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TECH NEWS

Cannondale 2013: New entry-level SuperSix and Caad 8 revealed

Most affordable Cannondale bikes ever hit the road for 2013

Good news: Cannondale road bikes just became more affordable. We brought you news of their latest top-end 2013 developments recently, but bikes like the SuperSix Nano won't leave you much change from a small fortune.

2013 marks a pivotal moment for the company that has struggled to compete on value. They've released several new entry-level bikes that are the cheapest they've ever offered.

We're talking about three bikes in particular. First is the SuperSix Tiagra, which costs £1,599.99. That means you can get a frame which only a couple of years ago was the company's flagship offering, but now at a fraction of the cost. Shimano's Tiagra may not be the lightest, but it sure works well with Shimano's trademark shifting.

You also get a carbon fibre frame with a BB30 bottom bracket, tapered head tube and slender carbon fork. It's offering some serious competition to other bikes in this price point - a hotly contested one at that.

Interestingly, the frame looks remarkably similar to the SuperSix Evo with Di2 at £7,000. That means this entry-level bike is a great platform for upgrading: replace parts as they wear out with lighter components and you can slowly upgrade your way to a very light race bike. We can't wait to test one.

If you're after the most affordable Cannondale you can lay your hands on, look no further than the Caad 8. It costs just £599.99. Cannondale have always been renowned for their aluminium frameshey carved their reputation on the fat tubed smoothly welded frames, and the Caad 8 was, until a few years ago, the top-end race offering.

It's finished with a Shimano Sora 8-speed groupset with a 50/34 chainset and 12-25 cassette. Tyres are Schwalbe Lugano, the fork is carbon and the finishing parts all wear the Cannondale logo. As entry-level bikes go, this is a serious contender for any bike of the year award. Available in six sizes.

And finally, if you're seeking a more comfortable ride, then the new Synapse at £599.99 is a remarkably good package. Using a narrower 27.2mm seatpost and their unique SAVE seat stays provides a level of comfort that will be appreciated on the UK's potholed roads.

www.cannondale.com

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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3 comments

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jollygoodvelo | 11 years ago
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I assume that the frame on the 2012 CAAD8 (which I own the Tiagra - white/black/green - version of) is the same as the 2013?

£600 for a Sora one is damn good value.

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New Kid | 11 years ago
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Hello David,
Have you got the price of the caad 8 correct? I almost bought the 2012 one in France where I'm currently staying as the prices here are about the same in Euros as UK shops £ prices, but if this is true I'm glad I didn't, as what I thought was a good deal given waiting for possible sales reductions seems to depend on what stock is left now looks pretty awful if next year's are coming down to about £600.
Seems like a huge drop, if it is true, 2 questions:
Is it the same spec as the 2012, not reduced?
When will the be available to buy?
I am waiting here ready to bite a Cannondale dealer's hand off.
Many thanks.

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Goodtwist | 11 years ago
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Any info on the SuperSix '13 frame specifics?

I mean is it exactly the same SuperSix frame like the other higher tier bikes or does the frame differ from the higher speced ones?

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