Cannondale has revived the legendary name SuperX for its latest Gravel/CX road bike. This isn't an entirely new design, but the rather cumbersome name SuperSix EVO CX/SE didn't seem quite right. So, they've gone back to the name that made this bike famous in the first place. The upgraded SuperX looks more like an aerodynamic road bike than the original aluminum CX bike.
What's new about the Cannondale SuperX?
The new generation of Cannondale SuperX is a racing bike designed for riders who seek speed on gravel roads or CX tracks. The updated frame has many changes, with the most noticeable being the curved seat tube. The frame set has been weight-reduced and improved, rather than being a complete redesign.
Cannondale's engineering team has assured us that the SuperX frame is still the one that riders love, but the new frame is more comfortable overall, suitable for larger tires, and more aerodynamic (saving about 1.6 watts at 35 km/h).
Delta Steerer Tube
Just like the European SuperSix Evo CX models we saw last year (and some aftermarket forks), the new SuperX also features the Delta triangular steerer tube. This update provides a complete internal cable routing for the new frame, making it look neater (and reducing places for dirt to hide). The Delta steerer tube works seamlessly with the Cannondale Conceal stem or integrated bar system.
So far, we've only seen the Delta steerer tube on the Cannondale Super Six Evo road bike and the European Super Six Evo products. Can the Delta steerer tube handle the gravel roads in the United States? Only time will tell, but we believe that after years of use by the EF team in the WorldTour, it should be up to the task.
The new design of the SuperX frame includes a flat top tube bag mounting position and a cover. For those who need a top tube bag to carry supplies, you can use it, and you can also remove the bag and put on the cover when it's not needed or during CX races.
Ease of Use
The update that foreign media likes the most is the "ease of use" update that Cannondale has quietly added. The new SuperX uses a BSA threaded bottom bracket and a non-Ai rear wheel. This means that you can now freely switch wheels between a road bike and the SuperX.
LAB71 SuperX - A Racing Monster Weighing Less Than 900 Grams
If "light is fast" is your motto, then the LAB71 SuperX is your top choice. The top-level Cannondale LAB71 frame (size 56cm) weighs less than 900 grams. Cannondale uses advanced nano-resin composite materials to minimize excess materials and squeeze out every gram of weight. Therefore, this ultra-light frame can fulfill your wildest dreams of bicycle touring.
Geometry and Large Tire Clearance
If it ain't broke... don't fix it. That's exactly the case with the geometry design of the Cannondale SuperX (and SuperSix EVO). It's this bike that has won the US National CX Championship and Unbound. Its riding and handling characteristics are widely praised among drop-bar off-road bike enthusiasts. So, Cannondale has just let it be. They've even retained the easy-to-carry top tube for CX riders.
For those who are unfamiliar, the SuperX geometry is centered around racing. It uses Cannondale's OutFront steering setup, providing predictable and precise steering.
In terms of tires, the new SuperX frame can accommodate 51mm front and 48mm rear tires, with enough space for mud clearance.
Size-Specific Performance and Proportional Response
Cannondale knows that in high-level competitions, a "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't work. Through the Proportional Response design, each size of the SuperX frame uses customized tube shapes and carbon fiber layups to ensure that each size (46-61cm) achieves the perfect balance between weight, stiffness, and durability.
Cannondale SuperX Models
The new SuperX series includes three standard models, as well as the limited-edition LAB71 complete bike and frame set. The configurations range from the Shimano GRX mechanical setup to the top-of-the-line SRAM RED XPLR configuration.
LAB71 SuperX Frame: $5,500* The frame set includes the frame, fork, and seat post (excluding the handlebars). LAB71 SuperX Complete: $15,000 (with SRAM RED XPLR components, DT Swiss 180 hub Reserve 40/44 wheelset) SuperX 2: $6,800 (with Shimano GRX 2X components, DT Swiss 370 hub Reserve 40/44 wheelset) SuperX 3: $4,200 (with Shimano GRX 820 2X components, DT Swiss G1800 wheelset)