Cannondale’s Supersix Evo conforms to the age-old ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ mantra. While visually identical to the pro-spec machines, our sub-950g Evo frame uses less high modulus carbon and simplifies the cable routing to speed production and lower costs.
These changes add a few grams, but this is hardly crippling. And there’s still scope to drop the bike’s overall weight further, should you wish.
- Highs: Massively capable frame, fine components and a lovely colour
- Lows: Mavic’s Aksium wheels are a little weighty and hold the bike back
- Buy if: You want a great all-rounder with World Tour heritage
The rear brake cable is now routed externally along the top tube rather than through it, which certainly simplifies maintenance, and the gear cable stops have moved from the head tube to several inches lower on the down tube. All of the stops are now riveted in place, not integral to the frame, which is another concession to costs.
With more than a hint of Martini Racing in this livery, the Supersix maintains classic looks, with reasonably slim round tubes for the main triangle and curved fork. Cannondale says its reduced frontal area offers an aerodynamic and comfort bonus compared with chunkier and heavier aero road frames, with only around 14g of added drag. It’s a claim impossible to verify in the real world, but the frame isn’t affected by gusty conditions.
In fact, from the saddle you could argue that the Supersix isn’t flustered by any road conditions. Whether pushing deep into corners, dancing over climbs or combating the roughest road surfaces, it never feels less than utterly composed, with the sort of compliant comfort that wins you over in minutes.
This versatile bike is as happy riding a circuit race as a 90-mile mountain stage
The flattened Speed Save stays induce flex, for suspension-like road holding, and in tandem with the offset dropouts of the matching fork imbue enormous handling confidence that’ll have you cornering like a pro – at least in your mind. The frame is quite a chameleon and far from spindly, as happy riding a short circuit race as a 90-mile mountain stage or anything in between, and can still sprint with the best, its incredible rigidity proving a great platform for acceleration.
An FSA SL-K Light carbon chainset is the only deviation from Shimano’s excellent Ultegra groupset. Shifting is sublime, and the brakes have perfectly modulated power, only let down by the uneven joints of the Aksium rims, the only weakness of the package. These make reliable training wheels, but have more mass and less response than something truly raceworthy, and are ripe for upgrading.
Cannondale’s aluminium bar and stem perform well, and the own brand 27.2mm carbon post and Arione CX saddle also contribute to overall comfort.