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!!!

[ACiveE]

I will post photos! I promise!

I was really wanting to get the Trek because what I perceived to be a better reputation and I kept reading about how Cannondales aren't made in the USA but the level of Trek I was looking at isn't either. Trek has better resale I've hear too. The components are better on the Cannondale and I think I got a stellar deal from a great shop.

Plus, I'm such a novice that anything will be a great leap from what I've been using.

[Aggie_Ama]

I think most carbon fiber bikes aren't American made but both companies are American based. You know I bought a Cannondale over a Trek because everyone and their dog in the area rides Trek. Many told me it was because Lance rode Trek and gave no other reason (I live in Austin area). Well I never will be or aspire to be Lance so why do I care what he likes to ride?

I liked my C-dale because it is different which is likely as stupid a reason as liking Trek because Lance rides it. Oh and Cannondale is very popular with the race/Tri crowds because they are so freaking stiff. You won't have problems selling a Cannondale but you likely won't want to. My husband has a 2005 R5000 (Aluminum Cannondale) and he constantly has comments on how great the bike is or how someone would like to buy it off him. Congrats on making a decision.

[aicabsolut]

Cannondale aluminum is made in the USA. Most carbon bikes except for UCLV Trek carbon is made in Asia. Most of that carbon is made by factories owned by Giant. It's not really a bad thing. So basically, the Trek carbon and the Cannondale carbon you were considering were the same thing. Each company uses their own layup of different types of fiber sheets, and that varies throughout a line of bikes, but it all comes from the same place and is good stuff.

[OakLeaf]

Cannondale's SuperSix frames are also USA made, according to their '09 press kit. I'm guessing that their other hi-mod carbon frames are as well, but they like to keep that information hard to find. Like the hi-mod Trek carbon, a considerably higher price range, but it's there.

I didn't know where Trek's frames came from, is all. For the '07 model year, all Cannondale's frames except the Synapse were said to be USA made.

I don't question the quality so much as the environmental regulation. Carbon fiber is an extremely toxic business.

[ACiveE]

Hmmm... very interesting point about the environmental regulation. I hadn't thought of that.

[ACiveE]

Yaaaay! Synapse is in and adjustments have been made... handle bars switched to narrower ones and then a more feminine saddle. I'm going in tomorrow to get final fit adjustments and to take her home. I'm sooo excited!!

[batsheva]

how's the new synapse??

[ACiveE]

It's beautiful!

... I took it out for a ~20 minute test ride with the guy I've been working with at the bike shop and then for just a short ride today but it's still quite, quite cold outside. I only have fair weather gear and I'm not sure I really want to invest in too much cold weather gear because I don't see myself riding much when it's in the 20's. Once the temperatures get up above about 55 I'll really let you know how I like it.

[Aggie_Ama]

Beautiful!! The white bar tape is stunning. How is the Fizik saddle working out? I personally could not tolerate it.