Cannondale synapse or caadx?

[sjj84]

Following on from my last thread about the caadx and my desire to buy a bike on the cycle to work scheme, I've come across the synapse and wonder if that would be a better bet? Both models come with 105 group set and mechanical discs for the same £999 price. Any advantages of one over the other that I'm missing? Will be used on single lane narrow country roads, the sort that get covered in mud from tractors and flood when it rains. Not intending on taking it off road.

My initial thoughts on getting the caadx were due to the larger tyres hopefully giving a better ride and being more resistant to punctures, plus a more upright position. I'm extremely unfit and I'm wanting to do this to get fit, I'd like to be as comfy as possible hence not looking at the usual road bikes that I think would finish off my back completely.

Any thoughts? Back to work on Friday so will set the ball rolling with whatever I have to do to buy through the scheme.

[gazza285]

Get a bike you can fit proper mudguards on would be my recommendation.

[SixPotBelly]

gazza285 said:

Get a bike you can fit proper mudguards on would be my recommendation.

The 2014-on alloy Synapse has proper mudguard mounts.

It can also take backroad-friendly 28mm tyres.

I would imagine it's possible to get a higher, comfier position on a Synapse than on a CAADX too.

The CAADX would be better suited if you wanted to have the option of turning off the back road and down a bridleway. But if country lanes are the worst surfaces it'll see, and your back isn't as flexible as you'd like it to be, I'd say go with the Synapse on 28s.

You could test ride both at Evans, if there's a branch near you, and they accept the C2W vouchers.

Edited by SixPotBelly on Tuesday 13th January 04:35

[MonkeyHanger]

I run my 2014 Synapse Tiagra on 28mm Continental GP 4 seasons. It soaks up minor bumps quite nicely and to be perfectly honest it wasn't too bad on the standard fit 25s.

My back isn't (or wasn't) the most flexible in the world but it's improved a lot since I got the bike.

It's definitely worth going to a shop to have a go on one and essential if you fall between 2 sizes on the charts. Most shops I called suggested a 61cm frame for me but when I tried one it felt completely wrong. The 58cm was spot on with a few minor adjustments.

I'm lucky to have countryside on my doorstep with lots of gravel paths so a CAADX is on the cards soon for pre work rides where the MTB is a bit OTT. The road bike will be for evenings & weekends.

[sjj84]

Thanks for the info, both bikes have eyelets for mudguards according to the cannondale website.

I've been searching around for a shop that has both in stock, not having much luck at the moment. My nearest Evans is about 45 minutes away but sadly has neither.

I don't have any intention currently to take it off road, I've got an old hardtail mountain bike that's barely been used, I think I'll take that if I'm planning on riding to the woods.

Are the continental 4 seasons a good tyre? I see them mentioned quite a lot. They seem to be quite expensive compared to other brands.

[yellowjack]

On a road bike, in the colder, wetter parts of the year, Continental Grand Prix 4Seasons tyres are AWESOME. I swear by them, to the extent that I kept them on last summer too. They'll be the first 'upgrade' when I buy my new road bike. The last pair both exploded, tearing the sidewalls, when they were shunted sideways when a van hit me on a roundabout. Other than that, they were excellent, and the exploding thing? I don't think any conventional pneumatic tyre out there would have survived the impact.

[seadragon]

Your limit on C2W doesnt need to be 1k if you want to get an upgrade. Many shops will let you pay more yourself on top of the amount upfront. I did that with my Brompton and spent about 1250.

[sjj84]

I'll make a note to try and avoid vans!! It makes sense to me to wear out whatever tyres come on it to begin with, I'll look at getting some 4 seasons then.

Ideally don't want to spend over the £1000 limit as I'm starting from scratch so will be paying extra to get shoes, pedals, some sort of clothing and anything else I might need like a pump.

Going to have a look in a local bike shop on Thursday that I've just spotted online, hopefully they'll have something to see.

[Silver940]

sjj84 said:

I'll make a note to try and avoid vans!! It makes sense to me to wear out whatever tyres come on it to begin with, I'll look at getting some 4 seasons then.

I've been using 25mm Gp4000s all year round and really can't complain. They roll really well and I've had relatively few punctures. Front has now done over 7k miles...

[sjj84]

Silver940 said:

I've been using 25mm Gp4000s all year round and really can't complain. They roll really well and I've had relatively few punctures. Front has now done over 7k miles...

I'll take a look at those too then when the time comes. The synapse comes with Schwalbe Lugano, any good?

[BadgerBenji]

The Lugano is ok, but the Durano is better for all weather and big mileage, and is spot on for grip, had some conti's they knocked out of shape, 4k mileage and the Durano's are still running well, only two punctures, one was a pothole pinch and the other was a big sliver of glass.

[Gizmoish]

sjj84 said:

Silver940 said:

I've been using 25mm Gp4000s all year round and really can't complain. They roll really well and I've had relatively few punctures. Front has now done over 7k miles...

I'll take a look at those too then when the time comes. The synapse comes with Schwalbe Lugano, any good?

My CAAD8 came with Luganos. Nothing wrong with them, did 1500 miles before swapping.

[sjj84]

Just to complete the thread, I have now ordered a synapse via the cycle to work scheme. Just waiting for what ever I have to wait for. Looking forward to my first ride, have bought pedals and shoes in anticipation.