Less than perfect new Synapse Ultegra disc - your thoughts please?

itboffin

Christ that looks like a crashed second hand bike, refund in full at the very least

daniel_b

itboffin wrote:

Christ that looks like a crashed second hand bike, refund in full at the very least

Well I am pleased that the reaction has universally been the same as my own, in the back of my mind I was wondering if I was over reacting......

They have yet to get back to me, will be ringing them tomorrow, as it annoys me everytime I see it in the garage where it is currently sat - just want to box it up and have it gone asap.

Question for you - how good is Ultegra Di2?

I'm just wondering IF they come back and offer me the Di2 version for the same price, whether I should take it.
My quandry will be, that if they do, and I do not take it, I will have to fork out another £300 for the yellow bike from Pauls, where as if they go that route I will be getting a £3250 bike for £1800, which would clearly be a deal, it's just the colour of it:

Reminds me of:


Why you would choose that colour I have less than no idea, even something neutral like Silver or white I would prefer :-(
So it's whether the extra spec of Di2 would make me back down on the colour - I hope they do not offer it I have to be honest.

gabriel959

I do like that upgraded Synapse, I would go for that if I was offered it.

To me it reminds me of...

But of course, if you don't like the colour you don't like the colour.

I do like the aeroad and I think it is a great deal but if it does not fit you it does not fit you, no point in trying to make it fit if it does not suit your body proportions.

How about speaking to Evans to see if you can have next years Synapse Ultegra (if you like the colour)?

daniel_b

gabriel959 wrote:

I do like that upgraded Synapse, I would go for that if I was offered it.

To me it reminds me of...

But of course, if you don't like the colour you don't like the colour.

I do like the aeroad and I think it is a great deal but if it does not fit you it does not fit you, no point in trying to make it fit if it does not suit your body proportions.

How about speaking to Evans to see if you can have next years Synapse Ultegra (if you like the colour)?

Fair do's, and yes that Green is not that bad I suppose, it has grown on me a bit.
I would happily wait for next years bike, but there seems to be zero evidence of if there will be any, and what colours they might be.
The previous years model was black with a bit of yellow, and clearly this year was inverted, so not sure if they will stick with that colour scheme if it does come back - the pdf linked to above certainluy makes no mention of a 2017 Synapse, but it does seem unlikely they would shelve all of that development work now in the midst of rave reviews, and one assumes colossal sales.

Agreed on the Aeroad - after speaking to mallorcajeff on here, I have written that one off completely.

Still nothing from Evans........... giving them until midday and then will start getting a bit @rsey.

gabriel959

I would give them a ring, I think these things are better dealt with a chat. Write everything down that you want to say before you call though!

indyp

I agree with Gabriel. From my experience Evans are slow replying to emails but are very helpful on the phone or in store. I'd get on the blower to see what they say about it. I wouldn't hold you're breath for an upgrade to Di2 though, I'd be surprised if they did that.

daniel_b

Cheers chaps - I have heard back from them now to say it is with a manager, who will be looking into it, and I will be getting a reply later today.

I hope the 'investigation' includes speaking to the store to find out how on earth it got into the condition it currently is, I just have to hope they don't deny everything and say it was sent out perfect, then things might get complicated.

6wheels

Some 2017 Synapse photo's here, the post with 47 pics...

https://www.facebook.com/BlogCannondale/

daniel_b

6wheels wrote:

Some 2017 Synapse photo's here, the post with 47 pics...

https://www.facebook.com/BlogCannondale/

Interesting, wonder if this is the replacement, though it seems to have tubs, and I can't tell what the groupset is.

bendertherobot

That's almost certainly the hi mod

Fat-Boy-Roubaix

Evans offer a no strings 30 day https://www.evanscycles.com/help/right-bike-guarantee

Cannot see any vouchers would affect that? Inf act they also offer a 90 day refund on un-used items as well.

Finance or Ride-to-Work scheme transactions will be exchanged on a like-for-like basis. Should you wish to exchange for a more expensive bike, the difference can be paid in cash or card at the point of exchange. The terms of these transactions means we cannot offer any form of refund if the exchange bike is cheaper.

daniel_b

So we finally have some communication from Evans.

They have apologised for the condition it was in, but claimed it must have happened in transit, which is clearly impossible, as the box is in pretty much mint condition, and the shifters that you saw are scraped up to hell, were completely encased in bubblewrap.

I have replied to explain this, and attached photos, and a link to the folder.

They have only offered a refund, and will collect the bike - and have suggested they might be able to come to some kind of compromise on another bike, so I have enquired about the Di2, but I have a feeling they will come back with £2400 or so.
IF they do, that would then leave me with another condundrum.
If I take the refund, I get £1800 back, and will then need to find another £320 to get the model from Pauls cycles.
If I take the potential offer of the Di2 model for £2400, I would need to find £250 in more vouchers to make up the amount.

So what would you do if you were given that scenario?

gabriel959

I would get the Di2 model, but that would be me. Cheaper and better. And I like the colour, but Daniel, do YOU like the colour?

For info, I test rode my bike today, still keeping it under wraps, it had some tiny marks in the cranks and they decided to chuck in some bottle cages for free. So it is a keeper.

daniel_b

gabriel959 wrote:

I would get the Di2 model, but that would be me. Cheaper and better. And I like the colour, but Daniel, do YOU like the colour?

For info, I test rode my bike today, still keeping it under wraps, it had some tiny marks in the cranks and they decided to chuck in some bottle cages for free. So it is a keeper.

Cheers Gabriel, will see what they come back with tomorrow.
I don't like it as such, but it has grown on me!

Meant to ask about your bike, delighted to hear it's in good condition, and look forward to hearing about it :-)

vinnymarsden

Daniel,

I can't understand how the shop,was it Evans did you say? I can't figure out, how on earth they even considered letting you have that in that condition, personally, if I was offered a refund that put me back where I started, i.e., not out of pocket in any way, then I would take it, flame the shop to their head office, take any compensation offered for the mess about, then buy something totally different. In my humble TOTALLY personal opinion I think Cannondales are over rated…but thats just me…but whatever your decision I would simply NEVER deal with them again, unless they do come through with a significant upgrade deal and you are 10000% happy with it all.
It's simply not good enough to supply anything in that sort of knocked about state.Its akin to buying pair of brand new shoes that have been worn, but only a bit!!

saftlad

Daniel B wrote:

So we finally have some communication from Evans.

They have apologised for the condition it was in, but claimed it must have happened in transit, which is clearly impossible, as the box is in pretty much mint condition, and the shifters that you saw are scraped up to hell, were completely encased in bubblewrap.

I have replied to explain this, and attached photos, and a link to the folder.

They have only offered a refund, and will collect the bike - and have suggested they might be able to come to some kind of compromise on another bike, so I have enquired about the Di2, but I have a feeling they will come back with £2400 or so.
IF they do, that would then leave me with another condundrum.
If I take the refund, I get £1800 back, and will then need to find another £320 to get the model from Pauls cycles.
If I take the potential offer of the Di2 model for £2400, I would need to find £250 in more vouchers to make up the amount.

So what would you do if you were given that scenario?

I'm slightly confused at the cost. Did you not pay £2124 for the bike from Evans, including vouchers?
I guess what you do next depends on how Evans handles the refund, which would be whatever you paid to them irrespective of the vouchers/cash/credit card. Only then would I know whether to go to another shop (if it was a full refund in cash/bank acct). Might you end up with the value of the vouchers you had bought being returned as new vouchers, plus however you made up the balance? Or would Evans refund the whole sum in Evans vouchers?

daniel_b

@Vinny - yes it was Evans, and yes I agree, it is bizarre, especially now they are trying to blame it on 'damage in transit' when it simply can't have been so.

I am obviously severely dissapointed.

I have to be honest, I too thought Cannondales were overrated, and perhaps they are, but the Synapse Alu I have was a total revelation to me in terms of the ride and comfort it gives, especially when combined with carbon bars and stem, it's insanely comfy for me, and I think the right geometry for my proportions - ie I realise it is a 'sportive' bike, but as I have a long inseam, and short torso, it ends up still being a saddle above the bar height set up, which still makes it fast for me.
After loving the Alloy version with guards so very much as my new winter bike, I thought a fast carbon cousin for long comfy rides in the summer, and maybe even some off road jaunts with some 30mm tyres on could be possible.
I'm sure there are other good options out there, but neither Giant or Trek have ever really made me want to buy them - perhaps if I bought one that would change, but that's a 2k gamble and I know a 54 Synapse fits me perfectly - although I am aware the dimensions of the carbon versus alloy are fractionally different, there is very little in it.

@saftlad:
The bike sold for £2124, but through my place of work I can buy vouchers at a discounted price, so I bought £2124 of vouchers for a shade over £1800.
So if the refund happens, they will only refund to the original payment type, which was of course the voucher.
That voucher will once again be worth £2124 but only with Evans, so if I am able to get a refund from the website, still trying to get an answer from them, I will only get £1800 back, but otherwise I am stuck with a £2124 voucher that I have to spend with Evans within 2 years - or I could sell it I guess.

daniel_b

Ok, one more reply this evening, thanking me for the pictures, but no real apology or admitting that the bike had been sent in that condition.

They will arrange for collection next week, and are going to speak to Cannondale to see if they have any more stock available.
I did ask in my last e-mail what price they would be able to do on the Di2 variant, but that was studiously ignored.

daniel_b

Things are moving along at quite a pace now, as I am now in conversation with the customer centre manager, very professional on the phone, and hoping to have something more concrete by the end of the week.

gabriel959

Sounds good Daniel.

On other news I am going to be picking my bike up tomorrow hopefully.

daniel_b

gabriel959 wrote:

Sounds good Daniel.

On other news I am going to be picking my bike up tomorrow hopefully.

Great news Gabriel - look forward to hearing all about it!

In other news, I just had a second call from Evans - they have checked the bike that has come back to the warehouse, and it has already been built, but he claims it is mint, with no imperfections or marks anywhere, so it looks like we are good to go - SO veyr very pleased!
Although perhaps I should temper that until I receive it.

Unfortunately I am not able to accept delivery now until Wednesday, so they will try and deliver and collect on the same van which would be nice.

I will update next week, and hopefully cautiously with some pics of it with it's alloy cousin.

gabriel959

Fantastic - that is great news, I would still ask them to give you some freebies for the hassle.

The Rookie

Good luck!

Did they explain how a bang to the box in transit removed the seatpost, swapped the saddle onto another post and refitted it, I know things being jiggled around can do strange things but would love to hear an answer to that one!

Sounds like a customer return they shipped straight back out without checking, it can happen even though it shouldn't.

daniel_b

gabriel959 wrote:

Fantastic - that is great news, I would still ask them to give you some freebies for the hassle.

Great minds!

They have kindly agreed to a free pair of pedals as a good will gesture - so hopefully come Wednesday it will all work out very nicely.

galatzo

Sorry I didn't quite follow, so have you got the same model or the di2 variant coming ?
Its a returned order they're assuring you is perfect ?
Just got the wife a Synapse alu Tiagra in a 48 men's which is only a tad to smal for me !, lovely bike for the money it cost.

daniel_b

Galatzo wrote:

Sorry I didn't quite follow, so have you got the same model or the di2 variant coming ?
Its a returned order they're assuring you is perfect ?
Just got the wife a Synapse alu Tiagra in a 48 men's which is only a tad to smal for me !, lovely bike for the money it cost.

It's exactly the same model in my preferred colour and correct size.

The customer care manager went down there, and checked it out, and assures me it is all perfect, so I am taking his word on it, but of course will let him know if there any issues come Wednesday, though he seemed a straight up decent person, and has seen the photos of the damage on the one I have now, and the pedals just sweetens the deal a bit.

The base model Synapse's, especially from Pauls, are insane value eh, I love my Sram one with the guards, great bike.

urso

Any updates on your bike?

daniel_b

Still a work in progress, hoping to have some definitive news on Friday!

@Gabriel - what happened with yours?

gabriel959

Daniel B wrote:

Still a work in progress, hoping to have some definitive news on Friday!

@Gabriel - what happened with yours?

Have a look at the look at what I have bought thread in Commuting!

daniel_b

So.

Today I had a bike delivered - it is the Di2 Synapse in a rather fetching shade (I now think, having seen it in person) of Green - more limey than it appears in pictures, and less mushy peas which was my first impression.

Initially Evans said they had found another bike, but this must have been either a store or customer return.
They checked it out, ssaid it appeared fine and that it would be sent out, I was happy with that.

But on the day it was going to be sent, the guys checking it said they could see some wear on the crankset and chain, and the chap I was dealing with decided to hold the bike back.
He offered to fit a brand new chainset and chain, but after thinking about it I went back to him to say I wouldn't be truly happy with it, thinking it had to start of it's life having parts changed, and it also concerned me as I didn't know why it had been returned, was there some fault.

I said there were three options i was willing to consider, which was:
Di2 model
Source it from Pauls
Wait for the 2017 model

The last one was ruled out, as he said he did not know what price it was going to come in at, or when it would be available, he didn't mention the Pauls option, so I guess that left us with the Di2.
We ended up agreeing on a figure to fund the upgrade, and lets say I am a very happy boy with my shiny toy with electric gears - I mean what on earth!
Hadn't planned to get a bike with that anytime soon.
The only issue, which has bizarrely been the same for all 3 synapses, is that they have fitted a 300mm seatpost, instead of a 350mm one as specified everywhere you look on the internet.
I have now ordered a 350mm Di2 seatpost from Cannondale Spares (Same place I used last time) but won't be able to ride the bike until it arrives :-(

I have a raft of Di2 questions now, but will raise a new thread for that!