The first riding impression on the Synapse is like riding a sedan. In addition to the comfortable Aliante saddle and the unusually thin seat post, the 28 mm tyres, which can be ridden with less pressure than the 25 mm tyres usually used in the test field, also contribute to this. The thin aluminium handlebars don't quite fit in with the concept, although they are softened with thick handlebar tape. The carbon frame has no technical weaknesses and is noticeably trimmed for comfort, with details such as the seat tube split above the bottom bracket or the fork shape also customised. The integrated light is a nice gimmick to make you more visible. Without spacers, the frame also allows for a relatively sporty riding position.
Unfortunately, many minitools and torque spanners fail due to the beautifully integrated segmented saddle clamp. Wide gear range with 32 mm mountain sprocket.
Price 3,499 Euro
Weight 7.6 kilos
Available in specialised shops
Reference/Info www.cannondale.com
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing** 1,012/374/93 grammes
Frame sizes*** 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle 73,5°/73°
Seat/top tube/head tube 510/560/184 mm plus 34 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 1,000/54 mm
Stack/Reach/STR**** 589/389 mm/1.51
EQUIPMENT
Steering bearing Synapse, top 1-1/8, bottom 1-1/4 inch
Brakes/gears Shimano Ultegra
Bottom bracket Cannondale Hollowgram SI (50/34 t, BB30)
Wheels/tyres Mavic Ksyrium Equipe S/Mavic Yksion 28C
Handlebar/stem Cannondale C1/Cannondale C1
Saddle/post Fizik Aliante/FSA Synapse (25.4 mm)
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
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