Synapse vs Madone

[ACiveE]

Greetings everyone!

I am quite new to cycling and am looking to 'gear up'! My boyfriend is a big cyclist and I've been riding his old bike that's ill fitted and just a sore ride. For Christmas I was given $2500 to purchase a bike. I've been around to some stores, been on a few test rides, been fitted, etc. I think I'm down to either the Trek Madone or the Cannondale Synapse. More specifically the Madone 4.7 or Synapse Carbon 3. So why go with a higher end bike over an entry level... I don't want to feel the desire to upgrade in a year and I have the resources to buy good quality from the start. They're nearly the same price and have nearly the same components. I know most say go with the better fit but I feel like I'm not experienced enough to recognize what the best fit is.

So how do I decide? Are there differences in the carbon quality between the two brands? The Synapse has some Dura Ace(instead of Ultegra on the Trek) and the Trek has a 105 cassette(instead of Ultegra). Seems logical to go to the Synapse because of that but then the Synapse has some proprietary parts meaning difficulty in servicing perhaps..? Is this a reasonable concern? Enough of a concern to go with the Madone that has lesser components?

I'm really torn. Both are good. I just don't know which is best.

Any thoughts?

[Mr. Bloom]

We're a Trek family (including 2 Madones).

I think you should let fit be the guide and maybe invest a couple hundred $ in a complete fitting by an experienced person. (there's a thread on her about that). It may even be that there's a better option.

Case in Point: Silver has an '07 58cm Madone 5.2 (with 10,000 miles on it), but in a subsequent fitting, the fitter suggested a 56cm would have been better.

Happy Riding

PS: Keep in mind that Carbon is fragile. If you're not experienced, a fall could damage the frame. Maybe you'd be well served to consider a higher end/non-carbon frame.

[OakLeaf]

How much test riding have you done on each? The Synapse's geometry is a bit more laid back than the Madone's. I like my '07 Synapse, but I also bought it without too much idea of what I was doing. Is it the best bike for me? Probably not, but I really have no idea.

One thing not fit-related is that the Synapse frames are mass produced in Asia, while the rest of Cannondale's road frames were hand built in the US (at least through '08 - things do change I know). I don't know how Trek compares on that front or how you feel about all the many issues that that brings up, but it's something to think about.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have my Synapse 3 serviced at a Trek/Specialized shop and have zero issues with tune-ups, cassette changes, etc... Trek uses a lot of proprietary parts (Bontrager is owned by Trek) as well but I am guessing your concern is the integrated Cannondale headset? You don't usually need much maintenance on that part and if you like the shop selling it then they would be able to service it. We do have a Cannondale shop that can handle warranty issues since the one I bought from closed down. So IMO your concern about proprietary parts won't be an issue.

I would ride both and see which one you like. I would put some consideration into the drivetrain but how they feel is a much larger concern. Cannondale has an excellent rep for honoring warranty, I believe Trek does as well so you can't really go wrong there. Carbon is not like riding a glass bike, just make sure they go over how to care for one before you buy.

[ACiveE]

DONE!

I purchased the 2009 Synapse 3... the deal was just so much better and I felt more comfortable on the bike. I think the more relaxed fit will make me happier in the long run. I really liked both bikes but felt more comfortable purchasing the Cannondale for some reason. I really can't imagine being *unhappy* with either bike and with some perfecting tweaks on fit, I think I'm going to be very, very happy.

Now I just have to wait for shipment!

[batsheva]

i was going to tell you all about how my synapse was wonderful and i would buy my next bike as another synapse in carbon for sure-- it has been a fantastic bike for me and no servicing issues - i am green with envy you have ordered a synapse 3 - that is one hot bike!!

you will LOVE it, i know!!!

you HAVE to post photos though when you get it!!!