Handlebars too low Cannondale synapse

[hantsxlg]

Hi Pistonheaders...

I've been getting into road cycling during lockdown with a 2020 cannondale synapse al 105. I bought the largest they make with 61cm frame. I still have the seat post pretty high as long legs. I've flipped the stem over (7 degree) to get the bars slightly higher but they still feel far too low and possibly a little short on reach.

What are my best options to address? There are no spacers above the stem so no scope to raise on the steerer.

Can you buy a decent higher rise stem? Maybe a 140mm long and 15 degree? Will that make much difference?

[Harryturbs]

If the bike feels too long, a longer stem will make it worse.

Sounds daft but have you tried moving your saddle forward a bit on its rails?

Also, it would be fiddly to do but, google 'riser drop bars' they would definitely help...

[louiebaby]

Set up in the following order:

1. Cleats
2. Seat
3. Bar

A proper fit by a fitter is always worth spending the cash on, and someone much more knowledgeable may correct me, but very broadly:

Cleats
- The centre of the ball of your foot should be over the centre line of the spindle of the pedal.

Seat
- Height - Your leg should be a few degrees off straight at the bottom of a pedal stroke, when you're actually working.

- Fore/Aft - The centre of your knee pivot should be directly above the centre of the pedal spindle when the pedals are horizontal.

(Adjusting to get both of those right is a faff, because the seat post is at an angle, so you can't only change one of them)

Bar
- Much more person specific, and will depend on the type of riding you do. Luckily stems are pretty cheap.

[Ares]

Echo getting a professional fit. Dependant on where you are, Matt Hallam from Crimson is amazing. Always get him to do my bike fits.

[outnumbered]

+1 for getting a fit. What's the saddle to bar drop currently (measure bar height above ground in cm, subtract from saddle height) ?

[ian in lancs]

louiebaby said:

Set up in the following order:

1. Cleats
2. Seat
3. Bar

A proper fit by a fitter is always worth spending the cash on, and someone much more knowledgeable may correct me, but very broadly:

Cleats
- The centre of the ball of your foot should be over the centre line of the spindle of the pedal.

Seat
- Height - Your leg should be a few degrees off straight at the bottom of a pedal stroke, when you're actually working.

- Fore/Aft - The centre of your knee pivot should be directly above the centre of the pedal spindle when the pedals are horizontal.

(Adjusting to get both of those right is a faff, because the seat post is at an angle, so you can't only change one of them)

Bar
- Much more person specific, and will depend on the type of riding you do. Luckily stems are pretty cheap.

fore/aft seat is rear of patella, not knee pivot point, in line with pedal axle with pedal parallel to the ground.

[louiebaby]

ian in lancs said:

fore/aft seat is rear of patella, not knee pivot point, in line with pedal axle with pedal parallel to the ground.

Thank you for correcting me.

[okgo]

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/deda-adjustable-road-stem...

Test until happy with outcome, easy.

[moonigan]

A flipped 17 degree stem will help: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/3t-apto-team-stealth-stem as will riser bars. Specialized do a 15mm riser bar as do a number of other manufacturers. Try the stem first as thats an inexpensive and easy solution to implement. One thing worth noting though is that when you move the cockpit up the steering can start to feel a bit wierd and twitchy.

Whilst the Synapse is classed as an endurance bike its doesnt have as relaxed a geometry as some of the other endurance bikes. I have long legs and went through a similar issue some years ago so if you cant get a good fit on the Synapse, bear in mind you will get a bit more flexible as your fitness gets better then you may have to look at another brand/model. A bike fit is a good idea if you have unusual arm/legs/torso sizes. Trek and Giant are a good starting point for bikes with more accomodating geometry.

[ian in lancs]

moonigan said:

A flipped 17 degree stem will help: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/3t-apto-team-stealth-stem as will riser bars. Specialized do a 15mm riser bar as do a number of other manufacturers. Try the stem first as thats an inexpensive and easy solution to implement. One thing worth noting though is that when you move the cockpit up the steering can start to feel a bit wierd and twitchy.

Whilst the Synapse is classed as an endurance bike its doesnt have as relaxed a geometry as some of the other endurance bikes. I have long legs and went through a similar issue some years ago so if you cant get a good fit on the Synapse, bear in mind you will get a bit more flexible as your fitness gets better then you may have to look at another brand/model. A bike fit is a good idea if you have unusual arm/legs/torso sizes. Trek and Giant are a good starting point for bikes with more accomodating geometry.

My Synapse has an aero handlebar* and that stem won't fit. Not sure what bar the OP has fitted.

• HollowGram SystemBar SAVE compatible with HollowGram KNOT and SAVE stems

These are the only options https://www.sigmasports.com/search?query=HollowGra... A -6deg stem is OE on my 2020 58cm Synapse

Edited by ian in lancs on Wednesday 30th September 22:17