Cannondale pushes road's boundaries with 2016 line
A detailed photographic look at upcoming Cannondale, GT and Charge bikes
This article originally appeared on BikeRadar
For 2016, Cycling Sports Group (CSG) has a wealth of new products across its bike brands of Cannondale, GT, Charge, Fabric and Sugoi, from Lefty-equipped Slate road adventure bikes to the high-value Charge bikes that be coming to the US next year. Check out the deep photo gallery above for a closer look, and check out the details and price ranges below.
Cannondale SuperSix, CAAD12 and Synapse
As previously mentioned here, the big news for Cannondale in 2016 is the all-new,SuperSix EVO. Five SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod bikes range from the Ultegra-equipped £2,999 / $4,260 to Black Inc model at £6,999 / $12,790, plus an additional US-only SRAM Red Disc option for $6,390. There are three Ballistec carbon SuperSix Evo models from the Tiagra 6 at £1,299 / $1,840 to the Ultegra 3 £1899.99/$3200, or US-only Red model at $3,940.
The 2016 Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Dura-Ace
For the new alloy CAAD12, there are rim and disc options aplenty. There's an additional US-only model of the CAAD12, with an anodised Black Inc version available at $5,860, but otherwise, the new CAAD12s come in five options, from the £1,299 / $1,680 Shimano 105 rim-braked model up to the £2,499 / $4,260 Dura-Ace Disc.
The endurance-friendly Synapse covers all tastes with five alloy frames from the Claris 8 version at £599 / $870 to the £1,299 / $2,130 Disc Adventure, then multiple Ballistec Carbon models from the £1,349 / $1,840 Tiagra 6 to the Disc Ultegra Di2 at £3,250 / $4,800. Topping the list are three Hi-Mod disc models from an Ultegra-shod bike at £3,599 / $5,330 to the Black Inc at £5,999 / $9,590, plus the US gets an additional Dura-Ace disc model for $5,860.
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Cannondale Slate, Touring and new components
Grabbing the most headlines is the extraordinary 'New Road' Slate adventure/cyclocross/do-anything range, consisting of three Lefty-equipped front suspension models from the £2,499 / $2,980 105 to the Force CX1 version at £2,999 / $4,260.
The Slate's Lefty one-sided suspension fork
Largely unchanged, Cannondale's strong cyclocross bike line-up continues with four CAADX offerings from the £799 / $1,080 Sora to £1,499 / $2,130 Ultegra, and for the UK, a pair of carbon SuperX models with the 105 version at £2,199 / $2,980 and Ultegra at £2,499. US consumers can also choose from a SRAM Rival bike at $2,660, and a SRAM CX1 model at $5,330.
Although not trumpeted in the same way, Cannondale have also brought back two Touring bikes. The company's first ever bike model was the ST500 Touring, and the new £999 / $1,620 Touring 2 and £1,899 / $2,660 Touring Ultimate wear the original Cannondale head badge and graphics and share a strong resemblance to the originals.
Featured amongst the new bikes are a raft of new components, such as a new 8-arm SpideRing, available in 50/34 and 52/36, and new Si solid forged crank. This sits below the Hollowgram SiSL2 and Si cranks in Cannondale's range, is said to be lighter than Shimano's Ultegra or SRAM Force carbon cranks, and is SpideRing compatible.
The new eight-arm SpideRing, on an existing Hollowgram Si crank
A Synapse on display was fitted with the new CZero carbon road disc wheelset that's claimed to weigh just 1,367g, and measures 20mm tall, and 25mm wide (17mm internal). There's also the Hollowgram and Hollowgram SL carbon disc wheelsets that are 35mm tall, 25mm wide and have a wider internal measurement at 19mm. Also, a new road-going Lefty suspension fork, the Oliver, debuts on the new Slate platform, offering unique riding possibilities in a bold-looking bike.
GT and Charge
GT's hugely successful 'Enduroad' Grade range has expanded for 2016, and now features three alloy framed flat bar Grade FB options, from the Comp at £599to the Expert at £799, then five alloy framed drop bar models starting with the £649 Claris to the new Alloy X with its 1x transmission and cyclocross rubber at £1,499. Two carbon Grades top the range at £1,999 for Shimano 105, and £2,699 for Ultegra. US and Australian pricing was not immediately available for these.
British brand Charge Bikes showed off their expanded range, which will be available in the USA in 2016, headed on the road side by the Plug. All six Plug models feature All Road geometry, rack and mudguard mounts and large volume 700x42mm skinwall clinchers. The Plug 0 and Plug 1 are both singlespeed, the £349 Plug 0 is steel framed with flat bars, while Plug 1 is aluminium, with drops. Both have cantilever brakes. Plugs 2, 3 and 4 have aluminium frames, discs and drop bars, topping out with Shimano 105 at £949. There's a raw titanium Plug 5, which looks stunning with hydraulic SRAM Rival and a Fabric saddle for £2,499. Again, US and Australian pricing was not immediately available for these.
The Charge Plug 5 Ti
Take a look at our gallery for a taste of what you could be riding next year.