Bicycles Online > Road Bikes > Cannondale Synapse Road Bike Review

Cannondale Synapse Review
Affordable, Quality Performance Road Bike

Synapse: A region where nerve impulses are transmitted and received... and a quality road bike ~ that also transmits and receives nerve impulses! Excellent name and excellent bike.

Although the carbon frame Cannondale Synapse has been around since 2005, today there are more models available including both carbon and aluminum frames with plenty of component levels (and price levels) to choose from.

The Cannondale Synapse 7 is an example of a very affordable Cannondale Road Bike. The Synapse 7 has an Aluminum frame, Carbon fork and features Cannondale's S.A.V.E. (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) design to smooth out the jarring impact of rough roads for a smooth and comfortable ride.

Cannondale makes high-end bicycles which can be quite pricey. This is fine when you are looking for a high-end high performance road bike and price is not an issue. When you are looking for a high quality road bike but want to keep the cost down, Cannondale gives you plenty of options and models.

The Aluminum Frame Synapse 7 is one of the most affordable, high quality road bike that cannondale offers.

Note: As of 5/15/2012 the 2012 Cannondale Synapse 7 is selling for $929 (new) at REI with free shipping options). See Cannondale Synapse 7 at REI for the latest price and customer reviews. *

Here's an easy link to all Cannondale Synapse models at REI for comparison and for the latest deals on prior year models: Cannondale Synapse models at REI.

Cannondale bikes must be delivered to an REI store.

Many high end bicycle manufacturers, like Cannondale, will not sell their bikes in mass distribution stores or on the internet limiting your selections to the local bike shops available in your area. Fortunately, REI is an authorized Cannondale dealer and they have stores throughout the US giving you the option to shop online, select your bike, model, components and pick up the bike at a local store.

The Cannondale Synapse is a comfortable and responsive performance road bike that is good for commuting, long distance rides, training and can even handle competitive rides and racing.

Cannondale Synapse Model Comparisons:

The 2012 Cannondale Synapse Bikes have 6 price/component levels of the Carbon Frame models and 3 price/component levels of the Aluminum Frame models. The prices go down as the level numbers goes up so the Cannondale Synapse1 is the high end and most expensive and the Cannondale Synapse7 is the least expensive.

All Synapse Cannondale models have women specific designs but the standard version claims to be gender neutral.  All price levels have aluminum frames and feature the S.A.V.E. (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) design to smooth out the jarring impact of rough roads and/or trails.

See the REI links (above) for their automated comparison feature to see all of the specific details.

About-Bicycles Review:

Cannondale bikes are excellent quality and have won cycling awards and races in just about every category. Cannondale Road Bikes are more expensive than many other brands (especially bike brands that can be purchased online) but you will get what you pay for.

I love the overall quality of Cannondale road bikes, including the Synapse, the frame geometry is excellent and although the components range in quality depending on the model, even the lowest priced model has better quality components that other brand's high end models.

I would highly recommend the Cannondale Synapse as a light weight, high quality, comfortable and responsive road bike.

Customer Reviews:

Customers definitely rate the Cannondale Synapse very highly. At the time of this review there were only 2 reviews of the current 2012 Cannondale Synapse at REI and both were (5 of 5 stars).

I was actually unable to find any Cannondale Synapse customer reviews on the major customer review sites that were not 5 of 5 stars!

One typical review of the 2012 Cannondale Synapse 2 that I think sums up many of the Cannondale Synapse reviews includes the following comments:

"...So far I am very pleased with this product. Wasn't very expensive compared to other bikes. The seat is actually not all that bad, IMO. Love the price, the member refund, and extremely satisfied with the REI customer service (extremely helpful). I really like the paint job (good looking bike) and the weight is alright; not extremely lightweight but not all that heavy either..." - From REI, 1/17/2012, Eisenberg7 from Panorama City, CA

Bottom Line "Yes, I would recommend this to a friend"

See Cannondale Synapse Reviews at REI. for more information and additional customer reviews...

2012 Cannondale Synapse 7 Bike Specs at a Glance:

• Frame: 6061 aluminum
  
• Fork: Synapse S.A.V.E. with carbon blades
  
• Crankset: FSA Vero, 50/39/30
  
• Bottom bracket: FSA cartridge
  
• Shifters: Shimano Sora
  
• Front derailleur: Shimano Sora
  
• Rear derailleur: Shimano Sora
  
• Rear cogs: SRAM PG-950, 12-26, 9-speed
  
• Number of gears: 27
  
• Brake type: Rim brake
  
• Brakes Cannondale: C4
  
• Brake levers: Shimano Sora
  
• Rims: Maddux RS 3.0
  
• Front hub: Formula RB-51, 32h
  
• Rear hub: Formula RB-52, 32h
  
• Wheel size: 700c
  
• Tires: Schwalbe Lugano, 700x25
  
• Handlebar shape: Drop bar
  
• Handlebar: Cannondale C4
  
• Stem: Cannondale C4
  
• Seat post: Cannondale C4
  
• Saddle: Cannondale Stage
  
• Headset: Synapse Si
  
• Chain: KMC 9-speed
  
• Weight: 21.1 pounds
  
• Gender: Unisex
  

See the REI links (above) for specifications on more Cannondale Synapse models.

More helpful online bike sales resources:

See Best Buy Bikes Online - for the latest sales and deals on quality brand names bikes for sale online.

Most popular bike brands in US - WIth so many bicycle manufacturers, bicycle types and popular brand names sold in the US, that it can be difficult to find a comprehensive summary of the top 20 bike most popular bike brands.

See Online Bike Stores - for a complete listing of where to purchase the most popular brands for all bike types online.