The Victors

I had a carbon Synapse and liked it a lot, but I was bitten by the biggest drawback of carbon — its fragility. I’m rough on my bikes, and after about 3000 miles a rock nicked a chain stay enough that the whole frame was trashed.

After that I’ve stuck with ol’ reliable alloy. I’m just not worthy or capable of taking good enough care of carbon.

Not all carbon is the same (also true with aluminum), and there’s crap stuff out there, but that’s not a concern - you’d be getting quality carbon in the Domane. Most of my friends ride carbon and wouldn’t think of doing otherwise. I’m the outlier.

I have an aluminum Domane with 105s and hydraulic brakes and like it more than the carbon synapse I trashed.

If there’s an AL Domane with 105 it might be worth test riding it alongside the carbon. But if that would only save a couple hundred or you just want carbon than definitely go for it.

You def want 105 and hydraulic. Those really matter. And good tires are the best upgrade. Huge bang for $160 bucks or so. Go wide.