Rode my new Synapse today -- ahhhh!

Today was the first bikeable day of the year, so I took my new Cannondale Synapse out for its inaugural ride. Oh. My. Goodness. It's fantastic! Rides like mousse -- light & smooth & sweeeeeet! Much more responsive than I thought it would be too, feels eager on the climbs. (It's supposed to be, ahem, a comfort bike, what they try to sell to women of a certain age.)

Thanks to those who walked me through the triple vs. double chain ring issue last month. I think I'm going to like the double after all.

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

And: pictures please!

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LOL! Okay, I'll get it ready for it's photo shoot tomorrow :)

It's this model: http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...womens-4-rival

I rather liked the SRAM Rival shifters too. Very nice!

Now, what to name it?

Oh my goodness! I ordered the same exact bike last Tuesday! Still waiting for it to come in. I did change from SRAM rival to Ultegra because I had never used SRAM! I just told my husband I sure hope I love this bike! Do tell me more about the bike and what you love about it please. Did you upgrade the wheels? Now I'm getting excited!

No, I didn't upgrade the wheels. I thought adjusting to SRAM after 7 years of Shimano would be a PITA, but the shifting is quite easy & intuitive.

The bike is just so light and smooth and responsive. The fit is very comfortable too. I thought there'd be an adjustment period, that the bike would feel a bit strange at first, but it feels like I've been riding it all along. Might switch out to my old Terry saddle with the cut-out, but I'll give the new saddle a try.

How cool that you're getting one too! I'm excited right along with you!

I test-rode a Synapse, the one with the Rival shifters, since it was the only one they had in the shop in roughly my size. It was pretty sweet--it didn't feel as "big" for me as I had expected. I'd probably still size down, though.

Congrats on your new bike, to both of you! Many happy miles! And I expect pictures!

Glad you love it. I have an '09 with rival and a double and it's all good. I just lowered the position on mine a bit to make it more aggressive. I freakin' love that bike!

I'm seriously in love with my Synapse too. It's last year's model with Ultegra. It is so comfortable to ride that it feels like it has suspension. And really responsive too. I'm faster on this than on my Amira.

So enjoy your new bikes! :)

My friend loaned me her $12,000 Amira and, except for the red components, I didn't find it to ride a whole lot different than my Synapse.

I find my Amira very stiff and unforgiving - particularly on roads that are less than smooth. But mine is the first model they produced - I've heard that the subsequent models weren't so harsh.