Bike shopping- help me narrow the choices for an upgrade to carbon, 105

[bluebug32]

I love, love, love my Synapse hi-mod carbon bike. It's super comfortable on long rides and has more relaxed geometry than the supersix. The SuperSix is a sweet bike, but more for those who are performance-minded.

I test rode a few bikes before I rode the Synapse. I was luke warm about the others, except the Orbea, but knew the moment I pedaled the Synapse that that was the bike for me.

[macski]

I've just bought a Synapse 3 (today in fact) and it is a very comfortable ride. I'm going to sell my performance bike - an Amira expert - because although I love the bike and its responsiveness, it is a much less forgiving ride. My experience is that performance vs endurance is not just about geometry but also how vertically rigid the bike is. I notice small bumps much less with the new bike and also rough surfaces are smoothed out a lot more. This adds up to less fatigue over a long distance.

So, azfiddle I'd strongly advise you to go down the endurance pathway - I don't notice a huge difference in riding position but I do in comfort level.

I think the Ruby is a beautiful looking bike but the Synapse was a better fit for me. If the Ruby had fitted as well then I would probably have gone with that because it has gorgeous lines.

[macski]

And I forgot to mention that here in Australia at least, the Synapse was better specced for the same money. So I got the Ultegra running gear, a carbon crank set and Shimano RS 80 wheels for the same price as the 105 specced Ruby would have been.

[azfiddle]

I loved the Ruby! I think I'm ready to make the decision!

The Madone 4.5 47cm was too big, and not as comfortable. They offered to order a Madone 4.7 with no obligation... but I like the feel of the Ruby better

I couldn't find a Synapse to try locally....

Thanks for the help!

[macski]

Hope you enjoy your Ruby - in my view the most stunning bike I've seen in a long time. We will want to see photos!

[Koronin]

Enjoy your new Ruby. I'm 5' and have been looking at the Ruby and the Madone myself. I actually like the Madone better. It's sepcs for the 47cm are pretty much the same as what I'm currently riding Trek 2000 47cm. So my preferance is going to be the Madone when I can afford one. (Canondale bikes are bigger than the equivelant Specialized and Treks. My husband bought a Canondale CAAD8 and wishes he'd bought the Trek instead.)

[macski]

Funny you should mention that Koronin - my Specialized bikes (an aluminium Dolce and the Amira) are both 51 but the Cannondale that I've just bought is a 48.