CAAD13 vs Synapse?
03-21-20, 09:59 PM
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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
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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
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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.
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09-30-20, 03:05 PM
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Bumping this question now that both have been out for some time. Any input from riders that have ridden both?
The synapse al as well as the synapse carbon vs the caad13.
The synapse al as well as the synapse carbon vs the caad13.
09-30-20, 06:44 PM
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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
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I bought a Synapse early this Summer and love it. No pains whatsoever regardless of the ride distance.
10-05-20, 02:42 PM
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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.
