cannondale or canyon

For me I would choose cannondale .

No reason is like,Especially their lefty

The Canyon bikes look amazing, but I can't buy one in the US With that said, I own a Cannondale and can say nothing but great things about the brand. Well built bikes that handle superbly and are very light. However, I do agree with the others, you should definitely ride them to figure out which one fits you best. Good luck

In regards to the headset, if the problem is really unsolvable through the lbs, couldn't you send it back to Canyon? Failing that, couldn't you put in a new headset? Of a different type?

There is a lot to be said for the LBS. I got myself a slx last year, a superb bike that would be hard to beat even if it was an extra £1000, but a long delay, poorly assembled and now the need for new headset bearings which nobody seams to know much about (acros) kind of took the shine off of the deal. Would I buy from Canyon again? probably. Its the bike that counts.

I am very sceptical about the current trend for (invariably expensive) "bike fittings". If you send me £150, I will happily pop around to your place and put a few spacers under your stem and/or tip your stem upside down so it sticks up in the air in a manner that makes your bike resemble a cheap hybrid.

Also, "fit" isn't static. I am more flexible now than I was 15 years ago. The bespoke Ti frame I bought in 2004 now feels too high at the front unless I put a negative rise stem on it. Is the idea that you pop back for another expensive fitting every 12 months?

I am similarly sceptical as to the merits of a "test ride", mostly because the "test" really isn't. You aren't going to get any meaningful time/distance on the bike and it's unlikely (unless your bike shop carries all of the models you are considering) that you will be able to compare different bikes head to head over the same conditions (even assuming those conditions are the same ones you intend to use bike for). I can see why bike shops trumpet the idea that you shouldn't buy a bike without a test ride.

I am very happy with Canyon. My SLX is a breathtakingly great, spectacular bike. (I have recently ridden the Ultegra equipped Ultimate AL and for the money that is probably the best bike I've ever thrown a leg over. Certainly it is all the bike my talent would ever justify if I was being sensible.) I've never had a problem with Canyon service. I am a moderately capable mechanic and quite like building bikes and fixing them, but if I can't fix a problem then I accept I'll have to take it to a shop and pay for them to do it. Everyone is different and Canyon may not work for you.

To the chap who started all of this: I wouldn't agonise over the decision for too long, none of the options you are looking at is the "wrong" choice, any of them will put a smile on your face.

I've seen lots of articles recently that argue the merits of a test ride. I think your own measurements and riding needs should be all you need to make a decision. I of course would argue the joy of seeing the bike in front of you either, but am happy to waive that for the better spec for the money in most cases. I am thinking about scouring the sales for some bargains as they often uproot some great deals that help match the Canyon value for money. Primera sports seem to offer good off the bat pricing, very competitive actually. I think they have the Ultegra Synapse for just over £2000 which is great, not sure if there is a catch however.

Getting back to the bikes...

The two you've listed fit quite differently - the Synapse is more upright with a relatively shorter reach compared to the Canyon I think?

Making sure you've got a bike that fits you, whether by trying it out in person or being very sure of your measurements/preferences will give you a better result in the long run.

Compared to this whether it gets posted to you or to a shop is a relatively minor consideration I suggest.

I have the Ultegra Synapse and it's amazing. I have one of those mythical bike shops that is open before/after work, and they've been brilliant in helping me fit it and get it just right. (It's Billy Bilslands on Glasgow Green, if you're curious.)

I spent a long time eyeing up Canyons and Roses, but I felt happier buying something I'd tried out and knew was right for me. Also, after seeing it in the flesh (carbon) and trying it, I knew it would be a bike I would want to ride a lot. That was a big factor for me.

I'm sure the Canyon is brilliant too, but I would suggest you try out the Cannondale if you can.

I have the Ultegra Synapse and it's amazing. I have one of those mythical bike shops that is open before/after work, and they've been brilliant in helping me fit it and get it just right. (It's Billy Bilslands on Glasgow Green, if you're curious.)

I spent a long time eyeing up Canyons and Roses, but I felt happier buying something I'd tried out and knew was right for me. Also, after seeing it in the flesh (carbon) and trying it, I knew it would be a bike I would want to ride a lot. That was a big factor for me.

I'm sure the Canyon is brilliant too, but I would suggest you try out the Cannondale if you can.

Where is this mystery LBS of which you speak? The one which remains open "after work" to serve your every need? The one that doesn't say "sorry mate ... we're all booked up until Thursday week" or "no, we don't have that part in stock. But we can order it to store, it should be here next Tuesday" or "you'll need our gold service for that. How much you ask? Only £149.99".

A good LBS will make assist you whether or not you purchased the bike from them. In fact here's a test fo a good LBS: if you take your nice clean bike into a good bike shop it tends to get the staffs' juices flowing - if it doesn't then its probably not such a good bike shop.

Disclaimer: Haven't bought a bike froma bike shop in about 10 years, now buy frame and components and build myself. It really isn't that hard, especially with YouTube vidoes of pretty much everything. There are 3 Canyons in my house (and I've owned various Planet X/On Ones, so internet model works for me); my mate round the corner has 2 Canyons (and a PX); another mate has just purchased his first Canyon. I really like the look of the Super Six Evo (I think its one of the nicer looking bikes in the pro peleton) but I wouldn't buy one simply because it came from a shop.

I can agree with Dutch25 that the after sales experience might be satisfactory, but it isn't going to come near what a decent local bike shop can offer. I value being able to quickly pop into a shop after work and not have to deal with posting parts back and forth. How much this matters to you may be different, but this is what really what put me off a Canyon. Can't disagree with the value for money their bikes offer though. Little things like prompt servicing, courtesy bikes, keeping the shop open a little later to help me out etc are all things my LBS has done. Canyon by their direct to customer nature can't do this.

No issues with sales at all. The bike was about 1 week overdue but other than that no problem. I had to ask for a longer stem after the bike was ordered and they changed it no problem. The spec on the other sl's is still pretty good for the price. Not sure what price you can get the synapse for but roughly equivalent canyon gets you Athena or ultegra groupset which is far better (IMHO) than the 105.

I went for an ultimate cf sl 9.0 aero. What a bike!! Had to wait a bit for it (ordered dec, came march). Can't really be beaten spec for price wise really. Very very pleased with mine.