Thoughts on this Cannondale Synapse

Thoughts on this Cannondale Synapse

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Discussion

Zippee

Original Poster:

13,445 posts

233 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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I'm thinking of another road bike and Evans have this 2017 105 Synapse on offer;
https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-synapse-car...
Just wandering what peoples thoughts are on the bike, kit, cost etc and if theres anything better I could place my hard earned into instead?
I don't race so don't want anything too aggressive, more comfortable and quick. Current steed is a 2010ish Specialised Allez Elite with Tiagra which is a nice bike but sometimes just feels a little cramped and harsh on the road.

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Great frame, very comfortable and still nice and stiff when you want it to be.

Wheels are quite heavy but a set of primes from chain reaction or hunts would transform the bike. Also worth looking at in the flesh as some don’t get on with the 105 brake hoods.

leyorkie

1,636 posts

175 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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What size?
This is available but small size 48cm
https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bikes-frames/c...

robinh73

917 posts

199 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Watching this with interest, as I have got a Cannondale Supersix at the moment, but form what I can gather, the Synapse is a more forgiving riding position.

duff

976 posts

198 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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You could get the Ultegra version for less - https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/20...

There have been deals on the Synapse since July so worth looking online and if you want it from Evans, ask them to price match if they have your size.

lufbramatt

5,318 posts

133 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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I've got a CAAD8 105. Love it as a bike, but the wheels (which are pretty much the same as on this) are crap. Tyres also not great.

Cupramax

10,469 posts

251 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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I looked at Synapse's when i was looking last year but ended up with a B'TWin. Way cheaper spec for spec and a great bike.

105 Carbon £1199 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-900-cf-carbon-ro...

Ultegra Carbon £1499 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-720-cf-carbon-ro...

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Monday 20th November 2017
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Cupramax said:
I looked at Synapse's when i was looking last year but ended up with a B'TWin. Way cheaper spec for spec and a great bike.

105 Carbon £1199 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-900-cf-carbon-ro...

Ultegra Carbon £1499 https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-720-cf-carbon-ro...
Has that got the “sportive/endurance” geometry though, the synapse has a tall head tube, so gives you a comfortable position if needed, if not slam the stem etc.

leyorkie

1,636 posts

175 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
What size?
This is available but small size 48cm
https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product/bikes-frames/c...

Zippee

Original Poster:

13,445 posts

233 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks all so far. I would need a 56 or 58 (most likely the former) but obviously depends on sitting on one.
The retailer also needs to be part of the C2W scheme for the bulk of the purchase. I like the look of the Dale but not set upon the marque, it does need to be less race geo and more comfy sportive though hence I like the Synapse smile

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Monday 20th November 2017
quotequote all
Zippee said:
Thanks all so far. I would need a 56 or 58 (most likely the former) but obviously depends on sitting on one.
The retailer also needs to be part of the C2W scheme for the bulk of the purchase. I like the look of the Dale but not set upon the marque, it does need to be less race geo and more comfy sportive though hence I like the Synapse smile
It’s very unlikely you will find a major bike retailer willing to do a top up on C2W, local shops are sometimes more amenable, if you have a good relationship with them.

bakerstreet

4,755 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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rs4al said:
It’s very unlikely you will find a major bike retailer willing to do a top up on C2W, local shops are sometimes more amenable, if you have a good relationship with them.
Done it twice, so not sure the above is accurate.

You won't go wrong with Synapse. As others have said, the wheels will be bargain basement £100 a pair and the tyres will be a tenner each. Upgrade to something like the Ultegras with some Conti GP4000s tyres.



FerdiZ28

1,355 posts

133 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I tried a synapse (Evans spec) twice and the same times with my eventual choice the SuperSix. Randomly the synapse seemed bigger and more comfortable, despite being the same size on paper.

As said, upgrading the wheels transforms the bike. I use the wheels it came with as winters and (if I can build up the courage) for use on my rollers, upgraded to fulcrum racing 3s and GP4000s, about 1000 miles in, hoping to get another 2k out of the combo (I;m quite a fat bloke and both braking and uneven bumps are exacerbated as a result).

Love the cannondale brand, quality of paint, build quality and speed. Have a Marin Palisades trail MTB and I'd put the cannondale on the same level of quality.

HTH

rs4al

925 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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bakerstreet said:
Done it twice, so not sure the above is accurate.

You won't go wrong with Synapse. As others have said, the wheels will be bargain basement £100 a pair and the tyres will be a tenner each. Upgrade to something like the Ultegras with some Conti GP4000s tyres.
Really, would love to know more, as I thought the big players were quite rigorous.

SteveO...

465 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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I bought a rim brake Synapse 105 just over a year ago. It's been a great bike and I've put about a couple of thousand miles on it since then - mainly longish rides up to 100 miles. I found it comfortable, as "mature" chap returning to cycling & wanting to loose a bit of timber. No back pain, and enough scope to start dropping the bars now I'm slimmer. The SAVE stays are pretty effective at filtering out a fair amount of road buzz. I'm 6' tall and the 56 fits perfectly once I took 20 mm off the stem.

The 105 group set is rock solid - note it's a non-hollowgram Cannondale Si crankset. The wheels on mine were different (Aksiums). It's responded well to a "few" upgrades; Ultegra DI2 shifters/mechs, Cero AR22 wheels, Hollowgram SI/Spidering crankset off ebay, changed saddle. It's under 8 kg now.

I did suffer some creaking from the BB over the summer, but it was easy to fix with a strip down, re-grease and some locking compound between the shaft and bearings.

I don't regret the purchase, although in hindsight I should have probably considered the disc version.

PS: Lovely T350 btw. I still miss the Reflex Charcoal T350t I sold 18 months ago.


Edited by SteveO... on Tuesday 21st November 17:04

SomersetWestie

401 posts

179 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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Cracking bike, really pleased with mine ! Had the rim brake 105 for a couple of years, splurged out recently on the disc Ultegra, and it's all the bike i need at my current level and delicate age..... highly recommended ! Very comfortable and so nice to ride compared to my other bikes ! Just make sure you keep the cheese-like BB30 from drying out and you'll be fine !

Nice T350's....... (Tamora owner) :-)

BoRED S2upid

19,644 posts

239 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
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£1500 and only 105? I’d expect ultegra for that money. Wait a couple of months and it will plummet in price as they clear out 2017 for 2018 models. That’s what I did bought at the end of November £700 off list.

Zippee

Original Poster:

13,445 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks all once again - going to try and get a test ride on one I think.
The Synapse already has nearly £650 off (RRP £2200) and in all honesty I don't think there will be enough difference for me to notice the step up to Ultegra over 105. The modern 105 will be a major step up from my 7 year old Tiagra lets put it that way, wheels the same smile

C2W is a voucher and can also be used in part payment with the participating retailers.

jimmy7

687 posts

206 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
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I have exactly that bike and its been great for 2000miles over the last 18months or so.

As above, the wheels are a poor spec, I had a few issues with the rear wheel (breaking spokes like matchsticks) and it was re-laced under warranty by my LBS - with higher spec parts and its bee fine ever since.

Cant fault the 105 drivetrain and brakes are superb. I rode an Ultegra version before buying and honestly couldn't tell much difference between the 2 - couldn't justify the jump in price anyway. That said you might well get a deal on one now.

Zippee

Original Poster:

13,445 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd November 2017
quotequote all
That's good to hear. I was speaking to Evans who have a 56cm in stock. They price match and Rutland cycles a couple of days ago had the same bike at £1400 in stock vs Evans at 1580. They've now sold out of 56cm so Evans won't price match anymore frown
Rutland do however, have the 2016 Ultegra in stock for £1500 - https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/road-bikes/20... which looks a better bike all round inc wheels.
Was there much change other than aesthetics between the 16 and 17 models?