{"id":15681,"date":"2018-11-08T08:50:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T08:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2018\/11\/08\/first-ride-cannondale-systemsix-carbon-ultegra-r7613\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T05:37:17","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T05:37:17","slug":"first-ride-cannondale-systemsix-carbon-ultegra-r7613","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/first-ride-cannondale-systemsix-carbon-ultegra-r7613\/","title":{"rendered":"First ride: Cannondale SystemSix Carbon Ultegra"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year Cannondale unveiled the SystemSix<\/a> – their much-awaited foray into the aero road bike market. Not shy in the announcement of this new performance road bike, Cannondale claim the SystemSix is the \u201cfastest road bike in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n

Interestingly Cannondale do shy away from marketing the SystemSix as an \u201caero\u201d bike. Don\u2019t be mistaken in thinking that\u2019s because it\u2019s not good at being aero though. The engineers at Cannondale were well aware of some of the stigmas typically attached to the aero label and as such, set about designing a high-performance road bike brimming with aero optimisations.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-64530300-1541668343.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the difference? According to them, it meant fewer tradeoffs in terms of feel and handling compared to what you\u2019d typically expect in an aero bike. Just how fast is it? We were keen to find out.<\/p>\n

SystemSix is a name ardent Cannondale fans will be familiar with from the mid-2000\u2019s era hybrid carbon \/ alloy road bike which carried the same name. While the earlier edition was revolutionary in its day, the new SystemSix boasts some of the latest advancements in carbon construction and aerodynamics which define high-performance road bike design.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSix\u201d in the model name refers to the six unique elements the Cannondale team focussed on in delivering the SystemSix. Those are the frame, fork, seat post, stem, handlebar, and wheels. Upon the release of this new model, Cannondale engineers treated the cycling media and tech-hungry fans to a forty-eight page white paper<\/a> detailing the design approach, performance and a healthy dose of science to back up their claims.<\/p>\n

\n\"ccs-2-0-04099300-1541665487.png\"<\/a>Graph depicting the 6% tipping point before which aero beats weight weenie. Source: Cannondale white paper<\/a><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

The frame and fork are noticeably aero shaped, as one would expect from a system that was moulded through computer simulations and real-world wind tunnel testing. All that extra carbon does add up, and like most aero bikes, the SystemSix does carry some extra grams. Here though is where the Cannondale engineers employ some science to show that for most of us in everyday riding conditions the aerodynamic savings will typically outweigh any weight penalties. They reckon that tipping point is at 6% gradient after which the extra weight on the SystemSix vs. the SuperSix Evo would mean the Evo is the better choice for extended, steeper climbs. While I\u2019m the sort of rider who typically leans away from \u201caero\u201d in favour of a lighter, normal road bike, you\u2019ve got to ask yourself, how often do you ride upwards of 6% for any meaningful period?<\/p>\n

The geometry on the SystemSix was designed to be inline with Cannondale\u2019s top-end road range like the SuperSix. The designers wanted it to feel like a \u201cnormal\u201d bike, and importantly to be familiar for existing Cannondale riders, delivering a similar feel on the road with all the aero advantages. It has a race-oriented cockpit, with a low stack to offer an aggressive long and low posture.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-14068000-1541664435.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Specifications (as tested)<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n