woowoowoo

I created a thread a couple days ago regarding the popularity of Cannondale and why there seems to be a discrepancy in popularity between this forum and the actual public.

I have a feeling that some people thought I was slamming Cannondale. With that being said, I went out and purchased a Synapse Carbon today. Other than a few Fuji Gran Fondo's I tried out, the Synapse was the only bike I really test drove, which I guess was not a smart idea. I know I know, I should have tested a multitude of bikes out but I had my eyes on the Synapse from the start so I was already kind of zeroed in.

I wish I tested out the Roubaix and Defy Advanced but *shrugs* whats done is done. No point in looking back.

That being said, I was able to try out the 54 and 51. 54 felt too big. That was immediate. He didn't have the 48 so I had to use the process of elimination and just buy the 51. Because I never rode many bikes before, I don't know if it "fits." This sounds SILLY but when I'm riding, my shadow looks as though I'm too small for the bike and makes me wonder if I should have gotten a 48. Okay, I understand how silly it is to measure via a shadow but I'm just throwing that out there. I can lift the bike maybe inch/inch half when Im straddling over the top tube.

Anyways, here are some photos. I tried to black out as much as possible so its easier to try to get an accurate size but I think I just made the photos messier but regardless, let me know what ya'll think! Hit me with the brutal truth. I could still return it for a 48 but it would take a couple weeks to get one in, unfortunately.

My height without shoes is 5'7.3 - 5'7.5.

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edit:
Before someone points out my fashionable slippers. yes, they are uggs and they're called the scuffs. You're welcome BF.

rpenmanparker 

I'm your size and have ridden 54s for over 30 years. I know small bikes are in vogue, but a 48 would be bizarre.

Xherion

Looks fine. If anything, a 51 is a bit on the small side.

rpenmanparker 

If someone 5'7.5" needs to ride a 48, what does a 5'0" woman ride, a tricycle? Come on, clown bikes belong in the circus.

RJM

I don't think that bike is too big for you; might be too small...and I think your seat is too low. It's hard to tell since you are wearing slippers in that one pic..but I would be surprised if your seat post doesn't need to slide up a bit.

himespau 

+1

nastystang

I am about 5'7" and ride a 54. I had a smaller bike and hated it. I was fine in the legs just did not want a long stem for a comfortable reach. My LBS started me on a 52 and moved right up to 54 and I have been comfortable ever since. If the bike works for you great but a smaller bike would most likely turn miserable real quick.

rms13

I think saddle is too low. I'm 5'10.5 and can ride 54 or 56 caad and I'm sure sizing is similar to Synapse. I think 54 would probably be too big for you. Did you buy it from an lbs and did they do any fit consultation?

woowoowoo

Thanks for the answers guys! Yeah bought from a LBS. They had me sit on the bike and told me that it fits great. They said the 48 wouldve def been too small. Not sure if they're telling the truth or if they were pushing the sale. I never had any experience in getting fitted so I don't know if this truly "fits." I do know that I feel as though I might be too big for the bike. But again, not sure how much that opinion ways as I don't have experience in testing many other bikes.

Like penman mentioned, maybe the trend these days are riding smaller bikes which is the reason why views might be slightly skewed.
@rms, the synapse geo is actually a bit different than the CAAD line. For example, on the CAAD 10 105, the stand over midpoint is 76.5 on a 52 while on a synapse 51, its a 72.5. Even on a CAAD 10 50, its 75.3. I def. would not have fit on a CAAD at all.

sam_cyclist

The 51 looks too small for you. You should've gone with the 54.

btw, I took a look at the geometry and the synapse has a ton of standover. The 54 should fit you just fine.

https://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/201...e-carbon-5-105

You should ask the bike shop for a fitting. See if you can't get a discount or have the price of the fitting applied towards your bike purchase.

The 51 is almost certainly the wrong size (too small).

rms13

Synapse and Caad geometries are different kinds the sense that one is endurance and other is more race geometry. Head tube height is different, angles are different and synapse has a sloping top tube. But, stand over is the least important measurement to determine fit. Top tube is usually most important because that's the hardest to compensate with other adjustments. With all that said, you probably are between 51 and 54 for a synapse. I would flip the stem and raise the saddle to be at least level with the bars and see how that feels. If the reach still feels cramped you can get a longer stem like a 120mm. Or you can see if the lbs will exchange for a 54

dtrain

Do they have any 46 or 44cm's? Maybe a 30-something for those under 5'2"?

TrojanHorse

You're just not used to the way bikes "fit", that's why you thought the 54 was too big. New riders also tend to put the saddle too low.

No big deal, ride your new bike and enjoy it. IT's highly likely you'll want something different in a year or two anyway and you'll have more experience to know what you want at that point. I personally think I could be satisfied riding a variety of sizes, albeit less comfortably on some of them.

woowoowoo

Would you guys say going for the 48 would be a complete mistake?

TrojanHorse

If you can't tell that from all the posts above then ... um..... well...

chip1

I'm same height as you and rode 54 and 51 Synapse. With 54 I had to ride with 90/80mm stem, and on 51 100mm stem felt comfortable. For our height 48 would be out of the norm.

dtrain

I'm 5'11" with a relatively short inseam. My Synapse is a 56cm. The 48 sounds very small, I think the 51 sounds small too...but possibly workable. I agree that the 54cm might have fit but you may not have known the feeling. Maybe with a stem change, etc.

RJM

Yeah...it would be a mistake I think. You can make that 51 fit you pretty well, just adjust and re-adjust over time to get it right.

dave1442397

48 sounds ridiculously small. I'm exactly your height and ride a 54cm CAAD 10. I've also done a couple of 50 mile rides on a 54cm Scott Addict and an older Cannondale Synapse and both bikes felt fine. I think 51 may be too small for you.

Phlorida

Another data point. I'm 5'6" with a 30.5" inseam. I've ridden a 53cm Synapse for several years. Now that I am on a larger frame I realize that the 53cm was slightly small for me. Get them to fit the 54cm for you and try it out. No way that the 48cm is going to work for you.

Drago1010

I bought an alloy Synapse as my first road bike in 2011. I'm 5'9". Got the same crappy fit/ service from the LBS so I ended up buying the 51 (which I believe in the 2011 alloy frame was a bit taller than the current carbon frame). It road fine until I got more experienced. Got another fit a year or so later from another store and had some mods made and the stem swapped. Was better. Bought a new ride this year Spec Roubaix from different shop - world of difference. Spent over an hour on the initial fit before I ordered and another fit when it arrived Had me try both a 52 and 54 frame - went with the 54 with some tweaks and part swaps. Much better fit and buying experience. Conclusion - if the shop doesn't want to put the time in to fit you properly, take your cash some where else. I think some shops take advantage of first time buyers.

Adonis72

I'm 5'7' and I ride a 52cm CAAD 10 for what its worth. The only thing I had to really change out for fit was a shorter stem than the stock one. 48cm seems way too small and my LBS had to order the 52cm and advised me not to go with a 50cm.

Stucky

OP, what were you riding previously (and what size)?

I like a smallish bike myself- 5'10" and ride 54cm's- but sheesh! I wouldn't go any smaller than what you have there...it looks pretty small for you already.

The reason I ask what you used to ride, is because maybe your body had gotten used to a different style of bike or different position or size, etc. If you had gotten used to something which wasn't right in the past...going to something which is more proper may feel weird at first, because you were used to what you had before. Regardless, give it some time...the body adjusts. You'll get used to it, and may just end up loving the fit a few weeks or months down the road.

woowoowoo

Last bike I rode was a Mongoose I believe. Bout 20 years ago.

dtrain

The UGG's look comfy, but not very stiff. You might want to invest in some shoes for rides over 2 miles.