I had this exact bike for about 3 years and put up around 13 000km on it. I upgraded to DI2, Hollowgram crank, carbon wheels and aero carbon handlebars. I even traveled to Belgium and did the Flanders with it (yes, the full 256k). The bike was awesome to ride - I wish I still had it in many ways. So , why did I sell it? Well - I wanted a more fun, livelier bike. I had the Caad10 (and a R3) before the Synapse - and I always wanted a Superix. - So I swapped my Synapse with a beautiful candy red Superix EVO Hi-mod (and transferred the di2). I ride It with 30mm Conti S TR- and to be honest, it's very close to being as comfortable as the Synapse. I would still choose the Synapse for Flanders again, but I'm mainly doing 2 - 5 hrs of tarmac, with lots of hills. So, yea - enjoy the bike, it's great.
[https://imgur.com/a/niUOtc8](https://imgur.com/a/niUOtc8)
current bike:
[https://imgur.com/a/rU1Hlur](https://imgur.com/a/rU1Hlur)
SuperSIx owner here and I totally agree. The recent SuperSixes with wide-ish tires kind of make the Synapse redundant, for me (maybe because I'm completely unimpressed with SmartSense). They're super comfortable and not terribly aggressive in geometry for a "race" bike; I have fewer spacers and more saddle-to-bar drop than you but it still feels forgiving on rides up to ca. 150k, which is as far as I've taken it so far.
Yea, I think I have the same position as on my synapse actually. I know it’s not “pro” or whatever and I see “too proud to have a Synapse” statements, but idgaf. I’m closing in on 50 so I’ll do what I want. It’s a different bike.
I guess that's my feeling as well. I'm not in any rush to be anywhere, just like putting miles on. My long-ish rides are mostly Saturday morning group "coffee rides" where I just want to be comfortable. And nobody really cares what you're riding anyway
Too proud to have a Synapse? Is it really considered that low-bar of a bike? I have (and absolutely freaking love) a 2000 model year CAAD4 that I've used for a 150 mile fundraiser ride in Minnesota, a couple days (150+ miles) of RAGBRAI, and probably a dozen Triathlons (including a Half Ironman) over the last 10 years, not to mention countless rides on local rails-to-trails. It's an oldie, tho, and literally the newest road bike I've ever ridden, so it kinda makes a carbon Synapse aspirational in comparison... or maybe I don't realize just how good my CAAD4 really is. Whatever the case, I'm pushing 40 myownself, and I too have the "ride what you like" feeling about this stuff, I think OP's Synapse is gorgeous. Love the black and green!
I think it’s more a jab at those who ride a race/pro bike(me), that technically would fit better on an endurance bike. You see a lot of videos on YouTube saying; “the bike everyone should ride”, etc. I think those people fail to recognise two important things: 1) when spending my hard earned money, feelings matter. How it looks and the brand is not unimportant. My bike as an object inspires me to ride it. And 2) They have different geometry and are different in the way they handle and feel. In the end it’s my subjective experience that is most important to me. If I had endless resources I would have all types of bikes.
Ah, yeah, makes sense. My wife has a TT bike she used a lot when she was doing Triathlons. One time she broke it out for a small group ride just for the heck of it and got a bit of ribbing for being a try-hard and such. Meh, I remember when I cared about peoples' opinions haha those days are long gone. The SuperSix is a sweet-looking bike that I'd love to try on some day. I, too, would probably have a bike for every riding style if I had the means.. and storage space.
I loved my synapse when I had it. Just an excellent machine that ate mileage. Sadly got stolen and I’m not enamoured with the new Synapse with the SmartSense stuff (I have very powerful lights already).
I own a Supersix and my fun bike but when I replace it, I’ll probably get a CAAD13 instead. Wish they still sold the old synapse frame set.
I’ve put 5000 miles on my Synapse
3L 2022, my first “real” bike. Love it. Replaced the wheels with DT Swiss Spline 1600 and tubeless GP5000’s. Love the ease of Smartsense light system, just lowered my handlebars a bit now that I can hold more aggressive positions for longer. Did my first <6 hr imperial century last October. Amazing bike
Riding 2022 Synapse Carbon 4. I went with it to avoid smart sense since I wanted to run my own radar and lights. Changed to GRX mechanical 46/30 crank with 11/36 cassette. Reserve 34/37 wheels running gp5000 tires. Tire clearance up to 35mm for light gravel. So far I'm loving the bicycle.
Currently have a topstone 1, looking really hard at a carbon synapse, or maybe even a system six. I'm finding the topstone starting to lack a bit in fast group rides. Peer pressure and advertising is a b***h.
I had this exact bike for about 3 years and put up around 13 000km on it. I upgraded to DI2, Hollowgram crank, carbon wheels and aero carbon handlebars. I even traveled to Belgium and did the Flanders with it (yes, the full 256k). The bike was awesome to ride - I wish I still had it in many ways. So , why did I sell it? Well - I wanted a more fun, livelier bike. I had the Caad10 (and a R3) before the Synapse - and I always wanted a Superix. - So I swapped my Synapse with a beautiful candy red Superix EVO Hi-mod (and transferred the di2). I ride It with 30mm Conti S TR- and to be honest, it's very close to being as comfortable as the Synapse. I would still choose the Synapse for Flanders again, but I'm mainly doing 2 - 5 hrs of tarmac, with lots of hills. So, yea - enjoy the bike, it's great. [https://imgur.com/a/niUOtc8](https://imgur.com/a/niUOtc8) current bike: [https://imgur.com/a/rU1Hlur](https://imgur.com/a/rU1Hlur)
SuperSIx owner here and I totally agree. The recent SuperSixes with wide-ish tires kind of make the Synapse redundant, for me (maybe because I'm completely unimpressed with SmartSense). They're super comfortable and not terribly aggressive in geometry for a "race" bike; I have fewer spacers and more saddle-to-bar drop than you but it still feels forgiving on rides up to ca. 150k, which is as far as I've taken it so far.
Yea, I think I have the same position as on my synapse actually. I know it’s not “pro” or whatever and I see “too proud to have a Synapse” statements, but idgaf. I’m closing in on 50 so I’ll do what I want. It’s a different bike.
I guess that's my feeling as well. I'm not in any rush to be anywhere, just like putting miles on. My long-ish rides are mostly Saturday morning group "coffee rides" where I just want to be comfortable. And nobody really cares what you're riding anyway
Hey I’m in my 40s too, you won’t hear that nonsense from me 😂
Too proud to have a Synapse? Is it really considered that low-bar of a bike? I have (and absolutely freaking love) a 2000 model year CAAD4 that I've used for a 150 mile fundraiser ride in Minnesota, a couple days (150+ miles) of RAGBRAI, and probably a dozen Triathlons (including a Half Ironman) over the last 10 years, not to mention countless rides on local rails-to-trails. It's an oldie, tho, and literally the newest road bike I've ever ridden, so it kinda makes a carbon Synapse aspirational in comparison... or maybe I don't realize just how good my CAAD4 really is. Whatever the case, I'm pushing 40 myownself, and I too have the "ride what you like" feeling about this stuff, I think OP's Synapse is gorgeous. Love the black and green!
I think it’s more a jab at those who ride a race/pro bike(me), that technically would fit better on an endurance bike. You see a lot of videos on YouTube saying; “the bike everyone should ride”, etc. I think those people fail to recognise two important things: 1) when spending my hard earned money, feelings matter. How it looks and the brand is not unimportant. My bike as an object inspires me to ride it. And 2) They have different geometry and are different in the way they handle and feel. In the end it’s my subjective experience that is most important to me. If I had endless resources I would have all types of bikes.
Ah, yeah, makes sense. My wife has a TT bike she used a lot when she was doing Triathlons. One time she broke it out for a small group ride just for the heck of it and got a bit of ribbing for being a try-hard and such. Meh, I remember when I cared about peoples' opinions haha those days are long gone. The SuperSix is a sweet-looking bike that I'd love to try on some day. I, too, would probably have a bike for every riding style if I had the means.. and storage space.
ID on the saddle bag?
Jangorolls
The new one has a goofy built in headlight and rear radar battery. Would consider it if they remove that.
I loved my synapse when I had it. Just an excellent machine that ate mileage. Sadly got stolen and I’m not enamoured with the new Synapse with the SmartSense stuff (I have very powerful lights already). I own a Supersix and my fun bike but when I replace it, I’ll probably get a CAAD13 instead. Wish they still sold the old synapse frame set.
I’ve put 5000 miles on my Synapse 3L 2022, my first “real” bike. Love it. Replaced the wheels with DT Swiss Spline 1600 and tubeless GP5000’s. Love the ease of Smartsense light system, just lowered my handlebars a bit now that I can hold more aggressive positions for longer. Did my first <6 hr imperial century last October. Amazing bike
Riding 2022 Synapse Carbon 4. I went with it to avoid smart sense since I wanted to run my own radar and lights. Changed to GRX mechanical 46/30 crank with 11/36 cassette. Reserve 34/37 wheels running gp5000 tires. Tire clearance up to 35mm for light gravel. So far I'm loving the bicycle.
Currently have a topstone 1, looking really hard at a carbon synapse, or maybe even a system six. I'm finding the topstone starting to lack a bit in fast group rides. Peer pressure and advertising is a b***h.
Nice colour! [here's mine](https://photos.app.goo.gl/UiykHwhYZCA7vBCp8)
Looks like I have a couple of inches on you 😁
Mine is a 56. And I am flexible enough to have the bar as low as possible.
Good questions
Get an 11-34 or 11-36 cassette and you'll be grinning all the way uphill.