Cannondale Synapse CRB

srone

Anyone got a Cannondale Synapse CRB? Thinking of getting one.

Evil Laugh

By crb I take it you just mean carbon frame.

If so, yeah I got one a month or so ago. I've got a 105 compact.

I tried a shedload of carbon frames around £1500. The ones I liked the best were the Synapse and the Trek Madone 4.5.

Ended up with the Synapse, got £400 off a 2009 and it was therefore a no brainer.

I absolutely love it, the ride is exceptionally good, it's very comfortable. I guess a lot of the comfort is how well it fits and it just feels "right" when I'm on it which gives a lot of confidence in the handling. It feels more alive IMO than the others I tried. If that makes any sense.


Most of the bikes I tried were 56cm frames at the suggestion of the bike shops but I ended up with a 54cm which has worked out really well. Dunno if that's worth considering.

It's a lovely bike but I'd recommend trying loads of others.

Steveorow

I have had one since 2007 with Ultergra . Great bike ; great frame the ride is buttery smooth .even with the Mavic Elite wheels which are a little harsh .

Although marketed as a sportive machine the frame is virtually race geometry and the more upright position is achieved with the stem pointing up ; comfort is probably achieved with the rear triangle with the curved seat and chain stays . If you flip the stem it could be used as a good race bike ; the Head tube is only 150mm in the 54 size ( same as mine ) if I remeber right .

Only negative comment is the BB30 bottom bracket ; so not really a criticism of the bike . I have wrecked 2 in 2 years and I am seriously considering getting the conversion kit and putting a hollowtech II bottom bracket in . At £90 a pop to be replaced at the LBS ( you need speciflist tools and a specialist press ) it aint cheep when you can get a normal BB for less than £30 and can fit it yourself .

I also have a Look585 but that is a completley different animal . Would recommend to anyone considering one ; however as Evil L says a lot of comfort is down to how good it fits .

srone

Thanks for the replies - all usefull stuff.

Problem I'm having here is that I can't get the frame sizes of the bikes I like to try out a within 50 mile radius so am probably going to have to take a punt and hope I get it right. Am interested to know where you got the £400 off deal Evil?

Once_In_A_Blue_Moon

srone- where in Cumbria do you live? Wheelbase (in Staveely) stock Cannondale's, I'm sure they'll let you take one out for a spin.

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/

Of course, if you live in Carlisle it's a bit far.

srone

Once in a blue moon.

Thanks, already been there and do live closer to Carlisle. They don't have my size 51/54 to try out and didn't offer much advice on sizing when I went there. Am new to road biking and want to get the size right but am struggling to find anyone locally (50 miles) that can offer any decent help.

Once_In_A_Blue_Moon

Ring Evans, they're in Keswick (again, a bit of a drive, but worth it if you want a bike that fits). Other than that I'm stumped, only other suggestion is if anyone in the Border City Wheelers club rides one.

srone

Thanks. Heading south next weekend so going to try some Manchester area stores to see if I can sort out the size issue first.

Evil Laugh

I got mine from Westbrook cycles, they were really good, held it for me for a few days with no deposit until I got paid and then it arrived the next day.

Evans will get you any bike in to try for a refundable £50, I would definitely recommend trying different bikes in different sizes as one manufacturer's 56 feels like another's 54 or 58, at least when I tried it did.

I would really advise against taking a punt on the size.

Would highly recommend a Synapse though, every time I get on it it feels better than what I remember, the ride is something else! I guess a Madone, the performance fit one or a Roubaix would be a good counter choice. No doubt people on here could nominate less obvious makes of bike.