New Cannondale SYNAPSE 2025 2026 photo price technical sheet complete review everything you need to know
Cannondale Synapse 2025: The Ultimate All-Rounder?
The Cannondale Synapse gets a refresh for 2025, with revised endurance geometry, improved aerodynamics, reduced weight, and advanced integration.
The new 2025 Synapse takes inspiration from the SuperSix Evo, but integrates frame flex technology from the SuperX. This latest evolution of Cannondale’s endurance platform elevates the Synapse to the same level as the Pro Tour-proven SuperSix Evo.
Several builds are available at launch (with more coming in June), ranging from the Carbon 5 with Shimano 105 mechanical shifting to the new Lab71 SRAM Red AXS XPLR complete with power meter.
This marks a return to the Synapse’s top-end spec that was absent from the previous 2022 model.
New Synapse Frame Design
The new model features several signature Cannondale features. First, it retains the BSA bottom bracket and adopts the Delta Steerer from the SuperSix Evo, bringing the componentry into line with the rest of Cannondale’s road bike range.
The aerodynamic tube shapes are a direct result of the studies done on the SuperSix Evo. To keep things simple, it uses the same thru-axles, rear dropouts, stems and even the slim aero seatpost as the SuperSix Evo.
With a generous tire clearance of up to 42mm (all models will be spec’d with 32mm tires), the Synapse offers go-anywhere potential. It also adds a downtube storage compartment and fender mounts, making the new Synapse a bike with a strong focus on practicality.
Revised geometry
The geometry of the new bike remains largely unchanged, although Cannondale has slackened the head angle from the previous model’s 73 degrees to 71.5 degrees.
This change, combined with the increased tire clearance and wider stock tires, has resulted in an increase in wheelbase and trail, with chainstays extended to 43cm from 41.5cm to accommodate 42mm tires.
Trail increases to 61mm from 59mm, bringing the Synapse in line with bikes like the recent Cervélo Caledonia 5. It’s just 3mm longer than its race counterpart, the SuperSix Evo (58mm).
Aesthetically, the Synapse now looks like a companion to Cannondale’s performance bikes. The head tube, down tube, top tube, and dropped seatstays share many similarities with the latest SuperSix Evo, while the curved, flattened seat tube is a nod to the recent SuperX.
Cannondale says this provides similar vertical compliance to the SuperX. The new Synapse’s overall compliance is up 20% over its predecessor, while Cannondale has improved crucial stiffness numbers in the head tube and bottom bracket.
Aerodynamics matter for endurance, too
A focus on aerodynamics is at the heart of the new design. Cannondale aerodynamics expert Nathan Barry explains that much of the learnings gained from the development of the SuperSix Evo have been incorporated, from cockpit integration to truncated airfoils (first used on the third-generation SuperSix Evo).
It’s stressed that the performance-focused design is aimed at speed and efficiency for the Synapse, with aerodynamics considered a much more important factor than weight. Bike weight is considered secondary to rider weight.
Cannondale hasn’t made the new Synapse a particularly heavy bike, however, with claimed frame weights of under 1,000g for the Hi-Mod, 1,150g for the standard Carbon, and 900g for the Lab71. The Hi-Mod fork adds 445g, and the standard Carbon is 494g.
Lab71 introduces single chainrings to the road
The move to a single chainring drivetrain is an unexpected move for a mainstream production road bike outside of niche brands like Vielo and its R+1, but it’s a trend we’ve seen, especially after Wout van Aert rode a SRAM 1x setup at Milan-San Remo in 2023.
We saw the same move from van Aert at Paris-Roubaix this year, with Lidl-Trek also using XPLR rear derailleurs at Paris-Roubaix Femmes.
The Lab71 features a full Red AXS XPLR groupset, with a 10-46, 13-speed cassette paired with a 40-tooth chainring.
SmartSense Returns
Perhaps the most controversial element of the previous Synapse was the integration of SmartSense, which included an integrated front light, rear light, and rear radar using Garmin technology, all powered by a single battery mounted in the down tube.
Despite initial skepticism about the rear radar, After testing, it was recognized as a safety feature, providing information about vehicles approaching from behind and their speed.
However, the system was rather cumbersome to integrate, with the external battery, bulky light and mount adding weight and not offering the seamless integration that is typical of Cannondale’s design.
The new Synapse does a much better job, as demonstrated by Lachlan Morton who rode the full SmartSense system on his record-breaking ride of Australia.
The new front light, made in collaboration with LightSkin, is much slimmer and elegantly integrated into the lower cockpit. It’s also much more powerful, at 800 lumens (400 for STVZO-compliant countries). The rear light/radar is also more minimalist.
The central battery has a larger capacity, at 43.5Wh. It’s hidden inside a storage compartment in the down tube, which also houses pouches for tools and spares. The compartment even includes an integrated flashlight. The battery also powers the AXS shifting on SRAM-equipped bikes. It can be charged on-site via the USB-C port or removed and charged separately.
Any battery issues that could affect shifting have been accounted for, with built-in protection to ensure operation. Cannondale says the battery, at 5% charge, still has more capacity than a standard SRAM AXS battery.
SmartSense is available on all SRAM-equipped bikes, while Shimano bikes, both electronic and mechanical, are non-SmartSense models. SmartSense components will also be available aftermarket for those who want to add the system later.
What is the new Synapse?
The frame design emphasizes aerodynamics and integration, harking back to the popular 2014 version of the Synapse. On the other hand, it offers plenty of tire clearance, SmartSense technology, and a flagship model with a gravel groupset.
Is the new Synapse a do-it-all endurance bike, more in line with the BMC Roadmachine than the Giant Defy?
It’s probably somewhere in the middle: a performance endurance bike with a go-anywhere attitude. It’s designed for a new generation of elite riders, epitomized by Lachlan Morton, who are comfortable in any discipline and at a high pace.
If the Synapse lives up to its hype, it could be the ultimate do-it-all bike, equally at home on fast, competitive road rides, gravel rides, and epic adventures lasting days, weeks, or more.
If it was enough to help Morton set a record-breaking 14,200km round-Australia ride in an incredible 30 days, 9 hours, 59 minutes, averaging over 450km per day, it’s sure to be more than adequate for most riders.
Cannondale Synapse 2025 Range Details
The new Synapse range comprises eight models, although details of four of them are embargoed until June 17, in conjunction with announcements from US company SRAM.
The range starts with the Carbon 5 at €3,499 and culminates with the new Lab71 Synapse (ridden by Lachlan Morton), priced at €15,799.
Cannondale Synapse Lab71 SmartSense
SRAM RED AXS XPLR 1x 13 with power meter
SmartSense Gen 2 system
Reserve 42/49 Turbulent aero wheels
Cannondale SystemBar
Fizik Argo Carbon 00 saddle
€15,799
Cannondale Synapse Lab71 frameset
Lab71 hi-mod frame
Lab71 hi-mod carbon fork, headset
Cannondale C1 Aero 27 carbon seatpost
Storage bag, down tube storage bag
€5,799
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 1
Synapse Hi-mod carbon frame
Synapse Hi-mod carbon fork
Shimano Ultegra Di2
Reserve 42/49 wheels
Fizik Vento Argo R5 saddle
€9,199
Synapse Carbon 2
Synapse Carbon Frame
Synapse Carbon Fork
Shimano Ultegra Di2
Reserve 42/49 Wheels
Fizik Vento Argo X5 Saddle
€7,199
Synapse Carbon 4
Synapse Carbon Frame
Synapse Carbon Fork
Shimano 105 Di2
DT Swiss R470/Shimano Wheels
Fizik Vento Argo X5 Saddle
€4,499
Synapse Carbon 5
Synapse Carbon Frame
Synapse Carbon Fork
Shimano 105 12-speed mechanical
DT Swiss R470/Shimano Wheels
Fizik Vento Argo X5 Saddle
€3,499
Cannondale has announced that full details of the Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense and Synapse Carbon 3 SmartSense will be released on June 17.
The links lead to the details of the news:
All New 2026 Road Bike: News, Info, Prices and Photos of the New 2026 Road and Racing Bicycles
All New 2026 Gravel Bike: News, Info, Prices and Photos of the New 2026 gravel Bicycles
All New 2026 MTB Bike: News, Info, Prices and Photos of the New 2026 MTB Bicycles
All New 2026 E-BIKE Bike: News, Info, Prices and Photos of the New 2026 E-BIKE Bicycles
All the New 2026 Bike News, Info, Photos - Our Sources