How to Choose a Gravel Bike

Built for the road ahead, no matter what it's made of, the Cannondale Synapse Neo Allroad 2 electric bike explores backroads with speed and comfort—thanks to carbon construction and an electric motor.
Imported.
| Best Use | Gravel Cycling |
|---|---|
| E-Bike Classification | Class 3: pedal assist up to 28 mph |
| Motor | Bosch Performance Line Sprint, 28 mph |
| Motor Type | Mid-Drive |
| Motor Torque (Nm) | 55 Newton meters |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
| Battery Capacity (Wh) | 400 watt hours |
| Battery Removable | Yes |
| Charge Time (hrs) | 3.5 hours |
| Frame | Synapse Neo Carbon, Series 2 Carbon construction, internal downtube battery, integrated cable routing, 148 mm dropout spacing, 12 mm thru axle, SAVE, flat mount disc, Pletscher kickstand mount (30 mm) |
| Bike Suspension | No Suspension |
| Fork | Synapse Neo Carbon, Series 2 Carbon construction, 1-1/8 in. to 1.5 in. Delta steerer, flat mount disc, internal routing, 12 x 110 thru axle |
| Crankset | FSA Bosch E-Bike, Boost 48/32T |
| Shifters | Shimano GRX 800, 12-speed |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano GRX 820, braze-on |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano GRX 820, Shadow RD+ |
| Rear Cogs | Shimano 105, 11-34T, 12-speed |
| Number of Gears | 24 gear(s) |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc, 160/160 mm RT64 rotors |
| Brake Levers | Shimano GRX 800 hydraulic disc |
| Rims | Cannondale GXD10, alloy double-wall rim, 28h |
| Front Hub | Formula sealed cartridge bearing, 12 x 110 mm thru axle |
| Rear Hub | Formula sealed cartridge bearing 12 x 148 mm thru axle |
| Wheel Size | 700c |
| Tires | Vittoria Terreno Dry, 700c x 40 mm, tubeless ready |
| Tire Width | 40 millimeters |
| Handlebar Shape | Drop Bar |
| Handlebar | Butted 6061 alloy, 20 deg. flare drop |
| Stem | Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6 deg. |
| Seat Post | Cannondale 2, UD Carbon, 27.2 x 350 mm (XS-S), x 400 mm (M-XL) |
| Saddle | Fizik Terra Argo X5, 150 mm width, S-alloy rails |
| Pedals | Not included |
| Headset | Integrated, 1-1/8 in. to 1.5 in. |
| Chain | Shimano 105, 12-speed |
| Weight | Unavailable |
| Gender | Unisex |
| XS | S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range | 5'2" - 5'6" | 5'5" - 5'9" | 5'9" - 6' | 6' - 6'3" | 6'3" - 6'9" |
| Reach | 37.8 | 38.6 | 39.4 | 40.1 | 40.9 |
| Stack | 56 | 57.8 | 60.5 | 63.3 | 66 |
| Effective Top Tube | 54.9 | 56.3 | 57.9 | 59.5 | 61.1 |
| Seat Tube Center-Top | 40.7 | 45.3 | 49.9 | 54.4 | 59 |
| Standover Height | 71.5 | 75.1 | 79.5 | 83.8 | 87.6 |
| Head Tube Length | 11.3 | 12.9 | 15.9 | 19.3 | 22.2 |
| Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 70.2 | 71.1 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| Bottom Bracket Height | 27.9 | 27.9 | 28.4 | 28.9 | 28.9 |
| Wheelbase | 104.9 | 105.5 | 106.5 | 108.3 | 110 |
| Chainstay | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Fork Offset | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Measurements are stated in centimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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I purchased this gravel ebike because it fit my cycling style. I ride with a high cadence (avg 100 rpm) and I find straight bars uncomfortable. The Bosch performance line SX (sprint) is designed around a rider with high cadence. I found that this bike rides as fast as my 2011 Cannondale Synapse 5, though it's about 10 lbs heavier, and this riding with no assist from the motor. In other words this heavier carbon fiber ebike (with no assist) is as fast with the same effort (via pulse rate) as my 2011 aluminum frame bike. After 380 miles I have found that I only use the electric assist to climb hills or when bucking head winds. The battery is small and the motor is not the most powerful, but with my riding style the computer estimates a range of 100 miles in ECO. Likely because I don't use the assist very much. I run 40psi in the front tire and 45 psi in the rear, this absorbs all the small roughness of the road. I've ridden this on 20 miles of gravel and dirt roads, which resulted in 2 pinch flats, so going tubeless is a natural next step. Some background, I'm 65 and 155 lbs, and have been cycling since 1981.
REI always provides good content on their reviews.
I have an earlier version of this bike, a class 1. While I wish mine was a class 3, I love it. I have had no problems whatsoever in the 3-4 years since I bought it. The ride is great. I use mine mostly on road. I think Cannondale has done it right.