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FEATURES: FIRST LOOK: 2010 CANNONDALE SUPERSIX
Zap
May 12, 2009
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2010 Cannondale Supersix Roll-out
The bikes we rode had the 2009 team Liquigas graphics, but a non-team spec SRAM drivetrain.
Last week I was among a gaggle of journos flown to Italy by Cannondale to partake in the introduction of their 2010 SuperSix and to take in the opening stage of the Giro d"Italia. The bikes we rode were production frames with team graphics, but non-spec parts.
Apparently, everything you need to know about the philosophy behind the 2010 Cannondale SuperSix can be found Right Here. For Cannondale, it's all about what they call the "Good Fight" and after winning the Giro d'Italia four times in the last 12 years, the American bike company returned to the Italian Grand Tour this year ready to do battle - and hopefully win - aboard their latest carbon fiber race bike.
Here's an overview of what was seen and heard during the four days of presentations, riding, eating and race watching. Look for a complete test of a new SuperSix in a future issue of Road Bike Action.
 This is the SuperSix Ultimate that stands out with its weight saving lack of paint. Spec'd with a SRAM Red drivetrain, SRM, Mavic carbon wheels, and a Fizik K1 carbon saddle.
• The Liquigas team has continued to play an integral role in the development of the new bike. The 2010 SuperSix has been in development for the last 18 months and an early prototype was actually raced in the 2008 Tour de France. In this years Tour of California, the entire team was aboard pre-production prototypes. The bikes we rode represented the 17th lay-up revision.
• Cannondale said the goal of developing a new bike was to find a the higher level of stiffness and weight savings. As such, they claim a 900 gram weight for the 56cm frame – a weight savings of @ 150 grams over the previous SuperSix.
• The 2010 bike uses a monocoque front triangle made exclusively with uni-directional carbon fiber throughout and no longer use a woven top sheet for cosmetic purposes.
• The chain and seat stays are molded onto the front triangle separately, without the aid of any lugs and are over-wrapped in multiple directions. For the eights sizes of frames, Cannondale went so far as to make eight different size specific dropouts. Very impressive.
This is the SuperSix Team outfitted with a Campagnolo Super Record 11 speed drivetrain with Cannondale's own Hollowgram crank, and non-team spec Mavic Cosmic Carbone wheels.
• Of all the frame improvements, Cannondale seemed to crow the loudest about the new deep radius head tube design which provides a flatter carbon transition from the head and down tubes for better bearing support. Visually, it is a striking difference from the 2009 model. The tapered head tube uses carbon headset cups with a 1 1/8” bearing up top with a 1.5' lower bearing.
• Along with the new head tube is a new fork design as well. The carbon layup provides increased “left to right” stiffness for improved steering. The geometry for the new models is unchanged from the 2009 bikes.
• In pursuit for added power transmission, the asymmetrical chainstays, that are taller on the drive side and wider on the non-drive side, are very impressive. In fact, to better offset axial loads, the drive side stay has grown from 45mm to 54mm tall.
• Look for five high end models: the Ultimate (with SRAM Red and SRM), the Team Edition (with Campagnolo 11 speed), a Shimano DI2 and standard Dura Ace model, and the SuperSix 1. Two entry level models – the SuperSix 2 and 3 – will have the same frame shape as the higher end bikes, but lack the high modulus carbon.
• Probably the most surprising element of the new race bikes was not what we saw, but what we didn't see – a model with an integrated seat post. Cannondale showed some kid of bravado with this move owing to the current fashion trends that favor the design for the “real” Pro look. That Ivan Basso has won the Giro d'Trentino and Roman Kreuziger won the Tour of Romandy this year without the integrated design proves that all things are possible in life eh?
• Cannondale said the new SuperSix will be available in July and that Road Bike Action would most likely get one prior to that date. The bikes will be made in Asia and have a lifetime warranty.
• One of the more interesting tech notes heard was when the Sramster mentioned that with the aid of the Red's shift lever reach adjuster that some sprinters adjusted them as far in as possible so that shifts could be made with only an extended knuckle so as to maintain a full grip on the bars.
• As for the ride itself? Having ingested copious amounts of the regional love potion (Proseco) while in attendance, I'll defer any deeper judgement on the bike until we get a long term test rig. My initial thoughts are that the oversized front end remains one of the most steadfast handlers on the road today. And while the bike is indeed stiff throughout, any increase in comfort was something I didn't pick up on.
• For more details on the new SuperSix, be sure to check out the handy photo gallery below.
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