Cannondale has a new, more aero SuperSix Evo 4 coming apparently very soon, as its Lab71 prototypes have already been spotted training & racing under their EF Education-Tibco SVB women’s & EF Education Easypost men’s pro teams. Plus, it’s already been approved by the UCI at three different carbon layup levels, and Cannondale don’t seem too worried about hiding it.
all c. EF Pro Cycling, the & lead photos by Gruber Images
The bike even sat front & center in one of their team photoshoots. And has been zipping up the road throughout the Tour Down Under this past week…
…zoom in…
c. EF, photos by Zac Williams
First off, thanks to the list of UCI Approved framesets, we know that these Lab71 prototypes are the upcoming SuperSix Evo 4, OK’d in three different versions: standard carbon, hi-mod carbon, and SL superlight carbon like the current Leichtbau SuperSix Evo 3 limited edition frame that debuted last summer (and shares the same UCI frame designation: CANN-S6SL). The specific model the EF Pro Cycling teams are riding is the Hi-Mod (CANN-S6HM) suggesting the others are lightly one lower-cost and one ultra-premium, ultralight carbon layup.
What do we know? What’s new?
Other than that, there are a number of small tweaks to what otherwise looks quite similar to the 3rd generation SuperSix Evo, just taking aerodynamics a step further. From the side, there are two striking differences. First, the fork is reshaped with deeper legs and an all-new crown, eliminating the transition into the downtube, with the downtube now raised up a bit higher, further from the front tire.
And secondly, the section of the seattube above the seatstays has been made deeper, in order to allow for a deeper, more aerodynamic seatpost.
Into the smaller details, these new prototype SuperSix frames now move away from PressFit to a BSA threaded bottom bracket. They get a revised bolt-on removable derailleur hanger that will stay on when the thru-axles is removed. And the frames get additional ports and mounting points lower inside the main triangle, perhaps to add the possibility for SmartSense onboard electronic integration like on the new Synapse.
Taking a glance from the non-driveside, it does appear that the new seattube gets even thinner than before at its base for more comfort-inducing flex. And the downtube certainly dips down lower in front of and below the bottom bracket. The dropout is also slightly revised, turning up the seatstay a bit for some extra space around the flat mount rear disc brake caliper.
Oh yeah, and no more Speed Release… these bikes appear to switch to more standard 12mm thru-axles.
Beyond that, the Lab71 prototype SuperSix Evo 4 bikes of the EF Education-Tibco SVB & EF Education Easypost teams looks to carry over many core features like big tire clearance, fully integrated internal cable routing in front of the headset, dropped seatstays for aero & comfort benefits, and a hidden wedge-style seatpost clamp. Beyond all of that, we’ll have to wait until Cannondale make the new SuperSix Evo official.
We’re guessing it will be coming soon this spring, now that they’ve let us get such a detailed sneak peek.
