Jeff Enck

Just bought an 06 Cannondale Synaspe 2, compact. Comparing it to my 2003 steel LeMond Buenos Aires I was really impressed. The LeMond is really smooth on the rough Maine roads but the Synaspe is even smoother and with the lighter weight this bike really climbs! The handling is also better on the Synaspe, easier to ride a line, it tracks beautifully. The geometry of this frame is great for me, very comfortable. The compact is going to take some getting used to.
Jeff Enck

Sirrobinofcoxly

Pics! Pics!

bernmart

I looked at the same bike last summer. Wound up buying a Roubaix, but it was a close call. I really liked the Synapse. Just a bit racier than the Roubaix, but that's not a bad thing.

I went the triple route, and would've with the Synapse also. I love the way the compact setup looks, but my friends who use them report that they shift back and forth a lot between the two chainrings, whereas I'm usually in the 39 (52 for fast, flat rides), and shift to the granny ring only when I hit steep stuff.

Let us know how the compact works for you!

Jeff Enck

My LeMond has a triple and I seldom use the small gear but when I did the chain would sometimes come off. Had it adjusted several times but still did not work that well. My son in law rides a compact and likes it a lot, so thought I would give it a try.
Jeff

gfunk

Glad to hear you like the new bike. I've been looking at the 2007 six13 team 2 and i'm hoping for a similar reaction.

-g

rubic

I've had my 06 Cannondale Synapse 2 compact since last June. I agree with all of the riding qualities that you mention. I got used to the compact gearing quickly without any issues. The lower gears have bailed my out on tough climbs. At first I missed the 53/12 for blasting down those long grades but it's not really that big of a deal anymore. Enjoy the bike. I have.

dekindy

I would get someone else to adjust it or learn to adjust it yourself. There is nothing like a triple for those really tough climbs. My triple got out of adjustment I believe from trying to shift it under too much torque. That is usually due to not knowing the route and being able to plan ahead. The derailleur had actually pivoted on the seat tube so it needed realignment. I watched the mechanic adjust it in a few minutes and it now shifts flawlessly. I have an Ultegra triple, derailleur, crankset, chain, etc.

I test rode an Ultegra equipped (non-Ultegra crankset) Giant that would not shift at all unless I feathered it as lightly as possible. They tried to adjust it while I was test riding it during a very busy Labor Day sale so that may not have been a fair comparison. But I made my mind up at that point that I was going to buy all Shimano.

I have heard that there have just been plain defective cranksets that do not shift well so that is a slight possibility.