Carbon Bikes

Hi I just joined and am looking to move up from my Trek 1000 WSD to a carbon road bike for longer group rides and occassional Olympic distance triathlons (along with the training involved). I'm considering the Scott Contessa CR1 Pro and the Trek Madone 4.7 WSD. They both seem like great bikes and would be a big step up. Any comments from owners/previous owners of these two models? Anything you don't like? On the test rides both were wonderful. Because I'm fairly small, I want to stick with the WSD frame. Also the two shops that I like near my house carry these two models, so I'm trying to focus on them. The Cannondale Synapse feminine 4 and 3 are possibility but the staff at that shop aren't as helpful.

Kat in Brisbane, Australia

Wow Kat, we must be kindred spirits or something...just a few months ago I upgraded from a Trek 1000 WSD to a Madone 4.7 WSD!

I am in love with my Madone and I can't really think of anything I don't like about her (except the white color, which is very pretty but it's a little hard to keep clean). I'm loving the carbon frame...she's much lighter than my 1000 and she's a very smooth ride. I'm really enjoying the Ultegra components too. I was very happy with my 1000, but now I'm realizing what I was missing out on. The Madone is just a much sweeter ride.

So...my vote would be for the Madone 4.7 WSD! But of course, I have not ridden the Scott Contessa, so my opinion is a bit one-sided!

-sara

Oy. I need to stay away from this thread. The Trek 1000 WSD to the Madone 4.7 WSD is exactly the upgrade I am dreaming about. Unfortunately, it will remain a dream for quite a while. I'll live vicariously through all of you!

Good luck with whatever you end up with!

I recently purchased the cannondale synapse 3 after considering the madone... unlike you, the shop/service for cannondale was more favorable. Also, the cannondale ended up being a better 'deal' for me financially and component wise. I couldn't be happier but this was also my real first road bike... so I have few comparisons. I only briefly rode lower end treks.

I have the Scott Contessa CR1 Pro. I don't have time to write a long response now but I will check back in tonight.

My vote would be to go with the Scott. The carbon is better. I have ridden Trek's TCT carbon (which the 4.7 has, I believe) and Trek's OCLV carbon, and there is a big difference -- the OCLV is much livelier and stiffer. The Scott carbon feels a lot like OCLV. My boyfriend actually has a Madone 5.2 from 2007 (before the line got really confusing :)) that has OCLV, so I've had the opportunity to take it for some longer rides. The Scott is comparable to OCLV in smoothness and liveliness, but I would say it feels even stiffer (this might be geometry too, the CR1 has a huge oversized bottom bracket) -- it really jumps. His OCLV Madone damps out road chatter slightly better though.

Aside from the difference in carbon (assuming the 4.7 is TCT), though, I have nothing at all bad to say about the Madone. It's a really nice bike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by liza

Aside from the difference in carbon (assuming the 4.7 is TCT), though, I have nothing at all bad to say about the Madone. It's a really nice bike.

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The Madone 4.7 is TCT carbon. I would've preferred to go with the OCLV carbon but the price jump between the 4.7 and the 5.2 was just out my budget. I test rode both but it wasn't a real test ride - just the back of a shopping center parking lot. I could feel a slight difference, but I'm sure once you're out on the road, the OCLV would be a lot better. Compared to the aluminum frame 1000, the TCT carbon purrs like a kitten. I just try not to think about how much better the OCLV might be! ;)

Thanks for the input. It's going to be a tough choice. I'm leaning a bit toward the Contessa CR1 Pro because I can get a bit better of a deal on it and I like the Ksyium Elite wheels.

Good luck! I don't think you can make a bad decision between the two. We will want pics!

i ride a cannon synapse carbon 2008 and i'm super happy with it.
what you'll notice from a carbon bike is certainly lightness...
as per stiffness and reactivity, it depends of the different builds and construction... so is difficult to say.

i know that the synapse is made for fondo-gran fondo distances and is very comfortable to ride on. it absorbs well vibrations, nothing to complain about.

what i really like about cannondale, as a add on, is the lifetime guarantee on the frame. should it break for some unknown reasons, they'll exchange it for free!

i advise that you test your bikes before and see how they feel. i would also call the manufacturing company and ask them about more details on the bikes you're interested in... you may get a more in depth insight and be able to make a decision more thoroughly.

hope this helps. it's exciting to buy a new bike, isn't it?

I have a Trek 5000 (TCT) which is basically the same as the Madone you have - it is definitely a blast to ride. Though I'm thinking of selling her to rustle up funds for a steel ride. Can't really clamp much on to joyride around with my baby girl in tow when it comes to the carbon bike. :) Enjoy - I think they're fantastic and a great step up from the 1000!

I can put a definite thumbs-up on those Ksyrium Elite wheels. My new Avail Advanced 1 has them. They are sweeet wheels...

I don't know how the carbon in my new bike rates against OCLV or the Scott's..but it feels much nicer than the ride I had on my OCR-CW - and that was a nice bike too. I had gone from a Cannondale R500 aluminum frame to the OCR in 2006.. You will LOVE your carbon ride - no matter which bike you choose!