Rodale

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Devo Wrap: Top-5 finishes highlight strong European week

The elite women, U23 and juniors riders in the USA Cycling National Development Program continue recording stellar results internationally. The development programand#39;s riders registered a pair of top-five overall results in standout week in Europe.

Source: USA Cycling News Headlines

Mechanical failure derails Gwin's Worlds chances

/

Brake problems ruin American's final downhill run


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Riis associates "not my cup of tea" says Weltz

/

Current Slipstream director distances himself from CSC


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Contador targets Worlds, Il Lombardia after Vuelta

/

Spaniard will only race Tour of Beijing if WorldTour points count for team


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Arvesen understands Riis and CSC doubts

/

Sastre: "It's Hamilton's fault, not Bjarne's"


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

De Gendt to try again for Vuelta stage win

/

Relentless attacker hopes for a fourth time lucky


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Australian 2013 MTB National Series schedule announced

/

National Championships return to Stromlo, Tasmania to host Oceanias


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 6 Apex review

The 6 is the entry level carbon Synapse, but uses the same sculpted SAVE PLUS frame as the £3,000 model. 

  • Highs: Smooth, pothole-proof cruiser ride with the widest off-the-peg spread of gears
  • Lows: Frame weight, flex and heavy wheels all bog it down when you put the boot in
  • Buy if: You let rides unfold at a comfortable pace rather than pushing them along

Developed from the pivotless rear ends of Cannondale’s full suspension mountain bikes, flat sections on the chainstays and seatstays are designed to provide ‘micro suspension’ between you and the road. 

The fork, seat tube and seatpost are designed with dramatically tapered centre sections to increase flex too. The result certainly isolates a decent amount of road shock over rough surfaces and reduces jolting over potholes. 

That’s more impressive considering the decidedly firm ride of the heavy duty Schwalbe Lugano tyres, although their inertia does add a helpful steamroller effect on rough roads compared with lighter rubber.

On the subject of weight, aluminium inserts for the seatpost and the fork’s alloy crown and steerer mean the chassis is heavy. The sturdy Shimano wheels are also weighty, so spinning the Synapse up to speed is a relatively prolonged process.

You need to make the most of the extra-large 32-tooth sprocket on the SRAM WiFli transmission to keep power application smooth rather than jerky in or out of the saddle too; try to push a bigger gear and the SAVE rear end can start to bounce to the rhythm of your cranking, which is really off-putting on the steepest climbs, when it’s better to have all your effort winching you up from the valley floor, not turning your bike into a spacehopper.

While the handling geometry itself is fine, there’s also noticeable distortion between rider and rubber when you start snaking downhill. It’s more of an approximate line vagueness than a treacherous load up and twang trait, but it’s another reason why more aggressive riders should be looking at the racier Super Six at the same price.

But as we’ve said, the extra wheel weight and the frame’s ability to shrug off holes and sustain speed is a real bonus in terms of flatland momentum, so if you’re more into cruising than climbing the Synapse is on your wavelength.

 cannondale synapse carbon 6 apex:

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.



Source: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear

Froome battles on into final rest day at Vuelta

/

Sky leader loses more time on final climb to Cuitu Nigru


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines