DISCLAIMER:

Steerer Tube Police: The tube needs to be cut, and the shop set up a very conservative fit that will be lowered.
Photo Critics: I had 5 minutes to grab some shots before I ran out to ride with the last hour of daylight. I just got the bike today. Its obviously not the ideal setting, light, bike configuration, etc.
Fit critics: I'm waiting on a battery mount for the enve zero setback post I plan using. For right now I have to use the standard FSA post with setback.
Haters: AYHSMB

Build List

Cannondale Evo Himod frame 56cm di2
Shimano Dura Ace 9070 Gruppo
Cannondale SISL2 crank with spider rings 53-39
Mavic Kysrium SLR wheel set
Enve Compact Road 42cm
Enve stem 120
Enve seatpost zero setback (The FSA post is on it until they can get a battery mount for the new post)
Fizik Antares 00 (a regular antares is pictured for now, waiting for the post)
Design Cycles Garmin Mount
Arundel Mandible cages

Total Weight: (As currently configured with FSA post and Standard Antares Saddle)

KG: 6.1
LBS: 13.4

First brief ride impressions:

Frame: Insanely stiff in a really good way. I'm coming from a Tarmac S-Works SL3, and there is noticeable improvement in the ride. The front end seems to be less twitchy than my SL3, I feel really confident descending.

Gruppo: I'm coming from all SRAM bikes. (Red and Rival) Wow, this group is a revelation for me. The front shifting is just insane. The multi shifting on the rear is really nice, especially when you hit the top of hill and you're about to descend. With this group, I really don't have to think about shifting, I can pretty much be an idiot and DI2 can save me every time. The braking seems to be greatly improved compared to my current brakes. (2010 Sram Red) I really like the hood shape compared to 2010 Sram Red. I also had no issues shifting in long gloves, the larger textured buttons definitely help there as well.

Wheels: Super stiff, great braking, badass looking, but the brake pads are insanely loud with squealing. I assume this is a temporary condition.

Future upgrades: (I will update this post as I make changes)
Stages Power Meter (on order April ETA)
Wheels (Leaning towards Enve 3.4 tubs with Alchemy hubs)

Pics:













Update 2/13
I posted some screenshots of the firmware update process on my blog:
http://alexvalentine.org/?p=6496

Here is one:


For those of you asking for screenshots of the battery setup, here you go:



Here are two videos showing the rear and front shifting.

Rear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK_3o-LTQpI

Front:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hSJQuNhCVc

Thanks,
Alex

That is a lovely bike! Great weight considering the wheels...

IMO I would forgo the stage PM and save for a Quarq considering you already have the SiSL2 and rings.

_________________
Friends don't let friends ride Mavic... or Pinarellos!

My new ride

My old rides

Sure is a heck of a bike. I saw a guy this weekend with the exact same bike. The spiderings look awesome.

Thanks!

If multiple other stages reviews with newer firmware correspond to DC Rainmaker's results, then I might cancel but I would like to keep the Spiderrings and the only PM option that allows me to do that is Stages without going to a wheel based solution. Right now I'm giving Stages the benefit of the doubt.

cool bike though.

Super cool.

Think thats probably the first 9070 di2 on here!

Also, any shots of the battery?

_________________
Caad10 with Campagnolo

Nice to see this one.. great looking bike and I think the best paint of the that line.

Just perfect. Congrats!

_________________
Wilier Cento Uno
Colnago Master X-light
Wilier 18carati

+1

_________________
Cannondale Supersix '10

Congrats for not living in Scandinavia...

I'm also very curious about the battery.
Bought the same frame a couple of weeks ago here in Japan, but have to resort to the external battery until they get the internal ones to the stores (You would think they would be here already since it's japan but..no)

So I'm curious to se how the whole battery assembly works in the seat post. Planing to put mine in to my current k-force post.

Such a sweet ride! Totally agree with your statements about the ride, although I'm coming from a Bianchi, and running c24's and UDi2.

I will try and get some shots of the battery tonight. It also appears that the charge will do the firmware updates and config changes as well. I plan on playing around with it tonight.

Also curious on battery and how you recharge it. Did the stem and handlebar come spec'ed with the bike. Reason I ask, is the FSA is spec'ed, but I do know that most companies do running changes on some components.
I am going to order that same bike in a couple of weeks and a bit excited.

There's a micro USB port on the control box (mounted under stem) that you use to recharge the battery. This way you can install an internal battery in the seatpost and never have to remove the seatpost to recharge the battery.

@asv - that is a sweet bike! And the weight is insane for a Di2 bike!

FWIW, I know some people who get Stages powermeters for no cost to them, they may or may not still have their SRM/powertaps on as well, and they may or may not actually even record the data from the Stages powermeter.

They really need to put their sensor in both arms. Even if it doubles the price the weight and appearance will still bring plenty of people to buying it. No firmware fix can account for a lack of a sensor...