[Synaptic]

Hi. I have a ten-year-old Cannondale Synapse, aluminium. In the last decade I’ve upgraded the group set and wheels, but not I need a new group set and rear wheel. The bike’s worth very little but the frame is excellent and I love the ride, it’s amazingly comfortable on long rides, even up to 150 miles. Though scuffed, the frame is sound.
Question now is whether to buy new components, again, at a cost of £500 or more, or to get a new or second-hand bike. And, I am thinking of switching to carbon.
And, second question, is carbon really that much better? The weight savings are less than I would have thought at the price bracket I’m looking at, which is £1k-1.5k. Boardman does some great, reasonably priced carbon and aluminium.
Thanks

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[matthewn5]

In my experience of both, aluminium makes a very lively ride that you’ll miss in all but the best carbon. Even good carbon feels calm and damp compared to aluminium. So, if you’re prepared to buy top-of-the-range carbon, maybe second hand, go for it, but otherwise I’d be tempted to stick with the frame you have. You could always get it resprayed in a new colour for the ‘new bike’ feeling.

[Author]

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