We’ve just returned from Park City, Utah where Cannondale were showing off their full range of 2010 bikes.
Cannondale have reduced bike weights across the board using different carbon layups and full carbon forks; they’ve brought the CAAD9 upmarket; introduced a new ultralight SuperSix and CAAD8 entry-level road platform, and added a new entry-level Slice time trial frame.
SuperSix Ultimate HiMod
Cannondale’s 5.5kg/12.2lb for a 54cm SuperSix Ultimate HiMod is a definite highlight in the 2010 range with SRAM Red, SRM wireless power meter VI, DT Swiss sub-1,000g carbon tubular wheels, Cannondale's proprietary Hollowgram SL crankset with ceramic bearings, Zero Gravity Zero G Ti brake calipers, fi'zi:k carbon saddle, and Zipp carbon SLSH handlebars for just ... wait for it: US$13,299.
Six
The Six, which has lost a claimed 300g thanks to an all-carbon fork, and an additional 100g based on a different carbon lay-up, is Cannondale's answer to an entry-level carbon racer.
We found the matte black finish easy on the eyes, and the bike's stiff and stout carbon frameset to be just as good as some of the much more expensive carbon bikes on the market.
Our 8.25kg (18.2lb) test bike came with a mix of Shimano 105, FSA, Prologo, Control Tech and Tektro, for a retail price of US$2,149.
CAAD9
The CAAD9 frame, for years the flagship aluminium platform for Cannondale, is still incredibly light at 1.25kg (2.75lb), and is built at the company’s Bedford, Pennsylvania factory.
The 2010 Cannondale CAAD9 with Dura-Ace 7900, just US$2,999.
With a full carbon fork and a BB30 oversized bottom bracket, the one model that blew our minds was the 7.4kg (16.4lb) Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 model, which includes an FSA SL-K Carbon Light crankset, Shimano's RS80 carbon/alloy wheelset with Schwalbe Ultremo R tyres, Control Tech bars and Cannondale's C2 carbon post, plus a custom Prologo Kappa PAS ergo saddle for US$2,999.
CAAD9 Ultimate
On the mudplugger side of the street comes the new CAAD9 Ultimate cyclo-cross machine, developed and raced by U.S. national champion Tim Johnson.
The US$5,299 7.25kg (16lb) Cannondale CAAD9 Ultimate cyclo-crosser.
The 2010 CAAD9 has increased mud clearance front and back, thanks to new wishbone seatstays, and Easton's top carbon 'cross fork, the EC90X.
Cannondale's popular BB30 platform on the CAAD9 cyclo-cross bike.
As he did last year, Johnson benefits from a BB30 oversized bottom bracket for added stiffness in the sprints. A SRAM Red gruppo is coupled with Cannondale's uber-stiff and light BB30 Si SL Hollowgram crankset (with 46/36-tooth chainrings). Wheelpower comes courtesy of Mavic tubular Ksyrium wheels, with braking handled by Tektro TRP Magnesium Euro X cantilver brakes. A Control Tech cockpit rounds out the steering and seatpost.
Click play below to watch a video of pro racer Tim Johnson talking about the CAAD9 cyclocross bike:
Tim johnson
Retail is US$5,299, with a claimed weight of just over 7.25kg (16lb).
Synapse HiMod
For the sportive riders, the Synapse HiMod comes in two full carbon frame and fork options: High Modulus and Intermediate Modulus, a 150g difference.
The 2010 Cannondale Synapse HiMod with SRAM Red, 7kg (15.4 lb) for US$5,299.
Compared to the flagship SuperSix platform, the Synapse comes with a 20mm taller headtube, slightly relaxed (non-aggressive) seat and head angles, and longer shaped chainstays.
SAVE road-buzz damping carbon chainstays.
The curved seatstays damps road buzz, and flow into a BB30 oversized bottom bracket shell. A Shimano Dura-Ace 7900-equipped 56cm version, complete with Mavic Ksrium SL wheels, Schwalbe Ultremo R tyres, FSA SL-K Light carbon cranks, FSA OS-99 stem and SL-K handlebar, with fi'zi:k Aliante K:ium saddle weighs 7kg (15.4lb), and will retail for US$5,299.
Colour-coordinated fi'zi:k Aliante saddle.
A Shimano Di2 version will cost US$8,499.
Look out for more reports from Cannondale's 2010 launch this week, as we show you more from the mountain and urban side.