FAST BIKE FRIDAY – CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO HI-MOD DISC RED eTAP AXS

This week for Fast Bike Friday we’re focusing our camera on the stunning Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS road bike in a quirky and rather fetching metallic glitter Lavender colour set off with retro-cool tanwall tyres and featuring SRAM’s cutting edge Red eTap AXS wireless electronic 12-speed groupset. Don’t get it twisted though, this road bike is not all style and no substance; with a rich racing heritage the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod is packed full of innovation and technology which has been proven at the highest levels of competition. Multiple generations precede this newest iteration of the SuperSix, with the EVO Hi-Mod boasting all of that DNA and more to make it a truly contemporary cutting-edge, lightweight, aerodynamic, digital, disc-brake-equipped road bike.

The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod is a modern thorough-bred road bike with a rich racing history.

 

Cannondale took all the best bits of the previous generation SuperSix – the super-light chassis, responsive acceleration and near-telepathic handing before amplifying other aspects of the all-new EVO Hi-Mod frameset to make the new-gen SuperSix smoother, more comfortable, more aerodynamically efficient AND much, much faster. Taking what they learnt from the development of their full-on aero road bike, the SystemSix, Cannondale applied their research and development centered on aerodynamics to this more ‘all-rounder’ lightweight climbing bike. The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod BallisTec carbon frameset features low-drag properties thanks to its highly truncated airfoil tube shapes which offer the same light weight and equal or better stiffness than the traditional round tubes found on the previous generation SuperSix but significantly reduce drag by up to 30%.

The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod boasts a stunning clean, clutter-free aerodynamic silhouette.

 

For a lightweight, aero all-rounder to truly excel it’s not enough to just be feather-light, stiff and aero-efficient. If you’re going to spend endless hours in the saddle climbing and descending hills you’re going to want to feel comfortable and fresh, particularly if you’re competing and need to be ready to kick or respond to a decisive attack late into the race. As Cannondale are quick to point out, the new-gen SuperSix EVO gives an elegantly smooth ride thanks to the dropped SAVE rear seatstays which have been designed to give a small amount of vertical compliance, along with a carbon Cannondale 27 KNOT seatpost and integrated seatpost binder to further aid a small amount of flex within key areas of the frame.

That superlight Hi-Mod carbon frame is comfortable too thanks to some clever carbon layup and those dropped seatstays.

 

UCI approved and well-proven at the highest levels of professional road racing the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod has multiple wins under its belt.

 

This lightweight climbing bike is aerodynamic too with truncated tube profiles and a seamless junction between bar, stem, frame and fork.

 

Along with that sophisticated frame tube profiling Cannondale have also upped the anti with (one of the buzzwords within current premium road bikes) a fully integrated cockpit – meaning bars, stem and cable routing are all designed and produced by Cannondale as one complete unit for a smooth, uncluttered aero front-end which is designed to cut through the air more efficiently. Cannondale’s carbon HollowGram SAVE SystemBar blends seamlessly with their alloy HollowGram KNOT stem complete with cable cover to keep all cables concealed before they are routed neatly through an opening in the front of the headtube for minimal drag AND relatively headache-free serviceability.

There are zero exposed cables or brake hoses on the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod and there’s plenty of adjustability to fine tune your position.

 

Seen from the side it’s clear that the SuperSix EVO is going to be aerodynamically efficient as well as being superlight.

 

Cannondale have spec’d their HollowGram SAVE carbon aero handlebar with an alloy HollowGram KNOTT stem which stows the brake hoses inside.

 

Those carbon bars aren’t only super-aero they’re comfortable too thanks to a small amount of compliance in those flattened out bar tops.

 

There’s plenty of scope to fine-tune bike fit with the quick and easy to remove aero-headset spacers.

 

A Sram Red eTap AXS wireless groupset means there’s a carbon cover for the insert that would normally contain a Di2 junction box or gear cables.

 

The sleek SuperSix EVO frameset accommodates a forgiving carbon Hollowgram 27 SL KNOT seat post.

 

Another important consideration on modern disc-brake-equipped road bikes is tyre clearance; the addition of disc brakes and the removal of traditional brake calipers between frame and wheel has freed up more space to give greater amounts of tyre clearance. Thanks to this we’ve seen a gradual change to wider tyres being spec’d on road bikes with 28mm rather than 25mm tyres fast becoming the norm. Cannondale are fully onboard with this evolution and have ensured that the SuperSix EVO can comfortably handle 30mm tyres with plenty of clearance between tyre and frame increasing comfort and mixed-road surface capability in the process.

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS comes fitted with 28mm tyres and has clearance for tyres up to 30mm wide.

 

As the model name of this particular SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc road bike suggests, Cannondale have spec’d a fantastically efficient, cutting-edge SRAM Red Etap AXS wireless 12-speed groupset. This top-of-the range drivetrain from SRAM brilliantly compliments the SuperSix EVO with its slick, clutter-free configuration further adding to this race bike’s aerodynamic properties. The gear shifters on the handlebars contain simple button-batteries that power a unique shifting signal to the front and rear derailleurs; at the drivetrain both the front and rear mechs feature rechargeable batteries that securely clip directly onto the derailleurs and are good for 60 hours of riding before needing to be recharged.

As its long product title suggests this model of SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod comes spec’d with SRAM’s cutting-edge Red eTap AXS wireless groupset.

 

With a fully powered, wireless gear shift each change is light and positive. That precise gear shift is really confidence inspiring – with its digital consistency encouraging you to change gear more often than you perhaps would with a conventional cable-activated groupset, leading to a more sophisticated use of the gears available, keeping you feeling fresher for longer during epic all-day rides.

The SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-speed wireless electronic rear derailleur features a fluid clutch to help keep your chain securely located.

 

The Red eTap AXS wireless front derailleur provides precise gear shifts every time; the rechargeable batteries provide around 60 hours of riding time.

 

With a fully powered, wireless gear shift each change is light and positive. That precise gear shift is really confidence inspiring – with its digital consistency encouraging you to change gear more often than you perhaps would with a conventional cable-activated groupset, leading to a more sophisticated use of the gears available, keeping you feeling fresher for longer during epic all-day rides. Operation couldn’t be more simple or intuitive, 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 mech 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 change how your bike shifts you can customise the settings via the SRAM App to enable you to shift up the block with the right lever and down the block with the left lever.

The Red eTap AXS wireless shifter is comfortable to use in the drops or on the hoods, providing crisp, instantaneous gear shifts every time.

 

When it comes to braking on the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod you can rely on powerful SRAM Centreline XR hydraulic disc brakes which are easy to modulate for confidence-inspiring 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; specially profiled 160mm disc rotors help to prevent the brakes from overheating under continuous braking while thru-axles keep everything secure and in place further adding to the stiffness and positive handling of the bike.

Beautiful to look at, powerful and easy to modulate, the flat-mount SRAM CentreLine XR brakes provide consistent, confidence-inspiring braking.

 

The 160mm SRAM disc brake rotors have been specifically designed help prevent overheating on long descents.

 

Fitting a road bike of this quality with a pair of superlight, race-ready pair of wheels is a no-brainer and an easy win it comes to amplifying the ride quality of the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod. Cannondale have spec’d a pair of their own HollowGram 45 SL KNOT carbon wheels featuring a 45mm deep rim profile designed to cut through the air efficiently while also being light, stiff and responsive. With 20 spokes up front and 24 on the rear the carbon rims are tubeless-ready and are laced to smooth, durable Formula Thru-axle hubs. The wheelset comes fitted with a pair of fast rolling Vittoria Corsa 25mm wide tyres and as we’ve already mentioned, there’s enough clearance between tyre, frame and fork to be able to run 28mm or 30mm tyres comfortably.

As you’d expect from a road bike of this calibre, Cannondale have spec’d a pair of light, aerodynamic 45mm HollowGram 45 SL KNOT wheels.

 

Those Knot SL carbon rims are nice and wide for a tyre with a superior, less-pinched-in sidewall profile.

 

The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS features a comfortable Prologo Dimension Nack NDR saddle with carbon rails.

 

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS is a fantastic example of a modern carbon race bike that’s a true all-rounder built to excel on all gradients and in all possible road racing scenarios – light and stiff to help you dance up the climbs, just the right amount of aerodynamic tube shaping to help you hold your speed on flat high-speed stretches and precise handling for a ride-feel that is truly confidence inspiring and encourages you to throw the bike into tight corners at the mid-week crit race. Benefitting from a rich racing heritage and all of the design and engineering experience that Cannondale have built up over the years the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod has taken all the classic elements of the original and brought it bang up to date with all of the key features we’ve very quickly come to expect from a contemporary, premium, disc-equipped-road bike. Oh it’s a looker too and that counts for a lot!

The SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS represents the very pinnacle of modern carbon race bike design and construction.

 

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS is available in-store or online now.

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Speed Release thru-axle, SAVE, PF30a, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder
• Fork: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, SAVE, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Speed Release thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ steerer and 55mm offset (44-54cm), 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8” steerer and 45mm offset (56-62cm)
• Shifters: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD 12-speed
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red eTap AXS 12-Speed
• Front Derailleur: SRAM RED eTap AXS
• Cassette : SRAM XG-1290 10-33T 12-speed
• Chainset: SRAM RED, DUB, 48/35T
• Chain: SRAM RED, 12-speed
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB PF30 ROAD73-A
• Brakes: SRAM CenterLine XR
• Rotors: 160/160mm rotor
• Front Rim: HollowGram 45 SL KNØT, Carbon, 20h Tubeless Ready
• Rear Rim: HollowGram 45 SL KNØT, Carbon, 24h Tubeless Ready
• Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite, Straight-pull
• Front Hub: Formula 12×100
• Rear Hub: Formula, 12×142
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa 700 x 25C
• Stem: HollowGram KNØT, Alloy with cable cover, – 6°
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″ (bike 44-54cm), 1-1/8″ – 1-3/8″ (bike 56-62cm)
• Handlebar: HollowGram SAVE SystemBar, Carbon, 8 deg. pitch adjust
• Bar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
• Seat Post: HollowGram 27 SL KNØT, Carbon, 2 bolt clamp, 330mm, 0mm offset (bike 44-48cm), 15mm offset (bike 51-62cm)
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension Nack NDR, carbon rails

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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