Should make a brief statement about the Synapse, katie. I ride a 2019SE with Ultegra, only upgraded the wheels. For me personally, best road bike ever. I'm 189 cm tall and ride a 58. The Save system is marvelous. But, although it is branded as an endurance racer/tourer, it actually is a real racer. The chainstays are kept short to 410mm and the fork rake is just 45mm in 58, just like a real racer. Wheelbase is thus still compact. The only thing what makes it more endurance friendly is the somewhat more upright position, although, get rid of that 3cm headset spacer and you're back to full racer spec. This geometry and look has been prototyped at Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix of 2013 by Liquigas, Sagan etc, although without disc brakes in those days, but the Synapse got it's distinguished looks and performance back then, and was initially created to tackle and racing rough roads. No aero of course, but yeah, who cares. I also have a 2021 Defy Ultegra in L, but that's an entire different story. That's a real endurance bike, a lot slower to turn in, slower when pedalling out of a corner as well, wheelbase almost 2cm more (stays 420 and rake 50), but still a very very nice bike. So the term endurance is not always used correctly. Yeah, branding of course for selling more bikes. Good review tho.
Hey Katie, I know this is an older video but I'm considering the Synapse as my next bike and I wanted to know what size you had this one in. I know you've ridden smaller bikes in the past to compensate for the "T-Rex Arms" but I wasn't sure if you had this bike in the 54 or 52 version. Trying to decide which size would suit me best. Thanks girly!
Rented one in Gran Canaria lat month and I was so impressed with it after initially thinking it was a bit weighty, climbed really well (I am no mountain goat) and loved the disc brakes yes I am a convert.
I still have the 2017 Ultegra Synapse in a size 48. I absolutely love it. So comfortable on longer rides. I upgraded the wheels to Mavic Ksyrium Elite and got an Ultegra cassette. I wished it had mudguard mounts on this one. That’s the only thing I don’t like about it.
HI Katie, can I ask what stem came with it and what length you replaced it with, and how it felt with the shorter stem? I haven't got t rex arms, I just don't like a long reach.
Ayup Katie! The saddle seems to be pointing down at quite an angle. I know you will have tried different angles & this is most comfortable for you. But didn't you find this causes you to slide down towards the bars?
Ahh it’s the wide angle lens I’m using it tends to distort at little on the corners. In real life it’s not that exaggerated. Thanks so much though!! Good spotting
Loved the review Katie. I ride a lower spec version of the same bike and also find it comfortable and the 11/34 gearing gives plenty of choice, and mines a 9 speed not an 11. One thing though regarding the disc brakes for summer use, I like doing fast downhills and prefer disc to rim.
Great video I have seen a cracking deal on a Synapse Carbon Tiagra. I normally ride a ML giant TCR. However most other road bikes its 56. I am between a 54 & 56 on cannodale. Will head to the shop and check the size.....the main reason for buying it is for the disc brakes after all the rain we have had.
Hi Katie I think you once had a 40T on one of your bikes. Do you find the 34T is enough for your climbing? I'm struggling with the 25% and 20% hills around my way with a 32T (50 - 34t chain rings) and am wondering whether to go straight for the 40T or start with a 34T and see how it goes. Thanks in advance for any advice
Great video, Ive just subscribed to your channel and will be watching many more. I'm originally from Rotherham but have lived in SW Florida for donkey's years so it is so nice to hear your lovely accent :-) I have a Cannondale Topstone 105 and I absolutely love it, although I never get to use the 34 toothed cog as it's as flat as a pancake here :-) Regards, Paul.
I currently ride a 2016 Trek Domane, rim brakes full carbon, endurance style bike, don't get me wrong it is absolutely great bike, very comfortable to ride with Ultegra DI2 , the only real change I made was to swap the compact ( 50/34) for a Semi Compact (52/36) . But I miss the feel of an more aero type/ full blooded race bike, yet I do not race and am more inclined to do gran fondo ( mass participation) type events, want to do more 100 / 160 km type rides
Katie, I have just bought a Synapse In a 56 but I feel like it's too big for me. I've had loads of 56 bikes before but I've am in the borderline between 56 and 54 and with the more upright geometry it's feeling big. What size did you have and how close was it to a regular size you have? I kinda like the feel of the bike but it's just too big, I am gonna slam the stem right down and see how I get on.
I had a 54 I think - so long ago now but I felt it was a little long. We’ll longer than what I had been used to. But if you go smaller the head tube is shorter so bars are lower. So it’s finding that balance.
@@KatieKookaburra yeah, that's kinda the issue, going with a endurance frame and then always riding aggressive positions on my other bikes. It feels so weird. I think maybe if I get the front end down a bit I will feel a bit more comfortable with the endurance aspect. Even on my 300k plus rides before I've been comfy on a more aggressive position, maybe I'm just getting old? I'll need a titanium bike soon! 😅 I'll stick with it for a bit and see how I can get more used to the endurance geometry, I know you ride a Ribble Endurance SL now, how does that geometry compare on a 54/medium? Was looking at those but the waiting list is massive. Thanks for the reply. Jamie.
Great review, I have a look 566 and ride 11-25 so the climbing comments are very interesting, it would I think be a excellent bike for Sportives. Must agree on disc brakes my Look as rim brakes in the winter wet Wow, my next bike will have discs. For me I don't fancy the colour. Do you think it is value for money?
You forgot to mention how beautiful it is! As for the size, most manufacturers (Cannondale, remarkably, less so than others!) recommend a size to even two larger for a given user height. Unless the bike was significantly larger, and was outfitted with 10+ cm long stem, you'd probably get away with a stern replacement for a 7-8cm one. And disc brakes: save for a hundred or thereabouts extra grams, I fail to discern a shortcoming to hydraulic disc brakes, compared to mechanical [rim or disc] brakes. They can be just as squealy (but hardly more), but just stop better in any weather and are much safer for the wheels.
I’m thinking about buying this as my first road bike. Mainly for exercise, it would like to do at least one race a year. Is this the Cannondale bike for me? Or is the Supersix Evo a better option? I’m specifically looking at the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra vs. Supersix Evo Carbon Disc Ultegra.
I think, carbon is not the best choice of frame material for a first bike. The Synapse is endurance-oriented (slightly more comfortable, but also heavier and slightly less aerodynamic in terms of the rider position). Thee SuperSix is for faster, but also shorter rides. There's the aluminium Synapse, which makes a vastly more suitable first (road) bike. Or any of the more comfortable bikes, such as the Specialized Diverge, etc. - aluminium, for less experienced riders.
interesting review- I have a 2018 Synapse with the same component set. Wheels on mine are Mavic Aksium, I know they changed spec for 2019. Nothing bad can honestly be said about Shimano Ultegra. If people complain about it then they're just being whiny to hear themselves whine. The hydraulic disc brakes are phenomenal, especially for a heavy rider like me. The tires which came on mine, Schwalbe something or others were OK at best. After roughly 1000 miles I switched to Vittoria Pro Controls (28mm) at the advise of a trusted LBS friend. Huge improvement right away in the feel of the bike. Very soon out the door of the shop I had a weird knocking sound from the BB. In my opinion a $3K bike should not make noise with proper maintenance. Took it back immediately, the shop got new bearings under warranty and did a proper bearing replacement and *knock on wood* no more problems 3300+ miles later. I don't like the idea of press fit bearings in a carbon BB. As this was my first new bike in quite a while I didn't even know that the industry had so heavily shifted to press fit BBs. Nothing good to say about that. My 2005 Cannondale R700 with a threaded bottom bracket was as silent 14 years on as it was when new. Seems as if press fit BBs are just built to be disposable. I like to work on bikes but don't like the idea of buying an expensive set of bearing press and removal tools just to keep up on noises. So far so good though. Also had an issue with the front Mavic hub developing a "click" noise which baffled even the LBS, as there is not much really going on in a front hub except.... Press fit bearings..... I ended up removing the dust cover and inside snap-ring, under which is a wave-washer which seems to have been the cause of the noise- cleaning everything (it wasn't dirty or gritty), putting a light grease on the parts and reassembling, noise gone, job done. The carbon frame (58cm) is great. Through-axle hubs make a much more "solid" control feel. 50/34 and 11-34 gearing as Katie and everyone else has said is great. Aside from press fit bearings, there is nothing to dislike about this bike! It was a major purchase for me and has got me back to being an almost-serious cyclist :D Having a professional fit and finding that the Synapse was the best match for my numbers, then tweaking the setup to get close to perfect has been worth every penny.
I have a 2018 Synapse, love the bike. I couldn't agree more about the cranks. If they are going to call it their ultegra version then at this price point it should be fitted out with a complete ultegra drivetrain. Also, the standard wheels for the price are dead/unresponsive, again for the price point disappointing. Other than that, Iove my synapse.
Great review. I have a Cannondale caadx that I use as my commute bike. Can’t fault it really just one bb replacement after 3 year which I did myself so cost of repair was low.
Alfies Landy I've got a CAADX too. Also use it for daily commute. Mines about 5mo and same purple as this Synapse. Great solid bike, I put 38mm G-ones on it. Only problem is it randomly throws the chain off when trying to pass someone when on the big ring. Very strange.
My previous bike was alloy with 23mm tires. My biggest issue was road vibration which would cause my hands to fall asleep during long rides. My current bike is carbon with 28mm tires. My vibration issue is gone. I also am uncertain if it's because of the wider tires or the "magic" suspension tricks in the neck and seat post which the manufacturer claims. Maybe a bit of both. Either way, I don't think I could ever go back to something like I had previously.
Killed me with t-rex reach 🤣😂 I love bike reviews as I get to daydream about what my next bike will (hopefully, one day) be; 8.5 kilos is a desirable weight, also I'm convinced about disc brakes. Hope the cold isn't clamping you all down cause we are still chillin with the sun in here 😁🌞
Hi! Do you know the max tire clearance on this bike? And do you know any difference between this women synapse and man version of synapse (2019 ultegra)?? Thank you!!
I believe, 28mm (sometimes 30) use about the widest it will accommodate. With mudguards on - probably 25 max. (just an assumption). The women's Synapse has a more sloping top tube (i.e., it's more compact). I personally find sloping top tube bikes more visually appealing; I also like the purple colour. Another advantage of a compact frame is that it's easier to mount it on a stand without the need to elevate the seatpost first. And, ceteris paribus, it's a tiny tad comfier (owing to a slightly greater flex in the seatpost), although the frame itself may be marginally stiffer, given the smaller main frame triangle. If you're over 185 cm tall, the male version may suit you better (at 54cm effective top tube length for the largest size, the female versions are ideal for under 185cm tall riders (depending on the torso and arm length)).
I 've a Synpase 2017 Disc Alloy. I regret every day of my life getting this bike: 1. A problem with the pedal threads was never solved by Cannondale and they did not honor the warranty although I had this problem the fist weeks after the purchase. 2. BB30 has its Hambini problems, had to get extra adapter for my Ultegra Crankset 3. Chainstay clearance is so small that when rear wheel goes out of true it rubs the frame 4. In the beginning lots of spoke got broken, Cannondale local dealer said there was a problem with some bikes, but I had to pay myself to replace the spokes. 5. Wheels are lame, too much flex anyway. 6. The discbrakes Promax Render R are seriously bad and hardly brake; can't even lock rear wheel - they chnged them for later models.. I 'll get some better ones if I don't throw in the garbage the bicycle within 2021.
Every over of your woes appears to be componentry, rather than frame, -related. I wouldn't blame the entire bike for that. The frame is excellent. From your comment, I'm deducing you are on the heavy side (as I am at the moment, no shame in that). A cross-country or at least a gravel bike might suit you better.
What a great review! I think it's well worth having disc brakes, but all year round, as superior breaking isn't just about it being wet. Plus it rains in Manchester all year round! What I really want to know though is what your next N+1 is going to be! Anyone got a t-rexmobile to loan you?
I hired one of these in Mallorca recently and the chain kept dropping. If you pedal really hard and fast and then suddenly stop pedalling (like before you take a fast corner), it would just pop off the smallest rear sprocket into no-mans-land as there is a big gap between the smallest rear sprocket and the frame. I took it back to the shop and he said it's a common problem with this bike and he had a lot of people swap their bikes because of this. I think it depends on how hard you ride, as this is an endurance not a race bike, but still I had to return mine because of this as it just felt unsafe not knowing when my chain would pop off. This was the 2019 Synapse model by the way.
@@JoelSzymczyk The guy put the bike up into a bike stand and it was 100% reproducible. I think it's down to riding style though, the times it came off were when I was at a very high cadence and then suddenly backed off - so quite aggressive cycling really, and not something an endurance rider would normally be doing.
@@JoelSzymczyk Yeh it happens on all 20-30 Synapse's that the bike shop purchased off Cannondale. It wasn't limited to the one I hired. He said he highlighted the issue to Cannondale, whether or not they have addressed it in the 2020 Synapse I have no idea.
Now you have discovered disc brakes your next bike should have tubeless to complement your 28mm tyres. The lower pressures you can run will give you a comfy ride on the English roads which you love so much. I upgraded to a big cassette 3 years ago after watching one of your VIDS and havnt looked back since. Tubeless will give you less punctures and in most cases a quicker repair. In the last three years I have not had to use an inner tube to get home and I cycle in very flinty region. Keep vlogging.
Yeah tubeless is the next thing to try. I’m just worried that if it doesn’t work it’s so much of a faff to sort :) but good to hear it’s working well! Makes me wanna try it!
@@KatieKookaburra My tip is to find a tyre and rim combination that works and stick with it. I currently run 28 mm schwalbe pro one tyres on stans grail rim or stans avion rim. Installs easy and can be fixed with new stans dart .I run 60 psi front and 65 rear which gives a comfy ride on our local potholed roads in oxon and berkshire.
So both carbon, disc and made for endurance. It’s hard to say as Canyon only loaned the bike for a couple of weeks and it wasn’t the right size for me. But I would say that even though both are endurance the Canyon felt racier whereas the Cannondale felt more sturdy and made more for endurance in my opinion. Both great looking and felt nice to ride.
@@KatieKookaburra OK thanks 🙂 I have the same Synapse, in Black, but it was a toss up between that and the Endurace. I'm pleased that I went with the Cannondale and after a couple of years I'll probably get a new bike and this bike will certainly make a great winter bike!! Thanks again 🚲
I have the Aluminium version of this bike with basic Sora group-set. I agree with Katie on the suspension feel of the seat-post, handle-bars and frame. I live in an area where the roads are not very smooth and this bike makes for a comfy ride. I use 32mm tyres and this surely helps as well. It is quite heavy but the geometry makes for a comfy ride. I'd like to upgrade to 105 or ultegra group-set but I'm not sure if it's possible with this bike as it's a 9 speed, if anyone can give me a heads up on this, I'd appreciate it.
Lynkevmusic only thing that would prevent you from upgrading it would be the free hub on the wheels.. if it’s an 11 speed hub with a spacer then you’d be fine; if not you can get a different free hub body or change the rear wheel/wheelset
I just upgraded my ride with a full R7000 105 groupset. I also had a Sora 9 speed and a 10 speed hub. With the 105 groupset you can now get an 11-34 cassette which will fit directly on your 10 speed hub. To compensate for the 34 cog, I went with a 52-36 crankset which is the same as a 50-34 with a 32 cassette. You also gain a little at the high end on your 11 cog.
@@KatieKookaburra Hi Katie, the Sora groupset is currently Shimano's 9-speed groupset. If you want to replace your front and rear mechanism with 11 speed (105, Ultegra, or Dura-Ace), you would need to also change your STI shifters because the shift throw is different between the 9-speed and the 11-speed groupsets. The new R7000 105 groupset is a very nice upgrade from Sora and I am extremely happy that I did it. It has improved my ride tremendously. If I'm not mistaken, you also upgraded your Giant bike with this 105 groupset - how have you found the difference?
It rains in summer as well, quite a lot in the UK, just the same as winter, but less cold. Disc brakes all the way for me. Braking performance is far superior. If you live in a much much drier country/climate then maybe olde rim brakes are a possibility. Putting only half of a top end group set on a bike is a common dodge by manufacturers to increase their margins. Should be equipped with full Ultegra group set at that price. Cassettes can aways be changed at not huge cost. You didn't mention the quality and finish of the frame? Also colour which should have been first ;@). Thanks for your review.
never had a road bike and am looking at the 2019 model as its £700 cheaper at the moment compared to the 2020 one, i dont race and will be using it socially with mates who have road bikes and occasional commute to work ( maybe more as i was riding on my giant trance and it killed me after 20 miles)
A fellow Manc. Cheers. I think you used the word faff which made me want to get on a plane and go see my family. So how does the synapse compare to the Ribble for comfort?
I picked up a Synapse AL with disc brakes thats a few years older was been sitting at a bike shop at a great discount and threw on 46/32 for more versatility. I couldnt be more happy. I guess it was considered an Endurance bike. It seems a little on the heavy side compared to other bikes in the price range but is really solid.
Hi Katie. Sorry I haven’t kept up with your videos recently but today I stumbled onto this one. Wow. I must say you’ve lost a lot of weight. You’re looking fantastic. Kudos for all the hard work you’ve done to get there.
Fair Play Katie 👍 Cannondale fantastic bike recommend to anyone 👍👍👍👍👍 Cannondale 12 Alloy frame disc bike is lighter and an absolutely phenomenal bike 🚴♂️ 🚴🏻♀️
Will never buy a bike with bb30 again! I actually have two Cannondales and would never recommend Cannondale to anyone! Having it on loan is different to living with it over a long period of time!
The one thing I never liked about Cannondale bikes was their preference for press fit bottom brackets. The one I had was fitted with a BB30 and it started creaking within a few months of use, and try as I did, I couldn’t get rid of it. Infuriating.
I have a Cannondale and have yet to have a problem. I must admit that I was a bit wary but the guy who runs my LBS and who owns and races on Cannondales assured me that with good servicing it isn't a problem. Been a while now and he's right, absolutely no problem whatsoever..... 🤞
I had a weird knocking sound issue from my BB within 70 miles out the shop door.... went right back and the shop rebuilt the BB with replacement bearings and *fingers crossed* no issues 3000+ miles later. I agree, press fit BB bearings are not any kind of improvement over any earlier style BB. Industry standard now though.
What is the point reviewing so expensive bike? It's good no doubt. Review bike for 400 pounds instead for a change, more riders would be interested by opinion of a experienced rider.
not OBSOLETE in the least ... if it can be adjusted to provide a near-perfect fit, then it is the right bike. Each geometry suits different riders better or worse.
