​Nowt wrong with a compact.
Managed to bomb down at 75kph with one today.

Only issue is spinning out the 50-11 but that only happens with a decent tailwind and on a pretty steep decent.

So basically you're right

Thanks alpha, in terms of quality for money and as a first road bike is this better then the canondales above?

The point i am making is that a triple is effectively the same as a double though, in respect that generally you only use the two larger rings, which on my bike are 39 and 50, whereas a standard double is generally 39 and 52, or 53, but no discernible difference really
The smallest ring is just your bail out gear which doesn't get used very often, I use it only on a local 4/5% hill.
Even on a std double though you can pretty negate the need for a triple by having a 32t (or larger) rear sprocket anyway, at the expense of wider ratios of course.

A triple is nothing like a double, generally a 52/42/32, and you mention a compact is a pain for having to change continually, in which case, a triple is even worse. The ideal combination which is being used more and more, me included, is the mid compact, a 52/36, this covers almost everything, if it's a really toughy, I'll swap a 28 cassette for a 32 cassette.
It isn't me that does TTs, it was the other guy. TTs are too much like hard work.:smiley:

Over undulating terrain they can be a pain compared to a double (or a triple) due to all the gear changes. I assume if you were doing a time trial it was relatively flat and you spent most of it on the large ring anyway? That said I've ridden with many people on club rides that just put the chain on the big ring and then spend all ride with that until they hit a large hill. Nowt wrong with that either except for some extreme cross chaining! Its all what you get used to anyway I suppose, I'm used to a triple, which is really just a double with a bail out granny ring.

​Quite right. I don't know of anyone that uses a double. Unless you live in the fens, a compact is the sensible choice.

Fantastic value. 9.5kg is great for this price also. Only downside is the compact set up. But for a novice, this shouldn't be an issue.

Those look like good prices. My understanding is that the main difference is geometry. The synapse puts you in a more relaxed upright position, compared to the more race oriented positioning of the CAAD8. I don't think that one is particularly positioned above the other.

Help please - which is better this or one of the below ?
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5459/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-SORA-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p6402/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-SORA-COMPACT-2014

They all seem similar to me but any opinions?

Keep eyes peeled, I purchased a full tiagra, carbon front fork setup for £439 pretty recently. It was a deal from winstanleysbikes that was kicking around here earlier in the year. It started out at £399, I checked it on the off chance and it was up and valid but at a slightly higher price.

The deals thing here wouldn't let me as it was a "duplicate" apparently.

http://www.bikebargains.co.uk/ often has some pretty good deals. Kind of like HUKD for bike stuff.

Yes I've heard the Granny ring is boootifull over there

I live in Norfolk. I never use the Granny ring.

if only my bike was found :disappointed:
https://stolen-bikes.co.uk/stolen-bikes/peugeot-reynolds-501-60-cm-frame/

The issue with a compact isn't the outright top or bottom end speed, it's the rather large jump between the small chainwheel and the large one which often necessitates a double shift, ie shifting up on the chainwheel and down on the cassette (or vice versa) to maintain a decent cadence. this bike is still a little too highly geared though i think for those new to cycling, hills around 4-5% plus will be a struggle. For newbies I'd say it's worth trying to get around a 1.2:1 ratio or even a bit lower (ie 30T on the front, 25 T +on the back, 34t/30t if compact
But if your routes are relatively flat then obviously it will be fine.

If you have a Santander 123 credit card (maybe works on the current account too) you can enrol in the "cashback offers" scheme (costs nothing), and select discounts from various retailers. Wiggle is included so until end of may you can get 10% cashback on all purchases (up to maximum cashback of £50 ie on a £500 spend). So it knocks this down to £351 which is certainly a bargain. Combine it with the £10 newsletter offer too.

Thanks for finding that.

OP seems your deal is hotter than the one posted in MARCH maybe cause the sun's out. :smile:

"Lightweight and responsive" but no actual mention of the weight?

Sign up to the newsletter for £10 off first order over £100! Great bike, heat