Wanting a new bike!

[ekcjwc]

I never thought I would want a new bike but I am getting the itch. I have been riding since 2008 and I bought a 2008 Synapse which was the entry level for the Synapse with Tiagra components. I really don't do any competitive riding. My husband and I ride together a lot and we also do long rides such as the MS 150's, etc. Here is what I have been looking at as far as new bikes. Thoughts?

Super Six Women's 3 Ultegra - $3199
Super Six Women's 5 105 - $2149

Synapse Women's Carbon 3 Ultegra - $3199
Synapse Women's Carbon 4 Rival - $2549

Thanks for you help!

[Owlie]

The SuperSix is more aggressive, if I remember correctly. Do you like the fit of your current bike?

[zoom-zoom]

From your description and choices I would vote for the Synapse Carbon 4. I have the Supersix 4...I LOVE it, but I do some competitive cycling. Were I not doing anything more aggressive I would stick with the Synapse, no question. I did my first century on my Supersix on Sat. and it was wonderful, but by the very end my neck and shoulders were a bit sore and tight from being in a relatively less upright position. For those long rides I think the Synapse is the more ideal bike.

The Rival components are great, too. Though if you like Shimano you may want to stick with Ultegra. I could never get the hang of Shimano shifters and have found SRAM to be much more intuitive for me.

[ekcjwc]

I do really like the fit of my current bike. My everyday life stress seems to settle in my shoulders, and I do notice at the end of my current long rides (75 plus) that my shoulders seems to ache a little bit so I worry that a more aggressive bike more increase the ache in my shoulders. Just thinking it is time for an upgrade to a little bit better bike and components.

[nscrbug]

I will 2nd the notion to stick with the Synapse...although I'm partial to Shimano, so I would go for the Ultegra (which happens to be my current bike - Carbon Fem 3). I still need to dial in my fit a little better (I've had 3 professional fittings, with my most recent being a Retul fit) because I am still experiencing hand pain/numbness on every ride. Other than that issue, I really like the geometry of the Synapse because most of my riding is long distance (60-100 mile rides).

[pll]

Another Synapse owner endorsement. I have the Synapse 3 with Ultegra, but I tried the 4 and really liked the idea of the SRAM shifters. Besides, the Synapse 4 comes in gorgeous white and navy blue. The SRAM Rival group set (2281g) will be a bit lighter than the Shimano Ultegra (2329g), so if you pair the Synapse 4 with some sweet wheels...The frame is the same as in the Synapse 3.