Question for Cannondale Carbon Syanpse Owners

[goride]

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?

[pll]

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').

[nscrbug]

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

[goride]

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.

[pll]

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

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.

[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.

[nscrbug]

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.

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.

[Becky]

I put these on all of my bikes.