Cannondale unveiled the SuperSix Evo last year – and now they’ve introduced two additional platforms for their flagship frame, including the impossibly light Evo Nano.
Cannondale pinned their colours to the mast in the frame weight arms race with the original SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod frame, named after its high modulus BallisTec frame construction, which boasted a claimed weight of 695g.
But the Evo Nano sheds another 40g off that figure to drop the weight to a mere 655g, making it the lightest production frame in the world, according to Cannondale. The new frame uses a nano resin to reduce the frame weight, while the fork has received the same treatment to reduce its weight by a further 10g. And here it is.
Stunning, right? We spied the Nano Evo at Cycling Sport Group’s (Cannondale’s UK distributor) dealer show. Available in one build, the Cannondale Super Six Evo Nano Black Edition, the machine boasts the latest in cutting-edge frame technology. But that comes at a cost – £7,499.99 for the bike pictured.
The Black Edition is as stealthy as they come, with a matt black finish throughout, with only a handful of sky blue decals (on the head tube, top tube, down tube and seat stays). It’s minimalist and, combined with the SuperSix Evo’s round tube profiles and clean lines, is a refreshing look against the raft of heavily-engineered aero machines from Cannondale’s rivals.
While we’re talking aerodynamics, Cannondale say the Evo’s reduced frontal area (smaller downtube and headtube, and thinner fork blades) results in less drag, with tests showing the Evo has “a mere 14g more drag than the best aero frames without their added weight and harsh ride”.
The Black Edition is equipped with Shimano’s new Dura-Ace 9000 11-speed groupset, Enve wheels, handlebars, stem and seatpost, Fizik Antares saddle and Schwalbe Ultremo Light tubular tyres. The overall weight? 5.2kg.
The Black Edition will also use Cannondale’s new SiSL2 crankset, although the machine we photographed didn’t have the latest evolution to the company’s Hollowgram technology fitted.The SiSL2 cranks are 100 per cent CNC machined in a clamshell design, so there are two sides bonded together. Already one of the lightest cranks on the market, this latest version uses less material than before, dropping the weight to a claimed 483g, while the material that’s left has been tweaked (with differing wall thickness along the crank arm) to reportedly increase stiffness.
The SiSL2 spider takes its inspiration from motor racing and uses a ten-arm configuration, 3D forged out of a single piece of aluminium, which serves to evenly distribute forces and improve stiffness The SiSL2 will be available in double (53-39t) and compact (50-34t) versions, with either 10 or 11-speed tooth profiles.
More affordable SuperSix Evo Carbon, SuperSix and CAAD8 models also introduced
If a £7.5k super bike is enough to make your eyes water, Cannondale have also added a more affordable platform to the SuperSix Evo range. The Evo Carbon will sit beneath the Evo Nano and the Evo Hi-Mod, and uses a higher percentage of intermediate modulus carbon fibre to increase the weight and reduce the cost. It’s still a sub-1kg frame, however, with 950g the claimed weight for a painted frame.
Two builds will be available: one with Shimano Ultegra Di2 for £3,699.99 and the other with SRAM Red for £3,499.99.
You’re also getting more for your money further down Cannondale’s 2013 range, with the SuperSix (that’s the SuperSix, not the SuperSix Evo), which was being ridden to Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana victories just a few years ago, now available with Shimano Tiagra for £1,599.99, alongside the existing Shimano 105 (£1,799.99) and Ultegra (£2,699.99) builds.
Even more affordable is the aluminium CAAD8, which is now available with a Shimano 2300 groupset (the cheapest of four build options) for £599.99. Cannondale built their reputation on aluminium machines and the CAAD8 offers a slightly more relaxed position (+1.5mm in the headtube) than the more racy CAAD10.
Finally, Cannondale’s have switched to a 27.2mm seatpost on the the Synapse in an attempt to make the ‘comfort bike’ even more comfortable. The Synapse is available in nine builds for 2013, based around three frames (high modulus, carbon fibre and aluminium).
Si cranks get new 3D forged design
Alongside the SiSL2 crank described above as part of the SuperSix Evo Nano Black Edition, Cannondale have also revealed the Si crank.
The 3D forged hollow crank uses a one-piece design (not a clamshell like the SiSL2) and weighs 609g. Cannondale say the entry-level crank is just as light, and even stiffer, than their original Hollowgram crank from 2008 and allows them to use their offering with chainrings from other manufacturers, like FSA.
www.cannondale.com
www.cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk
