bc On the Road: SuperSix EVO Launch in Girona
Mark and Franjo were allowed to test the new Cannondale SuperSix EVO in the racing bike paradise of Girona in spring-like temperatures.
To herald the new era of the SuperSix EVO, 6.8 kg lightweight and aerodynamic, the team from Cannondale sent an invitation to a breathtaking setting for its presentation: Girona, a moderately-sized city of about 100,000 inhabitants in the north east of Spain, nestled between the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees. No longer a secret among road cyclists, the Catalan city, with its wonderful old Roman town and an incomparable view of the Pyrenees, has become a Mecca for cycling fans from all over the world. One cycling café follows another, and you're constantly running into cyclists from the professional peloton. Brand Manager Mark and Community Manager Franjo could hardly think of a better place to extensively test the bike before the launch of the new SuperSix EVO.
A place that could hardly have been more fitting! The presentation of the new Cannondale took place in the road cycling stronghold of Girona. © bc GmbH
Amidst selected partners, the Cannondale team presented the new SuperSix EVO. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
The top model bears the extension "LAB71" and has already been successfully tested in the World Tour. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
Presenting: The new Cannondale SuperSix EVO
Arriving in Girona, the bike-components duo was not only amazed by the location of the hotel, about 50 m away from the famous red Pont de les Peixateries Velles bridge, but also by the mild temperatures that the Catalan province offered them. Around 20°C and sunny skies heightened the anticipation for the following day’s test ride. But before that, the duo explored the old town of Girona along the city walls, visited the cathedral and strolled through the alleys with their countless cafés to get in the mood for the Cannondale event and to feel the road bike spirit of Girona that so many talk about.
In the evening, after a small and warm reception, Cannondale finally presented the new SuperSix EVO, which in the short season of the World Tour, even before its release, helped bring the pros to the podium several times. Along with the bike, the brand is also launching a new product line called LAB71, which will be found on Cannondale's top models in the future.
The Facts: Models at-a-glance
The new SuperSix EVO comes in different versions. In first place is the top model LAB71, followed by the HI-MOD 1, with SRAM Red and the HI-MOD 2 with Shimano's new 12-speed Ultegra groupset. The painted frame of the LAB71 version in size 56 weighs an unbelievable 770 g, while the HI-MOD weighs only 40 g more. In addition, there will be further variants in terms of equipment, e.g. with a mechanical Shimano 105 groupset, which Cannondale uses for its more affordable SuperSix EVO Carbon model.
What is different? The new features at-a-glance
What new features make the new road bike from Cannondale stand out? The Di2 battery is located in the bottom bracket area. This is not only convenient when installing and removing the seatpost, where the battery is usually located, but also offers the possibility of having a really narrow and aerodynamic seat tube including seatpost. The tyre clearance has also changed by a whole 4 mm. From now on, up to 34 mm-wide tyres can be mounted on the rim. In order to remain aerodynamic in every respect, Cannondale has even designed the bottle cages to fit their specially developed angular bottles, which are just as wide as the down tube. However, those who still rely on conventional and round bottles can be happy, because there is still room for normal bottles in the holders. Also new - the fork, from the thru-axle to the steerer tube. The thru-axle is no longer visible on the drive side and gives the road bike a clean look, while the steerer tube is designed in such a way that both mechanical and electronic groupsets can be installed. If you are looking for a round tube, you won't find it, this one has more of a triangular shape when seen from above. Classic handlebar-stem combinations can be installed with the help of an adapter, as can modern handlebar-stem units. This means everyone has the opportunity to ride with their favourite handlebars. In addition to aerodynamics and stiffness, Cannondale placed a lot of emphasis on comfort during development. Mark and Franjo wanted to pay close attention to this the next day.
The battery for the electronic gears is now located in the down tube, adjacent to the bottom bracket of the frame. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
The new SuperSix EVO offers space for up to 34 mm-wide tyres. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
Everything on "aero": the new bottle cages and bottles are adapted to the dimensions of the frame. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
Nice details on the fork: On the drive side, the thru-axle is no longer visible. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
The steerer tube was designed so that the head tube can be kept narrow while still... © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
offering sufficient space to be able to install both electronic and mechanical groupsets. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
Another highlight of the top model: the collaboration with MOMODesign, who designed the cockpit. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
The Test Ride: Over the hills of the Serra
After a brief bike fitting, the next morning started out riding the test bikes, which were equipped with SRAM's latest Red groupset, into the interior of Catalonia with long-sleeved jerseys under sunny skies. Accompanied by a vehicle from the EF Education-EasyPost professional team, the group explored the Serra, the hilly landscape around Girona with the best view of the snow-covered mountain ranges of the Pyrenees. On the outskirts of the city, at the end of the first climb, the cool morning air disappeared so quickly that a pit stop had to be made to remove jackets and leg warmers. The rest of the group of about 20 participants, including Cannondale staff and other dealers from different countries, did the same.
It only took a few kilometres to realise that Cannondale, as previously promised, had really created an exceptionally comfortable bike. Mark and Franjo were in direct agreement on that point.
A small climb of about 3.5 km awaited the testers shortly before the first planned break, giving them a good opportunity to put the climbing characteristics of the bike to the test. Franjo didn't have to be told twice by the guide that he was also welcome to speed up and join the small breakaway group. His impression: "The low weight and the extraordinary stiffness of the bike make the SuperSix EVO literally glide up the mountain. I have rarely felt such forward momentum. That was really fun. The bike proves that aero and lightweight are the way to go."
After about an hour and 30 km, the roadie group made the first stop in a small village called Les Serres with a population of 50. There were typical Spanish bocadillos con tomate, topped with jamón serrano and queso manchego, but also rolls with hummus instead of cheese or ham. Until then, the route passed by no more than a couple of small towns: "We really enjoyed the low-traffic route,” Mark was pleased to say. ”The guys from Cannondale really put some thought into it and didn't leave out any detail." During the break, the participants had the opportunity to take pictures and to do some really hard kicks. "With every turn of the pedal you notice how the power is transferred one-to-one to the road without feeling the loss of a single watt," bc Brand Manager Mark praised the new SuperSix EVO.
On the way back there was still time for some short sprints and friendly conversations with the other participants as well as the Cannondale staff. Here and there, the troupe stopped for a little photo shoot. After 53 km, the team got back to Girona and had a coffee break at the Hidden Café, right next to the hotel. Of course there was espresso or café solo, as the Spaniards say. Unusually strong, but just right for recharging one’s batteries after a road bike ride.
The next morning we went on a group ride in the sunshine for extensive testing. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
On the road like the pros: The group was accompanied by a vehicle from the EF Education-EasyPost Team. © bc GmbH
Mark and Franjo obviously enjoy the forward momentum of the SuperSix EVO. © Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
True to form, the group stopped for an espresso at one of the many cycling cafés in Girona. Time to discuss impressions of the bike with others in the group. © bc GmbH
Conclusion: A real all-rounder
After enjoying coffee, group members could either go back to the hotel or do a lap of honour to Els Angels, probably Girona's most beautiful climb. It’s an 11 km-long climb with around 450 metres of altitude. Arriving at the foot of the mountain, the joy of the challenge was dampened due to an unforeseen road closure. The halved group did not turn around, however, but followed the guide's backup plan, which led them to a similarly beautiful loop that wasn’t quite as high in altitude. Exhausted from all the day’s activities, Mark and Franjo returned to Girona again after 83 km, 850 metres elevation, a riding time of three straight hours and very many positive impressions of the SuperSix EVO. "The bike is a real all-rounder and is just right for those who want to ride fast but be still comfortable, whether uphill, downhill or on flat ground and for as long as possible," agreed Mark and Franjo after the ride. "The ingenuity of the Cannondale developers is inspiring, as they have done everything they can to perfect the SuperSix EVO to set a benchmark with many new features in for road cycling."
At the end of the event, the Cannondale team invited everyone to dinner at the "Hors Catégorie".
What better way to top off a successful road cycling weekend than at a restaurant with bikes from steel to carbon on display? The group was treated to many kinds of tapas as starters and a rice dish with fish or a vegan alternative, followed by chocolate cake.
One thing in particular caught community manager Franjo's eye during his trip: "Huge praise to the Cannondale crew, who not only launched an ingenious bike, but also proved that they live and breathe for cycling just like we do at bike-components. That made the experience an unforgettable adventure."
© Brazo de Hierro for Cannondale
