Bike Lust-- oh dear.

I just have to say I rode the Cannondale, Carbon Synapse 3 these other day and O-M-G! I'm NOT a fan of Cannondale generally as they don't fit me well historically but holy smokes this Synapse was amazing. It was the Feminine version and it just carved around corners, it was full new Ultegra which was beautiful. I'm telling you if anyone is in the market for an amazing new bike you seriously need to look at this one. It was the Cannondale, Carbon Synapse 3. I simply was trying it out just for comparison to my bike and it just blew me away.

My LBS had it in stock and in my size when I was road bike shopping this weekend. It was so beautiful and light - and SO out of my price range that I didn't get on it. I wish I would have - it is so gorgeous!

I like the look! Very sleek!

I looked at it and drooled. Sadly, a new bike is out of the question for a few years, at this point.

Maybe someday...

I have THAT exact bike - the Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3...just got it on May 21st. I have a just a bit over 1,300 miles on it, so far. The bike itself is beautiful, but there are a few minor things that slightly "bug" me about it.

First - the stock saddle is dreadful (not a big surprise, though). It's a ProLogo Kappa Dea...it's nice and sleek looking, but comfort-wise it is just B-A-D. I've got a Brooks Team Pro on the bike right now, but after about 500 painful miles I am debating whether to give it more time or send it back to WallBike.

Second - I'm not sure how I feel about the FSA Carbon crank. I've always had a Shimano crank up until now. I don't really care for the odd-shaped crankarms on the FSA...it made putting on my cadence magnet a REAL DOG because of the curvy shape of the crankarm.

Third - I definitely do NOT like the teardrop-shaped seatpost and the seat clamping system that Cannondale uses on that bike is another source of aggravation when trying to adjust saddle angle.

Fourth - The shifting isn't quite as crisp as I would have hoped it to be. I had the Ultegra SL grouppo on my previous bike, and after hearing so much hype about how great the new 6700 group is, I was expecting something short of "magical"...but that has not been the case (with me, at least). I've had the bike in the LBS for numerous adjustments, yet the shifting remains a bit sloppy and clunky. I also find it extremely difficult to downshift the rear cog...almost as if the shift lever is too tight...yet my LBS says it is perfectly fine and can see nothing wrong with it. Maybe I just lack the hand strength to move the lever with ease.

If I can get these few things ironed out, I think it will end up being a great bike for me. But for right now...it's a work in progress.

Linda

"I also find it extremely difficult to downshift the rear cog...almost as if the shift lever is too tight...yet my LBS says it is perfectly fine and can see nothing wrong with it. Maybe I just lack the hand strength to move the lever with ease."

It's interesting you mentioned that b/c I wondered with that new design of the cables being routed along the handlebar if that would cause excess drag in the cables themselves? I have older Ultegra now on my bike and it is super fast and responsive. I guess I didn't immediately notice if the new Synapse was slower, should have paid more attention to it I guess. I really liked the clean look but if it makes it hard to shift then it's no good. Hopefully its just a break in issue with your bike? If you still have issues I'd keep going back cuz I know that bike wasn't cheap.