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Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 vs Cannondale Synapse Carbon 3 L

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

The short answer

These two score within 0 points of each other for a typical all-round rider, so there is no single winner — the right one depends entirely on which of the differences below you care about.

Trek

Domane SL 5 Gen 5

80% for a typical rider

£2,500 at Brand website
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Cannondale

Synapse Carbon 3 L

80% for a typical rider

£2,700 at Brand website
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What actually separates them

Price
The Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 is £200 cheaper — £2,500 against £2,700.
Weight
The Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 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 1.58). The Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
Tyre clearance
The Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 5 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.

Side by side

Spec Domane SL 5 Gen 5 Synapse Carbon 3 L
Price £2,500 £2,700
Weight 8.8 kg 9.1 kg
Frame carbon carbon
Groupset Shimano 105 R7120 2x12 mechanical Shimano 105 R7100 Di2
Stack / reach 1.58 1.60
Tyre clearance 40 mm 35 mm
Lowest gear 27 in 26 in
Mudguard mounts Yes Yes
Comfort 88 82
Speed 37 36
Climbing 62 62
Value 31 40

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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