Mango bikes 105 or Cannondale Synapse Disc Adventure?

[Tesslater]

Hi guys,

I'm new here so apologies if this is in the wrong place. Was looking for some advice on my first road bike following a hybrid. I got the cycling bug and want a more serious machine. I have a Norco City Glide 7 at the moment and was looking at upgrading to either a Mango Point R 105 with the wheel upgrade to vision 30s, or a Cannondale Synapse Adventure Disc 2016 as here Cannondale. Evans have price matched the Cannondale down from £1100 to £850 and I can get 10% off with my work benefits. The Mango with the components I want is a little over £650 and possibly looks cooler.

My question is, surely the cannondale is better than the mango if it retails for almost twice the price?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[EasyPeez]

Wow, they are two very different looking bikes!

What have these 2 got in common that have led you to narrow your selection down to them at the exclusion of the myriad other models at a similar price point?

In terms of which is better, I haven't ridden either, but the hydraulic SRAM disc brakes on the Cannondale ought to be streets ahead of the very basic Tektro caliper brakes on the Mango and many people might consider it worth the extra £125ish for this upgrade alone. Also, although the frames are made of the same stuff (assuming I read the specs correctly), Cannondale have a reputation for designing and building some of the best frames in the business, so the build quality of the Synapse and the way the frame works to soak up road buzz/transfer power may be noticeably better. Looks like some of the finishing kit on the Mango (seatpost, stem, saddle etc) is also bargain basement stuff. The Cannondale would likely have a better resale value.

Balanced against this, the Mango does look far cooler.

None of the above really matters as much as which bike fits you better and makes you smile most when you ride it ...

 

[Tesslater]

Thanks very much for getting back to me!

I went on the old "shopping around" mission and that cannondale caught my eye but it was way over budget. Then I noticed Evans do price matching so gave it a shot. When they agreed I wasn't really prepared for it tbh and it was the last one in stock which made me nervous in case it got sold.

I was originally looking at a verenti technique tiagra but saved up a bit extra.

I need mudguards for my daily commute so I guess that would add around 30 pounds or so to the total for the mango.

When I really think about it, I'm not so experienced that I'd notice a difference between the two but didn't want to get ripped off essentially.

In my eyes the cannondale looks pretty nice, my girlfriend did call it "puke green" however!

I was eyeing the felt z85 too but again, mudguards are a concern, not sure if they fit well on the felt.

As it stands I've got the cannondale coming to Evans so I can try it, the mango I can't try because they're based in Kent and I'm based in Manchester, Wiggle who sell the felt have a free returns policy so I could try the felt. I just hate decisions!

 

[EasyPeez]

If I understand correctly and you can pick that Cannondale up for under £800 then you are definately not getting ripped off. Other people will likely be along over the weekend who are more knowledgeable than me, but I'd say it looks a real bargain at that price, considering the frame and the high quality components, esp the brakes.

The Synapse has won various 'bike of the year' awards and when I've ridden my mate's (not the same model as you're looking at but the same frame) it was comfortable to the point of being luxurious. On paper I'd say that's a way better bike than the Mango. It does look a bit erm...sensible, shall we say?!...in that 'adventure' guise, but that's just to my eye.

Mango are known for doing funky looking budget bikes, popular with city riders, students, newbies etc. If I was looking for a good value single speed winter/pub bike for a couple of hundred quid I'd consider a Mango. If I wanted a quality road bike that would be good for years to come I'd be much more inclined towards a Cannondale and would definately spend the extra £125-150 if I was faced with a straight choice between these two.

Let us know how the test ride goes

 

[outlash]

If you have got that Cannondale for less than £800 then you've got a superb bargain IMO. My only reservation would be about fit and if you're commuting it hasn't got mounts for a rack, but that can be worked around with bikepacking bags.

 

[Banjo]

I have an ally Synapse 105 with mechanical discs and love it. Never ridden a mango so cant comment on that but a Synapse with hydraulic discs for 800 is a no brainer for me.
Carefull on the size selection. My previous bike was a 56 but needed a 54 Synapse.

 

[dr snuggles]

That Cannondale for under £800 looks like a serious bargain to me. If you haven't already and still have the chance, I'd buy it.

 

[Tesslater]

Once again, thanks a lot for the help guys. I'm testing the synapse on Monday, I'll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately if the 58 doesn't fit I'm out of options at my local bike shops as it's the last one in stock anywhere I can find where I can test it locally.

 

[goody]

How tall are you I'm 5'10 and have two cannondales both 54. A 58 is a big frame.

 

[vickster]

If you have got that Cannondale for less than £800 then you've got a superb bargain IMO. My only reservation would be about fit and if you're commuting it hasn't got mounts for a rack, but that can be worked around with bikepacking bags.

Or p clips

 

[Tesslater]

I'm just over 6 ft, all the bike size guides clock me in at a 58 or "large". I'll see how it goes on Monday

 

[Tesslater]

For the record I went for the Cannondale in the end after testing it on Monday. The drops are going to take a bit of getting used to from my city bike's bent back straight bars. I did notice a bit of discomfort in the crease of my thumb, I'm guessing this is pretty normal to start off with. Evans have not set the gears up quite right as I can't get into the large front gear, only the small one.

 

[EasyPeez]

The drops are going to take a bit of getting used to from my city bike's bent back straight bars. I did notice a bit of discomfort in the crease of my thumb, I'm guessing this is pretty normal to start off with. Evans have not set the gears up quite right as I can't get into the large front gear, only the small one.

Discomfort is not unusual when getting used to a new riding position, but some good padded gloves are a must (I highly recommend these, also available in plain black, after trying a few different ones - http://www.caratti.cc/clothing/caratti-brooklands-classic-cochet-glove) and if you are still struggling a few weeks down the line then a bike fit is a good option and worked wonders for my knee problem.

Evans have not set the gears up quite right as I can't get into the large front gear, only the small one.

So they sent you away with a bike where only half the gears are accessible? Unfortunately this isn't as uncommon as it should be. Do you think our reactions would be much the same if a major car dealership starting sending their stock out onto the road in this state?!
Front derailleur adjustment is not too tricky, though it takes a bit of time and faffing, esp if it's not something you're used to doing. This is a decent 'how-to'

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea03ChN-7Vg


Though if you live near to Evans you ought to get them to do their job properly, and show you how while they're at it.