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2021 Cannondale Synapse Carbon vs 2021 Giant Contend 1

The Giant Contend 1 size closest to your 54 is the ML. Compare the ML instead

What changes on the Giant Contend 1

Compared with the Cannondale Synapse Carbon in 54, the Giant Contend 1 in XL places the top of the head tube 45 mm higher and 19 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 23 mm longer, which can contribute to stability at speed.

Frame stack
+45 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
+19 mm
Longer frame reach
Wheelbase
+23 mm
Longer: steadier at speed
Head angle
+0.8°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
+2 mm
About the same

The two frames

2021 Cannondale Synapse Carbon (54) and 2021 Giant Contend 1 (XL), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Cannondale Synapse Carbon is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Giant Contend 1 is the colored outline on top.J 1008

Cannondale Synapse Carbon, 54Giant Contend 1, XLDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementCannondale Synapse Carbon 54Giant Contend 1 XLDifference
Reach382401+19 mm
Stack570615+45 mm
Head tube angle71.772.5°+0.8°
Seat tube angle73.972.5°−1.4°
Effective top tube547not listed
Chainstay length410412+2 mm
Wheelbase10081031+23 mm
BB drop7370−3 mm
BB height272not listed
Standover773844+71 mm
Seat tube length480585+105 mm
Head tube length161218+57 mm

Differences are the Giant Contend 1 minus the Cannondale Synapse Carbon. Full charts: 2021 Cannondale Synapse Carbon, 2021 Giant Contend 1.

Where each sits in its class

Cannondale Synapse CarbonGiant Contend 1

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other road bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartCannondale Synapse CarbonCarbon 105Giant Contend 1
FrameCannondale BallisTecnot listed
ForkBallisTecnot listed
ShifterShimano 105not listed
DerailleurShimano 105, Shimano 105 GSnot listed
CassetteShimano 105not listed
ChainShimano HG601not listed
CranksetCannondale BB30anot listed
PedalsNotnot listed
TireVittoria Zaffiro Pro Brightnot listed
RimCannondale RD 2.0not listed
BrakeShimano 105not listed
Bar tapeCannondale Tapenot listed
HeadsetSynapsenot listed
SaddleFabric Scoopnot listed

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