Cannondale Six13 or Synapse?

Anabolicholic said:

looking to pick up a cannondale bike(spec cannondale because i can prodeal) and i'm interested in either the six13 or snyapse, was wondering what you guys thought and if anyone has ridden either or preferred either. thanks

The six13's look sweet!

I haven't used a c'dale since cad3 days (1998/99?), even it is a good frame by todays standards IMO. Whats the price difference between the six13 and Snyapse?

cheers

steve said:

The six13's look sweet!

I haven't used a c'dale since cad3 days (1998/99?), even it is a good frame by todays standards IMO. Whats the price difference between the six13 and Snyapse?

cheers

about 800 more for the six13, which is the direction i'm headed, carbon seems alittle to soft for my style but we'll see when it come down to geometry(spelling?) still want to get an all carbon bike at some point, but have to save if i decide to go do alot of racing and need to get a full out race bike, the six13 might be able to sub in the mean time
thanks for the help
cheers

Anabolicholic said:

but have to save if i decide to go do alot of racing and need to get a full out race bike, the six13 might be able to sub in the mean time

either frame will be fine for racing no matter what level you get to. Lampre-Cafitta used six13's in 2005 and I think Barloworld are riding them this year.

Anabolicholic said:

looking to pick up a cannondale bike(spec cannondale because i can prodeal) and i'm interested in either the six13 or snyapse, was wondering what you guys thought and if anyone has ridden either or preferred either. thanks

I bought a six thirteen last May. It is an incredible ride. Great on the climb and even better on the way down. It is light weight and stiff but very comfortable on a century ride. The Synapse geometry was created for a softer ride.

vascdoc said:

I bought a six thirteen last May. It is an incredible ride. Great on the climb and even better on the way down. It is light weight and stiff but very comfortable on a century ride. The Synapse geometry was created for a softer ride.

great, think that's the way i'm headed, i appreciate all the feed back, really glad i posted on this forum. one question and i've read through the other threads so i don't want to rekindle an old flame war but are there carbon fiber bikes out there that ARE stiff and do as much as others and preform really well? i've read stuff on design and build techinque but how deep can you get with some manufactorers they'll all claim that their the best

again, thanks for the feedback guys, you've helped me out tons, i owe ya 😄 😄 😄 😄 😄

Anabolicholic said:

great, think that's the way i'm headed, i appreciate all the feed back, really glad i posted on this forum. one question and i've read through the other threads so i don't want to rekindle an old flame war but are there carbon fiber bikes out there that ARE stiff and do as much as others and preform really well?

Plenty of 'em: Cervelo, Spin, Parlee, Time, Look, Orbea, Specialized, Willier, Crumpton, Colnago, DeRosa, Merckx, Trek, Cyfac, ........and on and on and on. There is not a blanket statement that can be made, based solely on the material, re: a bike's performance. Performance is the result of design, construction, and application of the material chosen......as well as fit. Anyone that tells you otherwise is selling something or has over simplified the issue.

alienator said:

There is not a blanket statement that can be made, based solely on the material, re: a bike's performance.

Performance is the result of design, construction, and application of the material chosen......as well as fit. Anyone that tells you otherwise is selling something or has over simplified the issue.

I agree, a well made and good fitting steel frame can be much better than a bad carbon or aluminium frame.

hey Anabolicholic ,
i just purchased a six13
i was gonna go the all carbon route , but like many others have said , carbon could be a little softer and with the research i did , that statement kept coming up , all i can say the six13 is awesome...
there are a few 6/13 models to choose , i went with the team1 , selected campy components instead of shimano , and choose a few other items that i prefered over what normally comes on the team1....
as far as a good race bike , my six13 comes in at 16.5 pounds , {tight and light}
good luck , hope ya get what you want
"cheers max63"

steve said:

I agree, a well made and good fitting steel frame can be much better than a bad carbon or aluminium frame.

Da. And on the other end of the spectrum....I had a steel frame that rode like a jackhammer.

max63 said:

hey Anabolicholic ,
i just purchased a six13
i was gonna go the all carbon route , but like many others have said , carbon could be a little softer and with the research i did , that statement kept coming up , all i can say the six13 is awesome...
there are a few 6/13 models to choose , i went with the team1 , selected campy components instead of shimano , and choose a few other items that i prefered over what normally comes on the team1....
as far as a good race bike , my six13 comes in at 16.5 pounds , {tight and light}
good luck , hope ya get what you want
"cheers max63"

As I have already posted, I own a 6-13. However, carbon does not necessarily make a softer frame. It does tend to dampen the road vibrations and produces less road chatter. But less vibrations does not mean a softer frame. Personally I grew up with a steel frame and like some road feel. Thus a full carbon frame, even if they were very stiff, were not as interesting for me. The 6-13 fit me well, and it offered a stiff frame with good road feel but was comfortable for me even with century ride. I had a coach fit me after buying the bike and other than moving the seat back an inch or two, it was a perfect fit.

The funny thing was that when I began trying out bikes I had ruled out aluminum as a material based on the 1980-1990,s reputation. After trying at least 20 different bikes, I choose the 6-13. The LBS allowed me to take bikes home for extended rides. One thing is absolutely true, all the bikes, materials and designs have signficantly improved. My other bike was a Medici steel frame from 1977 with Campy parts from 1972 and 1975. It was a real time warp into the future with the 6-13 or any of the other bikes I tried.

One other thing. A friend of mine who races bought an Orbea while on vacation in another state. He always wanted one. He says it is very stiff and the best he has ever had on a climb. But it is very unstable on fast descents and has led to a few crashes. Many factors play a role in this and discussion of this topic is not the point. The point is that he was fixated on getting an Orbea and impulsively bought it. He did not have an opportunity to test it out. Do not buy a bike by reputation or based on anyones posts. Test it out based on postings and then buy it because it works for you.

vascdoc said:

One other thing. A friend of mine who races bought an Orbea while on vacation in another state. He always wanted one. He says it is very stiff and the best he has ever had on a climb. But it is very unstable on fast descents and has led to a few crashes. Many factors play a role in this and discussion of this topic is not the point. The point is that he was fixated on getting an Orbea and impulsively bought it. He did not have an opportunity to test it out. Do not buy a bike by reputation or based on anyones posts. Test it out based on postings and then buy it because it works for you.

Amen. Always try to ride the bike you are considering buying! Don't worry about components, those you can change later to suit your tastes.

I've been riding my Six13 Record for over a year now and love it, it's just the perfect Bike for me personally, but like others have mentioned, ride a few first...

I've had a couple of rides on the Synapse, they're smoother and have a more relaxed Geometry than the Six13, they're a great Bike for Centuries especially, and a lot of other types of riding too!!

On my latest Century there were a LOT of really bad road surfaces (Palm Springs), which I remembered from last year, so this time I shod the wheels with Michelin Megamium 2 Tires and they made a world of difference...it's amazing what an enormous difference Tires can make...

Also, when comparing Bikes, make sure the Tire pressures are identical across the Board so you will be comparing apples to apples....

But to answer your question, both the Synapse and Six13 are great Bikes, the Six13 is stiffer and more responsive, the Synapse is a terrific long distance, Century type of ride...

Anabolicholic said:

looking to pick up a cannondale bike(spec cannondale because i can prodeal) and i'm interested in either the six13 or snyapse, was wondering what you guys thought and if anyone has ridden either or preferred either. thanks

Carbon and sofe,now i've heard everything. Oh i know,dont get steel either,ya know the rust. I tested the Synapse and the Roubaix. Both were great. The Roubaix was a tad more relaxed which i wanted. Plenty stiff and i'm 205. The Synapse was stiffer.

I was in the same position as you last October. I was between the Six13 and the Synapse. I rode a lot of bikes, including a full carbon Trek Modone (sp?), I think it was a 5.2, and a full carbon Specialized Roubaix (sp?). I ended up loving the fit of the Cannondale, and narrowed my choices down to the Six13 and the Synapse.

Now, I do not race, and I am working my way up to a century ride, so you'd think the Synapse would be a better choice. However, after riding both for a few days, I just fell in love with the Six13. The bottom bracket is crazy stiff, and it feels like 100% of your power is transferred to the road. Also, the carbon top and down tubes (as well as the carbon fork) absorb quite a bit of the minor bumps and cracks in the road. I think it makes for a pretty comfortable ride over many miles.

So, I ordered a Six13 Team, with a mix of Ultegra and Dura Ace. It took two months to get one in. I've been riding it since December, and love it. Highly recommended. Price wise, the Six13 and Synapse came in really close, so that shouldn't make any difference in your decision.

thanks again guys, i'll let you know which way i go, now i'm looking for the right shop with a fit kit, or other fitting system to get my demensions right, one more question, looking on the site, it only offers the odd frame sizes in frameset only, is this true, can i not purchase a 57 built bike?

I don't know, mine was a built up Bike but it's an even size, 58cm.
But getting fitted is a smart move on a spendy Bike..who knows, maybe you will squeeze onto a 56 or 58??

Did you decide on the 13 or Synapse?

Anabolicholic said:

thanks again guys, i'll let you know which way i go, now i'm looking for the right shop with a fit kit, or other fitting system to get my demensions right, one more question, looking on the site, it only offers the odd frame sizes in frameset only, is this true, can i not purchase a 57 built bike?

Jaguar27 said:

I don't know, mine was a built up Bike but it's an even size, 58cm.
But getting fitted is a smart move on a spendy Bike..who knows, maybe you will squeeze onto a 56 or 58??

Did you decide on the 13 or Synapse?

decided on a six13, we'll see about sizing still need to talk to the guys about sizing and maybe call or email cannondale about the odd sizing issue, i have an awkward frame so we'll see.......🙁

vascdoc said:

I bought a six thirteen last May. It is an incredible ride. Great on the climb and even better on the way down. It is light weight and stiff but very comfortable on a century ride. .....

Great thread guys. I guess I was thinking they only made mountain bikes and alums for the road.

This six13 is very interesting. Only one review gave it a "sketchy" on descents.

For sure, deserves a test ride 🙂