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.
The CAAD10 disc is awesome, with the lone exception of that ridiculous cable guide on the fork. Seems like a missed opportunity for something more elegant, a la ENVE. But that obligatory gripe aside (this is BikeRumor, after all) this stuff looks fantastic. Gumwalls, fenders, polished parts on a stock build? yes please.
All awesome stuff. That Cypher helmet is on par with helmets costing $100 more. Love the colors on the CAAD10.
RE-pmurf Huh? That cable guide is a real nice way of doing it–looks inspired by the guard on the new generation of Leftys. Looks bolted on, which means bleeding the brake wouldn’t be required for installation. Keep in mind they didn’t have to put 2 relatively large holes in the fork either. That lower end Synapse is killin’ it with that paint scheme!
I don’t get that cable guide on the CAAD10, but I’m absolutely into everything else on that bike.
The Caad10 looks fantastic as does the paint scheme on the synapse. Wondering about availability. Mid-agust to early september?
I’m personally diggin’ the cable guide, although it looks like they could have adjusted the banjo fitting on the brake a bit better (let alone allot of other cable routing, which looks like it could be set up much better than shown…Cable on the OUTSIDE of the Synapse fork leg???). The guide looks aero, saves me from having to feed and bleed brakes through the fork leg, and you don’t interfere with the fork structure. This would be RAD on Cross bikes too!!!
Cannondale is missing a huge opportunity by not promoting and selling SuperSix evo framesets. Especially the all-black mode. They’re just being greedy and trying to squeeze every drop from the fans.
Eyal, you can get Evo frame sets here in Europe no problem.
Nice, really nice… until the BB30 bottom bracket starts to creak ahahhahaahhahahahha.
Wow just wow. I am in love
That fork hose routing – quiet day in the Cannondale design office?! Talk about an over-engineered solution for a fairly easy problem. Let’s replace one basic but effective hose guide/clip on the back of the leg with x3 bolts and some proprietary moulded plastic in a fairly inaccessible place.
Hmm so nothing changes for the EVO in 2015?
Cannondale is hitting it out of the park!
But where are the rack mounts on the green one? Also, I would like to see an 11-36 cassette in the rear with a suitable rear derailleur. The rear brake mount looks funky… but I guess I could live with it.
Nice looking helmet too.
I assume all the models have clearance for 28c’s?
Looks nice, especially the green Alu bike (Synapse Rival Disc), could easily imagine this one becoming a classic to save for years ahead considering the design, quality, color, etc.
However, in the photos of it… is that a dent in the top tube?
Regarding the wheels… If I can remember correctly Cannondale has been in the “wheel foray” before, beginnings of the 2000’s if I remember correctly, and I also remember that (when I was working in a bike shop) that their wheels were very light and trick but also prone to broken spokes / hub flanges.
Also, what’s the deal with putting the Cannondale name and logotype all over the bike, it’s excessive to the point of looking cheap (my last Cannondale had the logotype / name on the frame, handlebar, stem, fork, hubs, pedals, brakes, handlebar grips, stem cover, saddle… just ridiculous).
Otherwise, nice bikes! 🙂
Looking forward to hearing more about the Cross bikes. Is a follow-up post in the works?
OMG! Thru axles please!!!!!!!
I thought the CAAD10 disc was awesome until I saw that allow Synapse. Love it.
THRU-AXLES ?????
What the heck… they forgot the thru-axles!!! Guess that will be the big update for the 2016 model year and they can also be 2% cooler too.
The fork on the synapse looks so much better than the caad 10
synapse disc does not use a 160 front. last time i checked, 160 rotors hit the fork. and the frame on the rear…
…synapse CARBON disc..
Man that is great blue paint. Too bad about the discs though. Show the new rim brake Caad colors!
Cannondale continues to set a high bar for ugly. 13 logos on the frame and fork before you even get to the branded bar, stem, seat post, wheels, crank… Logos are great for sponsored riders, so unless you are going to pay me to ride your stuff, keep it to a tasteful minimum.
Rich-
If you prefer to have fewer logos on your bike, I would recommend going with one of the paint schemes which include fewer logos.
My 2013 CAAD10 Black Inc has internal routing for the electronic Di2 cables, I like that the rear brake cable is also internal routed on this newer model.
Great bikes, really fun an spirited to ride and a relative bargain.
Release date?
Anyone know where I can see pics and full specs for each of the 2015 Synapse models? Thanks.
Looks like the Synapse bikes have no rear frame mount points. That’s a shame as, given the bike’s more relaxed geometry, there a plenty of people who use them for commuting and the occassional light touring duties.
glad to see the CAAD10 rear disc caliper is a more sensible looking/stable/serviceable than the 2014 carbon synapse. (have you ever tried to work with that? p.i.t.a.)
i’m on-board with the thru-axle crowd. lots of cool updates, but the one that would have clinched it… for that i can wait another year.
also, as a mechanic, cannondale could do a better job of that internal routing. 2014’s had no permanent internal guides whatsoever. we mechanics disapprove of not being able to pre-stretch our cables, and having unhappy customers come back repeatedly for small adjustments on new bikes that could have been avoided… seems like a wash or worse compared to more frequent cable housing service down the road.
regarding the cypher helmet: i’ve got the 2014 one, and am pretty fond of it, but you’d think a lid at that price point would come in more specific sizes, other than S/M and L/XL. it looks a little weirdly shaped on my dome. kinda like a broad mushroom, however comfortable.
I’m really curious about the release date for the CAAD10 DISC. I’ve been researching for about 2 months and decided on the 2014 CAAD10 105. This will be my first road bike purchase since 1988…. After seeing that blue color scheme and the Disc brake option I’m seriously considering on waiting for the 2015 release. Could you provide any more details on 2015 color schemes and options for the CAAD10 models?
Thank you!
What’s the difference in CAAD aluminum and alloy aluminum?
Some bike shops have had the 2015 Cannondale catalog for about a month now. It’s a 2-inch thick binder. If you ask, they may let you browse through it.
Hi need some help. What width are these rims and would they take thru axles like the ones on my trek boone 9?