New road bike ordered at last!

[Ajax_Gaz]

As some of you may know, been deliberating over a new road bike for the last few months. I've looked at Cannondale, Focus, Trek and the latest was that i'd probably wait until January to look over the 2012 Cube bikes.

However, yesterday I spotted a 2011 Cannondale Synapse Carbon on sale and still in my size. From my previous research and trying different Dale bikes I knew the Synapse was the type of bike I wanted and this morning I took the plunge and ordered the bike!

Happy Days! Can't wait for it to arrive!

 

[Bman]

congrats

We will need pics when it arrives :P

 

[theloafer]

As some of you may know, been deliberating over a new road bike for the last few months. I've looked at Cannondale, Focus, Trek and the latest was that i'd probably wait until January to look over the 2012 Cube bikes.

However, yesterday I spotted a 2011 Cannondale Synapse Carbon on sale and still in my size. From my previous research and trying different Dale bikes I knew the Synapse was the type of bike I wanted and this morning I took the plunge and ordered the bike!

Happy Days! Can't wait for it to arrive!

congrats on picking a great bike.. got mine last may-june i got the shop to add a bit of colour to mine to breakup all that black+white...white bar tape.. a few ppl like the changes ...i love it

 

[potsy]

Nice one Gaz, always good to get a new bike
Though you will have to change your sig now

 

[Enw.nigel]

Well done GazP. Expect to see you burning up the miles now around the Vale of Glam now.

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Thanks guys

Pics definitely to follow once it's here - can't wait to get on and try it. Sure it's going to be a whole new world to riding an mtb everyday!

congrats on picking a great bike.. got mine last may-june i got the shop to add a bit of colour to mine to breakup all that black+white...white bar tape.. a few ppl like the changes ...i love it View attachment 5082

I love that! Looks stunning with the red bars and the red on the wheels - are they standard wheels/tyres or have you changed/upgraded them?

potsy - all done mate, cheers!

Nigel - Thanks as well... definitely hoping to start upping the mileage straight away and would like to have a go at some of the routes you've done... maybe i can tag along one day?

 

[theloafer]

I love that! Looks stunning with the red bars and the red on the wheels - are they standard wheels/tyres or have you changed/upgraded them?
just told the guy in the shop i wanted to break all that black+white up and picked the bar tape he choose the tyres
http://www.michelin.co.uk/bicycle/michelin-pro3-race-route he put 700x23 might go up to 25,s but it glides up the hills...

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

just told the guy in the shop i wanted to break all that black+white up and picked the bar tape he choose the tyres
http://www.michelin.co.uk/bicycle/michelin-pro3-race-route he put 700x23 might go up to 25,s but it glides up the hills...

Can't fault it, looks great!

I'm sure mine is coming with 700x25 as standard - like the rest of the bike more of a comfort thing. How much difference would the 23's make?... i take it's probably down to less rolling resistance and it may well be quicker with the thinner wheels.

More importantly i should say how've you found the bike since you bought it? Any issues? anything you'd change? Were you looking at other models and if so, what made you go for this one? Very interested to know how you've found it. Cheers.

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Can anyone recommend what Carbon water cages/holders to go for? Probably be a bit silly to use my cheap plastic one on the current bike.. i take it most people with a carbon bike buy carbon cages??

 

[Enw.nigel]

I bought a Focus Cayo 105 last May and like you wanted to add accessories to complement the bike. I even looked at carbon pedals. In the end I decided for the weight loss improvement to cost for carbon components to draw the line somewhere.
I opted for an Elite bottle holder http://www.wiggle.co.uk/elite-custom-race-bottle-cage/ in black and white with a Camelback Podium bottle http://www.wiggle.co.uk/camelbak-podium-610ml-water-bottle/.
My Cayo is mainly black & white with some red and I added Look Classic pedals in red. I later changed the tyres to 23c to Schalbe ultremo zx in black and red http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-ultremo-zx-evolution-hd-folding-road-tyre/. It all looks great.
If I were you I would wait for the bike to arrive and then look to see how you would like to 'bling' it. Keeping it straight black and white could look stunning. The main thing is to have fun customising it. I'll post a photo to show the black & white Cayo (with a bit of red)

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

Thanks Nigel. I'm looking forward to seeing yours, sounds really really nice!

It's only a bottle holder or two i'm really thinking of adding straight away, but i'll take a look at your links, cheers.

 

[e-rider]

Can anyone recommend what Carbon water cages/holders to go for? Probably be a bit silly to use my cheap plastic one on the current bike.. i take it most people with a carbon bike buy carbon cages??

I put Focus carbon cages on my Focus Cayo - the most expensive accessory I've ever purchased at £50 for a pair. Not sure I'd do it again! Plastic would look better than metal on a carbon frame if you want to save money.

I considered lots of carbon upgrades shortly after purchasing my Focus Cayo but soon got over it, and apart from pump and headset spacers I have stayed with alloy. The cost of carbon components is just too much for me, and alloy seems like less hassel and more durable.

I believe that most carbon cages at the cheaper end of the market are actually plastic with a carbon covering anyway.

 

[e-rider]

Can't fault it, looks great!

I'm sure mine is coming with 700x25 as standard - like the rest of the bike more of a comfort thing. How much difference would the 23's make?... i take it's probably down to less rolling resistance and it may well be quicker with the thinner wheels.

More importantly i should say how've you found the bike since you bought it? Any issues? anything you'd change? Were you looking at other models and if so, what made you go for this one? Very interested to know how you've found it. Cheers.

You don't want to spoil a nice road bike with 700x25 tyres unless you are very heavy, riding on rough country lanes or carrying bags etc.

700x23 is the size to get!

 

[theloafer]

Can't fault it, looks great!

I'm sure mine is coming with 700x25 as standard - like the rest of the bike more of a comfort thing. How much difference would the 23's make?... i take it's probably down to less rolling resistance and it may well be quicker with the thinner wheels.

More importantly i should say how've you found the bike since you bought it? Any issues? anything you'd change? Were you looking at other models and if so, what made you go for this one? Very interested to know how you've found it. Cheers.

hi gaz ..yes 25 are standard when they changed mine over for the red ones i did not notice that they were 23.. but as i am only 10 1/2 stone wet through they seem great and no p****ture,s have had no issues either the double tap shifting did not take long to get used to.. i was struggling with the 34/50 compact as all my other bikes have been fitted with triples but i am getting there my new winter hack (boardman cx team) as the same gearing so swopping from one to the other should not confuse me.. the bike i did have me eye last year was the Roubaix but this year they dont have triples fitted and was far to high geared for my 56 year old legs it was the gearing on the cannondale that made my mind up

larry

 

[Ajax_Gaz]

I put Focus carbon cages on my Focus Cayo - the most expensive accessory I've ever purchased at £50 for a pair. Not sure I'd do it again! Plastic would look better than metal on a carbon frame if you want to save money.

I considered lots of carbon upgrades shortly after purchasing my Focus Cayo but soon got over it, and apart from pump and headset spacers I have stayed with alloy. The cost of carbon components is just too much for me, and alloy seems like less hassel and more durable.

I believe that most carbon cages at the cheaper end of the market are actually plastic with a carbon covering anyway.

Cheers! As above, it's only the bottle cages really i want to add and to further enhance the look of the bike but i'll check out the focus ones as well

hi gaz ..yes 25 are standard when they changed mine over for the red ones i did not notice that they were 23.. but as i am only 10 1/2 stone wet through they seem great and no p****ture,s have had no issues either the double tap shifting did not take long to get used to.. i was struggling with the 34/50 compact as all my other bikes have been fitted with triples but i am getting there my new winter hack (boardman cx team) as the same gearing so swopping from one to the other should not confuse me.. the bike i did have me eye last year was the Roubaix but this year they dont have triples fitted and was far to high geared for my 56 year old legs it was the gearing on the cannondale that made my mind up

larry

ha ha! brilliant with the wheels! Did you have to pay extra for the little bits you added? I'm nearer 95kgs so quite a bit heavier, but i hope i have as much luck with the lack of punctures!

Double tap shifting???

How have you found the fit/geometry?, as its quite a bit different to the CAAD bikes or was that something else that you were looking for and have found this further warranted you buying the bike?

As i'm also looking to add new bottle cages, i should ask what have you got fitted to your synapse? Would you recommend them?

Thanks for all the advice Larry - much appreciated