Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc review

Let's clear the field: with a price of £3,250 the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra Di2 it is not a cheap bike. However, its set-up - which includes a Shimano Ultegra Di2 and Shimano disc brakes - make it a great bike. Which of course you would expect for that budget.

Buy now:

• Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Di2 Disc 2017 Road Bike from Evans Cycles for £3,799.99
• Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc 2017 Road Bike from Evans Cycles for £2,699.99

Frame

Even though the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc is described as an endurance bike, its specs mean its just as much about racing (if the UCI lifts the disc brake ban) as a sportive, thanks to Cannondale’s Speed Save system. The Synapse isn’t a slow bike and does perform well. In terms of pure performance, though, it lags behind other models of the same range price.

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The Speed Save system is claimed to improve the rolling speed and giving a better acceleration to the bike (and I was definitely convinced after a full test). At the same time, Cannondale says that the cornering of this bike is also improved and it doesn't negatively affect the power transfer to the bike. Even though I am not as speedy and bold as Vincenzo Nibali on descnets, I personally felt great balance and stability on the bike.

Specification

Without a doubt, the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc has a great specification. It does come with a price, but it also comes with a with a full Ultegra Di2 (the only alteration is the HollowGram crankset) and with hydraulic disc brakes for superior wet-weather braking performance. Looking forward to 2017, the trend for disc brakes is likely to continue, so this feature offers an element of future-proofing.

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The carbon used for the frame, says Cannondale, is the BallisTec: that is the American company's method of high-strength, high-stiffness construction of the carbon frame. After many years from my first rides on the original Synapse, this frame remains as one of the best ones I have ever ridden.

Being picky, though, the wheelset you'll get with the Synapse (Mavic Aksium Disc) is good, but not great. It's ok for everyday use, but doens't quite match the standard of the other components on this bike.

Ride

Out on the road, the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc offers a comfortable ride that's great to long, enjoyable hours in the saddle without sacrificing speed. I've used the older rim-braked version in the past but liked the disc option even better, and the brand new electronic shifting gave me no problems. Thankfully, despite its endurance billing, I was still able to get an aggressive position on the Synapse.

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Probably, and that's why the Synapse has been so successful for so many years, the best feature of this bike is its great versatility: you can just roll and spin easily and enjoy the scenery from a more upright position, but if you're up to a more challenging ride, get down on the drops and you can easily get up to a decent speed. On this bike I did my first half Ironman (in the Austrian Alps, with more than 1,000 metres of climbing): at that time it was simply the best choice ever.

Value

Buy now:

• Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Di2 Disc 2017 Road Bike from Evans Cycles for £3,799.99
• Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra Disc 2017 Road Bike from Evans Cycles for £2,699.99

As already said, this isn't a cheap bike, but for the price you spend, it definitely has all you need to enjoy a great and long ride, as well as a racy one. For a budget of £3,000 you expect a great product and apart from the wheelset (the only downside of its spec if we want to be picky), the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc will satisfy even the most demanding riders.