Bike Weight: Cannondale Synapse HI Mod 1
 

Cannondale does not publish weights - so I thought others may be interested in the weight of their performance bike, the Synapse. Out of the box = 14.7lbs. I added Speedplay zeros, changed saddle to an Arione, added a carbon bottle cage, and added a Mavic cyclometer with cadence - new weight is exactly 16lbs (on my scale). Adding a water bottle containing water would increase the weight, of course.

So, if there is anybody on this forum that is not into flipped stems, has experience with Ca deposits (means you’re getting older), and wants a light bike for climbing ... well I've enjoyed it greatly. After 5 knee operations (used to be a runner, currently weigh 152 lbs) I wanted a light weight bike so I could push minimal weight uphill and save my knees for future years - this bike works great in that regard. Also is very stable with a plush feeling on downhill stretches. Don’t plan to race the 20 year olds from the University of NC, but I get a great cardiovascular workout. I ride in very hilly areas – so weight for me becomes a factor after an hour or so. Just thought some of you might be interested.

Thanks for the info.

1.3 lbs seems like a lot of weight for a diff saddle, Speedplays, bottle cage, and cyclometer. I wouldn't have expected those items to weigh so much.

My wife has a 2008 Carbon Synapse (non-HI Mod) and spec'd with Tiagra it's heavy as heck for a 51cm carbon bike!

Your correct – the 16lbs also includes my pack which contains 2 - CO2 cartridges, spare tube, cell phone, and a few other things. Please note that the HI Mod frame is not cheap and the DA 7900 components don’t help the price. But, for some of you the money may be worth the weight loss – at least for my body it I believe it is. I did not do this for speed – just wanted to push with less force.

Shoulda had SRAM red.

I seriously doubt 1 or 2 lbs is going to save your knees on a bike. You can calculate wattage and knee joint pressure given the gear, bone length, total rider/bike weight and percentage elevation.

OP, what size is your bike. BTW, congrats on a sweet ride.

Oh yeah, pics or it didn't happen.

There must be some pretty swanky components on the HiMod 1; I have a 2006 Synapse Carbon 2, which has all Ultegra (except for a DuraAce rd), FSA carbon crank, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels...and with my Speedplay pedals, 2 alloy bottle cages, a Road Morph pump and CateEye cyclometer -- but without the seatpack -- it still comes damn close to 19lbs. 18.8 to be precise. (58cm frame)

Yeah, what happened to the pictures?? the Hi Mod is a great bike, enjoy!!

I'm in Denmark at the moment, but will send pics when I get back later this week. I was told there is a major difference in weight between the types of carbon that Cannondale uses. The Synapse I looked at in the LBS was heavy - I think it was a Carbon-2. But, the 2009 HI MOD is very light. The reviews of the Cannondale Synapse I read stated that the Synapse had been redesigned for 2009. The LBS said they had never seen such a light Synapse. In fact, I think the weight is equivalent to a SuperSix - providing the wheels and components are the same. It is very light. There are many reasons to buy a light bike - not just speed. I don't think I would go any slower on a heavier bike, but I did try out some heavier bikes during my demo sessions. I could tell a major difference in the power I need to push the weight up hill. And, in my case, I want to minimize knee stress to any degree possible. One problem with the Synapse HI MOD is that I could not find a LBS with one in stock - I bought it just based on concept. A risk, but it has worked well. My bike is 51 cm.