First Road Bike Purchase

[mcook]

I have been considering purchasing a road bike. I have ridden several brands; Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Giant at LBS. I will admit I am bad (indecisive) at making a big decision like this. I started my search last summer but decided to wait and see if I could find a good used bike because of the expense. No such luck. Since it is the winter season now where I live, I went back to my LBS to see if they had any deals on 2012 models. They had a 2012 Women's Cannondale Synapse 6 with Tiagra components for $1025. It is an aluminum frame (carbon forks) and seemed comfortable.
I am 5' 3 1/2" and it was a 51cm. I have fairly long legs and short torso. I hear so much about Trek and Specialized and am wondering if anyone has experience with this particular bike or Cannondale in general. I would greatly appreciate any advice or opinions. Thanks!

[TigerMom]

Wow! You must really have LONG legs. I am 5ft 1in with short legs and long torso/long arms and I barely fit on a 48cm Specialized Amira in the standover height department; I have to tilt my bike a lot when I stand with 1 foot down. In fact, I was recommended a 44cm but my long arms and long torso made my back feel arched...plus the 44cm bike could only hold 1 bottle. Although I am built more like a man in terms of short legs and long torso, I was too short for any men's bikes and had to stick to women's bikes...which actually helped my decision making since there were a lot fewer choices.

As for choosing Trek vs. Specialized vs. Cannondale, as everyone says, the only way to know is to try as many bikes as possible, especially up hills.

Please also make sure that the 51cm is the right size for you in the Cannondale Women's Synapse. See if your LBS can throw in a free detailed, certified bike fit with your purchase.

My Specialized bike store has free lifetime tuneups (not including cleaning).
______________________________________________________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

[luvmyguys]

To the OP - can the LBS do the basic measurements while you're on a trainer - arm angle and such? I'm only two inches shorter and a relative newb, but that sounds big (I could be way off base, so take that with the associated bucket of salt and wait for the more experienced voices to sound).

...plus the 44cm bike could only hold 1 bottle.

I've got a 44 cm Ruby and I was able to find a bottle that fit the second holder. BARELY, mind you, but it did fit. LOL. I'm 5'1" and short everywhere. In fact, when I had my pedals put on, the guy at the LBS (different from where I bought the bike) thought that I might have gotten too large of a bike. "But they don't come any smaller!!" Then he recognized that it was a 44 cm, not a 48. I had the thought that I was going to need remove training wheels to find the right sized bike.

[mcook]

My inseam is about 31 1/2" I have been to several bike shops (recommended by local cyclists) I have been told I am in between a 48 and 51. On a 51 I have about 2 inches of clearance when standing over the bike. When I try the 48 I feel cramped and push off the back of the seat. I will get a professional bike fitting and 6 months of free adjustments with the purchase. Of course when you try a bike it is not like you get to take it on a 20 mile ride! I can only go by what they recommend. Free life time tuneups is a great deal! No one in our town offers anything close to that.

[TrekDianna]

My inseam is about 31 1/2" I have been to several bike shops (recommended by local cyclists) I have been told I am in between a 48 and 51. On a 51 I have about 2 inches of clearance when standing over the bike. When I try the 48 I feel cramped and push off the back of the seat. I will get a professional bike fitting and 6 months of free adjustments with the purchase. Of course when you try a bike it is not like you get to take it on a 20 mile ride! I can only go by what they recommend. Free life time tuneups is a great deal! No one in our town offers anything close to that.

You might want to check on how long you can ride if you leave something with them. My LBS knows me and last time I was test riding they told me to have it back by closing

[mcook]

Aside from the actual fitting of the bike, which I realize is the most important thing....even more important than color : ) Does anyone know anything about the Cannondale Synapse 6 that I am considering?

[zoom-zoom]

Aside from the actual fitting of the bike, which I realize is the most important thing....even more important than color : ) Does anyone know anything about the Cannondale Synapse 6 that I am considering?

I am about a quarter inch taller than you, but with shorter legs. I think the 51 is a size larger than what you'll likely fit best. My previous road bike was a 2010 Synapse 48cm and was a good fit. I would not have wanted to go bigger. For you to fit the 51 you'll likely need a really short stem, which could make your bike handling less than ideal.

[Owlie]

Ha, there were far fewer posts when I started typing this. You must have really long legs!

Cannondale makes good bikes. There's at least a 50% chance that my next road bike will be a Cannondale SuperSix or CAAD10, and the boyfriend owns an aluminum Cannondale from 2004. I will say, though, that they run big, though not unusually so. Since you say you have a short torso, the top tube length is going to be the most important factor for you. Perhaps you're more evenly proportioned than I am, but I'm just under 5'7" (long legs, short torso), and I won't go much above a 53cm top tube, though it depends on the bike. For reference, I'd ride a 51cm Cannondale (any of their bikes), either a 51 or 54cm Specialized (depending on the bike) and a small Giant (any bike).

If the fit is good, the Synapse is not a bad bike. As for the Tiagra...the 2012 iteration of Tiagra was actually pretty nice. If you're not going to do much more than weekend rides, it will be fine. Going up to 105 would get you better shifting and a lighter group. If that's out of your budget right now, you could get the bike with Tiagra and upgrade the parts later.