CAAD13 vs Synapse?
03-21-20 | 09:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 44
From: Southern California
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, REI Co-Op ADV1.1, Basic 26" city bike, Antique MTB.
CAAD13 vs Synapse?
Has anyone ridden both the Cannondale CAAD13 and the Synapse?
Back when the CAA12 was the newest CADD there was an obvious difference between it and the Synapse but now I think the CADD13 is trying to be more of an endurance bike. The reach, stack, head tube angle and wheel base of the Synapse and CAAD13 are close. That said, I'm only reading specs. Has anyone actually ridden both? There are many CAAD12 vs Synapse reviews but not many comparing the "13"
I'm looking to buy a new road bike at the end of summer and at 60+ will never race but I do medium length rides of 2 to 4 hours about three times a week, mostly on good pavement. My neck and shoulder get sore so I probably need to be more upright even if that means 1 mph slower.
My current bike is a good quality 1970s vintage steel frame with now mostly Shinano components. I want to move something made this century.
Back when the CAA12 was the newest CADD there was an obvious difference between it and the Synapse but now I think the CADD13 is trying to be more of an endurance bike. The reach, stack, head tube angle and wheel base of the Synapse and CAAD13 are close. That said, I'm only reading specs. Has anyone actually ridden both? There are many CAAD12 vs Synapse reviews but not many comparing the "13"
I'm looking to buy a new road bike at the end of summer and at 60+ will never race but I do medium length rides of 2 to 4 hours about three times a week, mostly on good pavement. My neck and shoulder get sore so I probably need to be more upright even if that means 1 mph slower.
My current bike is a good quality 1970s vintage steel frame with now mostly Shinano components. I want to move something made this century.
03-23-20 | 12:28 PM
#2
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 101
Likes: 49
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 2019 Cannondale Synopse 105 SE, 2015 Cannondale Quick 5, 2019 Specialized Fatboy
I can't speak for the CAAD 13. I do have a 2019 Synapse aluminum 105se that is a joy to ride. I'm 59 and find that I can ride this for several hours without discomfort. I would think that the CAAD13 would be more aggressive.
03-23-20 | 01:05 PM
#3
Facts just confuse people
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,375
Likes: 7,080
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
I've been riding vintage steel for years Even at 62 y.o. I've found that I want to be lower on the bikes than they'll let me without changing up stuff I'd rather not spend money on.
So I looked for bikes thought of as a race fit, even though I have no intention of racing. I just pulled the trigger on a Tarmac which is considered a race bike as opposed to the Rubaix which they tout for endurance. Race, Endurance and other terms are more useful for salesman to develop marketing strategies than for helping pick a bike that you like. IMO
If my local Cannondale dealer has a Supersix EVO in stock in my size I probably would have gone for that.
So I looked for bikes thought of as a race fit, even though I have no intention of racing. I just pulled the trigger on a Tarmac which is considered a race bike as opposed to the Rubaix which they tout for endurance. Race, Endurance and other terms are more useful for salesman to develop marketing strategies than for helping pick a bike that you like. IMO
If my local Cannondale dealer has a Supersix EVO in stock in my size I probably would have gone for that.
09-30-20 | 06:44 PM
#5
Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 2
Why do you limit yourself by Cannondale? Look at Giant Defy and/or Canyon Endurace as well. In my opinion Canyons are better. Why do you limit yourself by endurance bike? You can put stem with bigger angle on race bike to get more upright position. I am 57 years old (cannot believe...) and ride 2015 Cannondale SuperSix Evo race bike without any discomfort. Love old classic frames of Cannondale and do not like new ones at all. Today I would buy Specialized Tarmac or Canyon Ultimate or Canyon Endurace bike
Last edited by vlad1xxi; 09-30-20 at 06:59 PM.
10-01-20 | 07:58 AM
#6
Full Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 313
Likes: 139
From: Framingham, MA
Bikes: 2022 Pinarello Paris w/Ultegra Di2, 2016 Orbea Avant w/Ultegra mechanical mounted on a Wahoo Kickr Core
I bought a Synapse early this Summer and love it. No pains whatsoever regardless of the ride distance.
10-05-20 | 02:42 PM
#7
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Kennett Square, Pennsylania
Bikes: Fuji Sportif
Has anyone ridden both the Cannondale CAAD13 and the Synapse?
Back when the CAA12 was the newest CADD there was an obvious difference between it and the Synapse but now I think the CADD13 is trying to be more of an endurance bike. The reach, stack, head tube angle and wheel base of the Synapse and CAAD13 are close. That said, I'm only reading specs. Has anyone actually ridden both? There are many CAAD12 vs Synapse reviews but not many comparing the "13"
I'm looking to buy a new road bike at the end of summer and at 60+ will never race but I do medium length rides of 2 to 4 hours about three times a week, mostly on good pavement. My neck and shoulder get sore so I probably need to be more upright even if that means 1 mph slower.
My current bike is a good quality 1970s vintage steel frame with now mostly Shinano components. I want to move something made this century.
Back when the CAA12 was the newest CADD there was an obvious difference between it and the Synapse but now I think the CADD13 is trying to be more of an endurance bike. The reach, stack, head tube angle and wheel base of the Synapse and CAAD13 are close. That said, I'm only reading specs. Has anyone actually ridden both? There are many CAAD12 vs Synapse reviews but not many comparing the "13"
I'm looking to buy a new road bike at the end of summer and at 60+ will never race but I do medium length rides of 2 to 4 hours about three times a week, mostly on good pavement. My neck and shoulder get sore so I probably need to be more upright even if that means 1 mph slower.
My current bike is a good quality 1970s vintage steel frame with now mostly Shinano components. I want to move something made this century.
