Cannondale Bikes

[SR7492]

I'm not quite at the stage of posting a 'What Road bike' discussion just yet, however I am gathering bits of info so I can make my choice in the New Year.

I've had a look at the various manufacturers but the Cannondale's seem to always get really good reviews thus it is looking likely that I might end up with a 'Dale.

What I would like to know is the differences in frames and which is better? For instance, CAAD 8/9 or 10 compared to a non CAAD Synapse etc

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

SR7492 said:

I'm not quite at the stage of posting a 'What Road bike' discussion just yet, however I am gathering bits of info so I can make my choice in the New Year.

I've had a look at the various manufacturers but the Cannondale's seem to always get really good reviews thus it is looking likely that I might end up with a 'Dale.

What I would like to know is the differences in frames and which is better? For instance, CAAD 8/9 or 10 compared to a non CAAD Synapse etc

Thanks

in somple terms, one is alu, the other is carbon and CAAD10 is the latest evolution of the alu series. depending upon what you want it for, will probably be lead you to one or the other. that said, the CAAD10 is probably the best alu frame ever made and fromthe reviews and owners comments, it seems to be more than capable as a racing bike as much as a sportive friendly mile eater. at a guess, the carbon frame will gve the synapse the edge on longer rides and by virtue of the headtube size and the riding position but i dare say a good fitting session will get you comfy on either.
CAAD10:
http://road.cc/content/review/49175-cannondale-caa...

here is their take on the Synapse: http://road.cc/content/review/47929-cannondale-syn...

personally, i wouldnt get either but go for the SuperSix 105 instead....
http://road.cc/content/review/29511-cannondale-sup...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st December 13:01

[itsnotarace]

You won't get a CAAD9 now unless it's secondhand. Production stopped in 2010 when it became the CAAD10. The CAAD10 is a little bit lighter through virtue of slightly thinner walled tubing and a much lighter standard fork. I personally think the welds and the overall finish of my CAAD9 is streets ahead of the CAAD10's I've seen, but that's personal preference.

CAAD8 uses the same 6061 alu but is not butted in the same way as the CAAD9 so the frameset is heavier overall, plus the headtube has been made longer now for a more upright position.

The Synapse is available in both alu and carbon forms, the headtube is much longer on these that their respective sized CAAD's which gives a more upright riding position, so it depends how flexible you feel and if you want to run no stem spacers or a stack of spacers if you're not flexible enough for the CAAD.

Ride both CAAD10 and Synapse and see how you get on.

Edited by itsnotarace on Wednesday 21st December 13:20

[anonymous-user]

sorry i didnt realise there was an alu synapse....

[SR7492]

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

As it will be my first roadie, it is going to be a Alu frame.

Budget will be upto £850; ideally I want one with 105 groupsets.

It will mainly for riding at the weekends/possible group rides (even a TT if I can enter one), so I want a frame which will be comfortable but also fast (I'm 5 10")

Pablo - if it wasn't for you, I'd never known about Rose Versand bikes. Spec wise, they are pretty much unbeatable but my only worry with them is that it's coming from Germany and there is no LBS that I can for size etc.

What are you views on them?

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

SR7492 said:

Thanks guys - much appreciated.

As it will be my first roadie, it is going to be a Alu frame.

Budget will be upto £850; ideally I want one with 105 groupsets.

It will mainly for riding at the weekends/possible group rides (even a TT if I can enter one), so I want a frame which will be comfortable but also fast (I'm 5 10")

Pablo - if it wasn't for you, I'd never known about Rose Versand bikes. Spec wise, they are pretty much unbeatable but my only worry with them is that it's coming from Germany and there is no LBS that I can for size etc.

What are you views on them?

Thanks

well i havent sat on a Rose but i have seen them in the flesh and they looked like any other bike to be honest, so ridewise i can only go on reviews and spec sheets but i havent heard anything bad. this is the £850 ish bike http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose-pro-sl-220... its really well spec'd, Sram Apex is a quality groupset even if it is their bottom of the sram range i think its still fits somewhere in between tiagra/105 and those easton wheels are std fit on other stuff costing a good bit more, the FSA bits is nice finishing kit too. as ever its the frame and the forks that really matter and a few reviews seem to infer that they are quite a harsh ride. some would say thats aluminium frames for you but it does take a lot to make alu anything but stiff!... they have a UK distributor who should be able to help with any doubts you have. you should be able to get help regarding sizing too.

some web comments:
http://road.cc/content/blog/37753-taking-plunge-ne...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/... - i appreciate its a ladies model but its all good research!

an alternative is the canyon roadlite 6.0. http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=25... Canyon's reputation is very good and their bikes are really well turned out, this one has 105 and mavic aksium wheels, those two things together are about £500, add some ritchey bits, a quality alu frame and their ever increasing UK presence and you cant really go wrong... their frame size tool is pretty thorough although it does spit out some odd results and you should be able to get a good idea of fit using the geometry data on their website.

what i like about rose bikes is the fact that they are so well specc'd for the money, they use branded components throughout the bike and although their UK presence is limited, barring huge issues such as a warranty issue and things involving sending it back, a bike is pretty resilient to a fair amount of abuse. i wouldnt have an issue buying one, especially having read their website and their history etc. ok, take it all with a pinch of salt because its marketing after all but its not like they have only just turned up and are making them in a shed...

I like the fact that rose have a £2500 aero tt bike in their line up too, for me it shows that although they may not be big in the UK, they are clearly taking life as a cycle manufacturer serously somewhere in the world. To be honest the UK would be a tough market for anyone "new" to break into in terms of cycles, the likes of specialized, trek et al are just massive and have more than a sizeable market share given their reputation. i guess rose have enough sales on the continent not to need the UK?

when i spent £800 on a boardman i hadnt ridden in 2008 i was cautious but i just thought that there was too much pointing to a bargain. things like a new "brand" establishing itself, well spec'd bikes, support from Chris B(i figured he wouldnt put his anme to complete toss! - when people like nicole cooke and alistair brownlee won olympics and triathlon titles on them i was quite chuffed!) and after a bit of research, the knowledge that Halfords were just the shop selling them and not part of the manufacturing process.

go for it!

[ratbane]

I know it's out of budget, but I have a Supersix Ultegra. It is an absolute blast of a bike, stiff, light and manouverable. Cannondale make great bikes. I also have a Rize 4 FS Mountain bike which has performed flawlessly. Thumbs up for 'dales.

[Roman]

I've seen CAAD 10's with 105 advertised for £950 & Ali Synapse with 105 for £850 - both great buys I'm sure as is the Canyon.

[SR7492]

Thanks for everyone's input :-)

A question on the shifters; what is the difference between SRAM and Shimano?

I know this has been asked before and it is down to the individuals taste, however is there a physical difference in terms of how Shimano gear changes work compared to SRAM?

[anonymous-user]

SR7492 said:

Thanks for everyone's input :-)

A question on the shifters; what is the difference between SRAM and Shimano?

I know this has been asked before and it is down to the individuals taste, however is there a physical difference in terms of how Shimano gear changes work compared to SRAM?

shimano shiffters have two levers, the brake lever operates the brake in the normal fashion, but also moves inwards towards the wheel. there is a smaller lever just behind it. the brake lever goes up the gears, the little one behind it goes down. you can catch the brakes if you are shifting up but only very rarely and its a result of hamfisted shifting rather than the shifters themselves.

sram shfters just have one, you push it in a bit to go down the gear, or a lot to go up. the brake lever doesnt move inwards towards the wheel like shimano. sram call it doubletap. it was problematic when it was first launched but its very good now and sram red is used by many of the pros prefer not to use an electronic shifting set up.

sram stuff feels a bit more solid on the changes but doesnt shift quite as fast but you are really spitting hairs in terms of measuring one agaisnt the other for the sake of performance, they both work very well if they are properly maintained. good cable outers like gore and routing cables to avoid tight bends will make even the cheapest stuff miles better.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 December 12:42

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 December 12:44

[Raoul Duke]

Dont forget that SRAM is a fair bit lighter as well spec for spec. Rival for instance, which will be a similar price point to 105 will be about 400g+ lighter - will also be lighter than Ultegra.

[Antony Moxey]

pablo said:

shimano shiffters have two levers,

Shimano Sora has one lever plus a small button where your thumb would normally rest on the hood. Push the brake lever inwards to change to a bigger ring (same for both front and back), push the little button to change to a smaller ring.

[SR7492]

Thanks guys - excellent stuff

[village idiot]

i do love 'crack'n'fail' bikes... have owned plenty in my time and still have a hardtail frame knocking about.

[LRdriver II]

remember, top end aluminium (caad10) is better than some of the cheap carbon frames everybody seems to be fawning over.

[TallTony]

I've a CAAD9, and must say it is fabulous. Fast, reactive and I swear it gets more comfy as the miles rack up. What really turns me on is engineering excellence with beauty, and this frame satisfies that. I love the fact that no one tube has a consistent outer diameter, the shape of the main tubes changes fluidly across the length. Even now I usually spend a minute or two admiring the seat stays before every ride - organic and gorgeous.

I have a 2010 Tiagra in matt black, the options at the time was either a top class alu with considerable detail or a cheap chinese carbon. It was an easy decision...

[SR7492]

Instead of starting a new topic, continuing with this one made more sense.

I've narrowed my wish list and will be choosing one of the following Dale's in the upcoming weeks (need to try out a few for fitting/comfort etc).

Can you help me make the right choice or atleast provide your expert/individual knowledge as to which frame is to go for?

2011 Synapse 105
2011 CAAD8 105
2011 CAAD10 105
2012 CAAD8 105

Personally, I really like the 2012 CAAD8 but open to the others if they are better

Thanks

[itsnotarace]

How flexible are you and what sort of riding position are you after? Aggressive and low or relaxed and upright?

[SR7492]

Height is 5'10/11 - Weight 78kgs

I'm quite flexible but the bike ride will mainly be treks around the 30-50 mile; so something more on the lines of comofortable but won't mind if there is a element of low/aggresiveness as long as it doesn't spoil the ride.

Thanks

[itsnotarace]

The 2011 CAAD10 is easily the best of the frames you listed. My CAAD9 is fine on longer rides and shares a similar geo to the CAAD10