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TECH NEWS
C22_Synapse_Smartsense_Barcelona_MG_0263Cannondale revamps Synapse road bike with intelligent SmartSense tech for ‘reducing distractions and increasing awareness’
Cannondale aims to make road cycling more inviting and efficient than before with the launch of the redesigned Synapse endurance bike and introduction of its SmartSense light and radar technology for “more visibility, better visibility, less pre-ride fiddling”. This sees a set of lights with a rear brake light function and Garmin's Varia Radar traffic detection system included in the package, that can be charged from a single power pack.
SmartSense
Before taking a look at the redesigned Synapse, let’s check out the interesting new technology Cannondale has specced on the endurance bike.
SmartSense is Cannondale’s new intelligent system of lights and radar that aims to reduce distractions and increase awareness to make road cycling more enjoyable for experienced riders and more inviting for new riders. It is a centralised system which uses a single power source to simplify recharging and to help ensure you don’t head off ill-equipped.
Users will have access to a selection of settings via Cannondale’s app to customise their ride experience. “The settings are designed to provide enhanced awareness while also creating heightened visibility so the rider can more effectively see and be seen,” Cannondale says.
“Once desired customisations have been applied, a spin of the front wheel, outfitting with a Cannondale wheel sensor, initiates an ongoing chain of communication across all the available SmartSense touch points,” Cannondale explains.
The Garmin Varia Core Battery is used as a single power source to eliminate the need to charge multiple batteries. It has the added capability of being used as a USB-C charging source when it’s disconnected from the bike.
It works with Lezyne’s Front and Rear Daytime Running lights. The front improves visibility for oncoming traffic, while the rear has an optional brake alert function. “Both lights can adjust brightness to accommodate limited or changing daylight, or signal oncoming rear traffic and hard braking,” Cannondale sums up.
Then you’ve also got the Garmin Varia Radar which constantly scans for approaching traffic and can signal the speed, distance and number of cars through audible and visual alerts on the Cannondale app or the bike’s display unit.
> Review: Garmin Varia RTL510
Synapse
Cannondale introduced the Synapse as its first carbon road frame 15 years ago and now the brand has revamped endurance platform and used it to showcase its new SmartSense technology.
> Review: Cannondale Synapse Disc Sora
“This well-rounded road bike embodies the fusion of performance, comfort and versatility with the ability to tackle a variety of terrains,” Cannondale sums up. “It has a comfortable rider position, engineering that helps smooth the roads and now it has the added confidence and awareness of the SmartSense system.”
This version provides the “smoothest Synapse ride yet”, Cannondale claims, and this is thanks to 8% increased compliance that’s been matched with a sporty, more upright riding position.
“Discreet flex zones in the rear triangle, seat tube and seatpost absorb road chatter and bumps without adding weight or isolating you from the ride experience,” Cannondale claims.
> 17 of the best disc brake endurance bikes for 2021
The Synapse is also said to be speedier than its predecessor thanks to learnings applied from the Cannondale SystemSix, with subtle aerodynamic shaping of the frame and fork.
> First Ride: Cannondale SystemSix
Cannondale’s 'Proportional Response' is the brand’s size-specific design for optimising the performance for all heights, and this has been applied to the Synapse. Cannondale says it adjusts the bike’s geometry, construction, stiffness and steering characteristics, based on rider size and their varying centre of gravity.
The Synapse is equipped with the SAVE vibration-absorbing handlebars that are designed to offer the integrated looks of a one-piece bar/stem, with the modular adjustability of a two-piece design.
It rolls on HollowGram 45 SL KNOT wheels which feature a wider 45mm deep profile and are claimed to maintain aerodynamic efficiency with big tyres.
The Synapse has clearance for up to 35mm tyres for use across light gravel. For those long days exploring off the beaten path, it also has mounts for top tube bags and two water bottles.
The new Synapse is available with SmartSense tech from £3,200 up to £9,000, with a selection of radar, lights and electronic shifting denoted by R, L and E in the model name. Here's the spec breakdown:
Synapse 1 RLE: £9,000
- Shimano Dura Ace
- SmartSense with Lights and Radar
Synapse LTD RLE: £6,750
- Shimano GRX Di2
- SmartSense with Lights and Radar
Synapse 2 RLE: £5,800
- Shimano Ultegra Di2
- SmartSense with Lights and Radar
Synapse 2 RL: £4,000
- Shimano Ultegra
- SmartSense with Lights and Radar
Synapse 3 L: £3,200
- Shimano 105
- SmartSense with Lights
Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.
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39 comments
Kinda wondering why this tech is debuting on an endurance bike rather than city or commuter focused. Interesting that the tech is a mix of garmin and lezyne.
Where I am I see lots of road cyclists using daytime lighting. Also, loads of riders are not very clued-up technically, to put it politely. I can imagine there's a market for having all this stuff built-in.
I think the Synapse has grown out of just being an endurance road bike, I've fitted 38mm Panaracers on one and ridden it off road and it's a bloody ace gravel bike. See the picture below of the lights down an unlit country lane, they are much brighter than you would think. Then you could throw a 30mm tyre on and do a sportive, mudguard it up if you want to commute. Its a very, very versatile bike. I have a 1RLE which weighs just over 8kg out of the box.
The tech needs to be experienced, the app is very easy to configure your settings then you can just walk up to the bike and everything turns on ready to ride, and the Radar is the thing that everyone in our office that has used it has said they couldn't now be without. Not only for increased awareness and safety but also speed, you can cross a road to turn right without the usual braking and shoulder check as you know there's nothing coming.
I hope everyone has a chance to check it out, cheers for the comments and feedback, Clive@cannondale
Yeah - I don't think I'll ever be doing that, radar or no radar.
That comment actually came from our mate Warren Rossiter over at BikeRadar. He said he's quicker with radar and has total faith in the technology, but then agan he rides 10,000 miles a year so knows what he's doing!
Well that's just the problem - all too easy to put all your trust in the technology. Until you get given reason not too, and then it's too late.
Much like Tesla owners thinking they can watch TV because 'the car is driving for them' - it's all fine until it's not.
I think the turning without shoulder checking is an extreme end of the use of the radar, obviously most of the time it's to make you more aware of traffic around you but I see your point. Thanks for the intersting comment.
I ride 10,000 km a year so I think I know what I'm doing as well, and I know that I would never, ever, make a turn without shoulder checking, no matter what electronic assistance I had on board. One would've thought that an experienced rider would be more aware that there is no substitute for shoulder checks, not less. Assuming that it's safe to turn without looking because your gadget tells you so is utterly ridiculous and terrifyingly dangerous.
But you can currently press a couple of buttons on the lights of your choice and not have a small brick of a poor battery attached to your frame and a Varia radar many won't want. It's not exactly hard work or difficult to turn lights on!
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