Synapse Tiagra

It's quick enough for most rides, but not a pure fastest-possible build. When the riding is smooth, speed comes down to resistance and weight, and that's what this rating emphasizes. The strongest influences are all-round road tires that balance speed and comfort, an aero-leaning setup that reduces drag at higher speeds, a more budget-friendly drivetrain that focuses on value, and a more tucked riding position...

Climb score: 3.3/10. Within Road bikes, it ranks below average. It has a middle-of-the-road low gear for climbing. Your easiest gear lands around 27.0 gear inches. In its peer group, it lands around the easier ~58% for low-gear climbing. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. It can climb, but you’ll likely prefer smoother pacing on longer hills. Specs can vary by size and build, and some manufacturer details aren’t always published, so treat this as a strong guide rather than a guarantee.

Category-wise (endurance), coming in at 6.2/10 on aero, it aims for usable speed without big trade-offs so it’s more efficient than it looks once you’re rolling. The short version is: it’s a balanced middle ground: some streamlining, but not an extreme aero setup. The endurance category also hints at the intent behind the design. Tyres around 30mm are a practical middle ground, with a small aero trade-off compared with narrower race tyres. A tidier cockpit and cable routing can help a little once you’re riding quickly. In practice, it’s a balanced setup: decent in the wind without demanding big compromises elsewhere.

Balanced fit - a neutral road posture that suits most riders. Because the bar sits about 77 mm below the saddle (a moderate drop), and you'll be stretched forward about 555 mm in total (long). Estimated lean is about 35 degrees.

In Road, Fit adjustability is shaped by a few key choices: Standard cockpit parts make it simpler to fine-tune your position over time. Also, Hidden cables usually add a little friction when you swap bars or stems. That is why it is in the Adjustable bucket.

Ride comfort is 4.7/10 — on a real ride it feels balanced. So it’s tagged Balanced overall. It’s running about 30 mm tires on 700c wheels, and there’s a bit of cushion, but it still rides fairly direct on rough pavement on chipseal and broken pavement. The posture is neutral (posture 5/10, torso ~35°), which balances comfort and responsiveness pretty well.

Compared to similar bikes, this is priced very competitively. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the spec estimate, it comes in about 11% under the typical level for similar builds. In its peer group, it tends to be better-priced than many, beating about 78% of listings. To anchor it: price €1.725 versus an estimated €1.935 for a similar build. Overall, it looks like a great-value pick in its category.

This setup is focused on speed and efficiency on paved roads. The tire size is around 30 mm, which is typical for fast road setups. Wheel choice (700c) fits the kind of surfaces this bike targets.