Originally Posted by mizer2167

I had a chance to try the Trek Domane and Specialized Roubaix recently. Initial impressions of the Roubaix Sport left me feeling the flex in front end would take getting used to. The shop said there were medium springs in the front end and I think they might've been too light for my weight (107kg) though.

The Domane was very stable; I didn't notice the Isoflex at all, it flex more isolated from the road but more smooth, albeit a bit numb. My impression was it was a heavy bike though. Unfortunately, the earliest I could get my hands on one in my size is summer next year.

I tried a Tarmac as well and was much more pleased with how it felt, but of the three the geometry on the Domane was the most livable.

I'm considering a Canyon Endurace, since I can get a 105 group for about the same price as Tiagra in the others and it might be a better idea than upgrading my old bike, plus it's available a few weeks from now. I'm hoping it might be a blend of the Domane's geometry with the liveliness of the Tarmac.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

Looking at the geometry, the Endurace is quite a bit more racey than the Domane i.e. lower stack, steeper head angle, shorter wheelbase. The Endurace is actually much closer to the Tarmac on geometry, but not as aggressive on reach and stack.

Originally Posted by oldwinger14

I bought a Cannondale Synapse 105 2 years ago. I mounted my Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and really liked the bike. This past winter, I upgraded to an Ultegra Di2 groupset and now I love the bike even more. You cannot go wrong, though, with the 105 configuration.

Originally Posted by PeteHski

My friend has the Ultegra mechanical build, so standard frame. I doubt the Hi-Mod is really worth the extra cost unless cost is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Chandne

The main things that draw me to the Hi-Mod are the increased compliance/flexibility and maybe the lower weight. Apparently, it is 18%-20% more compliant. I read that was from a Cannondale source. I do want a light bike (15-17 max) so I'll go with a higher spec model unless the proprietary stem messes up my fit. In that case, I'll get the regular model and get some nice wheels.

Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir

A Cannondale "hi-mod" frame is lighter but has similar compliance than the regular version. Even if there is a difference, I doubt it is 18% to 20%. The "mod" in "hi-mod" is short for modulus, i.e., a measurement of stiffness. The "hi-mod" frame is made from carbon fibers with higher modulus, i.e., stiffer carbon fibers, so that the same stiffness can be achieved with less fibers, which makes it lighter. But a Cannondale "hi-mod" bike usually comes with a Cannondale Save carbon fiber seat post, which is lighter and more compliant than the Cannondale C3 alloy seat post that comes on lower end bikes. Just buy the seat post separately like I did. Unless one is racing, the savings from buying the regular frame would be better spent on wheels and other components.

Originally Posted by Chandne

I think I called it incorrectly. The new frame is 18%-20% more compliant while being more aero. It looks like the Hi Mod frame is 200 grams lighter than the regular one. I'm not sure how much lighter the fancier groups and wheels are. I'll take a look at both models. I don't want to spend $4K making the 18 lb bike 2-2.5 lbs lighter. I'd rather spend that up front since it will be a climbing bike more than anything. That said, I have not really given it that much thought and I could simply slap some nice wheels on a non Hi Mod and get it to a respectable weight. The wheels are most important anyway. Good point. That would be the bike I take on those painful 8K-10K climbs.