Hello!

[gocard]

Hi everyone! Just joined this forum today - it seems like a great place.

I have been in the market for my first road bike and have pretty much narrowed it down to either a Cannondale Synapse 5 alloy or carbon Synapse 6. I tried out the Ruby Elite (I think) and loved it but it's just too far out of my price range.

I've been wanting to get into cycling for a while now, as a cardio alternative to my primary sport, tennis. I used to run but my ankles haven't been very happy with me on long distances, so cycling seemed like a good sport to pick up.

This being my first road bike, I was inclined to go with the alloy 5 but we found a great deal on the carbon 6 and my LBS has agreed to price match...I am having a hard time passing up a good deal! I also am not the type to buy something with the intention of upgrading later on, so although carbon bikes were not on my list to begin with, here I am...about to pull the trigger on one. :P They are willing to order it in my size so that I can make sure it's the one I want before purchasing.

Can't wait! I'm so glad to have found this women's cycling forum. Looking forward to seeing you around!

[jyyanks]

Congratulations! I definitely think you should go Carbon 6.

I was also not planning on buying a carbon road bike and tried to cheap out. The LBS said that since I enjoyed riding so much, I would end up wasting my money on a lower end bike as I'd want to upgrade almost immediately (he was right). I'm so happy with my bike - it was worth every penny and more so get the carbon and have fun riding!

[Koronin]

Welcome. I also agree with going with the carbon. I have both an aluminum and a carbon. There is ride difference. (Although granted my aluminum bike I bought used and several years old where the carbon I bought bran new.)

[gocard]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm eagerly waiting for the bike to come in - it's not a color that they normally stock and one of the salespeople was also wondering why they didn't carry that color (navy/white/turquoise). I'm sure several people would say that fit and comfort is more important than color, but the way I see it, the better it looks, the happier I'll be!

I was torn between the 105 or the Apex, but seeing as how the 105s were nearly $300 more and not a full 105 groupset, I went with the Apex. The 2013 model will change to Tiagra, which I didn't like as much.

So excited!

[Megustalaplaya]

Welcome to TE!

Congrats on your new bike. The color scheme is very pretty! Be sure to post pics of your new baby when it comes in.

[Catrin]

Welcome to TE, and to cycling! Fit is, of course, paramount, but if you can find something that both fits you properly AND is a color you like then that is the best of both worlds