Racing bike vs endurance bikes

This bike searching process is not as easy as non-cyclists would think!

I'm a pretty new cyclist who got into cycling because I want to compete in duathlons (running is my main activity). I've been thinking whether it would be better for me to buy an endurance bike first (like say the Cannondale Synapse) or just bite the bullet and by a racing bike, comfort until I start racing be damned. I've looked at a couple Cannondale CAAD10 bikes and they look nice.

I certainly cannot afford to buy two bikes right now or in the near to mid future so for at least a year I will have to use the same bike for everything, long rides and races if I get around to racing.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Would a racing bike be comfortable enough for group rides and/or would an endurance bike be aggressive enough for racing?

I know people who race on steel touring bikes, and I have done all my double centuries and a 600k on a scandium racing bike. Don't take all this type of bike stuff too seriously. Get a bike that fits and that you enjoy riding.

June, I went through this exact dilemma a year ago. I ended up with the Synapse, which was a GOOD, WISE choice, given that it was my very first road bike and I had no real idea whether I would enjoy riding. I planned to try a duathlon for fun, but that was as far as my goals went.

Had I known then what I know now I would have gone with a Cdale Six/Supersix and carbon. Not because carbon is the current vogue frame material, but because the vast majority of our roads are rough chip-seal and that aluminum buzzes like an angry bee. I finish my rides with horribly vibrating hands and feet and my girly bits don't much care for it, either.

But I also have found that the Synapse is just too upright for me. It doesn't help that I am long-torso'd and likely would have done better on a men's frame. We have flipped my stem and moved 2 spacers up, but in the end I always feel like my bike is just too happy cruising along at an easy pace. The more I pedal fast, the more I want to pedal fast and the more I want to do more duathlons and maybe some time trials, too, which are things that are more conducive to lighter, stiffer frames.

It's really hard to say without experience what is the better choice for anyone. I could have just as easily found that the Synapse was the ideal bike for me. It's still a really good ride and if I didn't mind being in such an upright position I probably would have found that a carbon version of my frame would have been perfect for me. I ride with several women who have the carbon Synapse and LOVE it on our roads, because the material helps dampen the road buzz and they like being more upright.

When I first started riding a more aggressive bike could have very well turned me off to the sport altogether. At first my Synapse felt horribly twitchy, because I had gone from a heavy, oversized, numb mountain bike. It was twitchy, by comparison. I don't think I could have started on a more aggressive frame, in those early months. I think my bike handling (or lack thereof) required a more forgiving frame.

In hindsight I think I did make the right choice. In the end what is important is that I had a comfortable start to cycling and started on a frame that allowed me to become confident riding on the road. It seems perhaps better to start with a "starter" bike, then move on if/when you feel the need later on.

Thanks guys.

Kirsten, that was very informative. The Syanpse I'd buy is carbon. The CAAD is aluminum. My previous bike, which I had to return because it was way too small, was a race bike (2008 Cannondale Six13). It gave me golfer's elbow but I don't know whether it was the aggressive position or the the fact that it was way too small for me (it was a 40cm and I take 47/48cm, what was the shop thinking???).

I don't want to let a very aggressive position turn me off the sport but I want the option of being able to get into an aggressive position. It's a catch 22. I'm pretty sure at this point that I will go with the Synapse 6 carbon.

BTW Kirsten, I love the quote in your siggy! LOL. I'm a no tri kinda girl, I don't swim.

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Originally Posted by JuneHawk

BTW Kirsten, I love the quote in your siggy! LOL. I'm a no tri kinda girl, I don't swim.

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Ha, my hubby came up with that. I like swimming in terms of just splashing around, but have 0 interest in ever doing anything competitively.

What if you looked at something like the SuperSix (which is now Cannondale's higher-end carbon line) or one of last year's Sixes to save some cash? That would get you carbon AND a more aggressive frame. There are both men's and women's models in those bikes, so you could get the geometry you need (44 or 48 in women's or 48 in men's).

June,

You don't need to worry about if it's a race bike or not, you do realize that Liquigas (pro cycling team) does the Paris Roubaix on a Cannondale, Synapse. Just because a bike is built to be comfy doesn't equate to slow. So what I'm saying is don't limit yourself or get OCD about whether the bike is a 'race' bike or a 'touring' style. For some people the CAAD9 fits them perfectly for long endurance events, others find a Trek Madone to be the bike for them. It doesn't necessarily matter, what DOES matter is finding a shop willing to give you a good fit. This is how you find your comfort level AND your performance you are seeking. If I were you I'd start shopping the local bike shops in your area and see who seems to care about the fit before just selling you something.:) Good luck in your search!

WR

My husband and I have been having this same conversation....Race bike or comfort/endurance bike. This is his opinon:


How long do you plan to ride?? Over 100 miles? If not, Definately go for the racing bike. If you can - have your bike professional fit to you. That person should be able to set up your race bike for comfort/endurance. Of course the bike geomentry is different, but they should be able to fit you so you are comfortable on your biken (with a simple adjustment of raising your handle bar stem up or down). Let them know, you plan to ride for longer distance.

Don't limit yourself to Cannondale...There are other brands that make awesome carbon fiber bikes. Take the time and try them out.

Hope that helps some!

Caveat: I ride steel bikes. I don't like carbon at all, and aluminum drives me nuts after about 40 miles. Never tried ti.

Ok, caveat out of the way, I have a confession to make: all but one of my bikes are cyclocross geometry.... and I've never ridden cyclocross and have no intention of ever doing so.

But, for whatever reason, my body LOOOOOOOOVES cyclocross geometry. I can do long rides, short rides, triathlons, commutes, crazy ferocious speed, lazy cruisin' slowness, smooth asphalt, raw dirt.

Don't get hung up about the name of the geometry of any particular bike, nor get caught up in the label of what you intend to do with the bike.

If you feel like you are flying, like you could go forever, like it is true love... doesn't matter what the label is! Doesn't matter what the frame material is!

Feel the velo love, and ride lots and lots of bikes before you buy one.

Thanks guys! I wish I could ride lots and lots of bikes but none but one of the shops i've been to have had bikes my size built, if they had any at all!