Cannondale’s 2015 road and cyclocross bike lineup commits to disc brakes, giving more road bike models the option and going all in for ‘cross. That’s right, all CAAD-X and SuperX cyclocross bikes are disc brake only, no more cantilever options. There’ll even be a SRAM CX1 build in the lineup!
The well regarded alloy CAAD10 models switched to internal routing for MY2014, and the new disc brake versions use it for both shift and brake runs. Cable ports are swappable for mechanical or electronic systems.
Check more details plus the slick new Synapse bikes and more below…
The new SRAM Rival 22 Hydro model steals the show with a gorgeous two-tone blue. The complete build gets Cannondale alloy post, bar and stem with branded tape, Prologo saddle, FSA cranks, Maddox alloy rims with Formula hubs and Schwalbe tires. The rest of the bike operates on the new Rival 22 group.
The full carbon forks were reworked similar to what’s on the Synapse. The legs angle forward a bit more, then the dropouts are offset to the back a bit. Along with revised layups, the design provides the stiffness needed to handle braking forces while still allowing a bit of vertical compliance.
The dropouts get their Speed Tip angled inserts to guide the wheel in more quickly. The brake mounts use a combination of bonded in upper mount and carbon/alloy 3D forged piece on the bottom. So, they’re carbon dropouts with an alloy face and threads. Rotors shown here are not proper spec, it’ll get the new SRAM Centerline rotors.
Front brake hose runs through an external clip, but the frame gets full internal runs.
Rear brake mount and dropout is forged from a single piece, which is stronger while saving weight and insuring perfect alignment. The rear triangle was redesigned to mimic the feel of the original. By changing the wall thickness throughout the tube’s radius, they got the same flex profile. It’s only about 5mm or less, but it’ll take the edge off bumps.
Not shown, the CAAD10 line will keep several rim brake models, including a Race model with a deeper drop, classic shaped handlebar. We like the more ergo, shallow ones shown here, but for crit racers that like the traditional feel, it’ll have a very race oriented build, putting money into the parts that help win races.
2015 CANNONDALE SYNAPSE HIGHLIGHTS
Across the line, Cannondael updated Synapse frame with additional disc brake models trickling down the price range. Last year, there was a single HiMod Synapse Carbon disc brake bike. Now, there’s six carbon and three alloy versions with disc brakes. They run all the way from a Tiagra version at the bottom up to a HiMod carbon model at the tippy top. For both frame materials, disc brake models outnumber rim brake options.
The Synapse HiMod disc comes with Ultegra mechanical paired with Shimano’s hydraulic disc brakes (spec shown on this bike is not correct) using 160mm front rotors and 140mm rear. It’ll also be available in charcoal gray alongside the red/white/black scheme shown here.
The frames get internal cable routing for shifting and braking, even running the hose for the front brake through the fork for a small stretch.
They use the Reach Around rear brake mount, which puts the support structure and braking forces further back on the chainstay, letting them use their SAVE design more effectively.
The Synapse Rival Disc is alloy, but is one of the more interesting models.
It gets paint matched fenders, polished rims and hubs…
with skinwall Schwalbe tires.
Brakes are SRAM S-series hydraulic, and drivetrain gets a wide range cassette.
NEW CANNONDALE WHEELS
The Synapse HiMod SRAM Red Disc / Ultegra Disc and CAAD10 Black Inc Disc introduce Cannondale’s first foray into wheels. The new C-Zero wheels use CenterLock hubs with straight pull spokes and 20mm deep carbon rims. Unfortunately they’re not tubeless ready and, in fact, they opted not to spec tubeless ready wheels on any of the models to keep things simple. Hopefully this is them just getting their feet wet, then we’ll see some more advanced wheels down the road.
2015 CANNONDALE SUPERSIX OFFER LOWER PRICE BUILDS
The new SuperSix EVO 105 model brings the price down to $2,100 with the same EVO carbon frame as their higher end models. HiMod frames start at $5,450 with a Dura-Ace mechanical build. Frame weight difference between the EVO and HiMod frames is about 200g. Different paint on various models affects the actual difference, but it’s substantial. The lightest HiMod comes in at 750g. There’s also the HiMod Nano, which drops another 30-40g (711g lightest option) off the frame depending on size.
NEW CYPHER HELMET
The Cypher helmet gets reworked with Peak Protection technology, which is essentially two different foam densities layered in cone shaped peaks. That disperses impact forces across a broader section of the helmet, and it gets a polycarbonate skeleton inside to enhance the effect. The bonus feature of the skeleton is that they could use bigger vents and thinner structure. For further protection, it drops a bit deeper in its coverage than their Terramo helmet.
The Cypher is now their top of the line helmet at $199. Claimed weight is around 220g to 240g, and it’ll come in seven colors.
