Description
Cannondale SuperSix Ultimate (Hi Mod)
Original (full SRAM Red) bike sold for $10,000.
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?year=2008&brand=Cannondale&model=SuperSix+Ultimate
56cm full carbon frame & fork
This particular bike is a custom Dura Ace build for a CA semi-pro racing team sponsored by Schroeder Iron. (Dura Ace is a hair heavier than SRAM Red… but a better groupset in our very experienced opinion–particularly the shifters and derailleurs.)
Teams generally get new bikes, new sponsors, new colors, etc every year–so they just sell off this season’s bikes to raise money for the next year of racing. Due to the flawless condition of this bike I’d estimate that it was a back up bike that was rarely if ever ridden or raced. (If you’ve every watched pro-cycling you’ll know that this is common… the team car following the riders always has extra bikes strapped to the roof in case of a mechanical or accident so they can jump out and hand the rider a new bike to get back in the race quickly.)
Recent full tune-up–including ultrasonic cleaning and Jagwire re-cabling.
Specifications:
Frame: SuperSix Ultimate Hi-Mod
Fork: SuperSix+
Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace
Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace
Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SL’s
Tires: newer Continental Grand Prix 4000s II’s
Cransket: FSA SLK Carbon 53-39T
Handlebar: FSA Carbon Pro
Stem: FSA Carbon Pro
Seatpost: Ritchey Carbon Pro
Saddle: Fi’zi:k Arione
Rear Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 10-speed 11-23T
Brakes: Cannondale C1 carbon calipers
Bottom Bracket: Cannondale BB30
This bike is SICK. One of the lightest, fastest, stiffest road bike frames ever built.
Until the newer, $12,000 “Evo” version of this bike came out a couple of years later, this was the most expensive road racing machine that Cannondale had every built.
http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2012-supersix-evo-ultimate-21345
Obviously they don’t make / sell a lot of the $10,000 bikes. They are very rare–and hand-built here in the U.S. in very low quantities–by master frame builders. The fit and finish is going to be unlike most other frames. The materials are also going to be the best money can buy. The best carbon. The best paint. The best processes. These are things you cannot necessarily SEE when you look at the bike…. But they are there.
Again, to clarify, you have two wheel options for this bike. (a) a very nice pair of Ksyrium SL’s w/ Continental GP4000IIs tires–which are perfect for both city and open road training… very strong, very light, and reasonably aero wheelset… or (b) a nearly new set of carbon Ksyrium Exalith Pro wheels–also with Conti GP 4k’s. It’s either / or, not both (unless you want to buy the other set of wheels separately).
You also have a choice of saddles. Pics show a Selle SMP TRK saddle–which is super comfortable… but a bit heavier than a typical “racing” saddle. (I do 100 mile rides now and then so I err on the side of comfort, not weight.) But I have a BUNCH of different saddles that you could choose from (within reason).
I can also include some pedals if needed… either Shimano SPD-SL or TIME RSX carbon pedals.
At the right price I will also include the super light, carbon water bottle cages shown in some of the pics.
(from Cannondale):
Cannondale has been working with the pro peloton for over 20 years, tweaking tubes and experimenting with materials to meet the most discerning demands. We’ve never submitted to fashion over performance unless it was tested and approved by our pro riders. 2008 marks the year that we’ve developed a full-carbon solution to rival their Cannondale aluminum addiction. High modulus, unidirectional, tip to tail for performance that’s already pro-tour, podium proven. The full monocoque front triangle is co-molded to the rear triangle by using our one-step Clean Molding process in Bedford, PA.
Velonation review:
Made from High modulus-unidirectional carbon fiber; colors include Lightning White and Clear Coat but if you don’t like either choice and you are strong enough, you can get the white and frog-green Liquigas frameset.
Cannondale’s unique Si (Sysem Integration) approach combines a Cannondale designed Fork, Head tube and Crankset all in one package claiming better power transfer, superior handling, and lower overall weight.
The obviously over-sized tapered head tube accepts the Cannondale designed tapered carbon fork using a 1.5 inch bearing on the bottom of the head tube, where there is greater force, and a standard 1 1/8 inch bearing at the top.
The “Heart” of the Super Six is the one-piece Bottom Bracket and Chainstay. By molding one piece Cannondale is able to decrease the number of bond joints in the critical BB area. Decreasing these joints allows for a stiffer more efficient frame. With the oversized BB30 shell comes a newly designed Si BB30 Hollowgram SL crankset. Cannondale says at 580 grams, the Hollowgram is the lightest and stiffest crankset on the planet.
Cannondale still has its unique houglass seatstay formation with pencil thin seat tubes which allows for greater vibration absorbtion without sacrificing efficiency.
The Super Six is one hell of a ride. It is constantly tested with SRAM Force Gruppo and Ksyrium wheelset and it constantly passes all of them.
I don’t have the equipment or the knowledge to compare frame flex at different torque, but I dare say the Super Six is one of the stiffest frames in the group. You can feel every pedal stroke making it to the road without sacrificing a single watt, whether you are sprinting for the line or climbing a mountain. I always feel in control and never lose track of where the bike is, especially when cornering. This bike tracks so well you would think there is an autopilot function. Add to this light weight, in the range of 16 lbs., and you can accelerate out of those corners like a NHRA dragster accelerates in the quarter mile.
Strengths: Light, Stiff, and Fast
Weaknesses: None
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