Any opinions on the Cannondale Synapse HI-MOD? I have an opportunity to pick up a small local sponsorship for a LBS and this bike’s looks appeal to me – haven’t heard much about the ride though.
I ride all multi-sport (tris and adventure racing)… very hilly but with clip-on Syntace bars and the seat jacked forward. It’s worked for me for a long time! I don’t have much experience with Cannondale, though, at least not in the last 15 years. Super-Six and CAAD are also possibilities.
Thanks!
Ray
The Synapse has a more relaxed geometry than the the SuperSix. I guess it depends on how you’d ride it in determining which is best. If you’ll be putting aero bars on it, and trying to get in a good TT position, the SuperSix would be be better bike. The CAAD is also a fantastic bike, same SuperSix geometry and Alu frame. I think of the CAAD’s as the ultimate crit bike.
X2 on the relaxed frame geometry on the Synapse as it has a more upright riding and not the most aero position but if you’re looking for ride comfort, it is one of the best. I rode a Supersix for a couple of years with shorty aerobars for my tris and it was a very nice bike. Because of the Supersix geometry (racing) it was very twitchy as opposed to the Synapse that would hold a better line. Having both, Cannondale makes a quality bike and both have the BB30 bottom bracket which is very stiff.
Nick has it right on.
I have owned a both a System 6 ( Super six/CAAD geometry ) and a non- HiMod version of the Synapse both set up as a road bike. Getting your front low on the Synapse will be more difficult, but it depends on how low is low for you. Ride wise the Synapse is smoother, but not quite as snappy both are quite comfortable on the hills. One consideration, the fancy seatpost on the Synapse does make it more difficult to “twist” the seat, not sure if you need that or not.
I’ve heard the the Synapse comes with a choice of seatposts, the most “forward” being a zero-offset. The seat position is definitely a considertion, more for reaching the aerobars than anything else. The 2012 seatpost may be more adjustable than previous models… not 100% sure about that.
I can ride either 54cm or (more commonly) 56cm frames, so I would probably lean toward the 54 in this case to shorten the reach a little bit (if it ends up being the Synapse).
Thanks for the thoughts!!!
Ray
I would suggest looking at the CAAD10 but with sram red, super light overall build at a great price. I had a CAAD10 with shimano 105, took all the parts off, and now am doing a custom build that is right on 14.5lbs, for under 3k. A lot of guys i road race with are choosing the CAAD10 over the supersix for the price point, but also because they feel and ride the same. I test road the super six and could not tell a difference from the CAAD10.
I’ve heard the the Synapse comes with a choice of seatposts, the most “forward” being a zero-offset. The seat position is definitely a considertion, more for reaching the aerobars than anything else. The 2012 seatpost may be more adjustable than previous models… not 100% sure about that.
I can ride either 54cm or (more commonly) 56cm frames, so I would probably lean toward the 54 in this case to shorten the reach a little bit (if it ends up being the Synapse).
Thanks for the thoughts!!!
Ray
Not sure about the seatpost options, mine is definitely set-back. For a roadie set-up that replicates / mimics the System 6 fit on the Synapse I replaced the stock stem with a 120mm -17degree stem and got rid of all the spacers.
I would need to shorten the reach if I wanted to mount aerobars.
relaxed geometry, I think, is quite a misnomer. the geomoetry of the bike ALLOWS you to get into a relaxed position, but if you wanted to you can definitely make an aggressive position from it. I ride a ‘comfort bike’ because the geometry numbers fit me ( bianchi infinito- long legs, short torso. needed a higher HT.) . but my position is pretty aggressive with about 11 cm of drop, and can go lower. I run about 14cm of drop on my TT setup, so if you wanted to set it up aggressively you definitely can, provided you can get the right size and it fits well.
the big difference , i think, is in the steering. comfort bikes run longer wheelbases and slacker angles, so its really easy to ride- it wants to go in a straight line always . it doesn’t corner as well as ‘race geo’ bikes, it takes some coaxing and care to corner at speed, but nothign you can’t get used to. its a matter of preference on which kind of setup you want.
I ride the synapse hi-mod sram red '15 and if you get the right size you can go agressive. If you switch road to tri i would recommend the Enve 25,4 seatpost that would give most the needed kick forward. And if the wallet is allrdy open, Enve aero handlebar/clipons. It really rides smooth, love mine.