Which Cannondale Bike

[cmancini6]

Hello!! I'm getting into cycling and I'm pretty overwhelmed with buying options. However, I do know that I'll be looking for a hybrid/gravel bike. Having said that, I'll probably do 70% road and 30% gravel, with overnight trips here and there. I'm certainly not looking for a hard charger/I don't see myself doing frequent 50 mile rides.

I'm mostly looking at cannondale and salsa. I'm having a suuuuuper hard time understanding the difference between each bike. When I use the compare tool, I'll only see one or two differences, which to me, means nothing. Some of the bikes have internal cables and others have external cables. Any feed back/opinion would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Listed are the bikes that I'm deciding between:
Cannondale Optimo 4
Salsa Journeyman Sora 700
Cannondale Optimo 3
Cannondale Topstone 4
Cannondale Optimo 2

I've also checked out the Ghost Road Rage Base, but don't know too much about the bike/the brand, but it's another bike I'm considering.

I like the Topstone 4, but not sure if having a single crank (idk if thats the right word) will be an issue if I'm doing more road/hard packed than I am gravel.

 

[cmancini6]

***EDIT***
I also really like the Synapse Sora and the Synapse Disc Sora. However, I have not a single clue in the differnce/meaning in the title when one says disk and the other doesnt

 

[vickster]

Are they all actually available in your size? Supply is poor currently
Disk means it has disk brakes rather than rim brakes.
Suggest you go have a chat with a local bike shop that sells Cannondale. As you need to sit on them at the very least to confirm size

 

[Twilkes]

I have an Optimo (2019, not sure how that relates to the numbering you have) and with mudguards I can't really fit anything bigger than a 25mm tyre, and I wouldn't take it onto a gravel ride, it's okay for a few hundred yards on a farm track but gets tiring quickly because it's so bumpy and the tyres can slip sideways on the stones. Without the mudguards I think it would probably go up to 28mm, possibly 32mm at a push depending on what tyre it was. I'd imagine the Synapse is similar, only with a more upright riding position.

You can get gravel-specific tyres that go as small as 28mm and while that might be okay for gravel racers most people just want something comfy and that generally means wider tyres.

If you're not racing I wouldn't really go for the Optimo, as the lower riding position/bars can be uncomfortable unless you're putting a reasonable amount of force into the pedals, i.e. it's not a great bike for relaxed cruising; but possibly the Synapse - the Topstone is designed for gravel and has clearance for up to 40mm tyres, so that would be the one I would go for in your situation. I would also buy direct from a local shop so you've got someone to go back to if you have any problems, returning a bike through the post for tweaks/repairs is a big hassle.

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and to the forum.

I would suggest the best one is the one you have have in less than six months

@Twilkes has given you a good rundown on Optimo. The Synapse with disc brakes might be better than the rim braked version as it will provide better all weather braking and with the predominance of former be easier to sell on and hold its value.

The Topstone with the x1 chainwheel drive would be a good choice if you want to take it on tracks and trails. The gearing should give you a good range but you’ll have fewer in between so more gaps.

In future might be a good idea to link to the models you’re considering so we get the exact model and we don’t have to scramble around Googling.

Good luck.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I'm not familiar with Salsa or Ghost, but my oh has a 2 year old Cannondale hybrid, Quick 6 I think, that he is very happy with. Build quality is excellent.

 

[Cerdic]

As people have said, find a good bike shop and ask their advice. Tell them how you want to use your bike, how often etc, and how much you want to spend, and they should be able to recommend exactly what you need.

I don't know too much about hybrid or gravel bikes, but I have a Cannondale Synapse road bike. I've had it for a couple of years and been very pleased with it!

 

[DRM]

Where are you located, this would give members more of an idea of whats available more readily in your locality, for example it's no good suggesting UK bike suppliers if you're in the US

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

...I'll probably do 70% road and 30% gravel, with overnight trips here and there.. I like the Topstone 4, but not sure if having a single crank (idk if thats the right word) will be an issue if I'm doing more road/hard packed than I am gravel. . I'm certainly not looking for a hard charger/I don't see myself doing frequent 50 mile rides.

Yes the Topstone 4 has a single 40t chainring with 11/48 sprockets; in old money using a traditional gear chart that equates to a 98" top gear, you will get higher on many of the other bikes you are considering that are set up with compact 50/34 chainrings and 11t small sprocket double as standard (123").

If referencing ratios as a number like that means little then in attempt to put it into context for me that 98" gear would be enough, my Van Nicholas Yukon Audax bike has even lower at 96" and I made quite a bit of effort achieving that ratio; in 2007 when I built the bike it was not easy to achieve that off the peg. I use that bike for day rides, holidays and longer distance tours, the first two are similar to what you have potentially referenced interms of road riding and where I have interpreted where your concerns about the gear ratios of the Topstone are? For me that 96" highest gear is easily high enough for a mid 20-25 mph work out and the occasional mad half hour when I pretend to be fabulous! The only time I find it not high enough is fast mountain descents and on those occasions I am normally freewheeling admiring the view far more than trying to get my ear as close to the ground around every hairpin. I grew up riding a very traditional 52/42, 13t sprocket 108" gear and seldom needed that outside of racing so for me 50/34, 11t sprocket 123" would be something I would not desire. The Topstone has a low gear that's close to my Yukon as well, 23" is walking speed low and why I have similar, I used to work supported tours and if anyone got off their bike to walk I could cycle next to them; I seldom need that low for my normal rides but I still quite like it as a reassuring comfort blanket. In conclusion regarding gear ratios for me those are a good choice even on a road bike. Note I have highlighted for me, gear ratio preferences are personal to each rider, in this instance another may desire higher or lower than the Topstone offers; you just need to work out what it is you desire and then work out the spec' you need to achieve it.

As you want to ride "70% road and 30% gravel, with overnight trips here and there" the Topstone range would be my choice, the Optimo range are aimed more at day rides on roads, the Topstone can carry luggage easier as well as handle that 30% gravel more effectively. The Synapse range falls somewhere between those two, the Sora Spec' would for me be quite viable for this role but as you move into the higher end models the range does morph more into a performance road bike and losses some of the versatility that the Sora spec' offers; capacity to carry luggage in the same way for example. For me the Topstone will do the day ride with no luggage role well enough, where as the Optimo range will start to struggle with the Gravel and luggage carrying for overnight stops. The Cannondale Synapse Sora will do the overnight stops well enough, but factoring in the 30% Gravel I'd still be recommending the Topstone slightly more; it would be quite close mind you.

For sure to an extent 'a bike is a bike'; the Cannondale Optimo and Synapse ranges you referenced may not be set up as Gravel bikes and neither is my Yukon, but that's not to say on occasion I haven't used it as one; 'this pic'' was taken on Bordeaux to Barcelona, a tour I have done three times and every time when I get to that section of about 45 minutes of Gravel I take it instead of the tarmac route; then breathe a sigh of relief when I get through without mishap; note that was near tour end, if it was 'day one' I wouldn't have risked it where as 'day one' on a Gravel style bike I would have. As I don't need a bike that would do 30% Gravel the Sora Spec' Synapse would be my closer to my Yukon.

The other bike you referenced was the Salsa Journeyman, in reality that's their Topstone range, in your case again as far as I am concerned that would also be a viable consideration.