I don't see how a big front light and huge battery are really helpful for normal road riding unless you do most of your riding in darkness. It's just a s*** idea to integrate it into a high-end endurance bike. Especially since they made the effort to make the frame more aero in line with the SuperSix. I think this will cost them far more sales than it wins. Those who want lights can easily fit lights anyway, but those who don't want lights are simply not going to buy this bike.

Damn it! I usually wear ankle socks except the once I brought my bike to the office (to ride in the area right after work) without bringing extra socks, so ended up riding in my colorful dress socks that look just like cycling socks.

No wonder I chose a Synapse. But since the newly announced model does not work for me, let me shop for some cycling socks as I try to figure out how else to go N+1.

Exactly. The Synapse is not a commuter or tourer. Cycling Weekly defensively claims that "most riders use daytime running lights now."

Cannondale reacts to negative comments directed at new Synapse with smart technology | Cycling Weekly

Really? I generally do not use a DRL as I rarely ride at dawn or dusk, but on those few rare occasions I just use this tiny DRL:
Amazon.com : Cygolite Dice HL– 150 Lumen Bike Light– 6 Night & 2 Daytime Modes– Ultra Compact Design– IP64 Water Resistant– Sturdy Flexible Mount– USB Rechargeable Headlight – for Aero Road & Commuter Bicycles : Sports & Outdoors

Just read the response from Cannondale. Good luck convincing people this is the way forward on this type of bike! They really needed to make this an optional extra across the range. Or just not bothered with the idea at all.

Yep. Sounds super defensive. I can see these features on an e-bike for leisure and/or commuting, but not for an endurance bike.

I should have been more clear:

1. My main issue with the battery (assuming that Cannondale is set on implementing SmartSense) is that it should have been removably installed within the downtube, like Trek's frame integrated storage compartment.

2. My problem with the lights (again assuming that Cannondale is set on implementing SmartSense) is that they are not quickly removable without tools. But the fact that one needs a couple of basic tools to remove the lights (or any other component) does not meaningfully deter theft or damage. Otherwise, the advent of disc brakes and the concurrent demise of QR skewers would have ushered in a new era of bike theft reduction.

The system is absolutely removable from what I can tell. The mechanics at bike shops have to put the system on, so you can take them off yourself as well. You'd just have a gaping hole at the part where the battery mount would be. The battery mount looks to be mounted with 2 hex bolts(from a few videos), and I assume there's two wires for the lights: one routed internally through the downtube to the headlight, one routed through the seat tube and through the seat post for the taillight/radar.

Maybe they'll sell the blank plates for the holes in the future for people who don't want the SmartSense system. Looks to me like the base carbon model comes with a blank plate. I doubt they wanted to make additional carbon molds just for the lowest model without the SmartSense.

I do agree with you in general though; making this system mandatory on a $9,000 road bike is not the way to get people to buy into this integration.

At the end of the day, Cannondale will do Cannondale things. BB30? Lefty? AI Offset rear triangle? I'd be angrier at the AI Offset rear triangle than this lighting system.

https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bik...napse-carbon-4

More visibility on the road is a good thing. Cars and motorcycles all have DRL's. It makes sense for cyclists to do the same. I cannot think of any downside to running lights during the day, other than vanity. Unless you're pinning on a number, the tiny aero and weight penalty are meaningless.

That said, this lighting design from Cannondale is clunky and ugly, and looks like aftermarket lighting, and I hate it for those vain reasons alone. They should go back to the drawing board and figure out how to actually integrate lighting into the frame.

delete.

I just run a rear Garmin Varia light/radar on my seatpost. Front light would be totally useless for my riding. For those who want/need a front light, I think we would agree there are better aftermarket options than this solution that don't require frame integration. The fact that it doesn't even look integrated makes it even less attractive.

I kind of agree with you about the weight, but that doesn't mean I'm happy to carry dead weight around that I don't perceive any benefit from.

Mate has just bought an Orbea e-bike with integrated lights. It makes sense when you can hook it all up to the main drive battery and it looks much more integrated than this.

I also think the new synapse with the lights is just weird.

I've had 2 and liked them both. Just be careful the bottom bracket is in good shape. On my Ultegra I had to replace the bracket twice.