2010 Cannondale Super Six Hi-MOD Review
by Frank Sarate, SoCalCycling.com

4/7/10 - Cannondale has been perfecting their top end road bike, the Super Six HI-MOD, for the last few years. ProTour team, Team Liquigas-Doimo, has put the Super Six HI-MOD to the test in some of the toughest races in the world while receiving feedback from some of the world's best riders including, Ivan Basso, Vincenzo Nibali and Franco Pellizotti. The 2010 Super Six just got a whole lot better, as Cannondale has raised the bar once again. 

The SoCalCycling.com Elite Team is riding Cannondale's Super Six HI-MOD.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Upon receiving the Super Six HI-MOD frame to build up, the first thing I noticed when lifting the frame out of the box was just how much lighter it was the 2009 Super Six. It is 150 Grams lighter right off the top from last year’s model, which is a huge weight savings from the already light 2009 Super Six.

I find it amazing that the Cannondale engineers are able to lighten these bikes up each year.  Cannondale is able to achieve weight savings by using a unidirectional fiber throughout the frame, maximizing the anisotropic properties of the carbon fiber. The frame is also lighter due to the monocoque front triangle and the chain and seat stays that are molded onto the front triangle separately, without the aid of any lugs and are over-wrapped in multiple directions. With carbon wrapped tubes there are no lugs on the frame and helps reduce the weight, but ads strength and stiffness where they are needed. The only aluminum remaining on the frame is in the sleeve in the bottom bracket and the small replaceable rear derailleur hanger. The 2010 Super Six HI-MOD also uses carbon front and rear dropouts, as well as carbon cable stops to lighten things up.

Cannondale's Super Six HI-MOD rear seat stays and chain stays.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

One noticeable difference in the head tube construction, is that Cannondale uses a deep radius head tube and a 1 1/8 top bearing and 1 1/2 inch lower bearing for better steering along with eliminating the use of alloy cups for the bearing seats, which are now carbon fiber and save even more weight. Another noticeable difference is in the heart of the bike, the bottom bracket area.  Cannondale calls this the Beat Box, which has added increased torsional resistance and enables better use of the BB30 for maximum power transfer along with the asymmetric chain stays.  The drive side stay is slightly taller and the nondrive stay remains smaller which reduces weight even further. The hourglass seat stays are reshaped to add stiffness and absorb the road vibrations better than the 2009 Super Six.

Cannondale's Super Six HI-MOD deep radius head tube.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

The Super Six HI-MOD provides a smoother ride, due to the lighter, stiffer and more compliant frame. The 2009 Super Six was great when riding on rough roads, but this frame actually soaks up the bumps even more on those long road races or 6+ hour rides and makes the long rides really comfortable. The Super Six HI-MOD is a very responsive bike when sprinting out of the saddle, pounding up a climb in a big gear or riding aggressively in the corners.

The SoCalCycling.com Elite Team is using the BB30 SRAM Force cranks this year and I can definitely appreciate the extra stiffness in the bottom bracket area along with the weight savings. I can really notice the difference in the increased stiffness to the bottom bracket area when standing or sprinting out of the saddle. When paired with the stable front end, the bike feels very integrated for a balanced ride.

Cannondale's Super Six HI-MOD Beat Box.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

The steering is also more responsive and precise when swooping underneath riders in criteriums and provides a stable feeling on long and twisty downhills. The 2010 Cannondale Super Six HI-MOD just adds confidence to your bike handling skills.

When pushing this bike to perform, I can really appreciate the technology that is put into every tube. The geometry is spot on when it comes to doing long road races or criteriums. I’m convinced that Cannondale has found the perfect balance of comfort and precision handling.

Cannondale's Super Six HI-MOD graphics are sleek and racey.
photo © SoCalCycling.com

Cannondale's 2010 graphics are so fast looking, that our Super Six HI-MOD team bikes look fast even when we are not riding them. Overall this is a serious performance bike and if you like riding with an elevated heart rate or just want get in those long steady rides in, hands down this is the best bike I’ve had the pleasure to ride and race. 

If you want to test one for yourself, then drop into your local Cannondale dealer for a test ride or visit Cannondale.com to see when they will have a Demo Day in your area. 

The SoCalCycling.com Elite Team is proud to have Cannondale as a sponsor.