Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Black Inc road bike

Argh, the wait has been killing us! Launched earlier this year, the new Synapse hasn't been available until now.



We've always been mighty impressed with the Synapse as it successfully manages to mix ride comfort with a good level of raceability so the updated for 2014 version certainly piqued our attention.

Cannondale's take with the Synapse is to produce a raceworthy bike, i.e. stiff, light and fast for those that don't have a chiropractor waiting for them in the team hotel at the end of the ride. To do this Cannondale has lengthened the head tube and wheelbase while shortening the top tube, but more importantly worked on the carbon lay-up and tube shapes to allow a degree of vertical flex and therefore comfort. The 2014 version builds on what's gone before and takes the concept one stage further.

Wiring is neatly frame-routed

The halo model of the range is this, the stealthy black-on-black £6,999.99 Hi-Mod Black Inc, which uses the same tube shapes as the lower models but is constructed with Cannondale's Ballitec high-modulus carbon-fibre. The carbon was developed for ballistic armouring so it's very expensive. Cannondale therefore uses strips of it on the widest points of the tubes to offer the greatest protection for minimal cost.

When faced with the bike for the first time it's the bottom of the seat tube that grabs your attention and leaves you scratching your head and wondering what you can fit in the gap - a seatpack or phone instantly spring to mind. Named the Power Pyramid, the seat tube is split above the wider 73mm BB30 bottom bracket; this asymmetric design cuts weight and because it's wider is said to add stiffness too - it's certainly an eye-catching feature.

Fitted with Cannondale's choice of finery, you'll find a Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace groupset along with Vision's fat Metron 40 carbon clinchers, FSA bars, stem and seatpost. The Synapse Hi-Mod features the latest Hollowgram SiSL2 cranks and in case you needed reminding they'll be in a sportive-tastic 50/34 tooth combination.

Contact: www.cannondale.com

Where next?

The acronyms and techisms don't stop with the Synapse. You get SAVE Plus, a controlled movement that damps the ride and acts like miniature suspension while the geometry is called SERG for Synapse Endurance Race Geometry.

This article was first published in the September 5 issue of Cycling Weekly. Read Cycling Weekly magazine on the day of release where ever you are in the world International digital edition, UK digital edition. And if you like us, rate us!