Road Cycling Essentials

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Hello everyone, just after some advice really, I've been looking at a Cannondale Synapse Sora, the 2013 model with the relocated down shifters. I'm updating from a hybrid which I use to cycle to and from the gym and it'll have to be suitable to use in a triathlon (not for breaking any records just competing and completing to start with).

Bike is £699 and I'll be getting it through the cycle scheme. After seeing it in the flesh today I thought it was a great looking bike and felt comfortable to sit on. As I'm fairly new to biking I was recommended the Synapse over slightly more racier setups as it has a slight bias towards comfort. Even though I have a budget of up to £1k I also need all new accessories (helmet, lights, lock, hi viz, pump...)

After having a browse and looking at various bits of kit I've now got a quote for £830 for everything bar the pump.

Just wondered if anyone has any opinions on this bike or any other suggestions if you think I'm off the mark? I've looked at the Giant Defy but not sure which model is closest to the Synapse? I've also looked at the Triban 3 from decathlon which looks like good value for money but doesn't feel as special as the Cannondale.

Thanks for any input! :)
 
Late notice but the rain forest have "Bradley Wiggins: Tour de Force" as the Kindle "Deal of the Day" today. So it's only £1.29 till midnight
 
The main other options would be:

Specialized Allez
Specialized Roubaix
Giant Defy
Felt Z95
Felt F95
Bianch C2C Via Nirone
Cube Peleton

You've already got the right idea though; the most comfortable bike is the best one for you since you'll ride it most and enjoy it most.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;23101817 said:
The main other options would be:

Specialized Allez
Specialized Roubaix
Giant Defy
Felt Z95
Felt F95
Bianch C2C Via Nirone
Cube Peleton

You've already got the right idea though; the most comfortable bike is the best one for you since you'll ride it most and enjoy it most.
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Excellent, thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a look!
 
Crizzy said:
Hello everyone, just after some advice really, I've been looking at a Cannondale Synapse Sora, the 2013 model with the relocated down shifters.
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Interesting - I was going to point you away from Sora until I googled and saw that the 2013 range does indeed have proper shifters.
 
Yeah, those new shifters look good. I hate having to come up off the drops to upshift. I might look at changing mine when I've got a few spare quid laying about.
 
Nearly had an off this morning on an icy stretch of road.

Don't think it will be long before I wuss out and get back in the car!
 
Was much colder this morning compared to last week.

I switched to my much warmer jacket today. Trouble is, after 20 mins or so, I'm roasting hot! Can't complain I guess, but I'll be even hotter riding home this evening.
 
[Damien];23103380 said:
Yeah, those new shifters look good. I hate having to come up off the drops to upshift. I might look at changing mine when I've got a few spare quid laying about.
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I'll be updating some bits of my drivetrain next year, so it'll be a question of second hand tiagra or new sora. If I can scrape enough cash together I could get a full new sora groupset for about £250.
 
InQ said:
The obvious thing that springs to mind is knee warmers?
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obvious to experienced cyclists lol. i have a padded knee thing for when i'm kneeling on floor (skins that thin every time i get up i leave a trail of blood lol). might give that a go as it bends but not sure if i'll get it behind my trousers. would probalby have to go on top which isn't perfect but it might work.
cheers.

i'll have a look for specific knee warmers as well though.

is it ok to wear 2 pairs of cycling trousers? i.e. a normal pair underneath and then a waterproof pair on top? thinking if it rains then the waterproofs will keep the water out but i'll still suffer a bit because of how cold the waterproofs will be with water on them.
 
helpimcrap said:
is it ok to wear 2 pairs of cycling trousers? i.e. a normal pair underneath and then a waterproof pair on top? thinking if it rains then the waterproofs will keep the water out but i'll still suffer a bit because of how cold the waterproofs will be with water on them.
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It's ok to wear whatever you want to wear, as long as its comfortable for you. If you're going to get waterproofs though, they need to be good ones. Good enough to keep the water out but not completely waterproof or they'll lock the sweat in and you'll get cold/damp off that.
 
I dont see why not, give it a try and see how you fair.

Chickened out commuting on the bike today, up at 5.30am and it was quite white out there. Its not so much the cold more the slippy conditions that put me off.....cloud and some rain forecast tomorrow for here so looks like i'll be riding in if its not forecast to be too heavy!
 
Well... I've just put my bike back together after trashing the front and rear derailleur, ripping out a third of the spokes on the rear wheel, trashing the chain, breaking the rear hanger, and wrecking the rear gear cable.

My only 'maintenance' part really apart from the above, is to splash out on new brake blocks from Avid :-D An often overlooked part I suspect... and well worth checking for good brakes as we come into the Winter months. I think I can get away without buying any winter cycle gear though... as long as I can avoid falling off the darn bike this winter!!

My essential... stabilizers or snow chains when on the cycle paths.. the only damn place I've ever actually come off! lol

platypus said:
It's ok to wear whatever you want to wear, as long as its comfortable for you. If you're going to get waterproofs though, they need to be good ones. Good enough to keep the water out but not completely waterproof or they'll lock the sweat in and you'll get cold/damp off that.
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Cannot agree more! I've used cheap kit, and just by putting them on doing nothing (literally just standing there), you start to sweat in the cheap kit. Having a meshed liner inside will help with this a bit.. but like platypus says... if trying to get a decent waterproof, you are going to have fork out for something good (as in an UTTER MINIMUM of £50 on sale... £80+ upwards for anything good (unfortunately).

As advised to me.. if it's anything other that the commute.. then it might be worthwhile getting a 'shower-proof' jacket, that is also windproof, so if you do get wet... you won't get cold.
 
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Here's my rather crude but hopefully awesome replacement battery for my magicshine clone:
photo.jpg


7.4V 3350mA
Should be good for roughly 6-7 hours on the low setting. Testing it out tonight :)
 
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