Question for Cannondale Carbon Syanpse Owners

I've had my Cannondale Synapse Carbon Feminine 5 (yeah that's way too cumbersome of a name) for just over a year. Today when I was wiping down my bike, I noticed a good deal of wear where the front fork meets the head tube at the point where the shifter cables cross this area (it actually rests on the bike at that point and apparently is rubbing). The wear is worse on the left than on the right. My concern is that it appears that it may be more than just the paint that is worn away, and I'm concerned that the wear may actually be into the carbon. I will have my bike shop take a look at it next time I am there, but I am wondering if any of you who have this bike have noticed a similar problem? Any suggestions for preventing it? Is anyone with another make of bike experiencing this?

A friend of mine has a Scott bike and has a similar issue. My Synapse has some stickers on those spots. Since you suggest the paint might gone, perhaps (after having it checked) some nail polish and then apply some clear tape on top? In some areas, I used some clear stickers sold by Victory Circle Graphics (these are the guys that make name stickers for the pros -- their web site is acting up, else I would link to the specific 'bike protection kit').

As the owner of a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3 (you're right, it is cumbersome!)...I know exactly what you are referring to. When I bought my bike, inside the owner's packet was a couple of clear adhesive pads (stickers like pll posted) that you are to affix to those areas where the cables come into contact with the frame. Did you not get these adhesive pads with your bike? With the pads in place, I have not noticed any wear in this area.

Linda

Thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately, no, I did not get any stickers with my Synapse. After I have the LBS take a look at it, I will ask them about stickers. Will also try the site that pll suggested. It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to have some extras around. The clear nail polish sounds like a good idea to seal it off before I put the clear stickers on.

I have been using Dawn to wash/wipe down the bike.

ETA: I asked the LBS this weekend about sticker residue and they recommended isopropyl alchohol. Haven't tried it yet, though.

I put these on all of my bikes.

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Originally Posted by goride

I have been using Dawn to wash/wipe down the bike.

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I wipe with just a moist cloth or paper towel, wipe the chain with a cloth and some bike-specific oil. I take it to the spa (aka, the LBS) once per year, to get a "deluxe tune up": they take the drive train apart, clean the bike, inspect everything.

I took my 2008 Cannondale Synapse Fem 1 to a local mechanic to get the shifter cables replaced and the bike came back with the shifter cables crossed underneath. Instead of the left cable running down the left side, he brought it around to the right side, then crossed it underneath, back to the left side. He did the opposite on the right side. When I asked him why, he said to prevent the rubbing you are talking about... I think you can see what he did in this picture. The crossed cables underneath bother my sense of order a little bit, but not nearly as much as the rubbing paint. And the only time I really see it is when I am cleaning my bike on the stand. It's hard to see in the picture, but the cables do not lay against the head tube anymore... there is a good 3/4" clearance.

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Originally Posted by Ritamarie

I took my 2008 Cannondale Synapse Fem 1 to a local mechanic to get the shifter cables replaced and the bike came back with the shifter cables crossed underneath. Instead of the left cable running down the left side, he brought it around to the right side, then crossed it underneath, back to the left side. He did the opposite on the right side. When I asked him why, he said to prevent the rubbing you are talking about... I think you can see what he did in this picture. The crossed cables underneath bother my sense of order a little bit, but not nearly as much as the rubbing paint. And the only time I really see it is when I am cleaning my bike on the stand. It's hard to see in the picture, but the cables do not lay against the head tube anymore... there is a good 3/4" clearance.

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You have the older style shifters, where the cable exits out of the inner side of the shifter. Most of the new style (6700, 5700, etc) have the cables running underneath the bar tape for a cleaner look in front...which can make it harder for the cables to not hit the frame.

Ritamarie, doesn't that cause a lot of drag in your shifting?

I really haven't had an issue with the tape under my cables.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Ritamarie, doesn't that cause a lot of drag in your shifting?

I really haven't had an issue with the tape under my cables.

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Actually, I will disagree with this. My Trek 2100 has the older style 105 shifters, with the cable exiting from the inner side of each shifter. That bike shifts flawlessly...like butter...never misses a shift. On the other hand, my Cannondale is equipped with the newer Ultegra 6700 shifters, with the cabling running underneath the handlebar tape. I've had nothing but problems with stiff shifting due to the extremely tight bends in the cables. If I had to do it all over again...I would give up the cleaner look for smoother/easier shifting any day.

I think you're agreeing with me. :) Unless you have your cables crossed the way Ritamarie describes?

My bike has R700 shifters, with the cable exits the same as Ritamarie's, but my cables are routed the "normal" way - RD cable to the right housing stop on the down tube, and FD cable to the left housing stop - so the housings do contact the protective tape on the head tube, and the cables don't cross.

I've never had a bike where the shifter cables go under the handlebar tape. But it seems to me that housing length would have to be very precise to avoid problems.

I haven't had any problem with the cable housing rubbing the tape over the head tube. It's scuffed and there are indentations in it - and if the housing isn't cut to the right length they'll miss it - but it works fine to protect the paint.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I think you're agreeing with me. :) Unless you have your cables crossed the way Ritamarie describes?

My bike has R700 shifters, with the cable exits the same as Ritamarie's, but my cables are routed the "normal" way - RD cable to the right housing stop on the down tube, and FD cable to the left housing stop - so the housings do contact the protective tape on the head tube, and the cables don't cross.

I've never had a bike where the shifter cables go under the handlebar tape. But it seems to me that housing length would have to be very precise to avoid problems.

I haven't had any problem with the cable housing rubbing the tape over the head tube. It's scuffed and there are indentations in it - and if the housing isn't cut to the right length they'll miss it - but it works fine to protect the paint.

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Ahhh, yes...then I would be agreeing with you...my mistake. :o And I was also mistaken about my shifters on my Trek 2100...they are the R700's just like yours, and are routed the normal way too...no crossing of cables. I really prefer that type of cable routing over the newer under the handlebar tape method. And yes, you are correct about the housing length, as would be indicated by the issues I've been having on my Synapse lately. Shifting was horribly stiff on the rear cog (and front too). Dealer overlooked that it might be the housing/cable length. Took the bike to an independent mechanic and he immediately suspected it to be just that and added some length to where the cable loops into the RD. Now the rear shifting is better...still not perfect, but better. Now if there was only a way to fix the front like that.

Just closing the loop on this. I visited my LBS yesterday and they examined the wear spots to check if the carbon was affected. Fortunately, it is just cosmetic at this point. They knew right away what I was talking about. The shop guy who looked at the bike also gave me a sheet of eight of the clear stickers to prevent additional wear and indicated I will need to replace them from time to time. Since I wasn't sure when I would get to my LBS, I ordered a few sets of the stickers from Victory Circle Graphics (they came today - thanks pll for the recommendation.) I put the clear chain stay sticker on as I already had a few small nicks there from dropping the chain. I think I am going to wrap one around the seat post where the strap from the under seat bag wraps around. There is no wear showing there, but might as well protect that area. Thank you all for your help.