Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace in review

Everything nice and shiny and new. The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace has been completely reworked and enters the competition equipped with a mechanical groupset as well as a power meter. Can the new design step up to the high-end competition?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

In 2019, Cannondale launched a road offensive, where it also revealed the brand new SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura Ace. Side by side with its predecessor, it’s pretty obvious that much more than just the paint job has been changed! The look of the new SuperSix platform is dominated by the comfort increasing dropped seat stays, the integrated two-piece Hollowgram SAVE System cockpit, the organically shaped tubeset with truncated aerofoil profiles and the minimal branding.

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace in detail

The frameset features Speed Release axles front and rear that let you change wheels quickly and offers clearances for up to 700 x 30C tires. Cannondale put particular emphasis on connectivity, fitting the carbon frame with a speed sensor, developed in collaboration with Garmin, as standard, along with a Power2max NGeco power meter. While the speed sensor provides information about your route, speed and impending service intervals, the power meter has to be activated with a not insignificant fee of € 490 before you can use it. Our test bike with the mechanical 2×11 Shimano DURA-ACE R9120 groupset and Hollowgram 45 SL KNOT wheels weighs 7.73 kg in size 54 and costs € 6,499.

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The geoemtry of the Cannondale

Size	44	48	51	54	56	58	60	62
Seat tube	400 mm	438 mm	477 mm	515 mm	536 mm	558 mm	579 mm	600 mm
Top tube	512 mm	520 mm	528 mm	546 mm	562 mm	578 mm	594 mm	611 mm
Head tube	99 mm	114 mm	130 mm	153 mm	164 mm	188 mm	209 mm	230 mm
Head angle	70.9°	71.2°	71.2°	71.2°	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°
Sitzwinkel	74,3°	74,3°	74,3°	73,7°	73,3°	72,9°	72,5°	72,1°
Kettenstrebe	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm
BB Drop	74.0 mm	74.0 mm	74.0 mm	72.0 mm	72.0 mm	69.0 mm	69.0 mm	69.0 mm
Wheelbase	979 mm	985 mm	994 mm	1.008 mm	992 mm	1.005 mm	1.016 mm	1.028 mm
Reach	370 mm	374 mm	378 mm	384 mm	390 mm	395 mm	400 mm	406 mm
Stack	504 mm	519 mm	534 mm	554 mm	574 mm	594 mm	614 mm	634 mm

A great road bike for a holiday on Mallorca: fast on the flats, solid on the ups and insanely fun on the descents.

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace in review

The SuperSix EVO reveals itself as an excellent all-rounder in our group test. While it’s a solid climber, that still leaves it average amongst our test field. Instead the Cannondale proves its efficiency on the flats and generates a lot of speed on the descents. It doesn’t force that speed on you but willingly jumps forward at your command, whatever the situation. The handling of the Cannondale is characterised by its stability. The front end might tend to oversteer at low speeds or on steep ramps, but also offers lots of high-speed stability. However, the limited steering angle might make for some embarrassing moments outside the cafe. The faster you ride, the more the Cannondale is in its element and the more it offers a confidence inspiring ride. Alongside the Cicli Bonanno, the SuperSix is the only bike in our test with a cable-actuated drivetrain. The DURA-ACE R9120 groupsets convinced us with easy to modulate brakes and the lightning fast shifting in all situations. In contrast to the heavier actuation of the Campagnolo Super Record groupset, one finger is plenty to change gears. The riding position is sporty and compact. Indeed, remove all the spacers and the saddle to height drop (with a saddle height of 79 cm) becomes very aggressive. The vibration damping of the bike is well balanced between the front and rear and performs well on rough surfaces. With the larger saddle extension on a size 54 frame, the rear offers significantly more comfort than on our first test, where we were only able to ride a size 58. If you’re between sizes and place importance on comfort, you’ll be better off sizing down.

Tuning tips: RaceWare GPS mount for a more elegant way to attach your GPS

Conclusion

With the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Dura-Ace, high speed descents and tempo sections on the flat become a true joy. The enormous stability at higher speeds inspires confidence, making the bike well-suited for ambitious riders who can maintain an aggressive riding position over longer distances too. In the end, two things cost the Cannondale a better overall score in our group test. The severely limited steering angle and the front end, which has a tendency to flop from side to side at low speeds.

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For more info head to cannondale.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best road bike of 2020 – 13 high-carat road bikes in review

All bikes in test: Argon 18 Krypton Pro (Click for review) | Bianchi Infinito CV Disc (Click for review) | BMC Roadmachine 01 ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Dura Ace | Cicli Bonanno Futomaki Disc (Click for review) | FOCUS IZALCO MAX DISC 9.9 (Click for review) | LOOK 795 BLADE RS DISC (Click for review) | OPEN U.P.P.E.R. (Click for review) | Pinarello Dogma F12 Team INEOS Edition (Click for review) | ROSE REVEAL SIX Dura Ace Di2 Custom (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Roubaix (Click for review) | Trek Domane SLR 9 eTap (Click for review) | VOTEC VRC PRO (Click for review)

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Words: Photos: valentin Rühl