The thing with composites is that you can't make that judgment based only on appearances. Different layup schemes, different "wall" thicknesses, and different grades of carbon fabric can result in vastly different stiffness characteristics for the same outer mold line.

In the end, what you say may be true, but we won't know until people start riding them and testing them.

It's great to see builders really taking advantage of the design flexibility that is possible when working with composites. I had a bad experience with an aluminum Cannondale many years ago that put me off the brand, but this bike has my attention. I look forward to Peter Denk's version of the Synapse.

Fair point, it will be interesting to see definitive test results for lateral bottom bracket deflection and head tube stiffness.

It is definitely good to see the likes of Cervélo getting more competition, it will only benefit folks like us buying the bikes.

Must be for different frame sizes. On small frames, exiting out the seatstay/top tube junction wouldn't work --- your exit point would be too low for the brake to be effective without throwing in a crazy loop in the cable.

Take a look at any small size frame and you'll see what I mean.

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'07 Cervelo R3, '10 Lapierre Xelius

This frame requires a 1 1/8 to 1 1/4" tapered fork so an Enve 1.0 fork wouldn't work because it only comes in 1 1/8". Also, a tapered steerer Enve fork weighs more than the one included in the frameset. I'm sure that if you cut the Cannondale fork to length for, say, a 54cm frame and without spacers, it will easily be under 1kg anyway.

It's a simple calculation. According to Zedler's findings, the SuperSix Evo has a stiffness (not STW) of 98.7Nm/deg. STW just makes it look a lot more impressive, however, by no means is this frame a noodle. The S-Works Tarmac SL3 has been measured at 108.2Nm. Can you really FEEL the difference between the two?!

The R5CA is said to be 97Nm/deg by those same Zedler diagrams...

but is R5-CA build after the riders weight and length? otherwise i don´t know if it´s right to compare it to Calfee or Crumpton either

No, I can't feel the difference but if I wanted to buy one of this top-end frames i would ask myself what stiffness values I really need and I would choose the lightest frame of all of them that have higher stiffness numbers than what I need.

They could build a 400gr frame with 65Nm/º ST and 162.5Nm/ºkg STW. Impressive? No

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BIKE DESIGN AND +

http://cds-0.blogspot.com/

I would ride such a frame! Hell, 65Nm/deg is plenty stiff for me. It was more than adequate in the old days, so why wouldn't it be today?

Anyway, what's more important is that frames are compliant with present-day safety testing, such as the new UCI or EN standards. The SuperSix Evo frame is already on the UCI '11 approved list where may others still aren't. http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTYwNzQ&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NjczMDE&LangId=1

I wonder when the UCI will do away with the 6.8 kg weight limit...

In general , these WW wars can only benefit us, as Cervelo, now Cannondale, join the extreme low weight range. I can remember only a few years ago the Addict blew my mind with a 800g frame, now this... imagine in 10-20 years we'll be riding very stiff frames in the 400g range with forks under 200g. Great time to be living if you're a Weight Weenie!

I agree. I'd put the R5-CA between the Calfee & Crumpton and the Cannondale on the "artisan" scale, or at least the "perceived artisan scale". For all I know Cervelo tosses them together sloppier than the efficiency-optimized factory working for Cannondale.

So many complained when Cannondales went to Taiwan for the CAAD-10, but then when the bikes came out, I don't see many people seeking out the old CAAD-9's because they were "made in the US". All reports are that the CAAD-10 is the better frame.

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http://djconnel.blogspot.com/
Fuji SL/1
Send your data to Weight Weenie listings!

Im suprised to see Cannondale go completely "retro" as far as tube shaping. Cannondale was one of the original large diameter proponents in their aluminum bikes way back when, then witness the Hi Mods and this years radical CAAD10 enlarged tube shapes. Of course its not only Cannondale, but now it's back to skinny, almost purely round tubes. Full circle.

... and I really like it!

And I think the geometry is spot on (at least for me). More size options than almost anyone except Colnago, with short head tubes: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road/el ... mate-19273

The 53.5 cm comes very close to what I'd spec for a custom frame.

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http://djconnel.blogspot.com/
Fuji SL/1
Send your data to Weight Weenie listings!

The stock Cannondale fork only weighs 20g more than an Enve anyway at 315g uncut. Not much.
The only lighter frameset is a Cervelo R5 CA I believe and even that's only by 19g.
But, the 'Dale performed better in testing.
Can't wait to test one.

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Project CAAD9 7.2kg
The CAAD Build Thread

Why not use a 3T Rigida tapered fork? It's specified at 285g uncut. http://www.3tcycling.com/products.aspx?i=road&t=Forks&p=rigida

It doesn't look as nice as the Cannondale fork designed for the SuperSix Evo frame but the rake is about the same.

If the prices I hear are correct, it's low $6000 for the entry Evo. But if you look at the specs sheet, its otherwise similiar (actually, I think it's identical) to the current Hi-Mod Red- Ksyrium Elite, Red, FSA, etc. Sure, Id rather have the Evo, but at a $1300 price premium, thats a lot to pay for 220 grams and slightly more aero. You can buy a HM-Red, sell the Elite wheelset, plus with the price savings buy yourself a pair of R-Sys Sl's and feel a lot more improvement for the money. Im not hating now, I'm a huge Cannondale fan, but it seems the HM Red seems such a better value.