goose70

While in no rush to replace my CAAD9, I considered adding an EVO to the stable next year. I've since heard some rumors (over the net, in bike shops...the usual unreliable sources) that Liquigas members are less than enthused about the new bike and many prefer, and have gone back to, the old SuperSix. From what I have gathered, the old SuperSix feels more lively, although the debate is whether Cannondale's effort to make the EVO more of a comfortable ride has actually sacrificed performance, or just makes the ride feels as if it's less sporty.

The Liquigas folks didn't seem to perform that great relative to other riders in the TdF, but that could be due to any number of factors.

Anyhoo, thoughts on the EVO? Have any of you test rode one and compared it to the old SuperSix?

patentcad

Clearly then, the bike sucks. It lacked sufficient average speed.

Let's face it. It's no Cervelo.

Banzai

So much wrong here. Oh lordy.

Going into it would take too much time, so I'll just leave a parting shot about text-message "brevity" in your thread title. I mean, spelling out "to be" would have required exactly two extra characters.

FactVord

For some reason I was expecting some pun or double entendre action. OP, mind citing your source?

Crash716

Clearly it's holding Sagan back.

I <3 Robots

I saw the bike, but didn't get a chance to ride it. Cosmetically...imo...the Super Six looks better. The downsized tubing, smaller BB area, slimmer headtube kind of took away the aggressive "look" of the frame. I did weigh the bike, and it came to 14lbs. It was running SRAM Red with the Hollowgram crank, Shimano C24 clinchers, and aluminum FSA stem/bar combo. Frame is a 56cm.

I did get to weigh a 54cm R5CA build and that came out to 12lbs. It was running SRAM Red drivetrain, Rotor crank, 3T LTD bar/stem/seatpost, Zipp 202 tubulars. That build cost the customer in the neighborhood of 15k.

A bone stock 56cm R5 with SRAM Red 3T Team bar/stem/seatpost, Rotor crank, Fulcrummy 7's with plastic platforms weighs in at 15.5lbs. MSRP 6600.

roadwarrior

Clearly, the Super Six is a superior bike. Why? Because Liquigas won two of the three Gand Tours (Giro and Vuelta) last season on Super Six's. It's also the bike I ride, and in the tradition of the Bikeforums ThinkTank, the bike any poster rides is best and everything else sucks.

However, if the OP's comment about the "rumor" are correct, it's easily researched via photos as the EVO and Super Six are dramatically different bikes. A quick check of TdF photos I could find (and I only looked at a few) all showed EVO's.

Your mileage may vary.

thehammerdog

there is a great write up in the new road bike action.....seems to be a beast to ride not comfy.

goose70

You took time to post this? Clearly, your time is not as valuable as you think.

goose70

I can't recall the sources...again, just became curious about the bike so asked folks at two LBS's who are Canondale dealers, and also a Cannondale-sponsored team member and that prompted me to do some Googling....which then lead me to go straight to the BF experts to get the real scoop.

I'm looking forward to taking one for a test spin to compare for myself.

Hammerdog, thanks for the lead...I'll look for that article.

Garfield Cat

How are these rumors going around and what's starting them?

Maybe it's the dawning of a new age in pro cycling. The sports agent has finally arrived. Before Thor Hushovd got on the Cervelo S5, it had to go thru the agent. If I were the agent, all things pertaining to money is on the table for discussion. Bike manufacturers make money with a roll out of a new model, new and improved. At least that's what it says on my detergent box. Pro riders with the star power will go for their political capital now.

Go ahead and ride the EVO but better put on the strain gauges to get an objective test.

hao

To you, it makes absolutely no difference.

LowCel 

Well someone else here took the time to write it in the terms of service. Their time probably wasn't very valuable either.

fa63

I am pretty sure Sagan was on a regular SuperSix when he won the Tour of Poland.

But that is more likely because he did not want to change bikes mid season, and not because the Evo is not worthy of his talents.

zigmeister

TS, didn't you see the latest Cannondale commercials and advertising that the Supersix Evo is the fasted bike on the planet? Then it must be so.

I still ride my outdated junky Supersix.

What kind of rider are you? If you are sprinter, the Specialized Venge is the bike for you. A Climber, well, there are a ton of other bikes very capable of climbing. A soloist? Maybe the new Cervelo, or a bunch of other bikes. It really comes down to the motor today on the bike, not the bike, and it won't make a bit of difference for most people. There are guys who rode clunky aluminum bikes years ago that still have the fastest climb times on stages of the TDF...so when it comes to climbing, the bike doesn't seem to make much of a difference either.

roadwarrior

You would be correct.

goose70

BF time is not valuable unless it is used to display interweb wit. Then it is priceless. Or useless? I forget which.

Back on track, forget the rumors and pro v am stuff for a moment....I should have known better than to use that as a lead-in. The questions are, has anyone here ridden both the EVO and old Supersix? If so, what, if any, performance difference did you notice?

Thanks.

topflightpro

Nibali was quoted earlier this year saying he did not like the Evo as much as the SuperSix. I believe it was on Bike Rumor or Bike Radar. He said the bike felt sluggish, though he did feel more fresh after a long ride on it. Later articles on CyclingNews left out the sluggish part of the quote, but kept the fresh part of the quote.

If you look at all the races this year, the TdF is the only race in which the entire Liquigas team was on the Evo. In every other race, including the Giro, the riders were predominantly on the SuperSix. In fact, during the Giro, the team rode the Evo on the second stage - first stage was a TT - and then switched to the SS for the rest of the race.

On the other hand, I believe Ted King rode the Evo to a third place finish in the U.S. RR Championships.

The Liquigas team has had the frames all season and has consistently chose the SS over the Evo.

None of that is to say it is not a great bicycle, but perhaps its characteristics are not what the pros are looking for.

DropDeadFred

Specialized dealers....