Cannondale Synapse LTD RLE Review: The Ultimate All-Road Bike?
Cannondale Synapse review: This endurance road bike promises to lift your cycling experience with its SmartSense system and all-road capabilities. If you’re in a hurry to know if this bike fits your needs, here’s a quick overview:
- Comfort: 8/10
- Performance: 8/10
- SmartSense System: Efficient but could be more compact
- All-Road Capabilities: Great for both tarmac and gravel
The 2022 Cannondale Synapse represents a perfect union of comfort and performance, targeting riders who crave both trip and endurance. With an all-new carbon frame featuring dropped seat stays, increased tire clearance, and the innovative SmartSense system, this bike aims to make your rides safer and more enjoyable.
SmartSense technology integrates a Garmin-powered radar system and Lezyne lights for improved visibility. Attached to a central battery, these features activate as soon as you start pedaling, ensuring you’re always seen, day or night.
But beyond these safety features, the Synapse tackles varied terrains with ease, thanks to its endurance-focused geometry and roomy 35 mm tire clearances. Built for speed and stability, whether you’re on smooth roads or navigating gravel paths, this bike has it all.
Design and Build Quality
Frame and Geometry
The 2022 Cannondale Synapse showcases a carbon frame that is both lightweight and robust. Its design includes dropped seat stays, which not only improve the bike’s aesthetics but also contribute to a smoother ride by absorbing road vibrations. This makes long rides more comfortable.
Cannondale has optimized the Synapse for endurance riding. The endurance geometry offers a more upright front end, reducing strain on your back and shoulders. This geometry allows you to ride comfortably for extended periods without sacrificing too much on the performance front.
Tire clearance is another standout feature. The Synapse can accommodate tires up to 35 mm wide, making it versatile for various terrains, from smooth tarmac to rough gravel paths. This added clearance ensures better traction and stability, especially when the road gets challenging.
SmartSense System
One of the most innovative aspects of the new Synapse is its SmartSense system. This integrated electronics package includes Garmin radar and Lezyne lights, all powered by a central battery. The system is designed to activate as soon as you start pedaling, ensuring you’re visible to other road users at all times.
The integrated lights are strategically placed to improve visibility. The front and rear Lezyne lights are bright enough to ensure you’re seen during both day and night rides. The Garmin radar adds an extra layer of safety by alerting you to approaching vehicles from behind.
While the SmartSense system is a significant advancement, some users have noted that the battery life could be more efficient. The system adds a bit of weight to the bike, but the safety benefits it provides might outweigh this minor drawback.
The central battery is easily removable, making it convenient for charging. However, some riders have found the lights a bit tricky to detach, which can be a hassle if you prefer riding without them during the day.
In summary, the Cannondale Synapse’s design and build quality strike a perfect balance between comfort and performance. The carbon frame, endurance geometry, and SmartSense system make it a versatile choice for both casual riders and those looking to tackle more challenging terrains.
Next, we’ll dig into the bike’s performance and ride quality, exploring how it handles different road conditions and what you can expect in terms of responsiveness and stability.
Performance and Ride Quality
On-Road Performance
The Cannondale Synapse delivers a smooth ride that stands out in its category. Despite its weight, the bike feels light and agile, thanks to its well-engineered frame and components. Our testers noted that climbing out of the saddle is a breeze, with the bike swaying naturally and responding quickly to shifts in weight.
Handling is another strong suit of the Synapse. The bike’s geometry and 56-58 mm trail figures contribute to a stable yet responsive ride. Whether you’re navigating city streets or dodging obstacles like pine cones, the Synapse makes it effortless. The slightly longer wheelbase ensures stability at higher speeds, giving you confidence on various terrains.
Efficient power transfer is evident when accelerating or maintaining speed. The Shimano Ultegra Di2 12-speed groupset plays a crucial role here, offering smooth and precise shifting. The compact crankset (50/34T) paired with an 11-34T cassette provides a wide range of gears, making it easy to tackle different gradients without feeling strained.
Off-Road Capabilities
The Synapse isn’t just a road warrior; it shines off-road as well. With a 35mm tire clearance, you can fit wider, more robust tires, such as the Schwalbe G-One RS gravel tires we tested. These tires inflated easily and provided excellent traction and comfort on dirt paths.
On gravel roads, the Synapse maintains its versatile terrain handling. The wider tires help stabilize the bike and soften the steering, making it more manageable on uneven surfaces. The already smooth ride quality is further improved by the high-quality tire casing, which absorbs shocks and vibrations effectively.
While the Synapse excels on well-kept dirt roads and grades 1-3 gravel, it has its limits. The Shimano Ultegra gearing offers a lowest 1:1 gear ratio, which might be too tall for ultra-steep or slippery conditions. Additionally, for more rugged terrains, you might find yourself needing wider tires for better traction and comfort.
As one tester put it, “I wouldn’t want to push it too much on gravel, but if your local version of ‘gravel’ mostly consists of dirt roads, this would be plenty of bike.”
In summary, the Cannondale Synapse offers a comfortable and stable ride on both roads and light gravel. Its responsive handling and efficient power transfer make it a joy to ride, whether you’re commuting, training, or exploring new paths. The bike’s versatility ensures you’re well-equipped to handle a variety of terrains with confidence.
Components and Specifications
Drivetrain and Brakes
The Cannondale Synapse LTD RLE comes equipped with the Shimano GRX Di2 drivetrain, a standout feature for any all-road bike. This 11-speed drivetrain offers smooth and precise shifting, making it easy to handle various terrains. The 48/31 chainrings paired with an 11-34 cassette provide a wide range of gears, perfect for both climbing steep hills and cruising on flat roads.
The Shimano GRX brakes are another critical component, offering reliable stopping power. These brakes are designed specifically for gravel and trip riding, providing excellent control and confidence, even in tricky conditions. The braking system complements the drivetrain perfectly, ensuring a seamless and safe ride.
Wheels and Tires
The Synapse LTD RLE rolls on HollowGram 45 Knot carbon wheels, which are both lightweight and robust. These wheels are designed for versatility, handling both road and gravel terrains with ease. The carbon construction ensures they are strong enough to withstand rough paths while still being light enough for efficient road riding.
The bike comes stock with WTB Exposure TCS tires in a 700x30c size. These tires are tubeless ready, allowing for lower tire pressures and better traction on rough surfaces. The tubeless setup also reduces the risk of punctures, making your rides more worry-free.
While the stock wheels and tires are functional, there’s always room for upgrades. A lighter, more aerodynamic wheelset could improve the bike’s performance, especially if you plan on using it primarily for road cycling.
In summary, the Cannondale Synapse LTD RLE’s components are well-chosen to offer a balanced and versatile ride. The Shimano GRX Di2 drivetrain and brakes provide smooth and reliable performance, while the HollowGram wheels and WTB tires ensure you can handle a variety of terrains with confidence.
Cannondale Synapse Review: Pros and Cons
Pros
Comfortable Ride
The Cannondale Synapse is designed with endurance geometry, making it comfortable for long rides. The upright front end reduces strain on your back and wrists, allowing for a more relaxed riding position. This means you can spend hours in the saddle without discomfort.
Smooth Ride Quality
Despite its stiffness, the Synapse offers a smooth ride. The frame has ‘flex zones’ in the rear triangle, seat tube, and seatpost, which help absorb road vibrations. This makes your ride more comfortable, even on rough roads.
Versatile Terrain Handling
With a tire clearance of up to 35mm, the Synapse can handle a variety of terrains. Whether you’re on asphalt or gravel, this bike adapts well. The wide range of gears also helps you tackle different inclines and surfaces with ease.
Integrated Safety Features
The SmartSense system is a standout feature. Integrated lights and Garmin radar improve your visibility and safety on the road. The lights automatically switch between day and night modes, ensuring you’re always seen.
Predictable Handling
The Synapse’s geometry offers stable and predictable handling. This makes it easy to control, whether you’re navigating tight corners or cruising at high speeds. The bike feels nimble and lively, adding to the overall riding experience.
Cons
Weight Considerations
At around 9.5 kg, the Synapse is not the lightest bike in its category. While this doesn’t significantly affect performance, it might be a drawback for those looking for a super lightweight ride. Upgrading to lighter, carbon wheels could help mitigate this.
Battery Life
The SmartSense system relies on a central battery, which adds to the bike’s weight. More importantly, the battery life can be a concern for long rides. While the lights are a great safety feature, managing battery life is something you’ll need to keep an eye on.
SmartSense Integration
While the SmartSense system offers useful features, it’s not without its flaws. Users have reported that the lights are difficult to remove, and the battery cover can rattle. These issues can be annoying, especially if you’re using the bike for daily commutes.
Cable Integration
One area where the Synapse could improve is cable integration. The cables at the front are not fully integrated, which can affect the bike’s aesthetics and aerodynamics. This is a minor issue but worth noting if you prefer a cleaner look.
In summary, the Cannondale Synapse offers a comfortable and versatile ride with excellent safety features. However, some aspects like weight and SmartSense integration could use improvement.
Leading into the next section, let’s explore some of the frequently asked questions about the Cannondale Synapse.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cannondale Synapse
Is the Cannondale Synapse a fast bike?
Yes, the Cannondale Synapse is a fast bike. Its design focuses on efficient power transfer and responsive handling, making it quick and lively. The bike’s geometry strikes a balance between comfort and speed, allowing you to get into an aero and efficient position without feeling cramped. This makes it suitable for both long rides and spirited sprints.
How heavy is a Cannondale Synapse?
The Cannondale Synapse weighs around 9.5 kg. While this isn’t the lightest bike in its category, the weight doesn’t significantly impact its performance. The bike compensates with its smooth ride quality and efficient power transfer. However, if weight is a primary concern, upgrading to lighter, carbon wheels could make a noticeable difference.
What is the difference between Synapse and Supersix?
The main difference between the Synapse and Supersix lies in their intended use and frame geometry:
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Comfort vs. Performance: The Synapse is designed for comfort and endurance, making it ideal for long rides. The Supersix, on the other hand, is built for performance and speed, suited for racing and high-intensity training.
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Frame Geometry: The Synapse has a more relaxed geometry, with an upright front end that reduces strain on the back and wrists. The Supersix has a more aggressive geometry, promoting an aerodynamic position for maximum speed.
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Durability: Both bikes are durable, but the Synapse’s design focuses on absorbing road vibrations and handling various terrains, including gravel. The Supersix is more focused on providing a stiff and responsive ride on smooth pavement.
In summary, the Synapse is a versatile, all-road bike that balances comfort and performance, while the Supersix is a high-performance race bike designed for speed and agility.
Conclusion
The Cannondale Synapse LTD RLE is a remarkable all-road bike that stands out for its versatility and comfort. With its integrated safety features and thoughtful design, it truly is an ultimate all-road bike.
Versatile and Comfortable
The Cannondale Synapse excels in both on-road and light off-road conditions. Its endurance geometry offers a comfortable ride, making it perfect for long-distance cycling. The bike’s ability to handle various terrains with ease means you can confidently take detours or explore new routes without worry.
Integrated Safety Features
One of the standout aspects of the Synapse is its SmartSense system. This system includes integrated lights and radar, enhancing your safety on the road. The lights automatically switch between day and night modes, ensuring you’re always visible. The radar alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind, adding an extra layer of safety.
Doot Scoot’s Commitment
At Doot Scoot, we’re committed to bringing you the best in sustainable urban transport. The Cannondale Synapse aligns perfectly with our mission to promote eco-friendly and efficient transportation options. By offering in-depth reviews and expert insights, we aim to help you make informed decisions about your next bike purchase.
In conclusion, the Cannondale Synapse LTD RLE is a top choice for anyone looking for a bike that offers both comfort and performance. Its integrated safety features and versatile design make it an excellent option for various riding conditions. Whether you’re a commuter or an endurance rider, this bike has something to offer.
For more information on sustainable urban transport and the latest in eBike reviews, visit Doot Scoot.
