bike lust ;)

[shewhobikes]

Hi all, I haven't posted in awhile; good to chat again.

I've been riding about 2.5 years, mostly group/club rides and a few touring trips, couple of centuries, the MS 150, that sort of thing. I have a Cannondale SR (sport road) 800 and have put about 5500 miles on it. It has been very reliable but I'm itching for something a little sleeker/speedier (the SR800 is aluminum but on the heavy side, has brakes on the top of the handlebar that I never use and that get in the way, etc).

I'm not asking which bike should I get, as that is such a personal preference depending on fit, budget, use, etc., but I would like to know if anyone has direct experience with the Trek Madone 5.1 WSD or the Cannondale Synapse Feminine 2. I'm hoping to get a good deal here at year-end close-out at my LBS, and those 2 bikes are on my radar.

Thanks, ladies! It was a gorgeous fall weekend in Alabama, still warm but with beautiful blue sky and some pretty leaves depsite the drought. Hope everyone got a ride or two in!

[batsheva]

Hiya--

I got the Cannnondale Synapse Feminine 4 - as a non-cyclist non-exerciser looking to get into it-- I bought 3 to 4 months ago and have put nearly a 1000 miles on it already - THAT is how great a bike it is to ride... mine is the aluminium alloy with some carbon bits and pieces like fork seatpost around it - 105 with ultegra shifters and it is a dream to ride-- speedy and responsive without being too twitchy-- I think it is a little under 20lbs fully loaded with drink bottles, saddle bag and gear in it etc. I am 110 lbs and easily carry it up flights of stairs one handed to my apartment so it cant be that heavy! If I was buying a bike tomorrow with no regard for cost (I wish!) I would stick with the Cannondale Synapse and just buy as high end of the same bike as possible, eg. allcarbon or something-- I love it.

batsheva

[shewhobikes]

I could not resist this bike once I rode it yesterday. And the price was right--30% off, and just my size! (53 cm). It is a perfect fit, and there was no looking back.

My new baby. Look at those sexxy wheels!:D

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/CUSA/model-7RWC2T.html

And p.s....almost 1k miles in 3-4 months? Good on YOU!

[sandra]

No advice except that if anyone says they are thinking about a new bike, I say go for it! You only go around once, you may as well enjoy it.

Where are you in Alabama? I'm in southern Mississippi and may not be too far from you.

[sandra]

Oh wow. You already bought it. CONGRATULATIONS. Now we want to see pictures of the real bike, YOUR bike.

[Jo-n-NY]

What a beauty. Congratulations and enjoy!!!

~ JoAnn

[shewhobikes]

No advice except that if anyone says they are thinking about a new bike, I say go for it! You only go around once, you may as well enjoy it.

As you can see, I didn't hesitate long...;)

Where are you in Alabama? I'm in southern Mississippi and may not be too far from you.

Birmingham. You probably know better, but folks who've never been to north central Ala tend to think it's flat, but it's not--we're in the Appalachian foothills, so we do some climbing. So yes, we have mountains, but nothing in the order of, say, North Carolina or Virginia, much less Washington or CA. It's very pretty here!

I'll post pix of my bike once I finally get out on it, probably this weekend. Yippee!

[rij73]

Beeyooteeful Bike!!! Congrats and enjoy the ride!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have the Synapse 3 in the Blue/White. I LOVE her!! Put about 3,000 miles on the bike in 10 months and still love it but I wish I hadn't talked DH out of buying me the Synapse 2. Let us know how your first ride went. :D

[Starfish]

I have the Synapse 3 in the Blue/White. I LOVE her!! Put about 3,000 miles on the bike in 10 months and still love it but I wish I hadn't talked DH out of buying me the Synapse 2. Let us know how your first ride went. :D

What were the main differences in the 2 and the 3?

I just began checking out the Synapse line today, and I'm still kinda confused between all the different options. Also, the men's line of Synapse seems to have a model called the SL, but the women's line doesn't?

The guy in the shop today told me that the Synapse frames are the same for men and women...that it is just the bars/saddles/shifters that are different? Do you know anything about that? Thanks!!

[makbike]

Very, Very Nice! Enjoy to the max!

[Aggie_Ama]

What were the main differences in the 2 and the 3?

I just began checking out the Synapse line today, and I'm still kinda confused between all the different options. Also, the men's line of Synapse seems to have a model called the SL, but the women's line doesn't?

The guy in the shop today told me that the Synapse frames are the same for men and women...that it is just the bars/saddles/shifters that are different? Do you know anything about that? Thanks!!

I have a 2007 (or maybe Cannondale called it 2006- came outfall 2006). Mine is Shimano 105 with an Ultegra rear deraileur and MAvic Aksium wheels. The 2 has all Ultegra plus lighter Mavic wheels. The women's Synapse is the same carbon with a women's specific F'izik saddle, women's bars, short reach shifters and I belive a different geometry. Mine has a slight slope to the top tube and I don't think they would use that on mens bikes.

I believe the women have a System Six SL (carbon and aluminum) for women in the new line the introduced last month. The best Synapse last year was an all Dura Ace.