RyanML

https://dayton.craigslist.org/bik/5538639655.html

I linked the ad because my picture uploads aren't working. Bought this yesterday, and I'm a 5'11 guy. While looking for more specs on the net, the only time I saw this bike it mentioned "women's". Either way, it's my bike now. I bought it from another guy who was riding it, it fits me perfect and rides like a dream. If it is a woman's version, is there anything about it that might not work right for a guy?

generalkdi

Cannondale doesn't make specific Men and Women road bikes. You have a Synapse, which is pretty good "road endurance" bike. Enjoy it!

GlennR

It's not "pink", so it's not a women's bike (j/k)

That's a great price.. grab it.

RyanML

I already did and I talked him down to $500. That was the issue, thought I might have bought one with narrow handlebars or something like that.

GlennR

Most 56cm bikes come standard with 42cm bars and 100mm stem.

Now if it were a "women's" bike, the saddle might be more personal. But then many people, male and female, find saddles a personal fit. when I sold my previous bike, I put the original saddle on and kept the replacement saddle that I put on to fit my butt.

$500 is a awesome price... you "stole" it. Now go for a ride and enjoy.

Xherion

Sure they do. Go look at their website, they have a separate category for women's bikes. The geometry is also different for the same models as well, so it's not just a paint job difference either.

Sy Reene

Yes, it is fairly certain you bought a 'women's' model of Synapse. The lack of disc brakes (CDALE doesn't seem to market a 'men's' 105 equipped bike that doesn't have disc brakes), as well as the "SYNAPSE" logo on the seat tube are hints that this is so. Otherwise, I think the only difference (today anyway) between men's and women's models of Synapse seems to the saddle, handlebars and brakes.. oh, and I guess there's differing paint colors/schemes available.

EDIT.. oh, and above poster pointed, out, there is a different geometry.. but this isn't to say your bike won't fit you for some reason.

dr_lha

2012 wouldn't have had discs, and sadly the CL listing seems to have been deleted, but lets just say yes, it's a woman's bike.

Does it fit? Then it doesn't matter.

GlennR

56cm... must of been a tall lady.

Now if it were a 50 or 52....

dvdslw

It does appear that is the wsd model for that year Synapse but it came with Tiagra. Did the previous owner upgrade to 105? Anyway, if the bike fits you that's all that matters. I don't see any pink or purple so the only thing I think they made women's specific were the bars and saddle? The frame geometry may differ as well but you'd have to find the pdf file from Cannondale or look up their 2012 catalogue to compare the men's and women's measurements to know for sure. That's a great looking bike and a steal for the price you paid!

dvdslw

56cm is the largest women's frame Cannondale made for the Synapse in 2012

RyanML

I don't believe it was upgraded by the owner to 105. While it fit and rode great, I'll have to save the verdict until I put more miles on it. I have slightly broader shoulders than the average man so I'll be on the lookout to see if the handlebars seem wide enough not to feel restricting. I assume new handlebars could be swapped in that instance. The saddle is not original and appears to be a men's saddle.

topslop1

Ad no longer works, you gotta post some pictures for us to see what you're talking about - us as the new people to this thread.

Curious as to what synapse year and outfitting you got there for five hundo.

jfries

The Men's 2012 Synapse alloy had a 105 group set and Synapse was was on the seat tube. The link was taken down so I can't see what color scheme you have but the men's version had 2 color schemes: a magnesium white (with red and black accents) and a brushed aluminum (the one I have). The women's 2012 Synapse alloy with 105 group set came in red (or Cabernet as they called it) and a magnesium white (with all red accents). I think one of the main geometry differences was a slightly different top tube angle.

You can look at the different bikes here (https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Sup...keArchive.aspx).

topflightpro

If the bike fits, it doesn't really matter if it is a "Women's" bike.

Some manufacturers (like Specialized) create different geometries for women. Others just adjust colors, bars, cranks, but keep the same geometry between men and women. I don't know where Cannondale stands on that - you can look it up.

Regardless, if the bike fits, you are fine. I have known some shorter men who found that the women's geometry frames fit them better. One in particular rode a Specialized Amira because it fit better than the comparable Tarmac.

RyanML

My bike appears to match the 2012 women's Synapse 6 Tiagra, the jet bkack/berserker green, but the guy who sold it to me said synapse 5 105. I don't think he was being dishonest, he may not know himself. I'll have a look at the handlebars when I pick it up from my LBS tuneup and chain replacement. I don't see measurements for the men's compact C3 vs the women's C3. It's a mystery!

Psimet2001 

Did you flip it over and check the genitals? No? ...hmmm.....if the bike doesn't have genital then I guess that means something.

StanSeven

You'll know for certain if chipping nail polish bothers you. Or your pink helmet clashes

Sy Reene

Did you check that the components said 105 (vs Tiagra)? Not sure I'd be as concerned about the handlebar vs. what groupset you got.

dalava

Like some said here, if it fits, then it really shouldn't matter. Generally speaking, non-cosmetic women-specific design means, for the same size, it will have a little shorter top tube because women have shorter torso than men in general.

Psimet2001 

The entire industry's general approach towards bicycles for women:

"Not a real thing so don't really change anything. Just shrink it and pink it."

It's disgusting, sexist, etc but it is what this industry does so even if you have something that screams "This was made to be marketed to a female buyer" it's all really the same.

FWIW - my current mtb has flowers or plants on it and was marketed to women. Fits great though.

DXchulo

I ride an Amira, too. I got a super good deal on a used one because I'm guessing there's not as much of a market for used women's bikes. I have long legs and short arms, so the geometry works for me. The paint is just black and white with small "Amira" logos on the chain stays. It doesn't stand out at all.

It has over 20,000 miles on it. I rode across the country on it and Everested on it a few times. It's certainly not holding me back.

rmfnla

This is what matters...

RyanML

Although a bike with balls could be a thing. Marketing opportunities.

RyanML

Yeah, I made sure they were 105 before I bought it, so all is good.