Blueberry Pie

I purchased a 2014 Synapse 7 and expected it to have rack mounts as advertised here and here (image can be found at any site with info on this bike). Since I trusted that information, they were not on my mind when taking this bike home. It wasn't until later while I was shopping for a rack when I noticed there were no mounts (https://i.imgur.com/WJK9Duu.jpg). With that said, the bike is becoming more and more useless to me because I can't use it for what I purchased it for (a commuter/grocery getter). I'm fully aware that there are other rack options like the Topeak Beamrack and Axiom Streamliner, but they will never come close in quality and strength to regular racks. I've already tried contacting Cannondale but their support has gotten me nowhere.

datlas 

Return it.

Problem solved.

Blueberry Pie

Too late for that. Had the bike for months.

isberg

Never trust marketing -- you should have verified in the store if the mounts were that important. Marketing usually goes out long before a product is finalized and things change. All manufactures have something like the following on their websites because they know advertising can be wrong:

shoota 

Call me a dunce but I don't see a rack mount in any of those pics (first link has broken pics anywya). So where exactly are the mounts?

Blueberry Pie

So realistically speaking, people should inspect every piece of the bike before taking it home?

Blueberry Pie

https://i.imgur.com/kKCMWEm.jpg

prathmann

Not sure what objection you have to the Streamliner and other racks (such as Old Man Mountain's) that attach at the QR skewer. That attachment is at least as secure as at eyelets and the Streamliner has a greater load capacity rating than most rear racks (it carries my 155 lbs. without any problem although that's above its rating).

THSdrummer

Ideally: yes.

My CAAD10 3 came spec'd with all 6700. It wasn't until recently that I realized it included a 5700 cassette. I was a bit shocked when I noticed, especially since it has an Ultegra lockring. Am I mad? No. Frustrated a tad, maybe, but I didn't take the time to check the actual cassette. I was far to excited for the overall bike for that.

jwarner

Might visit your local LBS for options. I don't have any experience with racks on a CF bike (which unless I'm mistaken this is). I know people do it quite often. I would like to find one of those people to tell me how to do it, rather than reinventing the wheel and potentially damaging my nice bicycle. Just an idea.

Blueberry Pie

Main concern is having to use a poorly rated "workaround". There are some pretty worrying reviews out there of the Streamliner and BeamRack. Second concern is weight capacity.
I've never heard of Old Man Mountain and I'm having trouble understanding how they attach looking at the site. Can you explain?

asgelle

Every piece of the bike? Are you kidding? I'd say that if there is a critical feature of any piece of equipment and that without this, the equipment is functionally useless, then yes, one should check that this feature is present before completing the purchase.

badger1

Then it's entirely down to you, isn't it. How on earth could you have had the bike more than a day or two, let alone "for months", before noticing - and doing something about - a crucial (for you) omission? Should have addressed the issue at the time.
I wouldn't expect Cannondale (or the dealer, for that matter) to pay any attention at all.

Bacciagalupe

Every piece? No. Check for rack mounts within the first week? On a race bike, you plan to use as a commuter?


I'd have no qualms about the Axiom Streamliner Disc. It IS a regular rack.

Thule also has the Pack n' Pedal. Thule Pack ?n Pedal Tour Rack - Thule

rpenmanparker 

Duh!

WheresWaldo

Apparently you did not read this ad copy. It's as plain as the rack eyelets on the images Cannondale put up.

rpenmanparker 

This is so ridiculous. You bought the wrong bike for your purpose (instead of a Soma!) and, surprise, you got exactly that. What is it you want from a forum?

prathmann

Old Man Mountain racks attach at the bottom using the rear axle quick release. At the top they normally attach to either eyelets or seat-stay brake mounts but they also offer a strap to attach to seat stays without brake mounts which look like it should work with your Synapse.

If you want a broader top surface than the Axiom Streamliner, they also make the Mk Journey rack which appears to have pretty good reviews on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Axiom-Journey-...2RG3R8MYKTXQ3S

It's available in both aluminum and chro-moly steel versions and has a load capacity rating of 110 lbs. - not that I'd want to carry that much weight on a rack for any distance.

rpenmanparker 

Isn't there an aluminum version with the same name? Could that one have the rack mounts?

WheresWaldo

The Sora groupset is only available in Aluminum. The carbon Synapse does not go below 105.

rms13

To summarize for everyone:

OP has the alum Synapse with Sora.
Picture from catalog has a small dot that may or may not be mounting braze on for a rack.
Documentation and specs for bike make no mention of the frame having rack braze on so it was assumed by OP from one picture (and if you look through the catalog no other Synapse model has that little dot).
OP bought an endurance race bike to use as a commuter/grocery getter
Rack mounts were apparently the most important feature of the new bike but OP decided to wait months to confirm this instead of immediately putting the rack on the bike since he can't live without it or better yet having the shop install it when purchasing the bike


My only question is how has OP been getting groceries for the past several months???

Athens80

I feel for the frustration but it seems like the reasonable remedy was to return the bike soon. If a rack was so important it seems like it wouldn't take months to do something about it.

Is there a chance that you haven't noticed some other discrepancy, like you actually bought some other bike or at least some other bike frame? The 2015 Cannondale web site still shows
If you've got an authentic and complete 2014 Synapse 7 Sora I'd expect Cannondale to provide you an explanation of how it could be that it does not have the fender mounts.

jkuper

Rack-Lock | Parts & Accessories | Salsa Cycles

prathmann

This seems a little unfair to the OP. When I click on the first "here" in the original post it brings up a description for the bike that says:
"Synapse Alloy is:

• Equipped with disc brakes on several models for great stopping and control.
• SAVE PLUS micro-suspension provides a ride that is uncannily smooth.
• Rear rack mounts and extra clearance for fenders adds commuter versatility to the Synapse line."

So I can certainly see why he thought the bike included these and is upset that they are absent. However, my experience has been that decent racks can be added to just about any bike and have used bikes for both camping trips and grocery shopping that were never designed for those activities.

RollCNY

@prathmann, I want to add a rack to my Felt Brougham SS, that has no eyelets, and I can't use axle mounts (or at least I assume I can't). I am thinking I just need to use p-clips down low, and the brake bridge up high. Looking at some Toba racks, primarily because I like their naming conventions. Does this sound sensible?