for triathlons. If you go with the CAAD or Synapse I'd check with the triathalon that she's entering if there are any restrictions on the bikes. I know there are certain configurations that are not allowed in pro triathlons (ie UCI events).

The difference between 6 and 7 is mainly the components. I believe the the 6 also has the gear shifters integrated into the brakes, whereas on the 7 it's a button on the side of the handlebars, although I could be mistaken.

[TimSJ]

This bike buying is starting to crive me crazy. Latest offer from the LBS is a Left over Synapse Carbon 6 at $1299

So we have the

Synapse Alloy 7 @ $799
CAAD9 @ $1299
or
Synapse Carbon 6 @ $1299

What say you CP?

Sorry for coming back so many times. I will decide after this one i promise (maybe)

thanks again
tim

[TimSJ]

Bump for some input.

Plus some further info.

Tiagra components on the Synapse and the Carbon, 105 components on the CAAD9

thanks

Originally Posted by TimSJ

This bike buying is starting to crive me crazy. Latest offer from the LBS is a Left over Synapse Carbon 6 at $1299

So we have the

Synapse Alloy 7 @ $799
CAAD9 @ $1299
or
Synapse Carbon 6 @ $1299

What say you CP?

Sorry for coming back so many times. I will decide after this one i promise (maybe)

thanks again
tim

[bossy22]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Bump for some input.

Plus some further info.

Tiagra components on the Synapse and the Carbon, 105 components on the CAAD9

thanks

The synapse is a good bike. More of a comfort geometry. Longer headtube and shorter top tube than the caad9. So, more comfortable for long road rides. Carbon absorbs the road vibration more as well. Having said that, cannondales are known for their aluminum and their bikes ride extremely well. I personally don't like tiagra, but you could always upgrade her components in the future. Pricepoint.com, nashbar.com, jensonusa.com, are all good places for parts.

I can't tell you what to buy because bike fit is a personal thing. I ride a cervelo RS which is similar to a synapse. I wanted the r3 but my lack of flexibility says otherwise. I got a professional bike fit from tcr and I went on their recommendations. I love my bike and don't regret it.

[Bill Bumface]

Everyone knows that all bike purchasing decision tie breakers go to coolest paint jobs. Post pics and let us decide.

[TimSJ]

Synapse 7


CAAD9


Synapse Carbon 6

[habernac]

Carbon for the win. Tiagra can always be upgraded in the future.

[GreenLantern]

Picked up that bad boy a few years ago, the trails around Sask are pretty tame. Now that I will be out in the mountains on and off through out the year (Kananaskis Research Station) any tips on trails to check out?

[RatherDashing]

Does anybody have advice for cleaning your bike in the winter? I don't have a garage or a basement to clean my bike in and I'm running out of ideas. I'm almost to the point of pulling off the wheels and taking it for a shower...

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

Synapse Carbon 6

Winner by paint job in the third round!

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by RatherDashing

Does anybody have advice for cleaning your bike in the winter? I don't have a garage or a basement to clean my bike in and I'm running out of ideas. I'm almost to the point of pulling off the wheels and taking it for a shower...

Take it to the car wash. Just blast it with plain water.

I'm also liking the wax lube so far. It seems to shed a lot of the dirt off. You just need to start with a clean drive-train.

[habernac]

if you hit the car wash, don't spray it with anything harder than the spot free rinse. Power washers blow the grease right out of your bike.