Cannondale Carbon Road Disc User manual

Carbon Road Disc
Quick Start Guide
Applies to: Topstone Carbon, Synapse Carbon, Super X

Welcome to the Cannondale family.
WARNING
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
This is a Quick Start Guide, not an
Owner’s manual.
Bicycling is an active sport with
inherent risk. A wide range of injuries
are possible. Due to the nature of
bicycle riding, the situations you
encounter while riding, you will be
exposed to the risk of serious injury,
paralysis or death. This risk cannot
be eliminated. You can minimize the
risk in many ways. Begin by reading
the complete Cannondale Bicycle
Owner’s manual accompanying
this bike and available online at
www.cannondale.com, particularly
section “IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION”.
First up, thank you for buying a new Cannondale bike – we’re excited to
have you on board and to get you out riding as soon as possible. Our new
assembly process is easy-to-follow – using methods outlined in this guide
to assemble your new Cannondale at home, plus it’s even easier to do so
with a friend. Our guide will take you through the simple steps from start
to nish – you can also follow along with a how-to video, as you build your
bike, just visit: [email protected]
If you still have any questions, then our Cannondale rider support sta are
ready to help you. Feel free to give us a call at
Also, when your new bike is all assembled and ready to ride, we’d love to
check it out – please don’t forget to tag #ridecannondale in your social
media. Enjoy the ride!

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

1.
Install your
handlebars

Install your
seat post

Install your
front wheel

Install your
pedals



This video applies to one Cannondale Platform:
• Topstone Carbon, Synapse Carbon, Super X
Tools Needed:
• Flat-Head Screwdriver
• Phillips-Head Screwdriver
• Box Cutter
• Scissors
Tools Included:
• Torque Wrench
• Allen Keys
• Pedal Wrench
Gently lift your bike out of the box and set
it on top of the box. Make sure the attached
wheel is facing upwards
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
Inside the box, you’ll nd a smaller box of parts, necessary tools,
documentation and manuals. Once the bike is assembled, but
before you ride, please read the owner’s manual.
First, locate the staples on the top of the box and carefully remove
them with a screwdriver. Use caution: the staples are sharp.
Push the hand aps from the inside to the outside of the box. This
will make removing the bike easier.
Carefully lift the bike out of the box and set it onto the top of the box.
Remove the front wheel from the bike by carefully removing the zip
ties or Velcro. Then, remove all packaging from the wheel and set it
aside.
Remove all additional packaging from the bike, letting the handlebar
gently hang from the frame.
A.

C.
D.

C

Lift the entire bike up o the box and set the
rear end into the standing box.
The front fork should rest over the edge of the
box.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Carefully lift and rotate the bike, lowering it gently back into the box
with the fork overhanging the box side. The stem should be pointing
forward and the disc brake caliper should be on the left (non-
drivetrain) side of the bike.
F.
F

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
 A
B
C
D
Using anAllenwrench, loosen and removethefourbolts andfaceplate
from the stem. The stem connects the handlebar to the fork. Set the
bolts and faceplate aside together, so you don’t lose anything.
Insert the handlebar into the stem and verify the brake hoses and
shift cables wrap around the frame cleanly, without kinks to any of
the lines.
Loosely reattach the faceplate to the stem. Take care to not tighten
one bolt more than another. Your goal is a consistent gap between
the stem and faceplate.
Center the handlebar in the stem using the markings on the bar, then
roll it back into a comfortable position. Lightly hand-tighten the stem
bolts using the Allen key, ensuring there’s an even gap between the
stem and faceplate. We’ll fully tighten these later.
A.

C.
D.

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Locate the seatpost wedge in the parts bag. Identify the rounded
face on the wedge assembly and cover it with the provided grease.
Do NOT use carbon paste on this surface.
Use an Allen wrench to help guide the wedge into position in the
frame. Firmly push the seatpost wedge into the frame.
Apply carbon paste to the back of the seatpost wedge assembly and
the inside of the seat tube.
Locate the minimum insertion line on the seatpost.
Insert the seatpost into the frame beyond the minimum insertion line,
then hand tighten the seatpost wedge using the Allen key, enough so
the seatpost can’t be pulled from the frame. It will be fully tightened
later.
Carefully lift the bike from the box and gently place the fork ends on
the ground.
A.

C.
D.

F.
A
B
C
ED

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Unthread and remove the thru-axle from the fork and place it on a
clean surface.
The speed-release is basicallya thru-axle boltwith a groove machined
into the shaft to ease wheel removal and installation.
Install the speed-release thru-axle into the hub on the non-disc brake
side. Be sure to line up the groove in the speed-release thru-axle with
the outside of the hub.
Remove the pad spacer in the disc brake caliper.
A.

C.
D.
A
B
C
D


Identify the disc brake rotor side of the front wheel. Orient the wheel
so the rotor is on the left side – the same side as the front brake pads.
Gently lift the front of the bike and roll the front wheel back into the
fork.
Carefully guide the right-side fork dropout onto the groove in the
speed-release thru-axle.
Use a hex wrench to rmly tighten the speed-release thru-axle. When
properly tightened, the wrench should leave a mark on your hand.
At this point you can remove any additional packaging from the bike.

F.
G.
H.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
E
F
G
H


Install your chosen pedals by turning the pedal spindle in the
direction of the front wheel. Insert the right pedal (marked with R on
the spindle) into the crank and tighten with your ngers. Repeat with
the left pedal (with an L on it).
Tighten both pedals down very rmly with the appropriate Allen or
15mm pedal wrench.
A.

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
A
B


 Select the correct bit for the stem faceplate bolts and
install it into the torque wrench.
Look for torque specication markings on the front and back of
the stem, as well as the head of the seatpost. If these markings are
absent, torque all stem and seatpost bolts to 7 Nm.
Tighten the stem bolts in an “X” pattern, ensuring the gap between
the faceplate and stem remains even.
 Adjust seat height by loosening the seatpost wedge.
Position the saddle so it’s the same height as your hip. Align the
saddle with the frame and tighten the seatpost wedge. When riding,
you should have a slight bend in your knee when the pedal is at the
bottom of its rotation.
A.

C.
D.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
A
B
C
D


Tighten the seatpost collar to the torque value indicated on the collar
– typically 7 Nm.
 Make sure your reectors are tight and in the correct
position. Your front reector should point straight ahead, perpendicular
to the ground. The rear reector should point straight back. Gently
pull the wheel reectors toward the rim to ensure they are snug.
 4. Grab the front and back of the saddle and attempt
to tilt it on the seatpost head. It should not move.
Attempt to rotate the handlebar forward and backward in the stem. If
it moves,the stemfaceplate bolts are nottight enough. Usethetorque
wrench and correct bit to torque the faceplate bolts to specication,
using the same “X” pattern as before.

F.
G.
H.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
E
F
G
H

L

Secure the front wheel between your legs and turn the handlebar.
If the handlebar and wheel move independently, the stem bolts are
not tight enough. Use the torque wrench and correct bit to properly
torque the bolts.
Conrm the front and rear brakes engage when the
levers are squeezed. The brake lever and handlebar should not come
into contact with the brakes fully engaged.
Tire Pressure. Inate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended
tire pressure, which is marked on the tire sidewall.
  Verify both speed-release thru-axles are
tightened securely. The wrench should leave a mark in your hand.
I.
J.

L.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
I
J
K

Welcome to the family.
@ridecannondale