Synapse v Trek 1.2

[vvill]

I’d prefer a Cannondale over a Trek any day.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I own an aluminum Cannondale road bike that is 10 years old and rides like it’s brand new, and I have test ridden and rented several others and have always been extremely happy with their performance. I don’t know that I’ve actually ridden a Trek, but their association with a certain Texan is enough to turn me off (yes, I’m that superficial. deal with it). Cannondale has Peter Sagan doing wheelies on Mont Ventoux….if that doesn’t sway you, I don’t know what will.

[americancyclo]

A friend bought a Synapse way back in the day. We test rode bikes and I remember it was a pretty nice ride. She bought it, but I secretly think it may have had something to do with her being a neuroscientist.

[lim]

hey rcannon out of curiosity where will you be purchasing either of them?

[DismalScientist]

I’m happy with my 29 year old Trek 620.:rolleyes:

[mstone]

@rcannon100 59342 wrote:

And the forum is back!! My productivity just dipped 53%

The pursuit of the bike for the kid continues. The kid is looking for an aluminum road bike. His short list has gone down to Canondale Synape Sora 7 VERSUS TREK 1.2 — thoughts???

compact v triple front, 23 v 25 tires. I guess it would come down to rider size and intended use?

They’re pretty close, which one feels better?

[hozn]

I’ve heard great things about Cannondale aluminum, but they also seem to have the most proprietary stuff on their bikes. GuyContinental can probably attest to the joys of trying to replace the cranks/bb or headset bearings for a several(?)-year old Cannondale. But the Synapse Sora may not suffer from that.

(I’m sure other options have been evaluated, but it seems like at that price point you could get a significantly better set of components if going with a “lesser” brand name — e.g. GT or certainly the Motobecane/Nashbar/etc. route.)

[DaveK]

@hozn 59410 wrote:

I’ve heard great things about Cannondale aluminum, but they also seem to have the most proprietary stuff on their bikes. GuyContinental can probably attest to the joys of trying to replace the cranks/bb or headset bearings for a several(?)-year old Cannondale. But the Synapse Sora may not suffer from that.

(I’m sure other options have been evaluated, but it seems like at that price point you could get a significantly better set of components if going with a “lesser” brand name — e.g. GT or certainly the Motobecane/Nashbar/etc. route.)

Cannondale integrated headsets are Campy standard and have been for a while, you can get a replacement anywhere. FSA and Cane Creek both make affordable models that fit.

[acc]

@rcannon100 59342 wrote:

And the forum is back!! My productivity just dipped 53%

The pursuit of the bike for the kid continues. The kid is looking for an aluminum road bike. His short list has gone down to Canondale Synape Sora 7 VERSUS TREK 1.2 — thoughts???

My first road bike was a Trek. My current road bike is an aluminum frame Cannondale. The Cannondale is much lighter. The ride is more like a sports car, the Trek was more like a family sedan.

[hozn]

@DaveK 59414 wrote:

Cannondale integrated headsets are Campy standard and have been for a while, you can get a replacement anywhere. FSA and Cane Creek both make affordable models that fit.

Yeah, I’m sure you’re right. I may be mis-remembering the problem points — or reading too much into GuyC’s tales of woe There was some part that he could only find on some site in Spain. That must have been BB-related.

[rcannon100]

Yeah…. I have a Trek FX 1.3 from Phoenix that is a tank. The Trek 1.2 is nothing like that. It is a light and agile bike. I have been quite surprised.

The Cannondale shop appears to be REI (Fresh Bikes is higher end – another shop appears to be City Bikes). The Trek shop appears to be Revolution.

She bought it, but I secretly think it may have had something to do with her being a neuroscientist.

Seems like a very shallow reason. I would never buy a Cannondale simply for that reason. :rolleyes:

All REI had in the store yesterday was the $2000 version of the synapse. For some surprising rising the kid thought it was an absolutely fabulous ride. He was giggling while he was riding it in the back parking lot. We will not, however, be buying the carbon edition.

[eminva]

I got a Cannondale Synapse 14 months ago and like it very much. I’m not sure if there are different models, but I got it at Freshbikes for well under $2K (WSD, aluminum frame, Shimano 105).

We’ve had many Trek products in our house over the years and they wore well, too.

Sounds like you can’t go wrong.

Liz

[grandallj]

I didn’t end up buying there (in part because I thought the salesguy was jerky), but I think Bicycle Pro Shop down on Duke St. may carry the Cannondale line and it’s not too far to Spokes if the fellow wants to ride the Trek to compare.

[ebubar]

@americancyclo 59376 wrote:

A friend bought a Synapse way back in the day. We test rode bikes and I remember it was a pretty nice ride. She bought it, but I secretly think it may have had something to do with her being a neuroscientist.

That’s why i’m considering the Gravity Liberty 3 from Bikes Direct. Seems appropriate for an astrophysicist to get the Gravity brand bike…

[Arlingtonrider]

@ebubar 59607 wrote:

Seems appropriate for an astrophysicist to get the Gravity brand bike…

. . . and then there’s the Space Horse too.

[Author]

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