Cannondale SuperXvsSynapse
Pick the SuperX if you want to win a local gravel race on Saturday and a cyclocross event on Sunday; choose the Synapse if you want to survive 200 kilometers of mixed pavement and "champagne" gravel without feeling like a bruised peach. The SuperX is a laser-focused race tool that borrows heavily from road aero tech, but the Synapse is the smarter, more practical choice for the vast majority of drop-bar riders. It is a battle between pure speed and sophisticated utility.
Overview
Cannondale has effectively created two bikes that fight over the same "all-road" territory from opposite directions. The SuperX is a cyclocross legend that has been stretched and streamlined to become a pure gravel racer, ditching mud clearance for aerodynamic optimization and 51mm tire capability. In contrast, the Synapse remains the definitive endurance road bike but now offers 42mm of tire clearance, making it a capable option for riders who spend most of their time on tarmac but want the freedom to venture onto smooth dirt paths. While the SuperX aims for the podium with its sub-900g Lab71 frame and aggressive road-derived tube shapes, the Synapse aims for the driveway with its integrated SmartSense lights and radar. The SuperX refuses the comfort of in-frame storage or suspension, betting instead on carbon "elastics" and raw efficiency. The Synapse includes a downtube "glovebox" with an internal light—a feature that feels more automotive than athletic—showing just how much Cannondale wants this bike to be a reliable, daily companion. The SuperX is about chasing personal bests; the Synapse is about enjoying the ride regardless of the road surface.
Ride and handling
Riding the SuperX feels like piloting a road bike that just happened to grow some knobby tires. It is aggressive, reactive, and demands attention when the terrain gets technical, with a front end that feels distinctly firm over washboard surfaces. The handling is precise, but it lacks the twitchiness of traditional CX bikes, instead favoring high-speed stability. It’s a bike that wants to go fast all the time, and its snappy acceleration makes it a natural climber for punchy off-road ramps. Every pedal stroke turns into forward momentum, though the chatter over rougher surfaces is communicated clearly to the hands. The Synapse is the polar opposite: a calm and undemanding machine that largely disappears underneath you. With a 20% increase in compliance, it smooths out chip-seal and broken pavement with a remarkably smooth ride quality that mimics a Trek Domane's rear-end flex. However, that composure comes at the cost of some agility; the long wheelbase and 61mm trail make it feel sedate or even planted compared to racier endurance rivals. Where the SuperX feels explosive in a sprint, the Synapse feels steady, designed to keep you fresh after six hours in the saddle rather than helping you win a finish-line lunge.
Specifications
Build choices highlight the different missions of these two frames. The SuperX 2 comes with Shimano GRX Di2 2x12, which provides the range needed for riders who use this as an all-in-one road and dirt machine, though the 1x SRAM XPLR builds on higher models offer better chain security for racing. The wheels are a standout, with the SuperX using Reserve 40/44 GR hoops that are fast and want to roll, whereas the Synapse Carbon 2 gets Reserve 42/49 wheels that emphasize crosswind stability. The SuperX also includes aero-optimized water bottles and cages that match the frame lines, taking the aero concept further than any other bike in the gravel segment. The Synapse's biggest spec differentiator is the SmartSense system—a central battery that powers the lights, Garmin radar, and even the SRAM derailleurs. It's a data-rich experience that simplifies charging but adds roughly 460g to the total weight, making even the Lab71 Synapse feel heavier than expected at nearly 8kg. On the budget end, the Synapse 4 uses heavy alloy DT Swiss 470 rims that hold back its climbing potential, while the SuperX 3 provides a more stripped-down, race-ready mechanical GRX build for those who care more about weight than integrated electronics. The Synapse includes a StashPort storage bag in the downtube, while the SuperX sticks to top-tube mounts for food access.
| SuperX | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Cannondale SuperX Carbon, Proportional Response construction, internal cable routing, 12x142mm thru-axle, UDH, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seatpost binder | 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 SuperX Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8" to 1-1/2" Delta steerer, 55mm offset | 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, 13-speed | Shimano 105 Di2 7170, hydraulic disc, 12-speed |
| Front derailleur | — | Shimano 105 Di2 7150, braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Force XPLR AXS, 13-speed | Shimano 105 Di2 7150 |
| Cassette | SRAM Force XPLR XG-1371, 10-46T, 13-speed | Shimano 105 7100, 12-speed, 11-34 |
| Chain | SRAM Force 13-speed | Shimano 105 7100, 12-speed |
| Crankset | SRAM Force XPLR AXS Wide Power Meter: 165mm (46cm), 170mm (51-54cm), 172.5mm (58cm), 175mm (61cm) | Shimano 105 7100, BSA, 50/34 |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB BSA Road 68 Wide | 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 | DT Swiss GRC 1400 DICUT, carbon, 24mm internal width, 50mm depth, 24h, tubeless ready; DT Swiss 240, centerlock, straight pull, 12x100mm, Ratchet EXP 36; DT Swiss Aero Comp | DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h; Formula CL-712, 12x100mm Center Lock; Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Rear wheel | DT Swiss GRC 1400 DICUT, carbon, 24mm internal width, 50mm depth, 24h, tubeless ready; DT Swiss 240, centerlock, straight pull, 12x142mm, Ratchet EXP 36; DT Swiss Aero Comp | DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h; Formula RXC-400, 12x142mm Center Lock; Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Front tire | Vittoria Terreno T50, 700x40c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Rubino Pro Reflective, 700x30c |
| Rear tire | Vittoria Terreno T50, 700x40c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Rubino Pro Reflective, 700x30c |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Cannondale SystemBar R-One (integrated bar/stem), full carbon, internal routing | Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7° |
| Handlebars | Cannondale SystemBar R-One (integrated bar/stem), full carbon, internal routing: 90x400mm (46-51cm), 100x420mm (54-56cm), 110x420mm (58cm), 120x420mm (61cm) | Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, Compact |
| Saddle | Fizik Vento Argo X3, Kium rails, 140mm | Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C1 Aero 27 Carbon, SmartSense compatible, 0mm offset (46cm), 15mm 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
Comparing the SuperX in a size 56 to the Synapse in a size 54 reveals a significant fit delta. The SuperX has a longer reach (385mm vs 381mm) and a higher stack (575mm vs 570mm), but because the Synapse is a size smaller in this comparison, the reality is that the SuperX forces a much more aggressive posture. The SuperX also features a staggering 47mm more standover height, a nod to its cyclocross DNA where shouldering the bike is common, though it makes the bike feel much taller and less approachable than the Synapse’s low-slung top tube. Stability off-road is managed differently on each. The SuperX uses "OutFront" geometry with a slack 71-degree head angle and a massive 55mm fork offset, resulting in a 65mm trail that keeps the front wheel from wandering on loose climbs. The Synapse uses a similar 55mm offset but has a 71.3-degree head angle, giving it a 61mm trail. This makes the Synapse feel easier to manage and more stable in a straight line on pavement, but it doesn't have the sharp maneuverability the SuperX retains for tight cyclocross corners or technical singletrack. The SuperX's 422mm chainstays are short for gravel, keeping the rear end snappy, while the Synapse's 425mm stays are long for road, contributing to its sedate character.
| FIT GEO | SuperX | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 515 | 510 | -5 |
| Reach | 365 | 366 | +1 |
| Top tube | 510 | 522 | +12 |
| Headtube length | 86 | 91 | +5 |
| Standover height | 746 | 714 | -32 |
| Seat tube length | 449 | 407 | -42 |
| HANDLING | SuperX | Synapse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 70 | 69.8 | -0.2 |
| Seat tube angle | 74.3 | 73 | -1.3 |
| BB height | 283 | 278 | -5 |
| BB drop | 77 | 75 | -2 |
| Trail | 72 | 71 | -1 |
| Offset | 55 | 55 | 0 |
| Front center | 588 | 589 | +1 |
| Wheelbase | 998 | 1003 | +5 |
| Chainstay length | 422 | 425 | +3 |
Who each one is for
Cannondale SuperX
This bike is for the rider who spends their Tuesday nights at a local cyclocross practice and their Saturdays chasing a top-ten finish at a regional gravel race. If you view 40mm tires as the baseline for a road ride and don't mind a firm front end in exchange for raw power transfer, this machine makes sense. It’s perfect for someone who wants one bike to handle everything from muddy run-ups to fast-paced dirt centuries where speed is the only metric that matters.
Cannondale Synapse
Riders who live for hilly road adventures or 100-mile sportives will find the Synapse a much more forgiving partner. If your roads are a patchwork of potholes and chip-seal, the sublime compliance and the peace of mind offered by the integrated radar and lights are worth the weight penalty. It is for the person who wants a fast road bike for the masses and has no interest in the twitchy, demanding nature of a pure race frame.
