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.

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.

[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 )

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