Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L vs Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105
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 (77% against 74%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
Specialized
Roubaix SL8 Sport 105
74% for a typical rider
£2,800 at Sigma Sports
£100 under RRP. 30-day returns
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What actually separates them
- Price
- The Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L is £200 cheaper — £2,700 against £2,900.
- Weight
- The Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105 is 0.2kg 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 1.56). The Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Specialized Roubaix SL8 Sport 105 takes 40mm 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.
- Mudguards
- Only the Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Synapse Carbon 3 L | Roubaix SL8 Sport 105 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,700 | £2,900 |
| Weight | 9.1 kg | 8.9 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano 105 R7100 Di2 | Shimano 105 R7100 mechanical |
| Stack / reach | 1.60 | 1.56 |
| Tyre clearance | 35 mm | 40 mm |
| Lowest gear | 26 in | 26 in |
| Mudguard mounts | Yes | No |
| Comfort | 82 | 74 |
| Speed | 36 | 43 |
| Climbing | 62 | 65 |
| Value | 40 | 18 |
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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