If you have been anywhere near Cannondale in the last decade then you will know that they have created not only some of the finest, lightest, most aero and yet comfortable Road race bikes, but they have been equally adept on the Cyclocross scene. The SUPER X is a benchmark 'cross bike with powerful innovations delivering unrivalled traction, stability and handling characteristics that result in improved outright speed.
The modern SUPER X has been around for a few years and Cannondale's development progress on both the road with the Supersix EVO, and off road with MTB and Gravel has led to a new design approach for their latest Cyclocross beast.
Cannondale have always been innovators. They are the reason for much of the universal tech found in modern road and mountain bikes; things we take for granted daily.
Having spent recent years deveolping road and gravel rigs and pushing the limits thereof, Cannondale have shifted their focus this year to Cyclocross - which continues to grow - along with the rapidly expanding Gravel Race scene. Since there is overlap between these two performance focused disciplines, they have combined the two in order to produce a single frameset that can be specified one of two ways, to deliver riders 2 potential bikes in one.
Based on both the new Supersix EVO with its raft of frame shape changes and aero enhancements, along with the pure ridability and handling of the successful Super X, Cannondale have created the Supersix EVO CX and SE bikes, based around the same frame platform and which surplant the Super X and Super X SE respectively.
In short, the new bikes feature tyre clearance for 45mm wide 700c tyres with the aero benefits developed for the Supersix EVO and the agile geometry and handling of the SuperX. The CX version, when fitted with UCI Race Legal 33mm tyres, has a bounty of mud clearance (13mm per side!) both front and rear while the Gravel Race SE version has the capacity for a truly wide tyre that soaks up the trail and allows for low pressure set ups that reduce the risk of flats while offering up bucket loads of grip.
Much of what defined the SuperX platform is retained and combined with the smooth, aerodynamic ride of the incredible Supersix EVO.
OutFront Steering Geometry features a 55m fork rake on all sizes and combined with a slack a 71 degree head angle reduces 'trail' at the front end. Ultimately this gives greater stability, particularly at high speed, while reducing the risk of toe overlap all while keeping the steering light and agile.
In addition to the stability improvements, Cannondale's super short 42.2cm chainstays tuck in tightly behind the bottom bracket and provide greater bite when the power goes down. The reduced stay length 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. In addition it allows for 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 that is easy to sail over obstacles and with traction to rival a mountain goat! On the SE version that is designed for 2x set ups, it also improves tyre clearance with the front derailleur allowing for huge 45mm boots.
The agility of the SuperX forbear is combined with the Aero efficiencies that helped elevate the Supersix EVO road bike above its predecessor by 30 Watts. Since aero gains are to be had at all speeds, in virtually every riding situation, and since speed is what racing is all about; Cannondale took the tube profiles and frame layout of the road-going SuperSix EVO and tweaked them to provide the stiffness and durability needed for the rugged demands of cyclocross and hard-core gravel racing.
The result is an off-road road frameset that is lighter and more aero than many of the “aero” road bikes on the market. Use road race wheels on this platform and you’ve got a bike that will outrun most road bikes out there, making the CX and SE the most versatile race bikes Cannondale have ever made.
Not only did the Supersix Evo development deliver aero gains, it remains one of the smoothest and most comfortable race bikes available. This characteristic is a key element in helping riders and racers stay fast. Comfort = speed. The dropped seat stays and shaped chainstays of the Supersix EVO CX and SE work in conjunction with the flex of the HollowGram 27 SL KNØT seatpost to deliver a seriously smooth ride – improving traction, control and comfort over rough surfaces. Combined with the ability to use a wider tyre than ever before, and both traction and comfort are enhanced further - keeping you fresh and fast.
As race / speed focused bikes, both the Supersix EVO CX and SE utilise Speed Release thru-axles. These not only deliver faster wheel changes thanks to the double-lead thread which spins in and out twice as fast, but they also remain in the wheel so you are less likely to lose them in the scrub. Cannondale's Switchplate full housing internal cable routing rounds out the frame for clean, reliable cable management.
The Supersix EVO CX is built for cyclocross. Equipped with an eye towards simplicity, bullet-proof reliability, serviceability, and light weight with a Sram Force 1x drivetrain, raceable 33mm Vittoria cyclocross tyres and a zero offset seatpost across the size range to keep you on the rivet.