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Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense vs Specialized Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS

Both are endurance bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Specialized Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS comes out ahead (77% against 72%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Cannondale

Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense

72% for a typical rider

£6,995 at Brand website
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Specialized

Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS

77% for a typical rider

£7,249 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense is £254 cheaper — £6,995 against £7,249.
Weight
The Specialized Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS is 2.4kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense sits you more upright (1.52 stack-to-reach against 1.48). The Specialized Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense takes 42mm tyres against 35mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Climbing gear
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense has the easier bottom gear (25 gear inches against 29), which matters more than weight on anything genuinely steep.
Mudguards
Only the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.

Side by side

Spec Synapse Carbon 2 SmartSense Aethos 2 Pro - SRAM Force AXS
Price £6,995 £7,249
Weight 9.1 kg 6.7 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset SRAM Force AXS SRAM Force AXS E1 2x12 electronic
Stack / reach 1.52 1.48
Tyre clearance 42 mm 35 mm
Lowest gear 25 in 29 in
Mudguard mounts Yes No
Comfort 68 47
Speed 45 83
Climbing 64 85
Value 0 0

Neither might be the right answer

This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.

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