My bike Monday: Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc

After Cannondale announced its new disc-brake equipped SuperSix Evo bikes in June, I was excited see how the award-winning frame would behave with rotors. First, let’s take it as a given that disc brakes are a good thing on road bikes. You can stop faster with them in all conditions. Sure, you can’t make a bike quite as light with disc brakes, but the weight is not that significant. It’s only a matter of time before disc brakes will be weighing in at the same numbers as their caliper counterparts.

RELATED: Giant TCX Advanced SX review

The Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Ultegra has a great spec. Shimano has the shifting taken care of courtesy of a full Ultegra drivetrain with the exception of the Cannondale HollowGram Si crankset. Occasionally, bike companies look to save money by providing in-house brand components. In the case of the Cannondale HollowGram Si, however, the component integrates with the SuperSix bb30A frame. When you stand on these cranks, it feels as if all the power is transferred straight to the rear wheel. The crankset has the one-piece SpideRing. By using a single piece of material for the two rings (52/36-tooth), Cannondale increases the stiffness, which improves both shifting and energy transfer.

Anyone used to the current Di2 and or Ui2 shifters will notice the added bulk of the Shimano rS685 hydraulic shifters. Although slightly bigger, the hoods remain comfortable and the levers are in a good position for both braking and shifting. You can grip the bar comfortably and, with minimal lever travel, have excellent braking power and high modulation. Other highlights of the build include the Mavic Aksium Disc wtS, rims laced to Mavic Aksium Disc, 100 x 12 mm front thru axle and 135 x 9 mm rear QR axle. I think all road bikes sporting discs should have thru axles. The added stiffness, particularly in the front, really helps to avoid the dreaded rotor rub, especially when you’re out of the saddle and pulling on the handlebars. Cannondale includes its 25.4-mm- diameter Save carbon seatpost and a Cannondale C1 Ultralight aluminum bar and stem combo.

RELATED: De Rosa King XS

On the road, the SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Ultegra feels like a rocketship. Smooth pavement feels glass-like thanks to the top-level carbon frame. This bike is no endurance or gravel grinder (although it can be ridden on gravel just fine), which shows in the handling. Dipping into high-speed corners and picking your way through a group ride can be done with ease. The bike doesn’t want to wander or require a lot of input to get it to go where you want to. When the road gets rough, the SuperSix is not the most compliant bike. It does seem to move over any imperfections and hold its line, giving you confidence to ride through anything at speed.

While I’m an advocate for disc brakes on the road, I still have a road bike with rim brakes. I think the SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Ultegra would certainly be a good candidate when it’s time for me to get my own rotors for the road. The bike retails for $5,700.