keyboardmonkey wrote:If the OP is still interested I would recommend the Kinesis Racelight T2 for your apparent needs. If you go for it I am going to assume you are having a 10-speed cassette, so here are a few suggestions:
Still here and still interested!
Having only ridden my 25 year old non maintained Dawes hybrid in fits and starts over the last 20 years, last week I took advantage of Evans Cycles test ride offer to try an up to date road bike. Having listened to my brief, I was guided to try a Trek Madone (alu frame, carbon fork, compact 50/34 and 12-30). I managed about 3 miles before getting a puncture but was able to reassure myself (within the limitations of the test ride) that the ratios available in that compact setup would probably be fine, and that the Madone geometry was too aggressive. Notwithstanding that, the bike was head and shoulders above my old Dawes (as you would expect).
It seems some manufacturers are designing for a "sportive" market; essentially road bikes with a more relaxed geometry. The Cannondale Synapse is one potential model on my list, and comparing the geometry of that frame to the T2, they don't appear (to me) to be remarkably different in the 54cm frame size. It's possible that my LBS's proposals for wheels (Miche sealed hubs and more spokes) might be more suited to my needs than the wheels specced in the Synapse - not sure... The Cannondale also has a disc brake but that's going to be a whole new debate I suspect
.Coming down to the differences:
Kinesis - external cable routing, rack top mounts brazed on, saddle to buy, perhaps better wheels, conventional callipers.
Cannondale - internal cable routing, clips available cheaply for top rack mounts, starter saddle included, don't know anything about wheels, disc brake.
Prices are broadly similar.
Which colour scheme do I like best
???