The fact that Cannondale was working on a new road bike had been publicised since late last summer. After all, Lachlan Morton travelled around his home country of Australia on a bike that was still unreleased at the time. The ex-professional covered a whopping 14,210 kilometres on the obviously long-distance capable model, which the Americans are now presenting as the Synapse. The new generation sees itself as a sporty all-road bike that combines elements of the SuperX (Gravel) and SuperSix Evo (Race) and, depending on the equipment, comes with a whole host of additional functions.
The basis is a carbon frameset that openly flaunts its proximity to the two race platforms for off-road and road. Striking examples are the strongly tapered seat tube, the filigree seat post or the flow-optimised steering head. Cannondale offers the chassis in two quality levels. The frame and fork of the basic version should weigh around 1644 grams. The frame set of the high-end version called Lab71 is said to be almost 200 grams lighter, but is only used in two of a total of seven equipment variants. The US company did not provide any information on complete bike weights. Shortly before the official presentation of the new Synapse, TOUR received the exclusive top model, which weighed in at 8040 kilograms. A detailed test report including measured values from the laboratory and riding impressions will follow.
Facts & figures about the Cannondale Synapse
- Weight of complete bike: 8.0 kilograms (weighed weight, top version, size 56)
- Frame weight (standard/hi-mod): under 1150/1000 grams
- Fork weight (standard/hi-mod): 494/445 grams
- Stack/reach/STR: 590/387 millimetres/1.52
- Maximum tyre clearance: 48/42 millimetres (front/rear)
- Frame sizes: 44, 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Prices: 3499 to 15799 euros
That sounds like quite a lot of ballast for the luxury version. Comparable top bikes such as the Canyon Endurace CFR, Giant Defy Advanced SL or Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL8 save up to 960 grams. In contrast to the Cannondale, however, the aforementioned candidates do without electronic aids such as a lighting system and warning radar, which continue to give the Synapse a unique selling point in the endurance segment. The US brand combines the technology under the generic term "SmartSense" and offers three equipment variants with the practical features.
Smartsense: Bicycle light and radar
The compact LED light at the front of LightSkin is designed to be StVZO-compliant for the German market and provide 400 lumens. "That's bright enough to ride all day and into the night," says Cannondale. A luminous flux of 800 lumens is specified for the international version. The LED rear light from Garmin has an integrated radar that warns of approaching vehicles. The warning signals are played back acoustically or visually via any modern bike computer with ANT+ or via smartphone.
In contrast to its predecessor, the battery is located in the down tube and should last up to 12:45 hours at the maximum lighting level of the StVZO spotlight. The highlight: In addition to the lighting system and the radar, the battery can also power the front derailleur and rear derailleur on models with Sram AXS. According to Cannondale, "Smartsense" is not compatible with Shimano Di2 drivetrains for the time being.
To ensure that the Synapse is equipped for long distances, the endurance racer comes with classic comfort geometry. Thanks to the very high head tube (171 mm), the handlebar sits well above the front wheel and puts the rider in a decidedly upright riding position. For frame size 56, this results in an STR ratio of 1.52. A long wheelbase (1044 mm) and a lot of fork trail (61 mm) also indicate that the new Cannondale has extremely smooth and good-natured handling.
Thanks to the generous tyre clearance, the new bike is poaching in the territory of off-road specialists. Tyres up to 42 millimetres wide fit through the frame set, and even 48 millimetre tyres can be fitted to the fork. An integrated storage compartment including transport bag and mounting points for fixed mudguards round off the concept of a modern all-road bike.
Equipment & prices of the Cannondale Synapse
The seven equipment variants are in the high-price segment. The basic model with mechanical gears (all other versions change gears by radio signal) and wheels with simple aluminium rims (Shimano RS 470) costs just €3499. For a build with carbon wheels from Reserve or DT Swiss, you have to factor in at least 7899 euros. The top model, which is the only version without a front derailleur and is equipped with off-road-specific 1x13 gears from Sram, costs a whopping €15799.
As mentioned, the battery light and warning radar are only reserved for the three equipment variants with Sram AXS. As the US component specialist is about to update the Force and Rival groupsets, only the sinfully expensive luxury version with Red AXS will be available at market launch for the time being. According to Cannondale, the other two models will be added in mid-June.
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 (2x12; 50/34, 11-36 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro Pro (32 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss R 470/Shimano RS 470 (aluminium)
- Smart Sense: no
- Price: 3499 Euro
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro (32 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss R 470 (aluminium)
- Smart Sense: no
- Price: 4499 Euro
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 SmartSense
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Rival AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Rival (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro (32 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss R 470 (aluminium)
- Smart Sense: Yes
- Price: 5299 Euro
- *Due to the unreleased shifting group, no product image is yet available
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (2x12; 46/33, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Force (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro (32 mm)
- Impellers: Reserve 42/49 TA (Carbon)
- Smart Sense: Yes
- Price: 7899 Euro
- *Due to the unreleased shifting group, no product image is yet available
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro (32 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss ERC 45 (Carbon)
- Smart Sense: no
- Price: 7199 Euro
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 1
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra (2x12; 50/34, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro Control (32 mm)
- Impellers: Reserve 42/49 TA (Carbon)
- Smart Sense: no
- Price: 9199 Euro
Cannondale Synapse LAB71 SmartSense
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (1x13; 40, 10-46 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Red (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro Control (32 mm)
- Impellers: Reserve 42/49 TA (Carbon)
- Smart Sense: Yes
- Price: 15,799 Euro
Julian Schultz
Editor
