Cannondale Synapse Carbon

Hi,
This is my new Cannondale Synapse Carbon. It's the 2013 model and I bought it in a sale recently to replace my Giant as I've been wanting a slightly more relaxed geometry bike for a while. Having done a few rides, I'm very happy with the new bike. It feels just as responsive and nippy as my Giant TCR, but it's more comfortable and the frame does seem to absorb bumps in the road noticeably well.
Opening the (Scott!) box:

The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels, which I've swapped for my old set:

Screwed all the bits together, the bike with it's original spec (Mavic wheels):


After putting my Fulcrum Zero wheels and pedals on:

My bike as it is now. I'm happy with the saddle position. I've lowered the bars a bit and I'll get the steerer cut when I'm sure the height's right:

Spot the deer in the top left of the photo!:

I really love my cranks!!!:


Spec list:
Frame & forks: Cannondale Synapse Carbon
Handlebars: Cannondale C2 aluminium
Stem: Cannondale C2 aluminium
Seatpost: Cannondale C2 carbon
Groupset: Ultegra 6700
Chainset: FSA SL-K Light compact
Saddle: Fizik Aliante
Original wheelset: Mavic Aksium WTS (wheels, tubes and tyres)
Current wheelset: my Fulcrum Racing Zero (Dark Label) from my old bike, with Ultremo ZX 25mm tyres.
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Stainless
Extras: Elite Custom bottle cages, Barfly Garmin mount, Garmin Edge 500
Weight is about 7.5kg with pedals and extras.
I'll be selling what's left of my Giant and the Mavic wheels in the near future, so keep an eye out on the classifieds!
This is my new Cannondale Synapse Carbon. It's the 2013 model and I bought it in a sale recently to replace my Giant as I've been wanting a slightly more relaxed geometry bike for a while. Having done a few rides, I'm very happy with the new bike. It feels just as responsive and nippy as my Giant TCR, but it's more comfortable and the frame does seem to absorb bumps in the road noticeably well.
Opening the (Scott!) box:
The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels, which I've swapped for my old set:
Screwed all the bits together, the bike with it's original spec (Mavic wheels):
After putting my Fulcrum Zero wheels and pedals on:
My bike as it is now. I'm happy with the saddle position. I've lowered the bars a bit and I'll get the steerer cut when I'm sure the height's right:
Spot the deer in the top left of the photo!:
I really love my cranks!!!:
Spec list:
Frame & forks: Cannondale Synapse Carbon
Handlebars: Cannondale C2 aluminium
Stem: Cannondale C2 aluminium
Seatpost: Cannondale C2 carbon
Groupset: Ultegra 6700
Chainset: FSA SL-K Light compact
Saddle: Fizik Aliante
Original wheelset: Mavic Aksium WTS (wheels, tubes and tyres)
Current wheelset: my Fulcrum Racing Zero (Dark Label) from my old bike, with Ultremo ZX 25mm tyres.
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Stainless
Extras: Elite Custom bottle cages, Barfly Garmin mount, Garmin Edge 500
Weight is about 7.5kg with pedals and extras.
I'll be selling what's left of my Giant and the Mavic wheels in the near future, so keep an eye out on the classifieds!

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Posts
I know what you mean about having some more SL-K kit, it would be lovely. A future upgrade perhaps.....
Giant Anthem X 29er 2
MTB
NEW Cross
Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
I can't see the deer either!
lets not turn this into another photoshop thread
See 'em now???
Giant Anthem X 29er 2
Need any more hints?
Giant Anthem X 29er 2
MTB
NEW Cross
Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
Ok, I see the deer, where's Fenton?
The 'dork disc'? It was very simple to remove as I was taking the cassette off anyway, and once the cassette is off the plastic disc slides out easily.
I haven't removed one with the cassette left on before, that could make it a bit more troublesome.
Giant Anthem X 29er 2
To remove my dork disc I used a Stanley most of the way on two sides, then the rest just tore/snapped/folded out.
cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
Any advice welcome... OP - did you have any problems with the spacers above the stem, given Cannondales vigorous warnings not to do this?
And did you eventuially get the steerer cut - was that an easy process?
Oooh, I didn't know about that! I didn't realise Cannondale warm against having spacers above the stem - I just lowered mine and put the spare spacer above the stem in blissful innocence!
I haven't got round to having the steerer cut yet either, although it's something I have been intending to get round to soon. I think I'll ask at my local Cannondale retailer and see what they say about the spacer issue.
The bike has been performing really well over the last few months.
Giant Anthem X 29er 2
Canyon Ult CF SL- Spin Koppenberg-Ultegra group