Cannondale's
Synapse makes a successful debut at the Classics
Saturday 21st April, 2007
by Martin Williamson
Cannondale’s Synapse was the frame of choice
for many of the riders of Team Liquigas at last weekend’s Tour
of Flanders, including Filippo Pozzato and eventual podium-finisher,
Luca Paolini.
The frame offers a number of features which make
it well suited for the cobbled classics, the most physically demanding
races of the calendar, both for the riders and their equipment.
Filippo Pozzato's
Synapse photographed at the end of Sector 3.
High modulus carbon unibody construction results
in a strong and lightweight frame while the optimized tube shapes
of the S.A.V.E. chainstays and fork blades, and Triaxial Hourglass
seatstays provide the vibration reduction that is crucial for these
demanding races.
The optimized tube
shapes of the S.A.V.E. fork blades.
S.A.V.E. (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination)
is a Cannondale-exclusive technology. The carbon fiber chainstays
and fork blades have been strategically molded into a unique, tapered
shape. When combined with varying wall thicknesses, fiber layers and
fiber angles, it creates enough flex to dampen road vibration.
The Synapse’s Triaxial Hourglass Seatstays
provide a tuned ride through the strategic curving of the seatstays.
In addition, when compared to the System Six that
Team Liquigas has powered to victory many times this season, the Synapse
has a 5mm longer wheelbase which aids in tracking over the cobbled
roads.
Team Liquigas riders Manuel Quinziato and Roberto
Petito have chosen the Synapse as their primary race bike for the
2007 season.
Team Liquigas ride
the last few sectors of the Paris-Roubaix route two days before the
race.
Their feedback was positive and resulted in the
team’s choosing the Synapse for their Northern Classics campaign.
Petito states: “For longer races and the cobbles, it’s
perfect. The Synapse is comfortable, but still very competitive.”
Quinziato, who was seen on the attack charging
up the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo, echoes his teammate’s sentiment:
“The Synapse really impresses with its comfort and light weight,
and the integrated crank keeps it responsive under power.”
Paolini crashed mid-race on Sunday, damaging his
derailleur and forcing a change of bikes back to his System Six, which
he then piloted to a fine third-place finish.
Pozzato was in the front group as well, and even
put in a strong attack with just 12 km to go, but was pulled back
just as the main group shattered into pieces, leaving Paolini to bridge
up to the remnants of the chasers and outsprint them for the final
podium spot.
In last Sunday's Paris-Roubaix, Team Liquigas riders
had two
hyper-competitive products to choose from, the System Six and
the all-carbon Synapse, as they sought to win the toughest race on
the calendar. VeloResults don't think we've seen the last of these
boys!
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