Cannondale as a synonym for aluminium frames - that was once upon a time. The US brand is now one of the last high-end suppliers to jump on the carbon bandwagon. After the "Synapse" mid-range racer launched in 2005, the "SuperSix" is the second model from the Americans with a full carbon frame - and the first for the top price range. The entry-level price for the "SuperSix", which is only available as a complete bike, is 3,999 euros with Ultegra equipment and Ksyrium Elite wheels from Mavic.
The version shown here with Dura-Ace brakes and gears, Ksyrium ESL wheels and Cannondale's SI cranks costs € 5,999 - and the version in Liquigas Team livery with Campa Record groupset costs a whopping € 9,999! Prices that Cannondale justifies with the superior technology of the bike.
On closer inspection, it becomes clear who the team led by chief developer Chris Peck has modelled their design on. The large-volume head tube, which accommodates an equally generously dimensioned fork whose steerer tube tapers upwards from 1.5 inches to 1-1/8 inches, is reminiscent of Canyon's "F10". Dainty seat stays reveal Cervélo's "R3" as a role model. On our test bench, the "SuperSix" was convincing - with a few reservations.
Not many manufacturers have so far succeeded in combining high steering head stiffness with significant suspension comfort on the saddle. The concept of thin seat stays, which create vertical compliance at the rear, obviously makes sense. However, the design of the fork, which is one of the stiffest we have ever measured, is somewhat inconsistent against this background. Light riders, in particular, can be hit hard by bumps in the tarmac, and our recommended remedy is to upgrade to 25-millimetre tyres.
However, the unyielding steering instrument hardly detracts from the riding pleasure. The bike can be steered unerringly through every bend, and confidence in the chassis grows with every metre. It feels particularly good when you get out of the saddle. The bottom bracket does not deviate one iota. This impression is supported by the stiff SI bottom bracket with aluminium cranks and shaft, which is a good 60 grams lighter than a Dura-Ace crank. At a standardised 1,102 grams in size 57, the "SuperSix" frame is not super light by today's standards. The weight bonus of the cranks does reduce the gap to rivals such as the "Scott Addict" and "Cervelo R3", whose framesets are around 250 grams lighter with slightly lower stiffness values. But anyone who had hoped that Cannondale would at least break the one-kilo mark with the new model could be somewhat disappointed. But this is a purely technical discussion that is quickly forgotten in the saddle of the "SuperSix". With a total weight of just 6.85 kilos, the bike lacks nothing in terms of agility - and it's all too easy to forget how expensive riding fun is.
PLUS: Extremely stable ride, noticeable comfort on the saddle, many sizes
MINUS: expensive, uncomfortable fork
Reference/Info: Cannondale Europe, phone 0041/61/4879380, www.cannondale.com
Price: 5,999 Euro
Weight of complete wheel: 6,850 g (without pedals)
Weight frame/fork/headset (frame set): 1.080/391/96 g
Standardised weight frame set**: 1.598 g
Frame sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63 centimetres
Seat/steering angle: 73,5°/73°
Wheelbase/caster: 993/55 mm
Frame height/camber***: 160 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork: Cannondale SuperSix
Steering bearing: Cannondale, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Gearstick and brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace
Bottom bracket: Cannondale SI, 50/36 teeth
Wheels/tyres: Mavic Ksyrium ES/Vittoria Diamante Pro Light
Handlebar/stem: FSA K-Force Carbon/FSA OS 115
Saddle/post: Fizik Arione Titanio/ FSA K-Force light 31.6 mm
MEASURED VALUES
Steering head stiffness: 96 Nm/°
Lateral stiffness fork: 54 N/mm
Bottom bracket stiffness: 65 N/mm
Comfort frame: 269 N/mm
Comfort fork: 102 N/mm
*Total and partial scores are rounded to one decimal place. However, two decimal places are decisive for their calculation; **adjusted weight for frame size 57 and fork steerer length 225 mm; ***projected dimension from centre of bottom bracket to upper edge of head tube/saddle/head tube rise at 75 cm seat height (centre of saddle frame-upper edge of head tube)
(Photos: Geissler, Grewel)
