New professional road bike: The Cannondale SuperSix Evo borders on perfection
Jens Klötzer
· 17.03.2026
At first glance, you could almost be disappointed by the new Cannondale SuperSix. On the outside, it has hardly changed at all. The pictures from the Tour Down Under, where the bike was used by the EF Education-EasyPost team for the first time in a professional race in January even before the official presentation, had to be placed side by side even for experts to judge whether the riders were on a new or familiar model. Simple front end, strikingly shaped seat tube, low-set rear triangle - everything is the same, you might think. And we also asked ourselves why, after less than three years on the market, it was necessary to launch a new model that was so similar to the previous one.
The Cannondale SuperSix Evo has been further improved
However, according to Cannondale's marketing department, the only cautious further development is a concept. At the official presentation in February, the developers promised many improvements despite the similarities. The fifth SuperSix is said to be lighter and, above all, aerodynamically better. Proven features have been retained, such as the aforementioned shape of the seat tube, which is streamlined at the top and springy at the bottom. A lot of fine-tuning has been carried out on the tube shapes of the front frame triangle, which should be barely visible but measurably faster. In addition, two new handlebar combinations have been introduced, a revised geometry and a slightly different model strategy. But first things first.
As a test bike, the Americans donated an exclusive LAB71 version, something like the premium version of the SuperSix Evo. It denotes the highest carbon quality, i.e. the lightest frameset, as well as professional-level equipment. Two different versions are now available under the label: The one shown with Shimano's DuraAce, high reserve rims and flat handlebar combo is the aerodynamically fastest set-up. As the LAB71 SL, the SuperSix comes with flatter DT Swiss wheels, SRAM Red AXS and a lighter carbon combo with round handlebars: the mountain specialist, so to speak; according to the manufacturer, the SuperSix should then weigh less than 6.4 kilograms. In its aero guise, the top model weighs 6890 grams on our scales, which is a very respectable figure, but not record-breaking. The main competitor, the Specialized Tarmac SL8, is another 250 grams lighter. This means that the Cannondale is almost exactly the same weight as its predecessor, which we were able to test at the beginning of last year. However, the fifth generation comes rolling in on significantly higher aero wheels, which in turn means that a few grams could be saved on the frame base.
Better aerodynamics
In terms of aerodynamics, the second important discipline, the SuperSix has actually improved once again compared to the test a year ago. The previous model was already considered to be aerodynamically strong for its weight; in our test this year in the GST wind tunnel in Immenstaad, the Cannondale made another five watt leap forwards and only just missed out on a top mark with 205 watts. So far, this is the level of specialised aero racers, comparable to a Canyon Aeroad or Scott Foil, which have much more expansive shapes. However, our experiment also reveals that the wheels play a significant role in the result. They show a pronounced sailing effect, especially at large angles of attack, i.e. in practice in strong crosswinds, and thus depress the calculated drag value in our weighting.
However, the rim height is likely to have a noticeable effect on the steering in lateral gusts. Adjusted for this effect, i.e. measured with the reference wheelset, the aero advantage over the predecessor model is reduced by around half. However, this should in no way detract from the quality of the new development. Together with the continued good comfort on the saddle and very good stiffness values, the result is, at least on paper, a competition racer that can shine on all terrains and should make the professionals in the EF Education-EasyPoast team happy, from mountain bikers to sprinter kings without exception.
One of the best road bikes in the world
With a well-deserved top score of 1.5, the SuperSix joins the ranks of the best road bikes in the world, on a par with bolides like the Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Aeroad or Scott Foil. Some are slightly faster but heavier, others lighter but aerodynamically slower, but ultimately these are just nuances.
The question remains as to whether the bike is as much fun in practice as the fabulous values promise. The answer is an unqualified "yes", because the bike has lost none of its handling qualities. On the contrary, the new SuperSix has sharpened its character and feels even more like a genuine racing bike. The riding position has become sportier, with less stack and more weight on the front wheel, and the new handlebar combination shifts the grip position a little further forwards. This makes the bike feel even more lively, but the steering behaviour remains good-natured and balanced, and even in difficult situations it always gives you the feeling that you are in control. The suspension absorbs bumps well, while wide and smooth-rolling tyres complete the all-round successful riding impression.
Prices are falling
Surprising news in these times is that the new SuperSix has become more affordable, after the last generation set new standards in pricing for racing bikes at a dizzying 15,500 euros. The price for the professional version is normalising somewhat, even if just under 12,000 euros is still in the upper range for comparable top models. The lighter SL version costs an additional 800 euros. Prices have also been reduced for the more affordable equipment, with models with Shimano Ultegra or SRAM Force costing up to €1,000 less. Cannondale is offering a total of nine complete bike variants and two frame sets of the new SuperSixEvo. The highest carbon quality is reserved for the LAB71 versions, the second highest (Hi-MOD) for the SuperSix Evo 1.
Power meters are only standard on these versions. The entry-level model is the EVO 5 with Shimano's 105 Di2 for € 4,499. Cannondale is finally stamping out its own component brand Hollowgram, which it has managed for many years: Generation 5 of the SuperSix is equipped with wheels from Reserve or DT Swiss, while the handlebar combo runs under Cannondale. The SmartSense concept, which supplied the gears and integrated lighting via a central battery on the predecessor, will only be available on the Synapse endurance model.
Cannondale SuperSix Evo LAB71: Info & Price
- Price: 11,999 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.9 kilos
- Frame sizes: 44, 48. 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 cm
Geometry data
- Seat/top/head tube: 515/570/150 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 572/390 millimetres/1.47
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 630/593 millimetres/1.06
- Wheelbase/caster: 995/58 millimetres
Equipment of the racing bike
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (52/36, 11-30 t.) | Grade: 1.0
- Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace (160/140 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 29 mm | Grade: 1.5
- Impellers: Reserve 57|64
- Impeller weights: 1,225/1,555 grams (f./h.)
Measured values on the Cannondale
- Weight of complete wheel: 6,890 grams | Grade: 1.7
- Aerodynamics: 205 Watt | Grade: 1.3
- Driving stability: 8.2 N/mm | Grade: 1.7
- Rear comfort: 135 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Comfort front: 103 N/mm | Grade: 3.0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 63 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Advantages and disadvantages at a glance
- I like that: Very good aerodynamics, light, comfortable, many variants
- You can criticise that: Relatively expensive as top version
Jens Klötzer
Editor
