Cannondale Synapse Carbon

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Somewhere that goes up, down, turns and no cars

Bike Setup:
Ksyrium SL3, Rival crank, Ultegra everywhere else

Summary:
The Synapse is a good bike that is probably a good fit for the average cyclist. While it is marketed as a comfort bike, there is some truth there, but a lot of marketing hype. The geometry is really nothing revolutionary is nearly identical to my '80s steel Bianchi and 2003 Sampson. While people claim it has a tall headtube, it is only a few mm taller than a standard Cannondale and I have a 10 cm of saddle to bar drop.

The comfort comes from vertically flexible chainstays, but they also give the feeling of sapping power when you jump on the pedals. Not sure if there is any reality there or just perception. Magazine stiffness tests suggest it is just perception.

Handling on the bike is a slightly mixed bag. The wheelbase and chainstays promote a stable handling bike more suited to the open road than a crit course, but the 45* fork rake creates quick steering. The result is a slightly slow handling bike with slightly twitchy steering. I'm starting to get used to it but may sway the fork for a 43* rake fork.

Strengths:
Long distance comfort, stable handling, S.A.V.E stays and fork mean being able to sit and pedal through corners that even on my ti bike I could barely stay on the saddle.

Weaknesses:
S.A.V.E stays make the bike feel less responsive.

Similar Products Used:
Atala and Bianchi steel, Sampson Silverton (titanium), Wilier Alpe du Huez (aluminum/carbon -- exceptional bike)

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Price Paid:  $2100.00 at The gear movement

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any hill

Bike Setup:
Stock except Kysrium SL's, and fortezza tires, planet bike superflash rear light (super bright!), and Specialized Avatar saddle. Great saddle.....

Summary:
Review is for a 2009 Synapse Carbon 3.

Smooth, fast, and not punishing. Comes equipped with all Ultegra, Dura-Ace rear der. and Cannondale crankset. Got rid of the heavy stock Mavics and installed my Kysrium SL's and bike is now about 17.5#. GREAT value. Bought on Ebay. Good review on Bicycling.com is spot on.

Strengths:
Seatpost design, more upright geometry, paint scheme is great. Rear stay design really works. Stiff BB.

Weaknesses:
Not real impressed with house brand carbon crank. I think my Shimano compact crankset shifted better.

Similar Products Used:
Titus Modena, Felt F45.

Price Paid:  $1450.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 with Shimano 105 group. Shimano 105 pedals, Vittorio Open Corsa Evo CX tires, otherwise everything stock.

Summary:
I bought this bike when my city-clunker hybrid was stolen, and I decided to buy a serious road bike instead of another clunker. I found exactly what I was looking for on eBay - a floor model from last year from a bike shop in Florida.

Compared to my other road bike, a 1980s Nashbar CrMo 5x3 that I built from a kit, this machine rides like a dream. I tested it against Specialized Roubaix and Giant (forget the model but also carbon frame and similar components) at LBS; found the Specialized a bit more comfortable feeling but the Synapse was also quite good and the deal I got was irresistible.

This bike is fast and smooth. Road feel of carbon is vastly better than aluminum and tighter than steel. Hills that I avoided in the past are now doable. With some adjustments it's now very comfortable.

Strengths:
Super light weight, excellent road feel, smoothness, great looking (have gotten several compliments), comfort.

Weaknesses:
STI shifters mean more frequent trips to
Biggest weakness is low-end Vittoria Zaffiro tires: got a flat first time I road them down a poorly paved road. Upgraded to top-of-the-line Vittoria Open Corso, problem went away. Requires more frequent trips to LBS for derailleur adjustments compared to old bike's non-indexed downtube shifters. No rear dropouts for rack.

Similar Products Used:
Nashbar Toure MT

Price Paid:  $2350.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
2010 synapse carbon 4

Bike Setup:
Had always used MTB pedals but LBS gave me a deal so I added 105 road pedals. The bigger platform was a noticable improvement. Otherwise all original parts.

Summary:
not a 2007 but a 2010 Synapse Carbon 4
Had to ship from west coast since it was sold out in all of Eastern US.
So far excellent except the seat is just too hard for my old butt. Climbs like a dream. Incredibly lightweight.

Strengths:
Lightweight, great power transfer, solid, responsive geometry, SRAM is great and highly adjustable, STIFF bottom bracket, was not sure about colors at first but after seeing it up close it is awesome.

Weaknesses:
My old mule (mid 90's trek 1400) had a Body Geometry seat that my old butt just loved. The Prologo Pro T 2.0is waaay to hard for my old butt.
Also, the rear cogs are SRAM 12-27. With the 34 tooth compact I will NEVER use 1st or 2nd gear. Will need to change the cogs out for a 12-24 or change small chainring to 36.

Similar Products Used:
mid 80's Schwinn Le tour, mid 90's Trek 1400

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Private Sale

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5

Bike Setup:
Look Keo pedals, currently Bonterager tires,
Shimano R085 shoes, Cateye Strada double wireless computer

Summary:
Recently purchased Cannondale Synapse carbon 5 from a clerk who works at my LBS. Had been looking at the Synapse Carbon 4 but the price I deal I got on this one switched me over quickly. Bike was a major upgrade for me as this bike is over 7lbs lighter than my last ride.This bike with pedals comes in at 18lbs. Carbon frame absorbs rough roads well.

Strengths:
Great on hills. Nice stiff bottom bracket. Great component mix at this price range. Originally thought i wouldn't like the seat but after a few minor adjustments it's working out great. Shifting is solid and smooth. Bike's finish is superb with a great looking paint job.

Weaknesses:
Brakes and tires would be the only two items I'd consider upgrading although both are acceptable. Will soon upgrade to either 105 or Ultegra brakes and some Michelin pro 3 tires

Similar Products Used:
my first carbon bike