CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO Hi-MOD 1 – PRODUCT FEATURE

 

The SuperSix EVO has been a staple in Cannondale’s extensive range of road bikes for many seasons now, with this most recent 4^th generation EVO launched to the public in March 2023. Our very own Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli road racing team have competed onboard multiple versions of the SuperSix throughout the years and have really benefitted from having this incredibly versatile race bike at their disposal. The 4^th generation SuperSix EVO includes some significant improvements to performance over its predecessor, with total integration really contributing to the bike’s aero aerodynamic efficiency; Cannondale have designed and engineered the frame, fork, handlebars, wheels and seat post as one holistic system to significantly lower drag while saving overall weight.

Clean integration, improved aerodynamics and a significant reduction in overall weight; the 4th generation SuperSix EVO sees improvements in all areas.

 

For this deep-dive into the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 road bike our Wheelbase feature writer Johnny Dodgin teamed up with talented freelance photographer James Vincent to produce an in-depth written piece on this cutting-edge race bike, accompanied by a beautiful collection of James’ images. The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 is Cannondale’s most premium road bike, sitting at the very top of the EVO range of bikes (apart from the very limited SuperSix EVO LAB71 which retails for £12,500.00) and features an incredibly light and responsive frame, super-efficient wireless electronic transmission, an ultra-light carbon wheelset and a very special carbon fibre integrated bar and stem developed in partnership with leading Italian  design company MomoDesign.

The frontal area of the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 features a dramatically reduced frontal area designed to be more efficient at cutting through the air.

 

The ‘Hi-Mod’ in the SuperSix EVO’s model name refers to the grade of carbon which Cannondale have used in the production process. The full range of SuperSix EVO bikes are split into two sub-groups; EVO Hi-Mod (Hi-modulus carbon fibre) is Cannondale’s premium material, with EVO Carbon sitting below that. The EVO Hi-Mod frame seen here on the Hi-Mod 1 shaves over 100 grams from their conventional Carbon frame with Cannondale replacing multiple layers of intermediate modulus fibres with fewer layers of much stiffer high modulus fibres, taking overall weight down while retaining stiffness and strength. The end result? An even more responsive, brilliantly-handling race bike!

This 4^th generation SuperSix EVO has seen a significant drop in frame weight compared to its predecessor while becoming more aerodynamic at the same time; a truly lightweight climbing machine that also cuts through the air efficiently – it’s the holy grail of bicycle design! To highlight just how versatile this bike is, let’s do a quick comparison; the Cannondale SystemSix is the American brand’s specialist aero road bike, designed to be super-slippery and efficient at cutting through the air, but it comes with a slight weight penalty. The new-generation SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod however, almost matches the aerodynamic capacity of the SystemSix, being within 10 watts of it AND at the same time this bike is actually 400grams lighter than the previous SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod.

Just look at those angles! Every aspect of the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod’s frame comes from endless hours of testing and refinement.

 

Each new generation of high-performance road bike is informed from the last and the designers and engineers were able to take everything they learned from the Gen 3 SuperSix EVO as well as key considerations from their SystemSix aero road bike; they then applied that knowledge to the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1, with every tube profile beautifully sculpted to include truncated aerofoil shaping, helping to cut through the wind more efficiently.

Cannondale took everything they learned from the 3rd generation SusperSix EVO and added key design solutions from their SystemSix aero road bike.

 

One significant factor contributing to the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1’s aerodynamic prowess is the clever approach to total integration. Now integration has become a bit of a buzzword within the cycling industry and generally references things like own-brand proprietary components such as bar and stem, as well as internal cabling. There’s a real mix of integration solutions out there and a varied success-rate from the industry’s leading bike brands, however, it’s fair to say that Cannondale have really hit the mark here. The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 has been designed and engineered as one holistic system with the bike’s frame, fork, handlebars, seat post and even the wheels considered as one; all of this leads to significantly lower drag and it looks damn good too, which is no small thing.

Cannondale have taken intergation to the next level with the bike’s frame, fork, handlebars, seat post and even the wheels all considered as one.

 

Digging a little deeper into that integration and in particular the cockpit it’s worth highlighting that this most recent SuperSix EVO has had a complete redesign of its stem, headset and headtube configuration. The previous SuperSix EVO featured an integrated stem, headset and head tube with the internal cables that ran through them relying on a small cavity moulded into the front of the frame’s headtube. Depending on how you preferred to set up your cockpit it could look a little messy and this design also created a natural steering stop preventing you from turning your handlebars at a relatively tight angle, meaning the turning circle could be compromised at slow, almost stationary speed.

Cannondale have now introduced their Delta steerer tube design for the new Gen 4 SuperSix EVO allowing for seamless integration of the bike’s cables from the cockpit down into the frameset with an 1” 1/8th top bearing helping to decrease frontal area. The overall look is a nice, slim cockpit with integrated cables and conventional headtube dimensions AND there’s no steering stop on this configuration so you’ll be able to manoeuvre the bike more safely at slow speeds.

Cannondale’s new Delta steerer tube design helps facilitate full integration of the bike’s cables from the cockpit down into the frameset.

 

As you can see from James Vincent’s fantastic photos the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 is a visually stunning road bike which could be described as ‘equal parts style and function’. This design approach is probably best evidenced in the Cannondale SystemBar R-One full carbon integrated bar and stem which was developed in partnership with world-renowned Italian design brand MOMODesign from Milan.

With low drag and aero-efficiency at its core the SystemBar R-One takes the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1’s cockpit to the next level; utilising drag-reducing profiling and super-sleek cable integration MOMODesign collaborated with Cannondale’s engineers to bring a whole new level to ergonomic styling, with that striking raw carbon finish matching the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1’s top tube detailing.

Developed in partnership with world-renowned Italian design brand MOMODesign, the SystemBar R-One is sleek, aero and great-looking.

 

What’s the point in creating one of the most aerodynamically efficient bicycle frames if you’re going to create a load of unwanted turbulence by adding two traditional bottles and cages to that beautifully sculpted chassis? Well, Cannondale had exactly the same thought! In an effort to make the bike even more aerodynamically efficient they created their ReGrip Aero bottle cages paired and Gripper Aero water bottles; these new bottles and cages create a more streamlined profile in combination with the SuperSix EVO’s frame, improving aerodynamic efficiency thanks in no small part to the Gripper Aero bottle’s flat sides. Already sweating about compatibility issues? No problem, Cannondale have thought of that too; conventional round water bottles fit just fine, so if you’re grabbing a mid-race bottle from the feed zone you’ve got nothing to worry about.

Cannondale’s ReGrip Aero bottle cages and Gripper Aero water bottles have been designed to be more aerodynamic than conventional bottles and cages.

 

Cannondale have spec’d their top of the range SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod with SRAM’s cutting-edge Red Etap AXS wireless groupset, adding even more functional and aesthetic quality to this race-ready machine. This totally wireless configuration is brilliantly user-friendly and clutter-free further adding to the SuperSix EVO’s slippery aerodynamic capacity. The wireless shifters contain a simple button battery powering the wireless signals to the front and rear derailleurs.

How are the derailleurs powered? With simple, secure clip-on batteries that are easily removed for recharging and are interchangeable too, so if you absent-mindedly forget to recharge your batteries regularly and one cuts-out mid ride, you can always  swap them around so that you still have a good range of gears to get you home. By the way, the shifter coin batteries will last about two years and the derailleur batteries with a full charge will last for approximately one month of riding, or around 1,000km/620 miles, or 60 riding hours. So you only really need to get into the habit of recharging them once a month.

The SRAM Red eTAp AXS 12-speed groupset is so easy to use, that you’ll find yourself changing gears more often and pedalling more efficiently.

 

When I’ve been lucky enough to ride a road bike with a SRAM Etap AXS groupset I’ve found myself changing gears more often than I would if I was riding a bike with a cable-activated groupset. With wireless shifting each gear change is light, positive and instant; that precision gear shift is really confidence-inspiring and encourages a more sophisticated use of the gears available, keeping me feeling fresher for longer during epic all-day rides. This is another positive when it comes to racing too; with a smooth fault-free gear shift all but guaranteed even in the heat of the most chaotic mid-race moments you’ll be able to ride more economically and focus on the tactics playing out in front of you.

That fully wireless SRAM Red eTap 12-speed rear derailleur provides instant & precise gear shifts every time.

 

Every component in SRAM’s premium Red eTap groupset is brilliantly engineered.

 

The completely wireless configuration and simple but secure clip-on battery leaves the front derailleur looking clean and uncluttered.

 

Apologies if you’ve heard this one before, but it’s worth highlighting just how intuitive the Red Etap AXS shifters are. If you’re still unfamiliar with the configuration here’s a quick explanation;  you simply press the right lever to shift down the block and the left lever to move up the block. Press both right and left levers together and the front derailleur will shift, either from the big ring to the small ring or the small ring to the big ring depending on where your chain is currently sitting. If you want to customise how your bike shifts you can change the settings via the SRAM App on your Smartphone, enabling you to shift up the block with the right lever and down the block with the left lever if you prefer.

The wireless SRAM Red shifters do away with the need to route gear cables through that sleek MOMODesign SystemBar R-One integrated bar & stem.

 

Each click of either the left or right shifter button provides instant gear selection, with no danger of mis-shifts.

 

When it comes to braking on the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 you can rely on SRAM Red eTap AXS HRD hydraulic disc brakes which are powerful but easy to modulate and keep you in control even in unpredictable, wet weather and on poor road surfaces. With flat mounts on the SuperSix EVO frame and fork the brake calipers look neat and uncluttered while the 160mm front and rear Centreline-X rotors work in unison with the powerful AXS HRD brake calipers to reduce your speed dramatically, keeping you in control even in the most unpredictable racing moments.

The SRAM Red flat-mount hydraulic brake calipers are powerful but not grabby, with just the right amount of modulation.

 

Up front the flat-mount front disc brake caliper sits neatly tucked behind that SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod carbon fork.

 

As we’ve already explained, the Cannondale designers and engineers approached the development of the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 with a clear brief stating that the final product should be considered as one fully-integrated unit with frame, fork, cockpit, seatpost and even the bike’s bottles and cages being considered as one, in the pursuit of a lightweight race bike that was also super-aero.

The final piece of that jigsaw? Their Hollowgram R-SL 50 carbon fibre wheelset; echoing the brief for the SuperSix EVO bike these lightweight, aerodynamic race-ready wheels feature a 50mm deep, super low-drag carbon rim, bladed spokes and DT-Swiss 240 EXP rear hub internals. The end result is a high-performance wheelset that’s lightweight for the hills but also boasts some enviable aerodynamic stats to help you hold your speed when you attack from the bunch.

Cannondale’s Hollowgram R-SL 50 wheelset was developed in conjunction with the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1.

 

The brief for the Hollowgram R-SL 50 wheelset was simple – be light AND aero just like the SuperSix EVO.

 

Cannondale have spec’d the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 with 25mm wide tyres, but it’s worth noting that due to the Hollowgram R-SL 50’s internal rim width, the overall width of the Conti tyre comes out more like a 28mm tyre, increasing the contact patch with the ground for greater control as well as dealing with rough road surfaces better, enhancing rider comfort. It’s worth pointing out too that the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 boasts plenty of frame and fork clearance for even wider road tyres; Pro racers seem to have now settled on 28mm wide tyres as the standard, however the SuperSix EVO can comfortably accommodate a 30mm tyre with 6mm clearance.

The Continental Grand Prix 5000 provide sublime levels of grip in all weather conditions.

 

This most recent iteration of the SuperSix EVO only launched at the start of 2023 and in the short time that it’s been raced within the professional road racing scene it has taken countless wins in some of the most challenging races in the world. This super-versatile race-winning weapon is equally capable of flying up the climbs and holding its speed on flatter terrain thanks to all of those brilliant aerodynamic design features that we’ve poured over in this feature.

Regardless of whether you intend to race it or not, you can be sure that the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1, with Cannondale’s rich design and development history at its core, will enhance your performance AND overall enjoyment of cycling on the road. With its fully-integrated aerodynamic chassis, brilliantly balanced lightweight and aero wheelset and that user-friendly, clutter-free SRAM Red Etap AXS wireless groupset at your disposal you’ll be winning new STRAVA performance medals at the end of every ride.

Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 is super-light, super-aero and super-good-looking! A truly high performance road bike with a stunning aesthetic.

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 1 RRP £10,500.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
• Fork: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (44-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm)
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
• Shifters: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, 2×12
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS
• Front Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS
• Cassette: SRAM XG-1290, 10-28, 12-speed
• Chainset: SRAM RED AXS Carbon, 48/35
• Chain: SRAM RED AXS
• Bottom Bracket : SRAM DUB BSA
• Brakes: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, 160/160mm Centerline-X rotors
• Rims: HollowGram R-SL 50, Carbon, 20h front, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm inner width, tubeless ready
• Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite, straight-pull
• Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm centerlock / (R) HollowGram, 12x142mm centerlock w/ DT Swiss 240 internals
• Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000, 700x25c
• Stem/Handlebar: Cannondale SystemBar R-One by MOMODesign – low drag, full carbon integrated bar/stem, internal routing
• Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
• Seat Post: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (44-48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm)
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NACK NDR, Carbon Rails

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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