For 2018, Cannondale have released a number of SE versions of a number of their most popular bikes. The aim being to broaden the scope of a particular model for specific types of riding within the remit of the platform. In the case of the SuperX, this Force 1 equipped SE version features a more road and gravel dialled specification, with wider ratio gearing from an 11-42t cassette, upgraded WTB KOM wheels and wider 37mm, tubeless, gum-wall slick tyres. The ultimate adventure bike.
Aside from that it remains largely the same as the Force 1 model.
The Cannondale SuperX is a completely new machine. Designed with modern, technical Cyclocross courses in mind, the innovative geometry and dedicated Cyclocross focus make the SuperX one for those who push their limits and need the best kit to do it.
The 2018 SuperX Force 1 is a dedicated Cyclocross race bike and features Cannondale's Hi Modulus Ballistec Carbon construction for exceptional strength to weight - ideal for the sport of 'cross. It comes equipped with everything you might need to keep you at the front throughout the Cyclocross season. Sram's dedicated Force CX1 groupset features 1x11 shifting partnered with Cannondale's own Ai Hollowgram BB30 crank with X-Sync 40t OPI SpideRing which should handle anything when combined with the 11-42 Wi-Fli cassette. Braking is comfortably taken care of with the Force Hydro discs with 160mm rotors, keeping you in control. As mentioned previously, the wheelset is from WTB in the form of their KOM rims with tubeless technology. Thanks to Ai (Asymmetric Integration) they are extremely stiff and strong. WTB's Riddler, 37mm tubeless tyres handle the rolling duties and broaden the scope of the bike for on and off-road forays as the mood takes you. A carbon seatpost and ultralight finishing kit round out this adventure driven Cyclocross bike. Finished in Fire Red, a 2-tone colourway.
The SuperX is not new to Cannondale's range and has been a successful bike over previous seasons. Its legendary low weight and nimble handling have kept it amongst the favourites for 'cross lovers for a while. With the evolution of shifting and braking technologies and the sport as a whole, Cannondale have drawn on their mountain bike innovations in order to help develop a modern, stable yet superior handling machine.
Since 2014, veteran Cyclocross rider Tim Johnson has been riding prototype geometry frames back to back with his old SuperX in order to refine the new SuperX, with the twin goals of stability and traction at the forefront of the design. Historically a mid size 'cross bike would have an headtube angle of around 71 degrees and a fork rake (offset) of between 45 and 47mm. Modern Cyclocross courses are becoming more and more technical and riders require extremely nimble yet stable bikes in order to stay ahead. The difficulty comes in reconciling these two elements as they are often mutually exclusive.
Back in the 1990's Gary Fisher introduced Genesis Geometry in his mountain bikes which featured slacker headtube angles and increased fork offset; in around 2011 the likes of Swift Carbon did a similar thing with their Ultravox road frameset in order to stabilise the handling when their frames were partnered with super-light wheelsets. Cannondale have taken a leaf from these books and created their new OutFront Steering Geometry which features a 55m fork rake on all sizes and, on a 56cm bike, a 71 degree head angle. Ultimately this change at the front end gives greater stability, particularly at high speed, while reducing the risk of toe overlap.
In addition to the stability improvements, Cannondale's other objective was to enhance traction and their have been some significant changes to the rear of the SuperX. Firstly, the chainstays have had a trim. Originally 43cm, the stays on the new SuperX bikes are now 42.2cm - one of the shortest on the market - they tuck in tightly behind the bottom bracket and provide greater bite when the power goes down. The shortening of the stays has been facilitated by drawing on design elements that have already proved successful on the company's F-Si mountain bike. Cannondale's Ai or Asymmetrically Integrated drivetrain system, shifts the rear hub and drivetrain 6mm to the right, delivering super short chainstays without any of the usual compromises in mud / tyre clearance or chainring compatibility and a rear wheel that is dramatically stiffer and stronger because the spoke tension and angles are equal on both sides.
All the extra space created by Ai allows not only for shorter stays but masses of mud clearance and huge stiffness gains in the rear wheel, yielding an extremely stiff and agile machine with traction to rival a mountain goat! Where applicable it also improves tyre clearance with the front derailleur, in fact, it is now possible to run 40c tyres in the superX should you want.
Additional changes, whilst not as significant, certainly make the SuperX even more desirable. The bikes now feature Thru-Axles front and rear for improved handling and stiffness and, though the discs aren't new, they now feature Cannondale's Flat Mount for lower weight penalties and minimal interference with handling. Headtubes are now 1.1/2" in order to open up the option of a Lefty fork while the 25.4mm post and integrated seatpost binder combine with Speed SAVE micro suspension to offer even better compliance and so keep you fresher and in contention. All cables are now fully internal - including in the fork, making the SuperX one of the cleanest looking Cyclocross machines out there and extremely comfortable to shoulder, if the need arises.
There are 4 models in the range for 2018 featuring Apex, Force 1 and Di2 groupsets and one of the other significant things to mention is that sizing is now in line with the road range. Historically you would have to size down from your Evo or Synapse to get on a SuperX, now, if you ride a 54cm Evo, you ride a 54 SuperX. With sizing down to 46cm these are also suitable for female and youth riders looking to take on 'cross.