I can get the Spec at a local charity/non profit for $450. It's aluminum frame. I'm not sure about the components but the tech said his guess is it was maybe 2018 or so, a couple years newer than the Synapse. I tried to search the bike, and could only come up with the model name (Dolce). Based on the colorway 2018-2020 makes sense, but I'm a complete bike newbie. Also I think I read that it's a "women's" bike? Is that even a thing? I remember when I was younger, I was told women's bikes had the top part angled downward. Never understood if there's was a "why" behind that. Thought that was weird then, think it's weird now, if that's the reason why one is gendered over the other.
The links just show the picture, no mentions anywhere about components/wheels, but I suspect they are all have the same stuff it was sold in, or just regular basic gear that the shop itself uses when it needs to replace.
https://www.tripsforkidscharlotte.org/inventory?pgid=k859tcnt-c267da2d-f1c0-4f26-a663-c16958b24e60
The Synapse, at the same place, is $650. It's completely carbon fiber, down to the seat post. His the tech's guess was that it was maybe 2015. I googled the picture and the colorway makes me believe it's a 2012 model.
https://www.tripsforkidscharlotte.org/inventory?pgid=k859tcnt-29a029fc-69f3-4d5f-b9b2-bbdad07863f7
I've always heard that carbon fiber is very fragile, and of it gets a ding and the frame is toast, whereas the aluminum should be fine with a small ding.
In addition the tech said I probably need to bring the seat down a little. With it being carbon, how much does it cost to get it cut at a bike shop? Or should I just do the old "masking tape and hacksaw" method and cut it myself?
I did ride them both, albeit for maybe 1 min each. Synapse was FAR more comfortable, but could be the Spec seat was too low and I didn't bother to have them adjust it higher. Not sure if carbon is just a more comfortable ride than aluminum? I thought it was just a weight thing that made them so popular.
Last thing. The Synapse has at least some cords, etc, go right through the frame itself, instead of attached to the outside like the other. Given that, is it generally more expensive to get work done due to things potentially harder to get to?
I plan on going back to ride them both again for longer distances, but curious what you all think! Not sure if an extra $200 is worth it. I have a shit hybrid that I'm comparing to, and so the ride was obviously much much smoother than that. Which the bike just got another issue so I'm just going to donate and upgrade to a regular road bike, as I have a race coming up and it'll avoid me having to rent. That said, I'm not necessarily looking for the "faster" bike as I'll mostly just be commuting to work with it.
Thanks!
by klumzyfule66