Cannondale has high hopes in the Giro for Nibali and the SuperSix Evo.
                                                      Photo: Yuzuru Sunada


Cannondale unveiled the latest rendition of their top-end SuperSix road bike last week in Torino, Italy. The SuperSix EVO will be contested by Team Liquigas-Cannondale's general classification contender Vincenzo Nibali, as well as select members of his squad, at the 2011 Giro d'Italia. The bike is already creating buzz as being the lightest production frame in the world at 695 grams (size 56 cm), but its low weight wasn't the primary feature that Cannondale's engineers envisioned when beginning its design phase two and a half years ago.

"We had no design preconceptions really," says Cannondale's Director of Technology, Peter Denk. "We didn't plan on making the lightest bike possible, because 'fastest' does not always imply 'lightest.' We wanted to improve the ride quality, and to reduce overall rolling resistance, particularly on descents."

To accomplish their initial goal, Denk and Cannondale's other engineers and designers focused on the EVO's construction, looking first to ensure strength. They settled on round or near-round tube shapes constructed in their proprietary BallisTec carbon fiber, first used in Cannondale's mountain bikes. Next, they sought to improve aerodynamics over the previous SuperSix by minimizing as much as possible the profiles of the tubes. This resulted in a reduction of aerodynamic drag from the previous SuperSix of 20 percent, according to Denk. Finally, to ensure an efficiently compliant ride, they developed Speed Save, a design stemming from Cannondale's Flash mountain bike that incorporates a small amount of flex in key areas of the seat tube and front and rear dropouts.

"Speed Save is not for the comfort of the rider," elaborates Denk. "Its intended to isolate the rider from road impact just enough to encourage efficient and powerful pedaling, as well to keep the bike connected to the road, much like a race car's suspension."

The SuperSix EVO frame is comprised of three carbon fiber monocoque pieces: the rear triangle (seat stays and chain stays), BB30 bottom bracket and seat tube, and front triangle (top tube, steerer tube, head tube and down tube). The chainstays, specifically, are a key component in the Speed Save design, featuring an oval shape that is laterally wider than it is tall. Cannondale claims that the chainstays' shape enhances lateral stiffness while improving vertical compliance over the previous SuperSix. It's a stark contrast to other new models of carbon race bikes whose massive chainstays feature copious material to improve rigidity.

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO will be available in eight sizes and five build options: SRAM Red, Di2, Dura-Ace (mechanical), a Liquigas team replica, and the Ultimate edition. Scroll down for component breakdowns of each build option. Retail prices are forthcoming, but Cannondale's reps ensure that the prices will "reflect the technological advances and ride benefits of the EVO, as well as the current bike market."

EVO Team: Decked out in the latest Liquigas team paint scheme, the EVO Team edition features SRAM Red levers, derailleurs and chainrings, Cannondale's Hollowgram SL crank arms, Mavic's Cosmic Carbone SLR wheels and Yksion tires, FSA components and a custom Fizik Antares saddle with carbon rails.

EVO Di2: Similar in color scheme to the previous SuperSix Di2-equipped version, the EVO Di2 edition comes with Cannondale's Hollowgram SL crankarms, as well as Cannondale's own chainrings, Mavic's Ksyrium wheels with Exalith treatment, Mavic Yksion tires, FSA components and a Fizik Antares saddle.

EVO Dura-Ace: Shimano fans who prefer a mechanical drivetrain will be able to get an EVO with Dura-Ace 7900 levers and derailleurs, a Cannondale Hollowgram SL crank, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tires, a cockpit by FSA and a Fizik Antares saddle.

EVO SRAM Red: The SRAM Red-equipped version of the EVO is the only edition available in two colors - a white paintjob identical to the Dura-Ace version, and the black colorway above that features bright green accents on most of the parts. If you opt for SRAM Red, you'll also get Mavic  Ksyrium Elite wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tires with green accents, components from FSA with green accents, a custom-colored Fizik Antares saddle.

EVO Ultimate: The final version of the EVO is the Ultimate, and it will feature a SRAM Red drivetrain and Cannondale Hollowgram SL crank. The matte black frame is also built-up with a Zipp Service Course SL handlebar, FSA stem, USE Alien Cyclops carbon seatpost, and DT Swiss RRC425F tubular wheels wrapped in Schwalbe Ultremo Light tires.