CyclingTips Field Test 2022: Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 RLE bike review

Cannondale completely redesigned the Synapse Carbon earlier this year, with an all-new carbon fiber frame that’s entirely devoid of any weirdness (!) but yet still retains a supremely smooth ride, great handling and fit, excellent efficiency, and even an almost-classic aesthetic. But as normal as the bike itself is, Cannondale is still Cannondale, and so the Synapse Carbon 2 RLE is also fitted with integrated front and rear lights, and a rear-facing radar unit - all powered by a big ol’ battery on the down tube.
Is the fantastic ride and handling worth the quirkiness? Might be, actually. Check out the full written review at www.cyclingtip....
CyclingTips Field Test group bike tests are never paid for by the participants, but they’re still only possible with some outside assistance.
CyclingTips would like to thank the generous support of Assos for this year’s Field Test.

[@rickbeckner9906]

I really like this serious and the back and forth discussion. I’m sure the bike itself is pretty strong (although the wheelset seems weak at this price point). I’m a big no on the Smartsense. Why do you need to have a single battery when it is easy enough to charge the individual components and enjoy much longer battery life for each. The integrated Varia blocks the use of a saddlebag and isn’t as good as a Varia RTL515. The light seems very weak and the wiring is very cluttered.

[@ricksmith3542]

I've never ridden with lights and to be honest, had given up riding where I live because of safety concerns. I ride alone a lot and the roads here are narrow and traveled by a lot of ignorant red-necks in big pickup trucks. This bike has opened cycling back up for me. I downloaded the app, but never really used it. The lights come on automatically, the sensors paired easily with the Wahoo Elemnt computer I bought and the radar feature has been amazing. I think the quality of the ride is pretty much indisputable, but I am really pleased with the electronics as well. I know that has been a big debate, but for me, I love it. I do think the Wahoo computer really helped bring it all together. It just seems to know what I want to do and it happens without a lot of fiddling with it.

[@closer02001]

Agreed. I think the reviewers biggest issue lies with their own lack of communication while sharing a bike rather than any fault of the Smartsense system. I'm a bit surprised two different sized people were able to share a bike in the first place.

[@ashurany]

You folks aren't wrong about the criticisms in execution re: RL integration and underwhelming of the brightness of the lights. That said, I was drawn to the synapse precisely because of the integration of the lights and radar. Despite the flaws in this *first attempt* I hope it catches on. NTL, it's a fantastic rig performance-wise.

[@billromano5844]

It's refreshing to know that at $5,500 this is the most expensive bike in the test. I am looking forward to all of the reviews coming in this test. If I were in the market for an endurance bike, this Cannondale Synapse would be a consideration based off of this review. It would be top three if I could get it for $800 less and without the Smartsense electronics!

[@daves5243]

The Synapse 4 carbon comes without Smart Sense and retails for $2,500, same frame just lower teir components. I'm looking to get the carbon 4 just for the frame (frame is same across the entire range) and swap pretty much everything to end up with a nice and light non "sense" version of the Synapse. I actually found one for $2,099 on sale so I just need to pull the trigger.

[@tpawlicki]

Great review! Sounds like a real solid bike minus the smart features. I am in the same boat that I hate apps and having another thing to charge. In my mind the smart features of the bike mean it will be useless in 3-5 years.

[@roundabout999]

These comments are ridiculous. This bike is a great value considering comparable name brand bikes with Ultegra Di2 (Trek Domani, Specialized Aethos or Roubaix) run $8K. However, your choices are going to be dictated by the availability in your local area. Is Smartsense a bit of a pain? yes. But having the one battery running the radar and lights is still a great concept and one I would support going forward (as in...Cannondale keep making better upgrade accessories I would buy)

[@erich8258]

Just get the 105 version. It's $3000 without the nonsense.

[@rhenceocampo3253]

Bought the 2022 Synapse 3L 105 version without the radar. Pretty fun ride. Kind of indifferent about Smartsense. On one side, I love the idea of the ecosystem of lights and radar for safety. But I eventually removed the Smartsense after a month of riding. Lights & app aren’t intuitive as I hoped. Hate to say it but I just wish Apple designed the technology behind it. There’s a manual somewhere if you dig deep enough. Took me less than 30 min to uninstall it bc the cables are within the frame and you can’t simply unplug the cables from the lights. If you’re curious, the system weighs around 235g.

[@andarenbici]

I see little value in that 9 kilo bike (size very small) for $5500. Why not build like the Trek or Specialized (also extortionatly priced) with a battery slot in the down tube that could be wired to ports in other parts? I would see some value to that. But should an Ultegra level bike (road not gravel) weigh 20 pounds?

[@edmoore]

You didn’t touch your beers.

[@fennec13]

their POV is exactly what I've said many times about smart sense - its really just bad, poor working crap, just slapped on the bike. No one wants it. I also agree with Ellen and HAVE lever style thru axles - lol. I hate the notion of needing a multiitool just to get my wheel on or off.

[@ColinSmith2001]

What I would have liked Smartsense to be would have been an open power and comms system with support from multiple leading manufacturers, to daisy chain up batteries and dynamos with lights, cameras, radars etc. i think that's a big ask for cooperation between multiple companies, but a system like that, available as an optional package, or mix and match your own would be a nice win. Provided it all worked, which i wasn't really expecting to be an issue until the review! :-(

[@WordupG]

This SmartSense stuff would make a lot more sense with a Dynamo hub rather than a battery bolted to the down tube. You’ve already gone to the trouble of internally routing wires throughout the bike, why not eliminate the need to charge it completely. Real innovation would be an adapter to keep the Di2 topped up indefinitely from dynamo power. The #1 complaint for people resisting electronic drivetrains is fear of running out of power on a ride, or simply the concept of needing to charge a bicycle. Dynamo solves it.

[@hongquan2574]

Really happy with my 2018 Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Dura-Ace (51cm) and would consider this new version a downgrade. You can keep your buggy smart apps and ride sense nonsense.

[@lukeyg5680]

100%. Also the pricing is poor. $9kAUD is laughable in comparison to rivals from Canyon and Giant which would come with much better wheels.

[@josephkozachek848]

Regarding the carry a phone vs not…any experience using an Apple Watch with cellular instead?

[@and2244rew]

Integration is probably inevitable. We're up to what like 5 batteries now? Just hope we land on something that we can modify easily.

[@beatboy0121]

6.300 euros for a 9kg road bike ... get another well known brand... save 1kg and 3000 euros with same specs and without the ugly lights and battery.

[@daniellovett6213]

Think of rather £3400 and get a giant defy pro with electronic SRAM rival and carbon rims,forgot new untested long in house lights!

[@user-xvikol-635]

The SmartSense is just ridiculous. What the hell were they thinking at Cannondale?

[@mothaybabonnam5632]

“Its a bicycle, michael, how much could it cost - $50,000?”

[@JFomo]

Lol $9000AUD for that? No way!

[@nationsnumber1chump]

we don't need Cannondale trying to corner the electronics market. Integration without interchangeability is bad. Ford did it with their bronco sport odd wheel size. The disc brakes are too big and lugnut pattern is too different so you can't use another brand of wheel or tire. Same with the cycling industry. Its ridiculous. But like they say.."you will own nothing and be happy".

[@marshallman6591]

Did Klaus Schwab buy Cannondale?

[@Numeriwar]

The whole road range sucks. The rotation limiter on their race bikes can destroy the head tube...

[@buzzman4860]

👍

[@davehause8571]

I come away with the feeling that Cannondale really didn't do a good job on this bike.

[@mryizhao]

Hate axles without levers! Even the simple example of taking a wheel off to put the bike in the car is a pain. Even if it were a venge or madone- doesn’t seem to be worth the impracticality.

[@marshallman6591]

Remember when Cannondale kitted out the new Super Six with a crank based power meter that didn't work unless you paid extra on top of the 10k to turn it on? Cannondale does the stupidest shit to it's consumers. It's a bizarre company

[@DaveCM]

I've owned Cannondales since 1991. They can do some weird stuff. I cannot argue. But, they did lose some soul when they had to sell out after losing their shirts when they decided to make motorcycles.

[@valiantabello]

20 lbs, shitty electronics, no thank you