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Thinking of buying my first road bike.
I've got a hybrid that I use for commuting(16 miles each, way all road) and I've been enjoying getting out on the bike right from the door rather than driving 45-60 minutes to Glentress/Carronvalley to use my full susser.
I've had a look at a few road bikes and am really taken with the Cannondale Syntace Carbon 105 5 (2015)
http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/endurance-road/synapse-carbon/synapse-carbon-5-105
I was wondering if there's anything out there that's better as a comfortable 1st road bike for around £1500. I don't want anything too racey and needs to be decent enough that I don't immediately wish I'd gotten a better specced model or think of upgrading components.
The Giant Defy Composite looks good except the really long headtube on the size of frame I'd need (6'4" so a size 60 or 61 would be about right)
The Canyon, Lapierre and Kona "Endurance" bikes look good (IMO)
My mountain bike is a Canyon and as much as I like it I'd rather get a road bike I can sit on etc before buying as I'm sure the way it fits is far more important than on a mountain bike.
As above the fit of a road bike is far more important than a MTB. If you have a properly proportioned body then you might get away with never swinging a leg over one before you buy it but I would still advise trying one or two to get a feel for what size you need. I have short femurs so getting the right bike size is a pain in the arse. Remember not all manufacturers measure their frames in the same way. On manufacturers 54cm is anothers 58cm. If you have mates who have road bikes then try them for size failing that go and try some at you local halfords ect... to get a feel and take note of the measurements.
In honesty (and in contradiction of all usual advice) I'd buy a cheaper one (maybe used or, say, an old model that's reduced) that approximately fits and then ride it for a while. You can make it feel right if it's already closeish and anyway, whatever feels right when you first start will change over the first few months if you're anything like me (if you're a racer already and very supple then ignore this).
After owning for a few months, you'll ...
A) want a bike that fits perfectly/differently after lots of riding
B) feel your existing bike was good enough anyway
C) wish you hadn't bothered and flog it
The synapse is a grate endurance bike, if you want comfort with good performance then you can't go wrong with the synapse. Cannondales do come up big, at 6ft 4 61cm should be about rite. Try one at you lbs, try a 58 and a 61
The 2014 version of the Synapse 105 won the Cycling Plus Bike of the Year Award, and is a very comfortable yet quick bike. IMO its great value for money and would make a good first bike which would be easy to sell if you don't get the road habit, and is also eminently upgradeable if you do get the bug, especially the wheelset. As above its more important to get the fit of a road bike correct and different manufacturers similar sizes can vary wildly in their geometries.
Philby, those were some of the reasons I was thinking of going for the Synapse. The 2015 has the latest 11 speed 105 drivetrain was I was told is basically 2014 Ultegra with 105 on it and the frame is Di2 ready which makes it future proof.
The 2015 is also about £200 cheaper than last year's model (RRPs) so will be about the same price if the old in my size was is in the sale.
I do think it would sell easily if I discover that a road bike just isn't for me, I'm tucking away any spare cash to get something after winter's done as I'll be using my hybrid for the colder months.
I recently got an end of season bike as my first road bike, £1200 from £1500. Good deal I thought but now I realised I don't like road bikes I'm stuck with something I'm trying to sell (not a plug as too small lol) so I'll end up getting £800 for a bike that's been ridden twice covering 80 miles....
Go second hand and benefit from planks like me losing money 🙂
Lovely bike! (Get a bike fit though!)
Head tube on defy looks the same length - 22 cm. to be honest, both will be fine bikes and there isnt much to choose between them. I like compact frames and have a Defy. if you can find an Advanced in your budget and size,, buy that over the cannondale. And i think, even at 6'4", you would be a large with a slightly longer stem.
Just looking at [url= http://tredz.co.uk ]Tredz[/url] sale. got some great prices on road bikes (inc. Cannondale)
Yeh DezB had a look on there the other day, some good deals but need to save for a while yet and will need to get sized up beforehand.
Had a good chat with a sales guy in Alpine Bikes in Stockbridge Edinburgh and really impressed with the service they offer with the bike fit etc so might see if they'll price match when the time comes.