Slice RS, Lefty and Trigger, plus 'cross disc bikes
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The 'Racing Edition' of Cannondale's SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Red model comes with an impressively bold spec that includes top-end components but alloy cockpit parts and carbon tubular wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The tidy rear shock remote on Cannondale's new Trigger trail bike takes up little room on the bar.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 2013 Cannondale SuperX Hi-Mod Disc will come with Stan's NoTubes ZTR Alpha 340 rims for easy tubeless compatibility.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The lower caliper post on Cannondale's new SuperX Hi-Mod Disc frame is built into the dropout while the upper one is bonded in place.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Interestingly, Cannondale's SuperX Hi-Mod flagship model will only be offered with disc brakes for 2013. The Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team will also be using disc brakes across the board this season, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale's new SuperX disc fork is built with differential leg shapes and lay-up schedules to handle the asymmetrical loading of the disc caliper.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The stem length is effectively adjustable by inserting different blocks on Cannondale's new Slice RS time trial/triathlon bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tucking the rear wheel underneath the chain stays on Cannondale's new Slice RS allows for a clean rear end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale's new Slice RS may not be the prettiest bike out there but the company says the aero performance of its unusual shape speaks for itself.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale built a channel down the inside of its 'Speed Shadow' rear wheel cutout to reduce air pressure buildup inside the otherwise narrow gap.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The external steerer design on the new Cannondale Slice RS time trial/triathlon machine allows for an ultra-narrow front end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale director of product marketing Murray Washburn says the new SuperX Hi-Mod Disc frame is more comfortable than the standard rim brake version since the seat stays no longer had to cope with braking forces up top.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 2013 Cannondale SuperX Carbon Ultegra will come with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical transmission, an FSA Gossamer Pro BB30 crank, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels, and TRP EuroX alloy cantilevers for US$3,450.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The one-piece shock link on the new Cannondale Trigger is firmly clamped on both sides to a hollow thru-axle for rigidity. Each seat stay pivot, on the other hand, rotates on two cartridge bearings.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Lower-level Cannondale Triggers will come with conventional single-crown forks instead of the SuperMax.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale's new Trigger 29'er 1 looks to be an enormously entertaining machine with 80-130mm of instantly adjustable travel, terrain-leveling 29" wheels, and relatively slack geometry.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
While the current Cannondale Lefty forks prioritized light weight, the new SuperMax fork goes for all-out stiffness. In addition to offering up to 130mm of travel, the upper tube grows in diameter from 38mm to 42mm, the lower leg from 32mm to 36mm, and even the hub shell is wider for what should be an ultra-burly and highly capable fork.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale utilizes its own proprietary caliper adapter on the Trigger's new SuperMax fork.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The slimmer upper profile and more rearward placement on the new Cannondale SuperMax fork now allows for stems as short as 50mm on the new Trigger.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The more rearward leg placement on the Cannondale Trigger 29'er's new SuperMax fork allowed for a wider hub shell - thus making for a stronger wheel that can take more abuse.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear end of Cannondale's Synapse Hi-Mod frame is primarily designed to deliver lots of vertical flex for comfort on rough roads.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale's popular Synapse Hi-Mod carries into 2013 essentially unchanged, highlighted by the Black Edition flagship with Shimano Dura-Ace 9000, Mavic Ksyrium SLS wheels, and a Cannondale Hollowgram SiSL2 crank for US$7,700.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale's new Slice RS strikes an unusual profile for sure but it's apparently heaps faster through the air than the previous version.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Rather than simply use TRP's ready-made linear-pull time trial brakes, Cannondale opted to include its own design for the Slice RS. One of the touted benefits is a centrally positioned cable noodle that doesn't stick out into the wind.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
This version of Cannondale's Hollowgram crank features an aerodynamic spider.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The top three podium for the night. }(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 2013 Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Dura-Ace comes with a Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical group, Mavic Ksyrium SLS alloy clinchers, and Cannondale's own SiSL crankset for US$7,990.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Red Racing Edition comes with Vision carbon tubular wheels and Schwalbe tires.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Instead of the striking Cannondale Spidering one-piece machined aluminum double chainring, the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Red Racing Edition model gets a conventional spider with standard chainrings.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale equips the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Red Racing Edition with a true race-ready spec, including aluminum classic-drop handlebars paired to an alloy stem.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Front-end stiffness on Cannondale's latest CAAD10 frames is provided by the 1 1/8-to-1 1/4" head tube plus the flared and hydroformed down tube.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
While the majority of Cannondale's 'Black Inc.' bikes are - obviously - all black, there's a hint of gold sprinkled in for effect.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 2013 Cannondale CAAD10 Black Edition features a Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic group as well as Ultegra tubeless aluminum wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The flagship 2013 Cannondale SuperSix EVO Black Edition is built around the company's latest Nano-level frame. Add on a Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 group, handbuilt wheels with Enve carbon fiber rims and DT Swiss hubs (the Euro-spec version is pictured here), an Enve carbon fiber cockpit, and Cannondale's own Hollowgram SiSL2 crankset and you've got quite the lightweight package - as you should for the US$13,310 asking price.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Claimed weight on Cannondale's new SuperSix EVO Nano frame is a paltry 710g.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 'Narrow is Aero' design philosophy on the new Cannondale Slice RS is clearly evident in the bottom bracket area with the slab-sided down tube and seat tube plus chain stays that are practically hidden behind the bottom bracket shell.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Cannondale Hollowgram SiSL2 crankset features the company's own one-piece machined aluminum double chainring that is claimed to be both lighter and stiffer than a conventional setup.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The top-end 2013 Cannondale Scalpel 29'er Carbon Ultimate spares no expense with its Enve Composites carbon fiber wheels, Shimano XTR transmission, ultralight Cannondale Hollowgram cranks, Magura MT8 hydraulic disc brakes, and Lefty XLR 100 fork. Retail price is a whopping US$11,000.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Claimed weight for the 2013 Cannondale Scalpel 29'er Carbon Ultimate's Lefty XLR 100 fork is a paltry 1,332g (2.94lb).(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Lefty fork on Cannondale's 2013 Scalpel 29'er bikes feature a hybrid needle bearing internal configuration. A conventional lower bushing and seal head eliminate the predecessor's accordion boot for cleaner aesthetics and easier sag setup.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The standard Cannondale SuperSix frame does without the EVO's more elaborate chain stay and seat stay shaping.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Claimed frame weight for the standard Cannondale SuperSix is around 950g.This particular model is equipped with a Shimano Ultegra mechanical group, an FSA SL-K crank, and Mavic Aksium alloy clincher wheels.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
New for 2013 from Cannondale is the addition of a women's-specific SuperSix EVO range. This top-end model features a SRAM Red group, Mavic Ksyrium alloy clincher wheels, and Cannondale's own SiSL crank.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The 2013 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2 Red is the lightest standard-modulus complete bike with a SRAM Red group, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe S wheels, and a SRAM carbon fiber crank. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Fans of Cannondale's old 'black lightning' series of bikes will find several parallels in the new 'Black Inc.' range - a title that denotes specially finished models for each respective road model for 2013.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cannondale unleashed a wide berth of fantastic new bikes at this year's Eurobike show, covering the gamut from women's road bikes, time trial and triathlon, cyclo-cross, and even the ultra-competitive trail bike category. While it'll be a little while before the new bikes will be available, 2013 is looking like a good year.
The "ugly fast" Slice RS hits the road – plus a new women's-specific EVO
Cannondale's new Slice RS time trial/triathlon bike has been under the riders of the Liquigas-Cannondale team for some time now but it's only at Eurobike that the company has finally revealed details. While other companies have recently focused on truncated airfoils and wider cross-sections, Cannondale has instead adopted a 'narrow is aero' philosophy – and the new RS is certainly narrow.
Starting up front, Cannondale has fitted the new Slice RS with hidden linear-pull brakes and an external-steerer fork that provides the stiffness and steering precision of a tapered design but with much slimmer dimensions on account of what is effectively a dual-crown layout. The level top tube sits directly behind the stem – further reducing frontal area – and the down tube and seat tube are both slab-sided from top to bottom so as to present minimal surface area to the wind.
Out back, chain stay-mounted linear-pull brakes afford sleeker seat stay shaping while the chain stays themselves hug tightly to the frame's centerline before kicking out to the dropouts. The seat tube closely follows the outline of the rear wheel as is standard practice for the genre but Cannondale has also carved a channel out of the inner surface so as to relieve pressure turbulence from the spinning tire.
And what about that weird looking seatpost? Well, the UCI's current 3:1 rule places strict limitations on section profiles and given the seat tube's very narrow width, Cannondale had few options on seatpost shaping.
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Washburn admits that the Slice RS isn't necessarily the prettiest bike to look at but that its performance on the road should speak for itself.
As he puts it, "it's ugly fast".
In other road-related news, Cannondale's SuperSix EVO road bike will spawn a women's-specific variant for 2013 for riders that need a slightly altered geometry for a better fit. Key changes include slightly longer head tubes, shorter and more drastically sloping top tubes, and increased fork rakes to reduce the chance of toe overlap.
Cannondale will offer the new women's-specific SuperSix EVO in standard modulus and high-modulus frame variants. Cannondale isn't going small on the spec, either, with the top-end model boasting a new SRAM Red group, Mavic Ksyrium SLS aluminum clincher wheels, FSA and fi'zi:k cockpit components, and Cannondale's own Hollowgram SiSL2 crankset for what should be a fantastic all-purpose road racer.
New big-wheeled Trigger 29'er
Cannondale's enduro-friendly Jekyll with its 90-150mm of on-the-fly adjustable travel will have a new little brother for 2013 called Trigger. While the already announced 26" version will sport 70-120mm of adjustable travel, Cannondale also launched a new 29" version at Eurobike with a more all-mountain feel and 80-130mm of travel.
While the 26" Trigger will come with a carbon fiber frame, the new Trigger 29'er will be built around an all-aluminum frame exclusively – at least for now. Key design features are shared throughout, however, including clamped large-diameter axles at the main pivot and upper shock link pivot plus twin cartridge bearings elsewhere for rigidity, a 142x12mm rear thru-axle, and a custom dual-mode Fox DYAD RT2 twin-chamber rear pull shock with a tidy cable actuated handlebar remote.
Only the top model will get the awesome looking new SuperMax fork, though – essentially an extra-burly version of Cannondale's remarkably capable Lefty. Whereas the current version's trump card is light weight, however, the SuperMax instead capitalizes on stiffness. Upper tube diameter grows from 38 mm to 42mm, the lower leg balloons from 32mm to 36mm, and there's even a new axle stub that allows for a wider hub shell for extra wheel strength under load.
The new SuperMax fork goes for all-out stiffness
Cannondale has also shifted the SuperMax's single leg rearward and reduced the profile of the upper section to allow riders to use shorter stems than before. According to Washburn, the new SuperMax can now be fitted with stems as stubby as 50mm.
Disc brakes rule the roost for new 'cross range
As yet another sign of things to come, Cannondale has outfitted its top-end SuperX carbon 'cross model with disc brakes for 2013. As compared to the standard rim brake version, the disc bike gets a strengthened non-driveside fork leg with specific shaping and lay-up schedules plus altered shaping on the non-driveside seat stay to accommodate the caliper out back.
Tire clearance is improved slightly at both ends – mostly by virtue of removing all that rim brake clutter – but according to Washburn, the disc bike is also more comfortable since the seat stays no longer have to deal with the same stresses up high and can now be thinner and softer.
The top-end SuperX Hi-Mod Disc will come with a SRAM Red transmission, FSA SL-K carbon cranks with CX-specific chainrings, Stan's NoTubes ZTR Alpha 340 rims, and Schwalbe Racing Ralph clinchers. Unfortunately, SRAM still doesn't have its hydraulic disc brakes ready for market but Cannondale's spec sheet suggests a new high-end Avid BB7 Ultimate cable-actuated disc is at least on its way for the coming season.
In yet another cutting-edge move, the second-tier rim brake-equipped SuperX Hi-Mod will come with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic transmission and matching Ultegra tubeless wheels.
Finally, Cannondale has revamped the aluminum CAADX frames as well for 2013 with tube shapes borrowed from the CAAD10 and SuperX, slightly flattened stays to improve ride comfort, and just like with the SuperX, the top offering will come exclusively with disc brakes.
The Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team will be using disc brakes across the board