Cannondale Synapse Tiagra Disc 2016

*Updated 15th February 2016 and 13th July 2016 – See notes in RED at foot of the page*

After killing my trusty Fondriest hack bike I needed to sort a replacement out. I decided on a sensible (for me!) sub £1000 budget to get a bike, full guards and any other bits required (pedals, bottle cages etc). I wanted an Alloy not carbon frame and the Synapse geometry as this bike is a dedicated winter/ bad weather bike so needs to be comfy, durable, weatherproof but also a bit of fun to ride.

My Carbon Synapse 105 is VERY comfy and feels very quick. It is a really well balanced bike and I love getting out and riding on that. So, it was a given that I’d go Synapse again. After checking specs out I decided to go Tiagra and disc. (The Cannondale Synapse Tiagra Disc RRP is £849 so well below my budget). Shifters are the new much improved Tiagra 4700 which is very similar to the Shimano 105. Same direct shifter cable routing, but ten speed rather than eleven.  Hopefully ten speed will give more durability. Whilst the brakes are ‘only’ cable discs rather than hydraulic they should hopefully do what I need of them. That is, not destroy pads in 1-2 weeks (as the Fondriest did) and not destroy a wheel (rims knackered) after 12 months (again, as the Fondriest did).

 

So, bike chosen and ordered on 4/1/16 through High Peak Cycles  in Glossop, Derbyshire. I just had to patiently wait for it to arrive. That bit wasn’t easy! I got the call from Jamie last week to come in the shop on Friday 15/1/16. The bike had arrived Thursday. High Peak built it up and wanted me to go in to get it fitted.

 

Have to say, I LOVE the colour. Far better than the Cannondale pics suggested. Whilst officially ‘Red’, its more of an orangy red. With the black detailing it looks brilliant.

 

With me eager to get out and ride my new bike, Sods Law jumped in and we had snow and ice arrive on Saturday. I had to wait for my first ride (a commute to work) this morning (Tuesday 19/1). Took my normal route – 16 miles before work with Jamies warning to take it easy to bed the disc pads/brakes in echoing in my mind. I treated it as a ‘shakedown’ ride to get a feel for the bike and see what will need altering.

First thoughts are:

After initially having little bite (as expected), the disc brakes felt fine about five miles into the ride. Smooth braking and at least as efficient as the rim brakes I’m used to. Still need kids gloves to get them bedded in properly and not glaze them over, but signs are good as I expect they will get even better. 15/2/16 – After four weeks / 530 miles the disc brakes have proved a revelation. Original pads are still biting strong and the stopping power and consistency are far superior to rim brakes. 

The Lugano 25’s tyres are a comfy tyre. Moreso than the 23’s that came supplied with my carbon Cannondale.  They will be fine. 15/2/16 – After two punctures during my first week commuting I took the Luganos off and put some Schwalbe Durano Plus 25’s on (with smartguard). Although slightly heavier than the Luganos the puncture proof layer more than makes up for that.

Nothing much appears to be rubbing (mudguards, pads on discs), so all good in that respect. Chain does touch the front mech in big ring fifth gear + so I’ll see if that keeps up and get it tweaked if needs be. 15/2/16 – Nothing rubbing now. Bike did go into High Peak Cycles for some warranty work, during which it had a quick check over and complimentary service, so I’m sure a bit of adjustment sorted this. 

Gears are nice and positive with slick changes. Feels very much the same as the 105 on my Carbon Synapse which I’m very pleased about. They look identical too. 15/2/16 – Week three of commuting and when setting off at 4.30am I couldn’t move onto big (front) ring. Took the bike into the shop later that morning assuming it was a cable issue. On inspection the left shifter had failed. High Peak Cycles ordered a new shifter. From diagnosing the fault to me picking the bike up was 24 hours. Amazing service and just goes to confirm why we should covet fantastic local bike shops like High Peak. 

I’ve got the seat *just* slightly too high. I felt my hips ‘roll’ a couple of times. No discomfort, but I’ve dropped the seat by a few mm to try on the way home and see if it is better. 15/2/16 – Constant small adjustments found the perfect position. This was confirmed in no small way with last Fridays ride around the Peaks. 62 miles and 6,500 feet of climbing and comfortable for the full ride. 

Saddle position/ bars/ reach is all good. May need to drop the front by another two or three shims sooner rather than later. Whilst it’s comfy, I feel a little ‘sat up’ on the bike as I’m used to a lower position on my carbon Synapse. 15/2/16 – Have resisted changing this so far.

The bike will be clocking up roughly 80 miles a week commuting. It will also get longer ride at weekend if the weather is poor and I’m not fell running. I’ll update this review once I’ve got more mileage under my belt, with particular reference to the mechanical brakes and how they fair under the pressures of commuting. I’m also interested to see if the Tiagra 4700 is comparable to 105 longterm.  First impressions are good. Very good. 15/2/16 – The Alloy Synapse has now covered 532 miles over four weeks / 15 rides. Initial ‘very good’ impressions are the same if not better. The bike is comfortable, durable and quick when needed. It’s done 10 miles runs and 60+ mile runs, covering some of the top 100 UK climbs in the process (Holme Moss and Winnats Pass to name a couple). It’s recorded it’s first KOM, yet takes the strain of commuting 80-100 miles a week in the wind, rain, sleet and snow we’ve had with no issues. The disc brakes in particular (thus far) have been fantastic. Long may that last! 

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Update – 13th June 2016.

I’ve now covered 2,000 miles on the Alloy Synapse in the five months I’ve owned it. They have mainly been in the bad weather as I’ve dropped onto my carbon Synapse for dry weekend rides and some (dry) commutes. The bike gets a ‘proper’ clean at least once a week to help with general bike longevity. The full guards are something I’d never be without on a commute bike. It saves the bike/ components/ rider from so much road spray that it’s a no brainer. The bike isn’t the lightest to start with, and with full guards and other commute bits strapped to it you can feel it’s a bit weighty. That’s no bad thing though as during blustery commutes it’s felt more stable than the carbon synapse does – and after a weeks commuting on the alloy I do appreciate how light a carbon roadbike is. In general the alloy Synapse has performed very well. It’s done exactly what I wanted and given me very little need to visit the bike shop. Over the months it’s become clear what the bikes main strengths and weaknesses are …

Strengths.

1. The Tiagra 4700 groupset. Whilst not as smooth as the 105 on my carbon bike it’s been pretty much faultless. I’d initially wondered if opting for tiagra in favour of 105 would be a mistake but it hasn’t been. The new Tiagra is spot on.
2. Disc brakes. Even though they are ‘lowly’ cable brakes they have been superb. Excellent bite in the (very) wet conditions I’ve had at times commuting. None of the awful scraping sound as the grit destroys rim brakes – just efficient braking as soon as the initial water is cleared. I’m amazed that the pads (checked by High Peak Cycles on Friday 10/6/16) still have plenty of life after 2000 miles. I’m 100% converted to discs. Bugger garlic bread, they are the future! Ha ha.

Weakness.

1. Wheelset. To put it bluntly the Maddux RD3.0 wheels supplied with the alloy synapse are crap. That’s the politest way I can describe them. A spoke snapped on the rear wheel not long into ownership. High Peak Cycles sorted that for me and the wheel has been ok since. The front is another matter. The wheels do not have cartridge bearings and have seals about as useful as a chocolate teapot. High Peak Cycles have replaced bearings twice, but this only lasts for a week or two, then the awful noises start again as the wheel/bearings dry out. Rather than persist with this High Peak Cycles did me a deal on a set of Mavic Aksium wheels (fitted on 10/6/16). Hopefully they will be a more durable for commuting. I’m very disappointed with Cannondale putting a pair of wheels that haven’t lasted five months on the bike, but very pleased with the way High Peak Cycles have dealt with the issue.
2. The seat. Soon to be replaced. Looks nice and I’ve stuck with it through all weathers, but it is still the uncomfiest seat I’ve ever had the misfortune to sit on. It’s down to the shape of the seat which is slightly slimmer and taller than any other I’ve used. After two days commuting it feels like it wants to ‘Bone Tomahawk’ me. (Watch the film with Kurt Russel and you will know what I mean when you see ‘that’ scene).

These are the new Mavic wheels being fitted. Will working and Jamie assuming the ‘geezer’ pose for the camera. I will be trying the wheels out for my first commute tomorrow (14/6/16) and will add an update in due course …

And some pictures taken after my wet and windy commute into work on Tuesday 14/6/16 to show the new wheels off …