New (comfortable) "race" bike, Madone 4.7, Specialized Amira

[Susi]

I am new to road bikes, and I am preparing for my first triathlon right now. I have about $2700 for a new bike and I test rode the Madone 4.7, Specialized Amira and Ruby, Cannondale Synapse. They all felt good, but I think I liked the Madone the best. The Synapse and Ruby might be a little too upright for me, since I want to do more "racing", as opposed to long endurance rides. Do you guys think the Madone 4.7 is a good "race" bike? I am more in an upright position on it, compared to the Amira... Is there a way to make certain adjustments to the Madone to make it a "better" race bike. I haven't heard too much about the Amira, and one review I read was actually quite bad, so I am a little worried that the Amira might not be a good buy (although I liked it!) Should I maybe try the SuperSix as well?

I am about 5'2.5, 108 lbs, and according to the LBS have a long torso (compared to my short legs )

[nscrbug]

The Supersix would definitely fall into the "race" category...it's much more aggressive in geometry compared to the Synapse. You may also want to consider a Cervelo S1 or S2. They are "aero" road bikes and more geared towards triathlon and racing. Infact, the S-series come with a dual-position seat post that can be interchanged to a roadbike position or a tri position. Just something else to consider. The Madone comes in 3 fits - H1, H2, & H3. All of the stock WSD Madones come in the H3 fit, which is their most upright and relaxed fit. Most of the stock unisex Madones, are in the H2 fit...which is in the middle...not too racy, not too upright. I believe the H1 fit, which is their most racy and aggressive fit, is only available as a Project One build. So, unless you're planning on doing a Project One Madone, in which you can specify which fit you want...you will end up with either the H2 or H3 depending on if you go with WSD version or not. They explain the 3 different fits on the Trek website...worth a look if you want more info.

[zoom-zoom]

Should I maybe try the SuperSix as well?

I am about 5'2.5, 108 lbs, and according to the LBS have a long torso (compared to my short legs )

Do it!!! I'm 5'3.5" and all torso. I love my SuperSix. I'm on the smallest men's size (48cm...which is comparable to 50cm with a lot of other manufacturers) with a 100mm stem. You may be comfier with an 80-90mm stem, depending upon just how long your torso is. I forget my torso measurement, but my crotch-to-floor inseam is 30".

I came from a women's Synapse...the reach was too short and too upright. I am so much happier on my Synapse. Helps that the carbon really dulls the road vibration, too. That aluminum Synapse was murder on all our chip-sealed roads.

If the men's is too big there is also a 44cm women's model that would still likely fit you more comfortably than the equivalent women's Synapse.

[Susi]

I will take a look at the SuperSix and Cervelo this week! Unfortunately the only Cervelo model in my price range would be the RS...
I have to get a WSD because of my hight. So if I would go with the Madone, I'll get an H3 fit. The H2 and H1 are out of my price range as well, and I am too short for the unisex/men models

[zoom-zoom]

I seem to recall that Cannondale's WSD models aren't really all that different in geometry from the men's...mostly they will use shorter-reach shifters and different saddles. So the women's 44cm SuperSix may be a really good fit for you, since the top tube/reach is quite a bit longer than the Synapse...which is awesome for us long-middled types.

Would you be looking at the Rival 4 package? I really like mine. I'm pretty much sold on SRAM.

[Susi]

Do it!!! I'm 5'3.5" and all torso. I love my SuperSix. I'm on the smallest men's size (48cm...which is comparable to 50cm with a lot of other manufacturers) with a 100mm stem. You may be comfier with an 80-90mm stem, depending upon just how long your torso is. I forget my torso measurement, but my crotch-to-floor inseam is 30".

I came from a women's Synapse...the reach was too short and too upright. I am so much happier on my Synapse. Helps that the carbon really dulls the road vibration, too. That aluminum Synapse was murder on all our chip-sealed roads.

If the men's is too big there is also a 44cm women's model that would still likely fit you more comfortably than the equivalent women's Synapse.

I tried the 48 women's synapse and it fit perfectly. The 44 was a little too small... Do you think for a "longer" torso, the 48cm men model would actually be better than the women's model?

[zoom-zoom]

I tried the 48 women's synapse and it fit perfectly. The 44 was a little too small... Do you think for a "longer" torso, the 48cm men model would actually be better than the women's model?

Boy, it's tough to say. But if the 48 Synapse fit, then I'd think either the men's or women's 48 SuperSix would work. I just noticed there are no SRAM options on the women's models, either...which is sorta lame on Cannondale's part. Perhaps there's just not enough market to offer the same # of packages.

I definitely liked the colors on the guy's frames, too...but I'm sorta partial to orange.

[Susi]

I seem to recall that Cannondale's WSD models aren't really all that different in geometry from the men's...mostly they will use shorter-reach shifters and different saddles. So the women's 44cm SuperSix may be a really good fit for you, since the top tube/reach is quite a bit longer than the Synapse...which is awesome for us long-middled types.

Would you be looking at the Rival 4 package? I really like mine. I'm pretty much sold on SRAM.

IF the smallest men model will work for me (which I doubt, being 5'2.5, but I'll try it tomorrow!!), I would definitely go with the Rival 4. Besides that, the bike looks AMAZING in orange!!

[zoom-zoom]

IF the smallest men model will work for me (which I doubt, being 5'2.5, but I'll try it tomorrow!!), I would definitely go with the Rival 4. Besides that, the bike looks AMAZING in orange!!

It really does! And if you can get something in-stock right now you'll likely score a deal...I know my bike has been marked-down at our LBS. The trick is that a lot of shops don't carry the smaller sizes in-stock...especially not in the men's frames.

[Susi]

Any input on the CAAD10? I just looked at the Cannondale Website, and the Supersix and CAAD10 seem to have the exact same geometry... Obviously one is carbon, one aluminum. Any thoughts on the differences here?? The CAAD10 is quite a bit cheaper too. Is is really worth it to pay the extra bucks on carbon?

[zoom-zoom]

What are your roads like? If they are mostly smooth, well-maintained asphalt I'd go with the CAAD...but if they're rougher (like chip-seal), then the carbon is well worth the money. A friend of mine had a CAAD9 and is now on a custom titanium Seven CX bike...she merely swaps out different wheels/tires for road or off-road riding. The titanium really dampens the road buzz. Pretty much anything is better than aluminum for vibration dampening.

[Susi]

Hmm, the roads here are pretty good but my husband is in the military and we don't know where we're gonna end up in the future... Does my weight (max 110 lbs) make a significant difference whether it's better to go with a carbon or aluminum?

[zoom-zoom]

Hmmm...I don't know how much bearing a person's weight has on comfort relative to frame material. I know that sometimes weight at the other end of the spectrum can make some materials more suitable than others in terms of strength, but that's obviously not the issue you'd have.

[Susi]

I can't find a 48 SuperSix in town... However, one LBS just got some new 2012 in today (and they looks awesome!), and they said they might get a 48 within the next couple of days. So, I keep my fingers crossed, since I would really like to give the SuperSix a try.

I also went back to the Trek Store, and they said they can make a Madone 4.7 "racier" and more aggressive, by changing the stem length, handle bars, saddle, etc. Is that true? Can you really change the way you sit on a bike that "easily"? I'm not sure if I like the Trek guy - he seems kinda pushy and I can tell he wants me to get a Trek. The other LBS are more understanding of the fact that I shop around for the best fit. The Trek guy makes it sounds like "we can just change the Madone to your preferred fit"...

[Owlie]

I also went back to the Trek Store, and they said they can make a Madone 4.7 "racier" and more aggressive, by changing the stem length, handle bars, saddle, etc. Is that true? Can you really change the way you sit on a bike that "easily"? I'm not sure if I like the Trek guy - he seems kinda pushy and I can tell he wants me to get a Trek. The other LBS are more understanding of the fact that I shop around for the best fit. The Trek guy makes it sounds like "we can just change the Madone to your preferred fit"...

To some degree, yes. A new stem, a seatpost with a different setback, and a variety of other tweaks can make a difference. How much of a difference it makes depends.