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Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L vs Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5

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

The short answer

For a typical all-round rider the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L comes out ahead (80% against 73%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.

Cannondale

Synapse Carbon 3 L

80% for a typical rider

£2,700 at Brand website
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Cannondale

Synapse Carbon 5

73% for a typical rider

£2,895 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L is £195 cheaper — £2,700 against £2,895.
Weight
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L is 0.3kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
Riding position
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L sits you more upright (1.60 stack-to-reach against 1.52). The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5 takes 42mm tyres against 35mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Shifting
Only the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L has electronic shifting. Crisper and lower maintenance, but it needs charging and costs more to replace.

Side by side

Spec Synapse Carbon 3 L Synapse Carbon 5
Price £2,700 £2,895
Weight 9.1 kg 9.4 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset Shimano 105 R7100 Di2 Shimano 105 R7100
Stack / reach 1.60 1.52
Tyre clearance 35 mm 42 mm
Lowest gear 26 in 26 in
Mudguard mounts Yes Yes
Comfort 82 68
Speed 36 41
Climbing 62 58
Value 40 14

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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