With the new Synapse, Cannondale returns to basics with a bike featuring simple, clean lines, a conventional architecture, and accessible handling. By integrating safety features in partnership with Garmin and Lezyne (lights and rear radar), the brand creates a buzz and paves the way for a new generation of bikes.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: Vincent Lyky / DR

Back to real life. The life of cyclists who see their machine more as a tool than an object of passion or show. The life of cyclists who are not very sensitive to performance arguments, especially when these boast a gain of a few watts at 50 km/h, or a few seconds on a 10 km climb. The life of cyclists who ride in all weather, over all distances, and who sometimes extend into the night, whether early in the morning or late in the evening, or who use their bike to commute to work during the week. Finally, the life of cyclists who are taking up cycling and who have become aware of the dangers of the road, and the need to equip themselves with safety features that usually add to the final bill. With the new Synapse, Cannondale aims to meet all these needs, offering a simple, efficient, and accessible bike for long-distance riding, and above all, already equipped with front and rear lights, a rear radar to signal approaching vehicles, and a maintenance sensor, all integrated into the bike and rechargeable with a single battery.

It was in 2002 that Cannondale launched its first Synapse (called Road Warrior at the time), a model dedicated to sportive/touring cycling, with geometry and tubes that emphasized comfort and road holding stability. While the previous generation (launched in 2017) showed slightly more sporty inclinations (especially in the high-end HiMod version, used by pros on certain cobbled classics) with significant stiffness, a shortened top tube, and a head tube lower than the first Synapse models, this sixth evolution presented at the beginning of 2022 returns to the model’s original characteristics, focusing on comfort and ease of use. Available in five versions, from €3499 to €8999, the new Synapse is now designed from a single frame. We tested the Synapse Carbon 2RL for over a month, equipped with a Shimano Ultegra Disc 11-speed groupset and Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels, priced at €4499.

The rest of the range consists of the Synapse Carbon 3L with Shimano 105 Disc and Formula wheels (with the Cannondale sensor and lights, but without the rear radar) at €3499, the Synapse Carbon 2 RLE with Shimano Ultegra 12-speed Di2 and Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 wheels at €5399, the Synapse Carbon LTD RLE with Shimano GRX Di2 and HollowGram 45 KNØT carbon wheels at €6999, and finally the Synapse Carbon 1 RLE with Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed Di2, HollowGram 45 SL KNØT carbon wheels, and HollowGram SAVE SystemBar cockpit at €8999.

Back to simplicity

This new Synapse is equipped with relatively thin tubes and fairly classic shapes. The sloping top tube (more pronounced in this small size 48 for the test bike) is in line with current trends, as is the positioning of the seatstays at the rear, a few centimeters below the saddle clamp. The seatstays benefit from reflective paint, in the same spirit as the lighting mounted on the bike. The dimensions of the tubes vary from one frame size to another, to ensure identical bike handling for all users, as well as equivalent vibration absorption at the fork and rear triangle.

Cannondale abandons integrated bottom bracket bearings and returns to external bearings (simpler for maintenance and to avoid creaking). The saddle clamp with a collar is also simplified. There’s no excessive integration here, as the derailleur cables and brake hoses enter the down tube without passing through the head tube or cockpit. Several eyelets are placed on the fork and rear triangle for mounting mudguards if necessary. Under the down tube, there’s an additional location for a bottle cage, as well as a location for attaching a bag to the top tube. While the tubes have subtle shapes designed to improve aerodynamics, the ability to mount tires up to 35 mm wide is particularly noteworthy, further increasing the versatility of this new Synapse on varied terrain. In terms of geometry, the reach values are almost identical to those of the previous generation across all six sizes. Note that the brand is abandoning its models specifically designed for women, as well as the smallest size (44).

Bringing confidence to the road with the SmartSense system

The complete SmartSense system consists of two intelligent front and rear lights and a rear radar, powered by a single battery. The system can be connected to the Cannondale app, to customize certain settings, so that the cyclist can see and be seen on the road more effectively. Simply spinning the front wheel equipped with the Cannondale wheel sensor is enough to activate all elements of the SmartSense system.

This same sensor communicates with the application and allows tracking of bike maintenance intervals. The entire system consists of the Garmin Varia Radar, which constantly searches for vehicles following the cyclist and signals them with audible and visual alerts on the bike’s display unit, a GPS bike computer, or the application, Lezyne front and rear daytime running lights (with an optional braking alert function) that adapt to ambient light, and a single battery for the entire system, which can also be used as a USB-C charging source when removed from its mount on the bike.

The total weight of the system is 462 g (lights, radar, battery, cables) for a total bike weight of 9.450 kg in size 48 (without pedals), which is relatively high. The Shimano Ultegra Disc groupset, which otherwise functions flawlessly but weighs close to 2800 g, and especially the Fulcrum wheels at over 1900 g per pair with 30 mm Vittoria tires, do not make things easier in this area. It should be noted that the integration of the SmartSense system is better on higher-end models, which benefit from a Di2 drivetrain, and even an integrated cockpit for the Synapse Carbon 1 RLE.

A bike that is both stiff and comfortable

Tested on both commute routes (20 km round trip) and Sunday rides, the Synapse Carbon 2 RL offers good efficiency thanks to well-balanced stiffness and very good rolling qualities. The bike certainly lacks a bit of responsiveness when accelerating, due to its high weight and mid-range tires, but once launched, it feels like it’s flying straight, benefiting from good inertia, much like steel bikes from the 80s. This rolling sensation allows for maintaining a good cruising speed, and even proves very reassuring on fast descents, where the bike demonstrates excellent stability. The new Synapse handles difficulties without a problem, thanks to its wide range of gears and provided you’re not looking for performance at all costs.

In terms of comfort, the Cannondale Synapse limits jolts and takes care of its rider, avoiding unpleasant vibrations and bouncing on degraded road surfaces. However, it owes much of this to the tire width and recommended inflation pressure. It is therefore better to choose this element carefully, depending on the desired objective.

Once launched, the bike feels like it’s flying straight, benefiting from good inertia, much like steel bikes from the 80s.

On a practical level, the cable routing in the cockpit can sometimes be a bit awkward when riding out of the saddle, especially in this small size with a very short stem. We also note a limitation in the saddle setback adjustment, due to the rear light mounting on the saddle clamp. Depending on the chosen lighting settings (partially night use for commuting in our case), the battery requires fairly frequent recharging, after about 2h30 of use. However, it is worth noting that the front light proves powerful enough to ensure good safety in traffic and very good visibility in very dark areas. The radar also adds a lot in terms of safety, and it allows you to stay focused on your surroundings. It’s hard to do without it once you’ve tried it. For daily use, having only one battery to charge for all components is really very practical.

The benefit of using the Cannondale app only applies to those who don’t already have a bike computer or GPS watch, with real-time ride data. In our case, it’s more like a double recording, just as the radar indicator on the cockpit duplicates the Garmin GPS, which also works with the Varia. Finally, it should be noted that in case of a flat tire, it’s best to have the right open-end wrench for wheel removal, as Cannondale has chosen a thru-axle that disassembles with a 5mm Allen key, whereas most bikes disassemble with a 6mm key.

With the new Synapse, Cannondale offers an interesting philosophy that will undoubtedly be followed by other brands in the near future, with the integration of safety features increasingly sought after by riders, whether they are weekend cyclists, commuters, long-distance and bikepacking enthusiasts, or even more performance-oriented riders. Powering the entire system with a single battery is a real plus for busy cyclists, who then only have to worry about a limited routine before the bike is ready for the next ride. In this Carbon 2 RL version, the Synapse is a bit heavy, especially considering its price. Even if it is far from lacking in efficiency and comfort qualities, it is mainly intended for touring and long distances, or even daily use, but without performance objectives. For that, you will have to invest in the two most upscale models in the range, with carbon wheels, an electronic drivetrain, and lighter components.

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