orbea vs felt vs cannondale

[Jerrijaf]

Looking for some input on new bike purchase that is DEFINITELY going to happen (yippers).

I ride the MS 150 bike tour every year past 5 years and ride approx 75 miles+ per week in spring summer. Have been riding an older model Specialized Sirus and am in the market for nice shiny new road bike.

Just had an official fitting at a local bike shop and these are some potentials.
The contenders vary in price and design but all are wsd.

2010 orbea onix dama tlt
2011 flet zw5
2011 felt zw75
2011 cannondale synapse

The test drive will be next week.

I have been lurking forums and reviews and think if all goes well I would LOVE to see myself on the Orbea. Basically I am looking for some feedback on any of the bikes if you own or have ridden. I am hoping to shave an hour (or 2) off my time to finish the 150. BUT i am mostly long distance rec rider.

thanks in advance for the help.

[Owlie]

Welcome to TE!

I don't know the specs of any of them, except the Synapse (because I was looking at one).

Assuming the bikes all fit the same (or can be tweaked), get the best bike (frame and component-wise) you can afford. The test rides will probably sway you one way or another, though.

My personal preference would be to go for a more relaxed geometry (like the Synapse) for long distances. But that's just me, and as you might guess by my avatar, I'm no speed demon.

[kermit]

All good choices, I too love the Orbea's. Their new Ordu is amazing. As everyone will tell you fit is the key after that, you just have to love your bike. Pick the one that you want to walk into the room and stare at! Please post pictures!

[Aggie_Ama]

Ride them, I personally am not the biggest fan of my Synapse because it is not a real WSD. So it actually doesn't fit me with the top tube being too long. If you look at the geometry chart it is the same as the men's. They do put shorter cranks, smaller bars and shorter shifters, but personally I need a shorter top tube as well. So what did I learn? Know how you want the bike to feel and ride more than one. I loved the stiffness of the Cannondale so I thought it was better, longer rides quickly proved me wrong because with the wrong fit it isn't comfortable like it is supposed to be. :(

[Owlie]

Off-topic
I was curious, so I went to look at Cannondale's website, and you're right, Aggie. There's no real difference between the unisex and women's carbon frames, though it looks like there's some in the aluminum.:confused:

While I can't quite tell where the seatpost end of the top tubes are on either one, this just reaffirms in my mind that Giant's WSD bikes have freakishly long top tubes!
/off-topic

[Jerrijaf]

Thanks for the feedback...I test rode a specialized ruby expert (I think...all carbon with ultegra) awhile back and loved it but it was my first time on a non flatbar so was enamored with the idea as much as the "feel".

The bike I want to stare at every day is the orbea...really sharp. But only the riding will tell. Comfort is key especially for the type of riding I do.

Thanks all! Will def post pics.

[makbike]

Jerrijaf,

I have a 2010 Orbea Diva (well I'm on my second one in 6 months) and love it. My DH gave me one for my wedding gift and I fell in love with it on the first ride. Sadly, I crashed and totaled it back in September. Luckily, I had it insured on my homeowners policy and the new 2010 Diva arrived last month. I knew after my first test ride on a 53 Diva (I ride a 49 Diva) I had found my bike. It handles so well and is equally responsive. It flies and the ride is always smooth. After I crashed my first one I went back to riding my heavy steel touring bike (univega) and I quickly realized how awesome my Diva was. As I told a friend it was like going from driving a Lexus to a Pinto:) Test ride all you can. I would suggest you and ride on flat, hilly, rolling terrain, etc. Stay in the saddle and come out of the saddle to see on each responds. Test various components (SRAM, Ultregra, Shimano, etc) I would also suggest you ride each bike several times before you decide. Take your time in your decision making and enjoy your new addition once it arrives.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I have the 2010 Orbea Dama TLT. I think I was riding a specialized sirrus, the 2005 model for a couple years before I got my Orbea. Switching to a road bike is totally different, but I just went for it all at once and eventually you get used to it. The orbea is the best bike ever. But change the wheels asap! The ones that come with it are clunky, heavy, and slow you down. I'm a long distance rider as well. Last year I did 1 century, and 1 double century on this bike and it was great! From Late winter to early fall my ride lengths vary, but during the height of the nice weather I usually am riding 100-150 miles/week. This bike is sleek and fast and beautiful. Just all around fun to ride.

[nscrbug]

Jerrijaf,

I have a 2010 Orbea Diva (well I'm on my second one in 6 months) and love it. My DH gave me one for my wedding gift and I fell in love with it on the first ride. Sadly, I crashed and totaled it back in September. Luckily, I had it insured on my homeowners policy and the new 2010 Diva arrived last month. I knew after my first test ride on a 53 Diva (I ride a 49 Diva) I had found my bike. It handles so well and is equally responsive. It flies and the ride is always smooth. After I crashed my first one I went back to riding my heavy steel touring bike (univega) and I quickly realized how awesome my Diva was. As I told a friend it was like going from driving a Lexus to a Pinto:) Test ride all you can. I would suggest you and ride on flat, hilly, rolling terrain, etc. Stay in the saddle and come out of the saddle to see on each responds. Test various components (SRAM, Ultregra, Shimano, etc) I would also suggest you ride each bike several times before you decide. Take your time in your decision making and enjoy your new addition once it arrives.

Just curious...why such a huge difference in size of both Divas? Were you fit incorrectly on the first (49) one? Just seems like such a big discrepancy between the two bikes. You must have felt extremely cramped on the "too small" one, no?

[makbike]

nscrbug, sorry for the confusion. I never owed the 53 simply test rode it before they received a 49 for me to test ride as well. That said, I knew the Orbea was a special bike when I took the 53 out for a couple of spins and my decision was solidified when I rode the 49. I've had two 49 cm Orbea Divas since May. Sadly, I crashed the first one back in Sept. I received my new one last month and have only been able to take it out a couple of times due to the weather.

[Jerrijaf]

Reporting back after a month of test rides both on the actual road and trainers.
I am 5'1" with apparently exceptionally long legs and exceptionally short torso. So the orbea, felt and cannondale I tried all had too long of a reach for me. The orbea was awesome on the road as was the felt. the cannondale I initially tried was all aluminum and was ok but not as "smooth".
The bike shop guy is great and is working to find a better fit. I tried the 2011 felt ZW75 (i think...vs ZW5) and the reach was still too long. The shop is waiting to get in a shorter stem to try on the orbea but apparently has been on back order for months. He swapped out handlebars on the orbea which helped a little but he thinks with a new stem (am I even using the right terms?) it might do it for me. I did try a Cannondale synapse on the trainer and it actually was very comfortable so I hope to try it on the road soon when the weather clears.

I went back to try the original Ruby Specialized which I loved and the 2010 model in my size was sold. They didn't have a 51 set up for me to try today so I have to wait to re-try it.

So after a month of salivating...I am being patient as I know the fit is the most important thing.

What is anyone's thoughts on SRAM vs Shimano. It is possible to get the cannondale and the specialized Ruby with the SRAM apex. I know one of the pro's of sram is that is adjustable independently for shifting and braking for tiny hands.

THANKS EVERYONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[makbike]

Jerrijaf I test rode a Diva with the standard stem - reach was just a bit too much for me. I ordered a short stem and it is awesome. Made all the difference for me.

I test rode bikes with both SRAM and Shimano and have to say I'm not a fan of the SRAM - I found the shifting to be a bit rough not too mention a bit awkward given how it operates. I have used Shamano components since I purchased my first bike back in the mid-80s and love them. Bottom line it is all a very personal choice - get what works best for you.

[Carolina Girl]

Makbike,

I am considering ordering a 2010 Diva frameset. I'm 5'5". Do you think the 53 cm will fit me? If you don't mind saying, how tall are you? I've heard this frame runs a little small. Thanks.

[makbike]

CG

I am 5'2" and am riding a 49 cm Orbea Diva (2010). I initially tried a 53 cm Orbea and it was a bit too large for me. Hope you can find a Diva in your size as its a super bike. Absolutely love mine (cried when I crashed my first one).

[Carolina Girl]

Thanks for your input. I ordered a 53 frameset today and am very excited. Can't wait to build this bike!!

[makbike]

Congrats on your new frame. What components will you put on it? What color is the new frame? Hope you enjoy your new ride as much as I've enjoyed mine. Such a sweet bike!!!!! Congrats again!

[Jerrijaf]

A 2011 cannondale synapse...all carbon with 105. I REALLY wanted to love the orbea. The bike was fit to me and I tested them both back and forth for awhile. The Felt's never felt comfy to me. The cannondale just felt "right" for lack of better description. I liked the shifting better than the orbea (which is strange because the orbea is ultegra). Perhaps because the cannondale is a compact and the orbea i tried was a triple. I don't know. BUT I am relieved to finally have made a decision. I did upgrade the wheel set to ksyrium equipe (white) I hope that it was the right one :o)

Thanks everyone for your input. Now to figure out what type/color bar tape....aaaahhhh.