Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cannondale Synapse makes a successful debut at the Classics

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HomeOtherProduct ReviewsCannondale Synapse makes a successful debut at the Classics

Cannondale Synapse was the frame of choice for many of the riders of Team Liquigas at last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, including Filippo Pozzato and eventual podium-finisher, Luca Paolini.

The frame offers a number of features which make it well suited for the cobbled classics, the most physically demanding races of the calendar, both for the riders and their equipment.

Cannondale Synapse
Filippo Pozzato’s Synapse photographed at the end of Sector 3. Photo©Rory Mason

High modulus carbon unibody construction results in a strong and lightweight frame while the optimized tube shapes of the S.A.V.E. chainstays and fork blades, and Triaxial Hourglass seatstays provide the vibration reduction that is crucial for these demanding races.

Cannondale Synapse
The optimized tube shapes of the S.A.V.E. fork blades. Photo©Martin Williamson

S.A.V.E. (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) is a Cannondale-exclusive technology. The carbon fiber chainstays and fork blades have been strategically molded into a unique, tapered shape. When combined with varying wall thicknesses, fiber layers and fiber angles, it creates enough flex to dampen road vibration.

Cannondale Synapse
The Synapse’s Triaxial Hourglass Seatstays provide a tuned ride through the strategic curving of the seatstays. Photo©Martin Williamson

In addition, when compared to the System Six that Team Liquigas has powered to victory many times this season, the Synapse has a 5mm longer wheelbase which aids in tracking over the cobbled roads.

Cannondale Synapse
The Synapse has a 5mm longer wheelbase. Photo©Martin Williamson

Team Liquigas riders Manuel Quinziato and Roberto Petito have chosen the Synapse as their primary race bike for the 2007 season.

Their feedback was positive and resulted in the team’s choosing the Synapse for their Northern Classics campaign. Petito states: “For longer races and the cobbles, it’s perfect. The Synapse is comfortable, but still very competitive.”

Cannondale Synapse
Team Liquigas ride the last few sectors of the Paris-Roubaix route two days before the race. Photo©Rory Mason

Quinziato, who was seen on the attack charging up the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo, echoes his teammate’s sentiment: “The Synapse really impresses with its comfort and light weight, and the integrated crank keeps it responsive under power.”

Paolini crashed mid-race on Sunday, damaging his derailleur and forcing a change of bikes back to his System Six, which he then piloted to a fine third-place finish.

Pozzato was in the front group as well, and even put in a strong attack with just 12 km to go, but was pulled back just as the main group shattered into pieces, leaving Paolini to bridge up to the remnants of the chasers and outsprint them for the final podium spot.

Cannondale Synapse
We watch the boys chill out in the piazza as we have our lunch. Photo©Martin Williamson

In last Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, Team Liquigas riders had two hyper-competitive products to choose from, the System Six and the all-carbon Synapse, as they sought to win the toughest race on the calendar. Here at VeloVeritas we don’t think we’ve seen the last of these boys!

Martin Williamson
Martin Williamson
Martin is our Editor and web site Designer/Manager. He concentrates on photography. He's been involved in cycle racing for over four decades and raced for much of that time, having a varied career which included time trials, road and track racing - and triathlons. Martin has been the Scottish 25 Mile TT and 100 Mile TT Champion, the British Points Race League Champion on the track, and he won a few time trials in his day, particularly hilly ones like the Tour de Trossachs and the Meldons MTT.

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