Cannondale Synapse Carbon LTD RLE Review

Few bikes on the market have won as many awards as the Synapse range. This range has become a classic and a staple endurance bike. This year, it’s better than ever - benefiting from several revisions. As well as being popular with cyclists, it’s a bike which has not only won industry awards but it’s had some serious successes and podiums over the years.

The Synapse in 2022 though, is less of a bike for professional racers - and more of a bike for the keen road cyclist. It’s more useable than ever before, making it an incredibly strong proposition. One of the first changes this year is the absence of two carbon fibre frame options - instead, only one carbon frame choice is available. Equipped to this bike as standard are daytime running lights, Garmin radar and a speed sensor - all powered by an integrated battery system.

For many old-school road cyclists - it may appear that this is not the sort of kit you should find on a race focussed bike - but rest assured that the geometry of this bike remains race focussed. There are, however, several other changes - there is a longer wheelbase which allows the bike to run wider tyres - with the frame and the fork being able to accommodate 35c tyres.

Rider focussed designs and features continue, with simpler cable routing compared to other models in the Cannondale lineup - with the brake hoses exiting the bar at the stem. There are top tube mounts for bags, three bottle mounts, mudguard mounts, and smart trainer compatibility thanks to removable inserts for the thru axles.

The LTD RLE is the best choice in our opinion, although there is a higher specification model - the specification of this bike is plenty for most. This bike comes with KNOT 45 wheels, any road tyres from Vittoria and the excellent Shimano GRX Di2 groupset. At the front of the bike is the HollowGram Save SystemBar and stem.

The power pack on the bike charges from USB-C and will remain topped up for 150 days. The endurance geometry of the bike is perfect - it allows the rider to remain comfortable whilst not feeling overstretched and uncomfortable - but it’s not so relaxed it feels cramped. The steering is sharp and precise, and the whole package feels rideable and compliant. The bike combines useable features, making it a joy to use, and calling upon its race pedigree.