Looked at a new EVO Cannondale yesterday and was really surprised that I liked it. Was a Specialized dealer for so long that I forgot there are other brands out there that really know what they are doing.

The EVO impressed me with the flex built into the rear end. I was able to physically flex the thing when sitting on it (235lb), yet when riding the lateral stiffness was all there and the flex did not distract from the acceleration capabilities of the bike. I think CDale really has something with this design.

Anyone out there ride one? If so, give your impressions. Thanks.

Habby,
No Evo, YET!, but I have my CAAD 10 that has the SAVE rear stay engineering as the Evo does. The ride is very well mannered yet the stiffness when accelerating and pushing hard is still present. Everything I have read and heard about the Evo was highly complimentary, save the price. I'm trying to decide whether the Evo or a Synapse is the best choice for me in the near future. I'll be closely following this thread to gather more input about the Evo from our 50+ viewpoint.

As to personal experience with the SAVE technology, I purchased my CAAD 10 when I was still 278 lbs, the frame could handle that extreme weight well with no excessive flex I could detect. Yet it still provided a remarkably smooth ride on our rough aggregate rock road surfaces, similar in frame punishment to a cobble surface. Now I am at 200 lbs and I can feel the stiffness needed when I stand up and push really hard to accelerate or climb yet the rough surfaces still don't overwhelm me or the frameset. I imagine that the engineering and materials advancements the layup of the carbon fiber that the higher level Evo and Synapse have provides an even better ride. Just my thought s and observations about Cannondale's SAVE technology. I hope I didn't step out of line in providing this.

Bill

Didn't realize they branded the design feature as SAVE. What got me to ride the EVO was my son's Caad10 he picked up this summer. That is an excellent frame, best alloy frame I have ridden yet. The EVO really impressed me. Just thought I would pass it on. Do any pros ride this design?

[QUOTE=Do any pros ride this design?[/QUOTE]

https://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/new...nveiled-38705/

The EVO is one of the best bikes available today. Period.

In the not too distant future, I hope to trade my new Trek and my 3 year old CAAD on an EVO HiMod.

Best bike around for racing, IMO.

But - caveat - it isn't a touring bike! Its geometry is geared toward sharp handling, quick acceleration, and an aggressive riding position.

For a more relaxed bike, I think Cannondale's new Synapse will really surprise you. (Make sure you ride the NEW Synapse - it's very different to the one that's just now going off the market.)

If money were no object, I'd get a Cannondale EVO for crits, a Cervelo P5 for TTs, and a new Cannondale Synapse for my ultra-distance rides...

Endurance road bikes generally sit too high in the front end. At a Specialized outing in Morgan Hill I had a butt puckering moment steaming down hill into a twisty section of road on an Sworks Roubaix. It was not designed for high speed cornering like we were doing. Jumped on an Sworks Tarmac and did the same course the next day and was just fine. The Roubaix was very ill mannered for me, the Tarmac was a saint.

I will need to ride a Synapse (road the first year production way back when, haven't looked at one since) and see how well it descends. I do see the front end is lower than Specialized, hopefully that shifts the weight forward.

You're right about comfort bike geometry. The Synapse is (obviously) Cannondale's answer to Specialized's Roubaix - though I think it's a bit more aggressive.

But you're obviously in the same camp as I am if you prefer aggressive geometry - which is why I commented on the EVO being as close to perfect (for me) as any bike I've seen.

I'll be curious to see which way you go, and how you like whatever you end up buying...

Which Evo level are you considering? Cannondale and the others seem to have so many different build levels now, my CAAD 10 is level 4, the SRAM Rival components save the crank set, it is the SRAM S-500. Those Hi-Mod and Black Inc. models are really aggressive looking however, I don't cotton to the murdered out matte black school of thought. If they would bring back the beautiful metal flake colors like the blue my R500T had I would snap one up. I did manage to snag the robin's egg blue and orange highlights "Gulf Oil Racing" colourway for mine, the level 4 had 2 schemes in 2012. The 105, Level 5 had a nicely done white, green and black scheme, also. Those Black Inc. racing specials have all the right components but they are all matte black in keeping with their names. If Cannondale had something akin to Trek's specials that you literally pick each component and the one-off colourways I would be a really happy camper. If wants and wishes were................

Bill

Build kit is one thing, frame level another. Regardless of components, the C'dale EVO comes in three carbon layup/quality versions:

Regular EVO.
EVO Hi-Mod. A little lighter, more money.
EVO Nano. Stupid light, stupid expensive (only on Black Inc. model)

I would get the Hi-Mod, personally. Currently riding a 2011 basic SuperSix, non-EVO, no Hi-Mod, and it's a very nice bike. One of the fastest, most comfy frames I've ever owned. With the EVO being heralded as superior I can only imagine how nice that thing is. Unfortunately, with the looming, and IMO somewhat inane, industry switch to disc brakes, I can't justify throwing that amount of money at the current technology.

I have an S-Works Tarmac and absolutely love it. Descending and climbing are where it really shines. The Cannondale evo is very interesting and, my friend who has one (evo hi-mod) loves it. I wish it had a slightly taller head tube as the "comfort" bikes like the Roubaix typically do not descend really well (as mentioned above by Ti). Given the comfort of the modern race bikes like the Tarmac and EVO (and probably the newer Madone), I don't think the "comfort" bikes offer much advantage unless you travel on rougher roads (including dirt/gravel). Frankly, I'm considering one for exactly this purpose. Greenways, gravel and dirt, fond events, etc. But club rides, road events, etc the standard race geo bikes do just fine - handling and comfort.

Originally the "endurance" road bikes were noted with a taller head tube and shorter top tube. With carbon they have been able to design in "suspension" to make them more compliant in ride quality. I still prefer standard road design because they behave themselves on fast descents! I have also found by running 25c or 28c tires ride quality is right where I want it and don't need a passive frame design.

My bike's geometry and frame compliance suit me very well, the CAAD 10 has much the same geo as the Evo. I ride some fairly rough stretches with worn road paving that has medium aggregate that is exposed and coming up from traffic wear, these can shake you good and they are all around 1 kilometer in length, enough to get you to pay attention. I did swap the stock 23 tires for 25's a year ago, that was a good move.

I have a single spacer beneath the stem and it is in the downward position, not a problem even with the appliances on my back. If the Endurance geometry and tube or monocoque construction get or keep you riding, bring them on. I'm sure I am going to have one, either a Synapse or Roubaix, down the road, time will dictate that progression for me. Not worried about doing it either.

Bill