Advice needed on Jamis/Cannondale road bikes

[Reesha]

Hi Pootling,

A number of my student riders ride Cannondale CAAD frames (8 or 10 respectively). They are lively, accelerate fast, but they wouldn't call them the most comfortable over very long distances.

I'm not sure about Jamis, but steel bikes are like butter!

[Owlie]

Hi Pootling,

A number of my student riders ride Cannondale CAAD frames (8 or 10 respectively). They are lively, accelerate fast, but they wouldn't call them the most comfortable over very long distances.

I'm not sure about Jamis, but steel bikes are like butter!

The BF has the forerunner to the CAAD series (R2000), and he would disagree. But he's a Cannondale fanboy.

[OakLeaf]

I think the aluminum Synapse frames have the same geometry as the carbon ones, but what I don't know is whether the current ones have the same geometry as my '07... Anyway on mine the small frame size (50 cm - so not even the smallest) is achieved at the expense of a pretty steep seat tube angle, which means I need a seatpost with mondo setback and to set the saddle way aft. I can make it a decent fit for me, but that geometry negates a lot of the shorter top tube that you see on paper.

Just one reason why it's important to ride one if you can, and if not, look at ALL the frame geometry specs, not just tube lengths. Preferably have your fitter look at them for/with you.


ETA - I don't race and haven't for decades, but I did for a while, and actually I rode my old race bike for a season when I returned to riding, before I had to get a modern bike just to be able to get gearing that my old lady legs would push - so I think I know a mushy frame when I ride one, and I don't have any complaints in that department.

[ny biker]

Just curious, what's wrong with the Trek you are replacing?

[Owlie]

As far as Cannondale, I have one. It's not truly women-specific, and I've had to struggle to 'make' it fit. There are better options. But that doesn't mean it would work for you.

What year is yours? I tried out a new carbon Synapse (very short ride), in my measured size. While it was a short ride (because it was COLD and I wasn't dressed for it), I wasn't as stretched out as I thought I'd be. I'd still go with a 51 rather than a 53 cm, though.

[Pootling]

Hi all, thanks for getting back. There's nothing wrong with my Trek besides being a bit scuffed up after 6 years of being my workhorse. I'm just looking to upgrade to a better groupset and frame and let's face it, who doesn't want a new bike? Joining a club also means I'm riding more and comfort is getting more important – I'm not exactly young any more.

I've test ridden the Trek Lexa slx (liked) and the Specialized Dolce Comp (ok) and a Scott Contessa (didn't do it for me) – they're all in the same price range but you get quite a lot more for your money with a Jamis and I've heard good things about Cannondale which seems a good option for an audax bike in the longer term. Though now that I've seen some of your responses I think the fit may be a problem. I am 5' 2” with a short torso and arms. An effective top tube of more than 51cm is a reach for me without a short stem. I hear what you say about test riding first.

I'd love a steel road bike but with my height and proportions, I don't think I can afford a lightweight one right now. I haven't seen a decent off the peg model that will fit me so it would have to be bespoke or at least have a frame built up and that is more expensive than some of the carbon bikes out there with the components I'd like. But I didn't notice the Jamis Quest femme which seems a real possibility. The only place that sells Jamis here only does the men's version though. I need to look into that and Felt too, which I didn't consider either. I've just done a search and there is one (the ZW line you mentioned) well within my price range with a SRAM groupset.

Thanks again for your suggestions and advice. It's been really helpful.


K

[CyborgQueen]

FWIW - I had Jamis Ventura Elite 48cm, then after two years, a second fitter told me the bike is just a tad bit too long (standover was fine, but, the reach was too long/big), so I got Jamis Ventura Race 44cm frame (just the frame, since it's same carbon/alu mix like the Elite) with 700c wheels. I'm 5'. I'm MUCH more comfortable with a shorter reach bike. Next time if I ever get a new road bike, I'll be looking for one that has a short reach.

I have NO idea what it feels like riding other bikes on the road, and I *am* curious what a steel bike feelsl like. It SUCKS not to be able to ride a bike in MY size.

I got the Jamis purely because I was getting a FULL Ultegra bike with Alu/Carbon mix for much lower price. If you're just starting out, I would do the same thing. Buy a Jamis, and it'll last you a long time.

If I'm getting a tri-bike, I definitely would be test riding. So, if you could, I would test ride bikes.

Good luck!! I do get comments on my bike because there's only about two people I know that has a Jamis bike in two of my bike clubs. Makes me feel special. :-)

[Pootling]

Hi all, thanks for getting back. There's nothing wrong with my Trek besides being a bit scuffed up after 6 years of being my workhorse. I'm just looking to upgrade to a better groupset and frame, and who doesn't want a new bike? Joining a club also means I'm riding more and comfort is getting more important – I'm not exactly young any more.

I've test ridden the Trek Lexa slx (liked) and the Specialized Dolce Comp (ok) and a Scott Contessa (not for me) – they're all in the same price range but you get a lot for your money with a Jamis and I've heard good things about Cannondale which seems a good option for an audax bike in the longer term. Though now that I've seen some of your responses I think the fit may be a problem with Cannondale. I am 5' 2” with a short torso and arms. An effective top tube of more than 51cm is a reach for me without a short stem. I hear what you say about test riding first.

I'd love a steel road bike but with my height and proportions, I don't think I can afford a lightweight one right now. I've yet to see a decent off the peg model that will fit me so it would have to be bespoke or at least have a frame built up and that's more expensive than some of the carbon bikes out there with the components I'd like. But I missed the Jamis Quest femme, which sounds like a real possibility. The only place that sells Jamis here only offers the men's version though. I need to look into that and Felt too, which I didn't consider. I've just checked and there is one (the ZW line you mentioned) within my price range with a SRAM groupset.

Thanks again for sharing.


K

[Caddy]

My husband was able to test ride many different bikes before purchasing since he is smack dab in the most common bike sizes and funny enough, narrowed it down to the Jamis Ventura Race and Cannondale Synapse alloy 105 He went back and rode both bikes again and eventually settled on the Synapse because he felt it responded better and had a more comfortable/plushier ride.

Of course, it would be whichever bike fits you better and I can't speak from the WSD models, but that was his experience (he took both of them out for 30 minute rides because the bike stores were very generous).

As a side note, the Cannondale CAADs are meant more for racing while the Synapse is built more for comfort, I believe. That's not to say the Synapse can't go fast - we average over 18mph on long Sunday rides without too much effort.