Cannondale SuperSix EVOvsSynapse
Descend a snaking mountain road in the Spanish sun and the SuperSix EVO asks you to dive deeper into every apex with razor-sharp intent. Switch to a rain-slicked, broken backroad in the UK and the Synapse offers a calm, steady hand, its integrated radar watching your back while the frame mutes the road chatter that would knock a pure race bike off-line.
Overview
Cannondale has narrowed the visual gap between these models, but they remain fundamentally different tools for the road. The SuperSix EVO is a dedicated speed machine, refined in the wind tunnel to match the drag of pure aero bikes while staying light enough to dance up the steepest ramps. It is a bike designed to win races or drop your friends on the weekend club run. In contrast, the Synapse has transformed into a high-tech all-road companion. It trades the EVO's sharp-edged acceleration for massive 42mm tire clearance and the second-generation SmartSense system, which integrates lights and radar directly into the frame's ecosystem. Both bikes have finally moved to threaded BSA bottom brackets, a move that home mechanics will celebrate after years of dealing with the sometimes-fickle press-fit BB30 standards. While the EVO uses its aero-shaped seat tube to hide a Di2 battery low in the frame for a better center of gravity, the Synapse uses its voluminous downtube for a 'StashPort' storage hatch. This hatch houses the SmartSense battery or provides a cavernous space for tools and tubes, highlighting that the Synapse is built for the self-sufficient long-haul rider while the EVO is built for the support-car-adjacent racer.
Ride and handling
Handling on the SuperSix EVO is consistently described by reviewers as 'on rails.' With a 58mm trail and a shorter 1010mm wheelbase (size 54), it feels intuitive and reactive, responding to weight shifts at the hips rather than forced steering inputs. It is a bike that urges you to push harder, holding its line through high-speed corners with absolute composure. However, the move to deeper aero tubes and a narrow 15mm-wide seatpost has made the ride slightly harsher on choppy surfaces compared to previous generations, a trade-off for its impressive 12-watt aerodynamic saving. The Synapse takes a more sedate, planted approach to handling. Its low-60mm trail and longer 1026mm wheelbase (size 54) provide straight-line stability that reduces rider fatigue over long distances. While one reviewer noted it lacks the 'fizz' and agility of some race-oriented endurance bikes, its ability to remain oblivious to road surfaces that would knock an EVO off-line is its greatest strength. It cossets the rider, with a D-shaped seatpost that flexes visibly over bumps, providing a 20% increase in compliance over the previous model. Acceleration is the EVO's domain. When you stand up to sprint, the bike moves forward with ruthless efficiency. The Synapse, particularly in lower-tier builds equipped with heavy alloy wheels, can feel a bit sluggish to spin up on steep climbs. It is a bike that prefers a steady, constant cadence to the crest rather than an explosive attack. On the way back down, the Synapse's 32mm tires—which often measure up to 35mm on wide carbon rims—provide massive grip and confidence, making it a more relaxing partner for technical descents.
Specifications
The inclusion of SmartSense 2.0 is the most consequential spec difference. On builds like the Synapse Carbon 2 RLE, a single central battery powers an 800-lumen front light and a Garmin Varia rear radar. This system even powers SRAM AXS derailleurs on higher builds, eliminating the need for multiple chargers. The SuperSix EVO avoids this complexity to save weight, relying on standard independent systems that won't add the ~460g penalty of the full SmartSense suite. Wheel quality is another major separator. The SuperSix EVO 1 comes with 50mm deep HollowGram R-S 50 carbon wheels, which are aerodynamic enough to challenge dedicated aero bikes. Many Synapse builds, however, come specced with heavy DT Swiss R470 alloy rims. While durable, these wheels are often cited by reviewers as the first thing to upgrade, as they hide the potential of the high-quality carbon frame. At the top end, the Synapse Lab71 pulls out all the stops with Reserve 42/49 carbon wheels laced to premium DT Swiss 180 hubs. Drivetrain choices reflect their respective missions. The Synapse Lab71 features a 1x13 SRAM Red XPLR group, providing massive climbing range but sometimes leaving riders searching for the right gear on fast group rides. The SuperSix EVO builds typically stick to 2x Shimano or SRAM setups, ensuring the tight gear spacing required for racing. Both models use the Delta steerer tube, which allows for clean internal routing while still using a standard headset—a rare win for user-friendliness in the world of fully integrated cockpits.
| EVO | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12x142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible | Synapse Carbon, SmartSense enabled, Proportional Response size-specific design, BSA threaded BB, flat mount brake, 12x142mm thru axle, thru-tube internal cable routing with Switch Plate, removable fender bridge, hidden rack/fender mounts |
| Fork | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon fork, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" Delta steerer, 55mm offset (44-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm) | Synapse Carbon, integrated crown race, Proportional Response size-specific design, 12x100mm thru-axle, thru-tube internal routing, hidden fender mounts |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | SRAM Force AXS, 12-speed | Shimano 105 Di2 7170, hydraulic disc, 12-speed |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Force AXS, braze-on | Shimano 105 Di2 7150, braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Force AXS | Shimano 105 Di2 7150 |
| Cassette | SRAM Force XG-1270, 10-33, 12-speed | Shimano 105 7100, 12-speed, 11-34 |
| Chain | SRAM Force, 12-speed | Shimano 105 7100, 12-speed |
| Crankset | SRAM Force AXS Power Meter, 48/35 | Shimano 105 7100, BSA, 50/34 |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB BSA | Shimano SM-BBR60, BSA |
| Front brake | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 7170 hydraulic disc |
| Rear brake | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc | Shimano 105 7170 hydraulic disc |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | HollowGram R-S 50, Carbon, 20h front, 50mm deep, 21mm inner width, tubeless ready; HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm Center Lock; Formula Grand Forza, double butted, straight pull | DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h; Formula CL-712, 12x100mm Center Lock; Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Rear wheel | HollowGram R-S 50, Carbon, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm inner width, tubeless ready; HollowGram, 12x142mm Center Lock w/ DT Swiss 240 internals; Formula Grand Forza, double butted, straight pull | DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h; Formula RXC-400, 12x142mm Center Lock; Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Front tire | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT, 700x28c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Rubino Pro Reflective, 700x30c |
| Rear tire | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT, 700x28c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Rubino Pro Reflective, 700x30c |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6° | Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7° |
| Handlebars | Vision Trimax Carbon Aero | Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, Compact |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension TiRox NDR | Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (44-48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm) | Cannondale 3 SmartSense, 6061 Alloy, 27.2x350mm (48-56), 400mm (58-61) |
| Grips/Tape | Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm | Fabric Knurl Bar Tape, 3.5mm |
Geometry and fit comparison
Fit is where these two bikes truly diverge for your body. On a size 54, the Synapse has a stack of 570mm, which is 15mm higher than the EVO's 555mm. This higher front end allows for an upright, comfortable riding position that doesn't require exceptional core strength or flexibility. If you find yourself using a tower of spacers under your stem on most bikes, the Synapse geometry is a more natural fit. Reach also tells a story of intent. The EVO is longer at 384mm, compared to the Synapse's 381mm. When you combine the EVO's lower stack and longer reach, you get a much more aggressive, stretched-out posture designed to get the rider's chest out of the wind. The Synapse keeps the bars closer and higher, which is better for scanning the horizon on an 80-mile adventure but less efficient for 25mph pacelines. Stability is baked into the Synapse via its 425mm chainstays, which are 15mm longer than the EVO's 410mm stays. This longer rear end, combined with a slacker 71.3-degree head tube angle on most sizes, ensures the Synapse tracks straight with minimal effort. The EVO's steeper angles and shorter rear end make it more agile and easier to 'whip' through technical turns, though it requires more constant attention from the rider at high speeds.
| FIT GEO | EVO | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 505 | 510 | +5 |
| Reach | 370 | 366 | -4 |
| Top tube | 512 | 522 | +10 |
| Headtube length | 100 | 91 | -9 |
| Standover height | 698 | 714 | +16 |
| Seat tube length | 400 | 407 | +7 |
| HANDLING | EVO | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 70.9 | 69.8 | -1.1 |
| Seat tube angle | 74.3 | 73 | -1.3 |
| BB height | 268 | 278 | +10 |
| BB drop | 74 | 75 | +1 |
| Trail | 60 | 71 | +11 |
| Offset | 55 | 55 | 0 |
| Front center | 582 | 589 | +7 |
| Wheelbase | 981 | 1003 | +22 |
| Chainstay length | 410 | 425 | +15 |
Who each one is for
Cannondale SuperSix EVO
For the rider who treats every Saturday group ride like a local world championship and values the feeling of a bike that wants to go faster than you do. You likely enjoy technical criteriums or hilly road races and want a bike that carves corners and climbs without compromise. This is for the person who has the flexibility to ride low and long and isn't bothered by a bit of road buzz if it means having the most efficient tool for the job.
Cannondale Synapse
For the century rider who values safety and long-haul comfort over outright podium finishes. If you spend most of your time on backroads with unpredictable pavement and want integrated tech like radar and lights to manage the logistics of your ride, the Synapse is built for you. It’s ideal for an older rider who wants a fast, premium bike that doesn't punish their lower back, or anyone planning self-supported multi-day adventures where tire clearance and storage matter more than marginal aero gains.
