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review

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 Ultegra road bike

9
£2,500.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Super smooth and comfortable distance bike with rewarding handling and fast performance
Weight: 
7,800g
Contact: 
www.cannondale.com

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Combining a smooth ride with the stiffness and performance of a race bike, the revamped Cannondale Synapse impresses.

Cannondale's revamped Synapse offers much of the performance of a race bike but with added comfort, both from geometry that is more relaxed and a frame designed to absorb vibrations and deflect impacts. This £2,499 Carbon 3 Ultegra model sits in the middle of a six-bike range and is to all intents and purposes the same bike Peter Sagan raced successfully earlier this season.

The revamped Synapse is Cannondale's comfort alternative to their racier SuperSix Evo. Cannondale has made changes that focus on smoothing out rough roads without compromising on the stiffness and performance that a cyclist who likes to combine speed with distance savours. If you like to ride fast, but never race, then a bike like the new Synapse, combining the performance of a race bike with added comfort is a smart choice.

Find a Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 Ultegra online
Find a Cannondale dealer

Ride: Fast yet comfortable

Cannondale pack the Synapse with what they call micro suspension features, including a skinny 25.4mm seatpost, sculpted stays and shock-damping carbon layup in a smart looking frame. These three key features combine to absorb the impacts that can lead to a choppy and bumpy ride on anything but a billiard smooth road surface.

With such roads in short supply in my local area, the Synapse has hugely impressed. Take it along any less-than-perfect road surface, even chuck it along a bridleway or roughened track, and the Synapse noticeably filters out the harshness.

We're not talking plush, mountain bike-style suspension here though. The Synapse is still a firm ride - it's a carbon road bike on 25mm tyres after all - but it's noticeably smoother than a regular carbon road bike.

In achieving the comfort, which is really quite impressive for a carbon bike, Cannondale haven't sacrificed performance or stiffness. There's plenty of gusto when you stamp on the pedals, whether slinging it up the hills or sprinting along flat roads, the frame and fork reveal a tautness that puts some race bikes to shame.

The handling is a highlight. It's not quite as aggressive as the SuperSix Evo, the head tube is 2.5cm taller at 18cm, but in the drops you can get nice and low and crack on in an aerodynamic position. Typically we might expect to also find a shorter top tube, but Cannondale have kept the reach similar to the Evo with a 56.1cm horizontal top tube measurement.

Cannondale fitted the test bike with a whole bunch of spacers which is fair enough, but the tall headset top cap made it difficult to achieve my desired position. Shuffling the spacers above the stem and swapping the top cap for one borrowed from an Evo had the bars at a preferred height. For me, the head tube is generous enough without piling on the tall headset cap.

One area where the Synapse really shone is in its general handling in a wide range of situations. The 100cm wheelbase, longer than a race bike's, gave the Synapse great stability at all speeds. That, combined with the frame's ability to squash high frequency vibrations lends the Synapse fantastic smoothness and fluidity when descending fast and bumpy downhills. It's not just comfort that the frame['s features provide, but increased control at speed, which is appreciable on descents with anything but a silky smooth Tarmac surface.

I came away impressed with Cannondale's redesigned Synapse. It admirably juggles the demands of performance and comfort without compromise, producing a ride that is rewarding for riders of all levels. You could race it, ride it in sportives or just ride to the coffee shop on Sunday mornings. It's a very capable endurance road bike.

Through fast descents, slow corners, up the climbs and along flat roads, the bike feels fast, fluid and comfortable. It's a lot of fun to chuck the bike around with a bit of aggression when in the pursuit of a high average speed say, but equally when you're cruising along the Synapse feels settled and unflappable.

Frame: The comfort factor

The reason the Synapse is so inspiring and comfortable to ride is the dramatically redesigned frame. The model has been in Cannondale's range for a number of years, but this year received a ground up redesign that evolves some previous technologies.

Further developed is SAVE+ (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) technology. This comprises three complementary micro suspension systems; smaller road chatter is handled by the carbon layup, bigger hits by the design and shape of the fork and stays, and the really big stuff by the seatpost and seat tube.

The twisted helix seat stays increase the length of the fibres – they're actually longer than the seat stays – so vibrations take longer to travel up the stays. The fork features offset dropouts to produce more rake to add compliance while still retaining the ride quality. This damps out more of the high frequency vibrations.

Critical to the design is that there are not one but three systems that contribute to the bike's desired bump-absorbing compliance. Cannondale don't give any figures on the amount of vertical deflection, but it's clear it works: the frame absorbs high speed frequency stuff and bigger impacts very well.

This is a bike you really can ride all day and finish feeling fresh. Even during some of my faster and more taxing routes the Synapse left me feeling less battered than I have felt on many other bikes.

The 25.4mm seatpost, the smallest diameter used by any of the main brands, is a key component in providing deflection on impact. You can sometimes see the nose of the saddle moving fore-and-aft when you're riding along. And by integrating the seatpost clamp into the frame, Cannondale have increased the amount of exposed post available to deflect. The saddle height is easily adjusted, there's a 4mm Allen bolt in the top tube, covered with a rubber bung.

The carbon layup is the final measure in absorbing vibration, and Cannondale have worked hard on it. With the seatpost taking out bigger impacts, the combination of the carbon layup and tube shapes damps high frequency vibrations, with the effect that road buzz is reduced noticeably.

Cannondale uses the same frame mould throughout the range. This is the first time the proprietary BallsiTec carbon, borrowed from the Evo, has been used for the Synapse. The top models get a higher quantity of ultra- and hi-mod carbon fibre, while the three cheaper bikes have more intermediate modulus carbon.

The resin in the BallisTec composite is designed to absorb the energy from impacts. The layup of the carbon fibre is also fundamental, with a staggered approach of overlapping layers that smooth the transition between tube junctions.

There is still a reasonable degree of feedback. You're not completely isolated from the road, but instead protected from a lot of the harsher stuff that can lead to a choppy and uncomfortable ride.

Compared to the hi-mod Synapse I rode at the launch there is an appreciable difference - the hi-mod is marginally smoother - but you're still getting the best bits of the new Synapse platform in this more affordable model. All frames will take up to 28mm tyres, with most specced with 25mm tyres as standard.

Cannondale didn't want to sacrifice stiffness in the pursuit of comfort. The 73mm wide BB30a bottom bracket allows for a wider downtube and fatter chainstays to be used. The Power Pyramid seat tube, one of the most intriguing design features I've seen on a road bike in a long time, allowed Cannondale to have a wide seat tube but removing the centre section reduces the weight without reducing stiffness. It's not like that for any aero or comfort reasons, in case you're wondering.

They also wanted the Synapse to be light, which at a claimed 950g for a 56cm frame, it certainly is. Even the modest build of this bike tips the scales at 7.8kg, which is a good weight for a bike of this money.

Build kit: Ultegra, FSA and Mavic mix

There are six models in the new Synapse range, starting at £1,699 for a Shimano 105 bike and rising to £6,999 for the Hi-Mod Black Inc with full Dura-Ace Di2. The frame looks the same across all the models, but the top three use a hi-mod carbon frame, the cheaper three a less expensive grade of carbon fibre.

The £2,499 Carbon Ultegra 3 bike here sits right in the middle of the range and is the most expensive of the regular non hi-mod frames. That price gets you a bike with Shimano's Ultegra 6800 11-speed groupset and an FSA SLK Light Carbon chainset as Shimano don't make a BB30 chainset.

It works fine though and doesn't negatively impact shifting, which is nothing but slick, crisp and rapid. The compact 50/34 chainset partners with a 11-32 cassette which gives a wide range of gears, low and high, for any cycling adventure. If you're planning to take on a hilly UK sportive or the Etape next year, this is a generous gearing that will see you to the top of any mountain.

Clearance for wide tyres is a huge bonus of the Synapse, and Mavic's own 25mm tyres are a good choice, fast and grippy. They're mounted to Mavic Aksium S wheels, a solid and stiff design with long-lasting bearings. You could easily go to 28mm tyres: there is space in the frame for them.

Finishing the bike is a Cannondale branded handlebar and stem, both made from alloy, and a carbon seatpost. The handlebar offered a nice ergo shape, comfortable in the hoods and on the tops, and equally so in the drops, which proved to have a shortish reach. I swapped the stem out for a slightly longer one, to suit my reach. The Fizik Aliante Delta saddle has a scooped shape that most will find plenty comfortable enough.

Conclus​ion

At 7.8kg (17.19lb) without pedals the Synapse is a competitive weight for the money. You don't pay much of a penalty at all for the comfort the bike offers, and a wheel upgrade and some carbon bits would have the weight much closer to 7kg, showing the good upgrade option of this model. The next model in the range is £3,299, with a full Ultegra groupset and the hi-mod version of the frame, so it's a bit of a leap.

Endurance road bikes is one of the hottest phrases in cycling right now, up there with disc brakes and aerodynamics. There are a couple of interesting contenders, established bikes like the Trek Domane, Specialized Roubaix and BMC GranFondo, along with newer bikes like the Bianchi Infinito CV, that compete in the same sector as the new Synapse. Against such competition the Synapse stands up well.

Its redesigned frame pitches the Synapse squarely at the performance cyclist who values ride comfort without wanting to sacrifice weight and stiffness; the bike delivers on those fronts too. It's a superb all-rounder really, happy going flat out up hills or wafting through the countryside from pub to cafe.

Unless you're racing and demand a really low front end, the Synapse is the better choice for most cyclists than the company's highly acclaimed SuperSix Evo. In fact, in updating the Synapse, Cannondale might have just produced a very good reason not to buy its flagship road bike.

Verdict

Super smooth and comfortable distance bike with rewarding handling and fast performance.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 Ultegra (2014)

Size tested: 56

About the bike

State the frame and fork material and method of construction. List the components used to build up the bike.

The perfect balance between raw power and all-day ridability, the all-new Synapse combines remarkably light weight, race-proven performance and dialed vertical compliance in a bicycle that redefines "Endurance." The ultimate partner for the epic ride.

An ideal blend of compliance, rigidity, and weight for the perfect balance of race-day aggression and all-day ridability.

Revolutionary. BallisTec Carbon, Power Pyramid and the SAVE PLUS system provide the ideal blend of crush meets plush.

Tell us what the bike is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

S.E.R.G. Synapse Endurance Race Geometry

With its slightly taller head tube, slightly longer wheelbase and slightly slacker head angle, S.E.R.G. strikes the ideal balance between pure race positioning and upright comfort. Perfect for long days in the saddle and confident handling on all road surfaces. SAVE PLUS Micro-Suspension System

The SAVE PLUS Micro-suspension system is a three part system, comprised of the carbon lay-up, the rear triangle and fork, and the seat post and seat tube, all designed to collaborate seamlessly to reduce vibration, improve handling, and increase comfort. SAVE PLUS Micro-suspension system (Rear Triangle and Fork)

The frame and fork's carbon layup is designed to optimize high-frequency vibration dissipation, reducing road buzz. The radical helixed shapes of the chain stays and seat stays work in conjunction with the offset dropout fork to allow the wheels to track over imperfections in the road for better handling and control, seated or standing. SAVE PLUS Micro-suspension system (Seat post and Seat tube)

The elegantly scalloped seat tube and the smaller diameter 25.4mm seatpost are designed to flex together to provide more comfort when seated. The integrated collarless seat clamp allows more of the seatpost to flex than with a traditional clamp. Power Pyramid/BB30A

The seat tube splits asymmetrically to meet a new wider 73mm BB30A bottom bracket, for maximum stiffness with minimal weight.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Top quality build and very well finished, with some interesting design features like the split seat tube.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

Synapse six bike range use the same moulds but with a higher percentage of intermediate modulus fibers to tune stiffness and ride feel.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

Same reach but taller head tube than the SuperSix Evo.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

Once I shuffled the spacers and fitted a slimmer headset top cap, the stack was good.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

There is still a reasonable degree of feedback, you're not completely isolated from the road, but you're instead protected from a lot of the harsher stuff that can lead to a choppy and uncomfortable ride.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

In achieving the comfort, which is really quite impressive for a carbon bike, they haven't sacrificed performance and stiffness. There's plenty of gusto when you stamp on the pedals, whether slinging it up the hills or sprinting along flat roads, the frame and fork reveal a tautness that will put some race bikes to shame.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Yes very efficient.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so, was it a problem?

No.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively, neutral or unresponsive? Balanced handling

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

The handling is only slightly more relaxed than the SuperSix Evo from Cannondale, but the design of the frame produces a far smoother ride all of the time, which is not only more comfortable but produces excellent handling on fast and rough descents.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

A carbon handlebar would further contribute to the smoothness at the front, not that it felt lacking much.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
8/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the drivetrain for value:
 
8/10

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels and tyres for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels and tyres for value:
 
8/10

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for value:
 
8/10

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Really enjoyed riding the Synapse.

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes.

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? For non-racer friends, yes.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
9/10

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

17 comments

Avatar
Surreyrider | 9 years ago
0 likes

The Aksium's are rather budget for an Ultegra equipped bike - so I upgraded to Ksyrium Elites. With the points I earned for buying the bike, they were half price (and were already in the sale). I never rode the bike with Aksiums (shoved them on the winter bike) but the ride with the upgraded wheels is awesome. Glad I got it before Cannondale went wholesale for disc brakes too.

Avatar
big mick replied to Surreyrider | 8 years ago
0 likes
kevinr2405 wrote:

The Aksium's are rather budget for an Ultegra equipped bike - so I upgraded to Ksyrium Elites. With the points I earned for buying the bike, they were half price (and were already in the sale). I never rode the bike with Aksiums (shoved them on the winter bike) but the ride with the upgraded wheels is awesome. Glad I got it before Cannondale went wholesale for disc brakes too.

If you try the disc braked bike you would'nt be saying that.They make caliper brakes feel weak and dangerous.Trust me they are so good that I'm not looking forward to riding my winter bike with normal cable caliper brakes.The fade and rim heat build up is so 1965.Old school and I'm 54 years old.

Avatar
billybob56 | 9 years ago
0 likes

 24

Avatar
The _Kaner | 9 years ago
0 likes

Anyone (else) think that the wheels are a little 'low rent' for the rest of the spec/price?
I'd hate to pay £2.5k and then 'need' to upgrade the wheels...

Avatar
Wilts Cyclist | 10 years ago
0 likes

So now I'm confused, should I get a Kinesis Granfondo Ti or a Cannondale Synapse Carbon? My mind was set on the Granfondo, but the Synapse looks like an excellent choice as well - plus it’s just won BOTY.

Call me 'out of touch' but I'm still not 100% convinced by Carbon - hence the reason for looking at a Ti bike. I'm concerned about Carbon's longevity over time on the rough and pothole strewn roads I’m forced to ride on. Mind you, I’ve got zero evidence for this ‘concern’.

Are my concerns ‘real’ or am I worrying about nothing? What’s you experience?

Avatar
big mick replied to Wilts Cyclist | 8 years ago
0 likes

Lifetime warranty with Cannondale so no probs with the frame braking .  19

Avatar
eml1909 | 10 years ago
0 likes

"Endurance road bikes is one of the hottest phrases in cycling right now, up there with disc brakes and aerodynamics. There are a couple of interesting contenders, established bikes like the Trek Domane, Specialized Roubaix and BMC GranFondo, along with newer bikes like the Bianchi Infinito CV, that compete in the same sector as the new Synapse. Against such competition the Synapse stands up well."

If you had to choose just one, which would it be?

In particular, Synapse Hi Mod or Bianchi Infinito CV???

Would be very interested to hear your views (although I suspect the bottom line is that they are both lovely bikes and it's a matter of personal preference!).

Thanks!

Ed

Avatar
caaad10 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Interesting than no one under 40 can get on with a bike that isn't like, totally maxed out slammed, dude... whatever. I suppose growing up does have it's benefits, and I look forward to riding this bike as God intended, massive top cap & all.

Avatar
Lord Fishface replied to caaad10 | 10 years ago
0 likes
caaad10 wrote:

Interesting than no one under 40 can get on with a bike that isn't like, totally maxed out slammed, dude... whatever. I suppose growing up does have it's benefits, and I look forward to riding this bike as God intended, massive top cap & all.

Thanks for that passive-aggressive whining; I'm sure you feel very mature now.

Avatar
caaad10 replied to Lord Fishface | 10 years ago
0 likes
Lord Fishface wrote:

Thanks for that passive-aggressive whining; I'm sure you feel very mature now.

Well fishface  16 , the trouble is my Caad10 is just too damn hardcore, and, get this, it's aluminium too  21 . Mmmm, not very hip..... So, in order to give a more informative (and cool sounding  16 ) review, I swapped the frame for a Supersix evo hi mod  16 and added 8 carbon spacers under the stem  16 . Wow, this Caad10 really feels sorted now, Cannondale should have done this in the first place (and (like you!) I just look soooo damn  16 )

Next time I'm going to review a Giant xtc 29er (but I'll put some 650b wheels on it so people like you will think I'm God)

Yeah, now I feel mature  16

Avatar
VeloPeo | 10 years ago
0 likes

Cheers Dave - hoping to get one for a test ride in the New Year

Avatar
Lungsofa74yearold | 10 years ago
0 likes

Agree - good review of a very nice looking bike. Its also good to see that you no longer have to pay a big weight penalty for sensible geometry & comfortable ride - 950g is nice and light. Just interested - do they do a frame set option & if so, how much?

Avatar
Lungsofa74yearold | 10 years ago
0 likes

Agree - good review of a very nice looking bike. Its also good to see that you no longer have to pay a big weight penalty for sensible geometry & comfortable ride - 950g is nice and light. Just interested - do they do a frame set option & if so, how much?

Avatar
jamierevel replied to Lungsofa74yearold | 10 years ago
0 likes

There'll be a limited number of HiMod Synapse framesets available from next month: http://www.cannondalespares.com/Cannondale-Synapse-High-Mod-Frameset-201...

Avatar
Yariv | 10 years ago
0 likes

Great review - thanks. You mentioned some of the competition. I'd like to know whether that competition should be compared to the normal Synapse frames or the hi-mod frames. My guess is that, for example, the Specialized Roubaix frame competes with the normal Synapse frame and the S-Works frame is more like the hi-mod frames. I also guess that the Bianchi Infinito CV competes with the hi-mod frames. I'd like to see a like for like comparison test.

Avatar
VeloPeo | 10 years ago
0 likes

So having ridden both the normal and hi-mod frames, do you reckon the hi-mod is a worthwhile upgrade?

At Sigma it's £800 more expensive and the only difference is the frame and a £200 more expensive set of wheels 1

Avatar
David Arthur @d... replied to VeloPeo | 10 years ago
0 likes
VeloPeo wrote:

So having ridden both the normal and hi-mod frames, do you reckon the hi-mod is a worthwhile upgrade?

At Sigma it's £800 more expensive and the only difference is the frame and a £200 more expensive set of wheels 1

If you have the cash, the hi-mod is the better ride and worth it. The regular model won't disappoint if you can't stretch to the hi-mod frame though, and you get most of the key features that contribute to the great ride. It's a fine riding bike in both guises

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