Cannondale Synapse RLE: Good idea, poor execution 

Got mine with a 20% price cut and on its first ride was amazing. Fixed the saddle bag complaint with two zip ties. Everything wotked flawlessly. I love this bike!

Valid points as always Ben. Enjoying your bike reviews and coverage of gravel events. Keep pedaling!

never had a bike review make me laugh - enjoy your delivery and your assessment of this ride

amazing review thank you so much!

This is still a great idea, but needs work: 1. Integration of the components into the frame. Front lights into the fork crown, rear lights into the seatstays or behind the seat tube. 2. Wiring and battery all inside the downtube, with a little port to charge it somewhere. 3. Extra connections for other devices (additional lights on the bars, di2, garmin, phone, dynamo charging. This wiring loom could be in the downtube hidden but ready to connect if desired.

YES! You can power your Garmin head unit from the front light (there are 2 back ports) with the right cabling and mount. See DC Rainmaker's review to see how it's done. If you need a more powerful and longer-lasting front light, you should run a separately-powered light anyway. And yes, you can mount a smaller-sized saddle bag behind the radar (at an angle). I do that with a large-size Bontrager bag with enough room for my repair essentials (tube, 2 co2 cartridges, tools). It's not like I need easy access to open it most times. My main gripe is the app and the lack of customizability with the SmartSense settings. I would like to be able to rename the light settings and have the initial light setting be OFF if I want it to(radar is mostly what I care about). It would also be nice to track service by miles so I can tell when to rewax my chain.

Now this is a legit bike review! Thank you for creating content this awesome 😁

Haha good review Ben, love the honesty!! Weight of the bike with the set up? Thank God I bought my Diverge in 2014 with tiagra gears which was very cheap like about $700!!! I don’t race like you guys cause I’m an old fart but I really enjoy getting out there in the gravel with my panaracer sk gravel kings 38s. Simple n cheap was my deal for my fun. Reminds me of my first bike which was a huffy and I rode the hell out of that bike and loved every minute of it man. Couldn’t get any better than that in my lifetime!!!!

The integration looks like a great idea, I love it. As argued at the beginning of the video, full integration is not feasible, so let´s use it as an argument against partial integration. I personally thing that integrating Di2 and Garmin would not make sense. Also, if the battery is dead (because you forgot to recharge ,) just pop a spare light and you are good to go. Way to go, looks cool!

I have a 2019 Synapse (before the dropped seat-stays). Was eyeing a road bike upgrade but Cannondale ruined the Synapse line by making this system mandatory. Disappointed they went all in on this. They should have made one model with this just to test the waters. I don't think it has a lot of fans from people, and dealers I have talked to.

At first, I thought the downsides to the integration might be an issue. But having ridden over 1k miles on my synapse, I'm going to have to say that my "riding life" is easier and greatly improved over my previous road bikes. You aren't wrong, Ben, in your critique, but some of the limitations aren't as bad as it might seem at first blush. For instance, sure, you can't charge your head unit or hook in your di2 to the smartsense battery, but you can't do that on other bikes either...for obvious reasons Limitation, maybe, but not more than other bikes. Think of it as aspirational for future developments. As for being unable to adjust the position of the lights or put a different headlight or tail light in place, not really a big deal, at least not for me after six months. Easy enough to carry back up lights that affix to the bars or seat tube. That said, the hard mounting of the lights and radar makes for some annoyance. Just clunkier to work around, so to speak. Last, saddle bags: Cannondale claims you can use a go pro type extension arm to fit clip types of saddle bags. Haven't tried it, but I use saddlebag w/velcro straps. Works fine, fits perfectly, though I have to undo the straps that affix to the saddle to be able to unzip the bag. But not a big deal since it's easy enough. Upsides: I'm a bit forgetful like you are, but have become more mindful about keeping my battery charged bc I'm notified on the app. Also, I bought a back up battery w/usb charger in my seat tube bag. Haven't needed it as even on my longest rides (5-6 hrs), there was some battery life remaining at the end. Radar: Been a game changer for me. Obviously, you can buy the non smartsense garmin varia radar for other bikes (which I did!), but this my first bike with radar, and I was hooked immediately. My flexibility isn't the greatest and I'd rather not be constantly straining to look behind me while riding. Other than at intersections etc, the radar has become my rear vision. My riding and safety have greatly benefited. Last Last: The Ride...Quality is superb. Bike is lights out comfortable, not to mention faster (and holds speed better) than I thought it would. And for folks north of 200lbs like me, running good, cushy 35mm tires makes it a dream. By the way, to those who say integration takes away choice...maybe but there's always a but.... You have a choice to purchase a synapse without smartsense or not purchase a synapse at all. Or you can get one and remove the lights and put your own on. Truth is, though, our choices for any particular bike and associated components are limited to what the manufacturer offers for each model...unless you buy custom.

As I have already commented in another review of this bike in another channel, a few months ago I bought version 3 of this bike (lights only), and I agree with everything Ben says. Just to say that the SmartSense can be completely disassembled (lights, battery and base), covering the hole for the base with a screw-on plastic cover that Cannondale provides to its dealers. The bike rides very well, it's very comfortable for long distances and on climbs it feels great, and once it picks up speed it's easy to maintain. On the other hand, it is a heavy bike (around 9kg depending on version and assembly), not very reactive and hard to pick up speed. As for the SmartSense system, I also agree with Ben, it's a good idea but with improvable execution. In my case, I disassembled the SmartSense and I have the hole covered with the cover that I talked about before.

Omg, that mechanic stand 😍

You had me in the bananas 😮😅😂

I'm really surprised that the Di2 isn't powered off the main battery. Especially as there seems to be a lot of integration between ebike main batteries and electronic derailleurs. A 5V USB C outlet or two would certainly be a plus too. Also would be nice to add downtube storage with the lack of room for a seat pack, a la Domane where you can't use a seat pack with the integrated light mount

Have the Synpase RLE, got it at a closeout discount (4K for the 5.5K model) Have about 100 miles on it so far. I love the system, Given how long a di2 battery and head unit battery lasts vs radar+lights makes it a plus that it powers just lights+radar. You still have to charge a battery regardless of how its implemented. I'm sure we'd all love infinite lights but that isn't happening unless you've got it hooked up to a dynamo. You can still go with a lower tier option and get add-on radar detector+unit. Or even just get a combo mount and use your own head unit and the included light. The system also isn't integrated, you can still remove all of it afaik. The bike is still a Synpase so I think people are just looking at the RLE and dismissing it as if that's the only thing it offers. The customization options leaves a bit to be desired. The system is great as its core, not too heavy on features nor too light on features (no pun intended). I just get on and ride, no need to fiddle with checking all the systems beforehand. Conclusion: The system is fantastic. The bike is fantastic. I'm sure people would want it to not be bundled with the bike which is questionable from Cannondale's perspective. Given the closeout price I got the bike for, it was a deal for me and makes me disagree with all the negatively surrounding Smartsense. Going to have to do some research about that Speedx leopard bike now, that thing looks wicked.

Yeah, it seemed to me when it came out that if this was the start of a common system, with support of a bunch of big manufacturers, then that would have been different. Plug and play / daisy chain in any lights, radar, computer etc, with dynamos and a range of battery choices, from different companies, and have them all powered and talking to each other through a common app / GPS plugin.......

I think they missed the opportunity to just add electronic routing channels, similar to how some frames have cable guides.

hi, can i use the knot bar system on any of these bikes? thank you

Anybody do a wheel upgrade? If so, what did you choose? I see that light bicycle has a 45 deep wheel and 34 wide. That seems like a good fit for this bike.

The chain is either too short or the rear derailleur isn’t installed properly. OCD over here 😂 This bike isn’t for everyone but I think it’s a good step towards integration.

I hope Cannondale refines and keep this going. Clearly not there yet. Needs modularity and options. I'm tired of removing accessories, charging, diff power on/off, etc. every day.

I have the LE version (no radar). I wear a mirror on my glasses, so I'm constantly glancing behind me. I hope that a stronger headlight is in the works. 350 lumens is a joke for people who enjoy riding at night. Bottom line, the bike itself is awesome!

I love my feedback pro elite stand. I've been checking out one of those sprint stands but never seen a mountain bike on one, which I primarily ride. Anyone have a review of them for mtbs? Looks like it may be a little short

What you need is a custom frame bag:)

How does that stand hold up to bike washing? Any rust?

How about having a saddle bag that has integrated radar.

Is it heavy?

Did we really think Cannondale would come out with something that wasn’t weird? Not a fan.

Given how discounted these bikes are currently, it seems most cyclists agree with your review. All credit to Cannondale for testing the concept, but it's largely been a flop. Are the flaws in the execution, or in the concept?

just make a bike pc that has a light and wireless tail light . logic! why are they not putting leds in helmets?

I don’t want this bike due to the $300 battery pack replacement. Who knows when those batteries are obsolete?

Put a few more mm of clearance and kill the RLE or design the system as insert to a downtube box (Domane or Diverge) and it would be much better.

It really just runs the lights, which are usually self contained. All that messy wiring is not worth charging one light battery instead of two. This is ridiculous

Bikes are supposed to make your life easy.

Great bike, dumb garmin design. I have the garmin varia setup, front and back and love it, but would never want it built in like this.

I was seriously considering a Synapse, but really dislike being forced into this "system" that is embedded in the bike/frame. I sent a note to Cannondale asking if they were going to offer clean models without all the "integration" and they are standing their ground. I want a hi-mod version of this frame, but it is not available. They do offer hi-mod models if you search, but of the prior version (without the dropped stays). I guess Cannondale is insisting to make this work...good luck, I'm not buying and now looking at a Giant or Specialized endurance frame.

This battery/light/radar/wires everywhere system is such a bad idea I can hardly believe Cannondale is selling it. What the heck were they thinking? If they want to integrate these products, they should make them modular! Have rechargeable batteries powering each item. Make the parts easy to attach and remove and have them look good on the bike (this last part they completely failed at) but have the bike look ok without them on. You could do it with the batteries being removeable themselves, like on SRAM AXS. Get that huge taillight out of the way of a seat bag. Integerate the front light so it doesn't look like a huge blob. My goodness, they did every part wrong! The only situation where it makes sense to have the system being wired like they did is for bikes built with the electronic groupsets that use a central battery and wired connections. And, yeah, then the battery must power the shifters as well. In that case, the wired system makes sense and is actually a benefit

integrated proprietary lights is not even a good idea on paper. it's vile.

I have a 2018 Synapse which is a brilliant bike but this new "uprated" version just makes me so angry. Cannondale treating prospective purchasers like morons making you have a lighting and pointless radar system whether you want it or not. Bikes are totally modular so even if you buy a complete bike you usually end up upgrading several components over time such as wheels, handlebars, saddle etc. to suit your own preferences. Anyone who wants lights on their bikes have a plethora of much better choices on the market than this crap they force you to pay for and even worse they are hard-wired, which to me just adds insult to injury. Paired with a totally crap battery that only adds dead weight, well that just about takes the cake. Cannondale have turned an endurance race bike into a sub-standard tourer. Couldn't see Peter Sagan winning Paris Roubaix on this dog's breakfast!!

this gotta be the dumbest design out there. I give it 1 more year until they scrap this whole system.

I’m sure you could run everything off the Di2 battery but it would be dead in 5 minutes. You’d need a massive battery and agreement with Shimano to create that battery. And if you’re riding sram you’re fucked lol

Whatever happened to a good solid mechanical drive train bicycle? The Bike Industry is thinking of so many ways to rip people off. I am sticking with what I've got and not paying attention to all the trickery.

Bikes are becoming motorcycles

Your position on the bike seems a tad short.

Too redundant on the battery/electronics! Wasted a good 1/3 of the video!

More headache than function! ********

CANNONDALE is an overpriced brand to stay away from!

I like your bike reviews Ben but I got bored with this bike and quit watching. It's too much.

what a fk up, 'cause that's an otherwise well-rounded and desirable bike.