With the introduction of the 2022 model, the Cannondale Synapse is equipped SmartSense. This sounds really interesting, right? But what is SmartSense?
Cannondale Synapse history
In 2006 Cannondale introduced the first Synapse. The Synapse Carbon 1 as shown in the brochure from 2006 was made brought to market as an endurance bicycle. While the elite racer models Six13 were made from co-molded carbon fibre aluminium frame, the Synapse Carbon 1 had a unibody frame made from carbon. The 2006 model of the Synapse had a Shimano Dura-Ace 10 speed group. Have a look at Cannondale history on the website vintagecannondale.com.
Cannondale SmartSense
SmartSense is a collaboration between Cannondale, Garmin and Lezyne. This new SmartSense safety system integrates the features from the Garmin Varia radar and Lezyne lights into the new Synapse SmartSense.
Garmin acquired the South African bike radar startup iKubu in 2015, shortly after the first Garmin Varia radar was introduced. This low-energy radar sensor attached to the seat post scans up to 140m behind a bicycle for traffic.
Micki Kozuschek founded Lezyne and since 2011, the company has been developing LED lights.
A radar unit with integrated rear light under the saddle pointing backwards, a wheel sensor on the front hub, a front light, a Radar Display Unit on the handlebar, a detachable 3450 mAh battery and a mobile app. That is what the SmartSense safety system contains.
Garmin safety in a Cannondale sauce
For those of you who are familiar with the Garmin Varia radar, SmartSense is basically Garmin safety in a Cannondale sauce. One 3450 mAh battery is the core of SmartSense. It powers the lights and radar that could last 2h 45m on full brightness. The battery weighs 178g but Cannondale does not give the weight of the Synapse RLE models so how the battery compares to the total weight of the bike is unclear, for now.
Cannondale has RLE, RL and L models of the Synapse. RLE stands for Radar, Lights, Electronic drivetrain. There is also an RL model of the Synapse which have a safety system but without the electronic drivetrain. So no Shimano Di2 system. The L model doesn’t include the radar system but keeps the Lezyne lights and battery pack.
The All-New Cannondale Synapse with SmartSense
Synapse models
| Model | Cannondale Synapse Carbon 1 RLE | Cannondale Synapse Carbon LTD RLE | Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 RLE | Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 RL | Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L |
| Groupset | Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 R9200 | Shimano GRX815 Di2 | Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 R8150 | Shimano ULTEGRA R8000 | Shimano 105 R7020 |
| Wheels | HollowGram 45 SL KNØT | HollowGram 45 SL KNØT | Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 | Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 | RD 2.1 |
| Tires | Vittoria Corsa Graphene 2.0 700 x 30C | WTB Exposure TCS 700 x 30C | Vittoria Rubino Pro Bright Black 700 x 30C | Vittoria Rubino Pro Bright Black 700 x 30C | Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Reflective 700 x 30C |
| Handlebar | HollowGram SAVE | HollowGram SAVE | FSA Gossamer Compact | Cannondale 2 | Cannondale 3 |
| Saddle | Fizik Tempo Argo R3 150 mm | Fizik Tempo Argo R3 150 mm | Fizik Tempo Argo R3 150 mm | Fizik Aliante Delta | Fizik Aliante Delta |
| Price | € 8,999 | € 6,999 | € 5,999 | € 4,499 | € 3,499 |
