BoomMcNasty

I've tried to find info on the individual components of the c10 5 & 3 but with limited sucess. Cannondale's website is useless. Unless you want to see the different paint schemes! The raw scheme is on both models but I prefer the white and black on the 3 the most.

FPSDavid

Click on the "Specs" link on the left. Tells you every part on the bike.

BoomMcNasty

I do, but for example...I don't know what a " CANNONDALE C2, UD CARBON, 27.2X300MM" seat post is exactly. Their website (as far as I know) doesn't specify if its wrapped, full carbon or what.

FPSDavid

C2 is full carbon. Not sure on the current C3, but it used to be carbon-wrapped alloy. This only applies for seatposts though, I think.

theoddone

How does the SuperSix compare to CAAD and the Synapse. I am thinking about getting a Synapse, but haven't tried a SuperSix or CAAD. The LBS I visited has all three, priced about the same. Is SuperSix for aggressive race riding? do I have to be really tied to the Synapse. I am 43 and new to road cycling. But in decent shape at 5'10 and 155 pounds.

qqy

The C2 on my 2009 CAAD9 is a carbon wrapped post.

Elduderino2412

If they change the material they need to change the name. i think old c2's were all alloy then it was carbon wrapped now i think it's all carbon. It's pretty damn confusing.
My C3 is carbon wrapped

BoomMcNasty

The CAAD and synapse are aluminum. So the ride isn't suppose to be as smooth as carbon but that's debatable. The CAAD has a " race" geometry but plenty of people in this thread have gone on longer rides and claim to be relatively comfortable. The synapse has a more "relaxed" geometry for endurance/long distance riding. My knowledge of the supersix is limited and I only have negative (personal) opinions of their new low end carbon frames so hopefully someone else can help you there. I test rode a CAAD and will be purchasing one soon for my all of my riding needs. I think It's more versatile than the synapse and since I can only afford one bike (for now), I'm going with the one that fits me the best, does what I want it to do and (most importantly) puts a big dumb smile on my face!

BoomMcNasty

Agreed....very confusing! And I have to take the word of my LBS and hope they know what their talking about. I like to go in armed with as much knowledge as possible to see if their legit.

Elduderino2412

they also have a carbon synapse

BoomMcNasty

^ lol, oh yeah!

theoddone

Sorry I wasn't clear, there is a Synapse Carbon, its comparable to SuperSix, everything same except the geometry. I believe SuperSix is similar in this regard to CAAD, but slightly less aggressive. Hope someone with knowledge on SuperSix can help. What is wrong BTW with their lower end Carbon?

bikerjp

Basically the supersix and the caad are the same bike geometry-wise with one being carbon and the other aluminum. Synapse is a different beast. It's the "performance" road bike or comfort geometry if you prefer. Synapse also comes in carbon or AL depending on model. Both the supersix and caad are considered race bikes but in many ways so is the synapse given that any could be and have been raced. I'm 45 and ride a caad and don't really have any issues. It's not set up as agressive as it could be but still more agressive than my synapse. Basically, you just need to ride them. Difference is subtle and not something you are going to grasp reading about them.

theoddone

Thanks. That's a helpful explanation. I tried the Synapse and liked the way it rides. I am going to go back there and try the Supersix. What should I look for when I ride it in terms of figuring out the differences? I am wondering if it is faster and sharper than Synapse then do I need to overly worry about longer rides. Based on what I read here many people ride CAAD which has similar geometry for longer rides. I will probably ride 20 to 30 miles at one time mostly, and once every other weekend do a 50, and two centuries a year may be.

bikerjp

That's not easy to answer. I guess the main thing to think about is which bike do you think is more comfortable, more fun or otherwise just appeals to you better? I bought a caad over the alloy synapse originally because it was "more fun" to ride. By which I mean it was just a bit snappier to ride but it was a rather subtle differences. I think the color of the caad was the final decision maker for me. I just liked it better and in some ways still do over my carbon synapse though I like that bike too.

I wouldn't say the supersix is a "faster" bike than the synapse. 99% of the speed is you and most of us won't ever max out the potential of a good bike. I've set my own PRs on both bikes so my own improvements outweigh the bike differences. The supersix might be the sexier of the two.

I've done 50+ mile rides on the caad and have no issues. I did buy the synapse for 50+ mile rides thinking it would be more comfortable and over a long haul it might be. I've only done 65 miles max so far and the bike wasn't an issue. In the 20-30 mile range you'll be fine with either. I ride both and base my decision on which to ride more on the cassette gearing and the intended ride than the length of the ride.

Sorry for the long-ish reply.

theoddone

I went and tested Supersix today, compared to the Synapse I wasn't comfortable with the bit more aero position I had to be in it. Ended up riding Synapse one more time just to make sure this is what I wanted, then went inside and put down an advance on the bike. Getting the delivery tomorrow. I can't wait for the weekend to ride the new bike for a 20-30 mile run.

Pinkbullet3

And you're also going to post pictures here too, right?

BoomMcNasty

Why would he post pics of his synapse in the cult of caad thread??

starjag

Heresy!!! You should've gotten the CAAD!

bikerjp

Because a synapse is a caad that grew up?

Congrats. Synapse is a nice bike.

But you may be kicked out of the cult (probably nothing you'd miss )

tron1974

Ooh, so happy, got a smokin' deal on a 2013 63 cm CAAD 10 3 Ultegra. Just picked it up last week, now need to find time to rid it! It actually fits me being 6'4".

BoomMcNasty

The snyapse is elderly! Decrepit if you will!
Congrats tron and welcome to BF!

Jk'n theo..congrats on the synapse! And a discrete pic couldn't hurt too bad!

Banzai

Here's my CAAD9.


Custom build up on a warranty replacement frame.
Wheels: WI H2/H3 laced to Velocity Aerohead, O/C rear. 28/32 spoke count. (I build all my own.) These are my everyday wheels, my lightweight wheels are older low-spoke Ultegra hubs, with a Ti freehub body on the rear, laced to Kinlin 30s. 18/24 spoke count.
SRAM Red shifters, Rival DRs, Force brakes and Force BB30 crank. This particular SRAM combination is lighter than going all Force, but costs less. Slightly heavier than all Red. The entire bike, in the configuration you see pictured here, weighs in just a fraction over 16lbs.

I went with SRAM because the best deal I could get on a BB30 crank was the Force one...so I decided to try something other than Shimano. Gotta say, once you're used to Shimano shifting, SRAM leaves a bit to be desired.

First thing to go was the SRAM cassette I had been running. Replaced it with a slightly heavier Ultegra one. Much better. Then the large chainring. Bolted an Ultegra chainring on there, and the improvement in front shifting was revelatory. I think if I could run a Shimano FD it would be even better.

Fork is an Easton EC90 SL. I did have a Cannondale Premium on there, but it was the victim of a mild crash. Most of the bike was untouched, but the ugly gouge that the corner of the curb dug into the fork blade made me nervous. Worked out alright...the Easton is lighter and rides just as well.

BarracksSi

Banzai -- blasphemy!

What don't you like about the Sram shifting so far, the movement of the chain or the shifters themselves?

I've been telling myself that if I switched from Shimano to Sram, I'd keep using a Shimano crankset since mine have been shifting so much better than the Truvativ/Sram cranks I've ridden.

Banzai

Specifically the movement of the chain.

Though I have noticed that double tasking a single lever for shifts makes the swing to a larger cog and/or chainring a very large motion compared with even my 105 group on a different bike. This is most noticable to me riding in the drops, where Shimano shifting is a bit more effortless. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I spend a lot of time in my drops, so it's something I often think about. On the hoods it doesn't really matter to me.

As far as chain movement goes, putting an Ultegra chainring on there, and an Ultegra cassette, had a very positive effect on drivetrain function. If you ever do this yourself, I had to file down the anti-chaindrop peg on the chainring so that it would clear the fat armed CF crank.