Cannondale SuperSix
One off the joys of having a bike shop, other than the glamorous lifestyle is getting to ride new bikes on a fairly regular basis. That being said I have just come off riding a CAAD-9 for about a year have jumped on a SuperSix Carbon bike.
This bike originally was the SuperSix-3 spec but was stripped and rebuilt with 3T Pro finishing kit, SRAM Force Groupo, Prologo Saddle and Demo SRAM S30 Sprint wheelset (Supplied by Monza for a looksie).
First Impression: The SuperSix feels fast. The tapered head tube, BB30 bottom bracket and carbon fibre layup combines to produce a frame that’s stiff, fast, responsive and light.
I felt that I could stay in the saddle for longer and when I did get out of the saddle all the power was transfered into forward movement not lost through frame flex due a whopping great big bottom bracket junction….
….Now you probably heard me say that about the CAAD-9, but the SuperSix takes that to the next level.
The tapered headtube lends itself to rock solid handling that holds its line around corners at high speed, no wobbles, no shakes.
Stiff and rigid though it may be, I do not find it uncomfortable. Admittedly i haven’t taken it out the back of Kalamunda yet on coarse bitumin but for lack of better words:
“Some carbon frames ride like dead wood. Cannondale perfected ‘lively’ ride feel with alloy frames and have injected carbon frames with the same ride qualities …. Snappy, responsive frames instantly transmit pavement conditions for improved road manners and performance”. Taken from Cannondale.com and they have pretty much hit the nail on the head.
As for the rest of the bike, the 3T Pro finishing kit works perfectly with the matte black and white paint job. 3T have really got it right when it comes to badging and finish. Simple, uncomplicated well presented.
This is the first time I have used the Rotundo bars with their traditional round drop. As someone who has broken their wrists multiple times I find this shape very comfortable and secure. I did not feel like i was falling off the end of the drops like I do on the ergnomic shaped drops. Out of the saddle sprinting you feel in control with easy access to the levers even with poor wrist mobility.
Monza gave us a set of S30 Sprint wheels to try out. After and intial moan and groan from the spokes the wheels settled in. With an rrp of $1100 for a 1530 gram wheelset these puppies do a pretty good job for what they are. The 30mm section rims are aero enough.. but not so much as to be blown around in strong wind.
My first ride on them was the Northern Districts crit at Landsdale. Around the fast left hand corner they carried themselves well. I felt confident in coming out of the corner and out of the saddle I didn’t notice any flex.
I think they make for a good set of training wheels or a do-it-all set of race/training wheels for someone on a budget.
