New Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026 on Review – Fine-Tuned for the Podium?

A new SuperSix for 2026? Just three years after launching the current model, Cannondale are unveiling the fifth-generation SuperSix EVO. True to the EVO suffix, the focus is on evolving a proven concept rather than introducing a radical new machine. We had the opportunity to put plenty of miles into the bike around Girona ahead of its official launch, and here’s what you need to know.

There was a time when the Cannondale SuperSix EVO was hailed as the race bike of the new generation. Light, beautifully balanced and surprisingly comfortable, it earned its success the right way. Three years on, the road bike world has moved forward. Cockpits are getting narrower, rims deeper and overall concepts more aggressive. While many brands now position their flagship models squarely as dedicated aero platforms, the SuperSix remains true to its all-round DNA. So the key question is this: is that still enough? One thing we can already tell you, a dedicated group test featuring the hottest aero bikes on the market is coming your way very soon.

After overhauling their road and gravel line-up with the SuperX, Topstone and Synapse back in 2025, only two true icons were left in the American manufacturer’s portfolio: the SuperSix EVO and the CAAD. So does that mean a new aluminium race bike is waiting in the wings later this year?

With the fifth-generation SuperSix EVO, Cannondale are not tearing up the rulebook. Instead, they have opted for a carefully executed evolution with targeted refinements. The aim is to sharpen the bike’s edge and boost efficiency while preserving the balance that won it so many fans. After all, why reinvent the wheel if the foundations are still rock solid?

But in a market increasingly dominated by highly specialised machines, can a light, well-balanced aero all-rounder still fight for the top step of the podium? Or will the specialists steal the limelight? We rode the new SuperSix EVO extensively ahead of its official launch to find out whether this concept still has what it takes to aim firmly for the podium in 2026.

Everything as before? The Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026 in Detail

At first glance, the new SuperSix EVO feels almost like a déjà vu. There are no dramatic tube profiles and no aero-at-all-costs aesthetic. And that’s exactly the point. With the claim “Faster Everywhere”, Cannondale are not trying to turn the SuperSix into a single-minded aero weapon. Instead, they have refined the proven all-round formula, making it lighter and even more aerodynamically efficient without losing its core identity.

The frame shapes underline that philosophy. The silhouette is clearly optimised, but not ruthlessly sculpted for maximum aerodynamics. You won’t find ultra-deep tube profiles or crazy fork shapes. Instead, the overall look is cohesive and well balanced. New features include a slimmer top tube, a slightly extended head tube with a reduced frontal area and a fork that sits a touch lower in the airflow. According to Cannondale, the bike has been reworked as a complete system, with every tube profile refined to cut weight and further reduce drag.

The seat tube now features a more pronounced curve, visually reminiscent of the current Synapse. At the same time, the bottom bracket area has grown in volume and looks even more substantial than before, all in the name of greater stiffness and more direct power transfer.

Visually, Cannondale are not aiming for understatement, at least with the Hi-MOD version we tested. Exposed carbon sections, carefully executed details such as the glossy seat post, seamless transitions from fork to head tube and subtle gold accents give the bike a confident, almost luxurious presence. The paintwork feels premium, the joins are immaculate and the edges sharply defined. Every detail fits neatly into the bigger picture. From the first close inspection, it’s clear this is a meticulously engineered high-end machine that not only wants to be fast but look fast too. If you are drawn to this aesthetic, you will certainly make a statement on your next group ride.

Aerodynamically refined – The Spec of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026

For this test, we rode the SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD 1 spec-variant with a SRAM Force AXS groupset. Thanks to improved hood ergonomics, the latest Force AXS feels noticeably closer to the RED AXS in both comfort and performance. Shifting is crisp and precise, braking performance is excellent and the groupset blends seamlessly into the bike’s clean, purposeful design.

A spider-based power meter comes as standard, offering dual-sided measurement and underlining the bike’s clear race credentials.

At the rear, Cannondale fit a zero-offset seat post. It positions you centrally over the bottom bracket for maximum drive, but by design it offers very little vertical compliance. If you’re hoping for added comfort, you won’t find it here. That said, it perfectly matches the bike’s taut, performance-focused character.

A large share of the aero performance comes from the wheels. You get Reserve carbon rims with a 57 mm depth up front and 64 mm at the rear, laced to DT Swiss 240 hubs and wrapped in 29 mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tires. This setup is clearly geared towards high-speed efficiency, although it does come with a touch more rotational weight.

A real highlight is the new cockpit. It’s extremely narrow, beautifully integrated and noticeably longer in reach than before, giving the bike a much sportier feel than its predecessor. In size 52, the handlebars measure just 34 cm at the tops, while the 400 mm width in the drops sits right on the UCI limit.

Combined with the SRAM hoods, the effective reach increases significantly. In fact, it was enough for me to deliberately opt for a smaller frame size during testing. The result is a modern, aggressive race position with a clear aero focus.

From a technical standpoint, Cannondale have kept much of what worked and refined it further. The Delta steerer continues to deliver clean, fully integrated cable routing, and the signature aero bottles remain part of the overall concept.

New, however, are the bottle cages, which are now 26 per cent lighter. Although they’re compatible with standard water bottles, their full aerodynamic and visual benefit is only realised when paired with Cannondale’s dedicated aero bottles, which blend seamlessly into the bike’s overall design.

Model range of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026

Prices for the the new SuperSix EVO start at € 2,799 with a mechanical Shimano 105 groupset. At the top of the range sits the LAB71, which tips the scales at 6.95 kg and retails at € 11,999, and is available with either DURA-ACE Di2 or SRAM RED AXS.

The new lightweight variants are particularly interesting. Both the LAB71 and the EVO 1 are now also offered in SL guise, featuring lighter wheelsets from DT Swiss or Reserve and the ultra-light SystemBar Road SL cockpit, bringing the overall system weight down significantly. The result is an impressive 6.35 kg for the LAB71 SL at € 12,799 and 6.80 kg for the EVO 1 SL at € 7,999.

It’s a smart approach. Rather than developing a separate climbing bike, Cannondale differentiate through the build kit. The frame remains the same, but the spec shifts the focus noticeably. While the standard models lean more towards aerodynamic efficiency across a wide range of race scenarios, the SL versions consistently prioritise weight savings, giving the EVO a more climbing-oriented edge.

How relevant this will be for the pros in real-world racing remains to be seen. EF’s riders, after all, have their own wheel sponsors and will follow an individual strategy in the mountains.

Although we didn’t test the SL model, we were still able to sample some of that lighter, more climbing-focused character by swapping to the new DT Swiss ARC 38 CS carbon wheels. More on that shortly. With that simple change, the platform quickly reveals two distinct personalities: aero all-rounder or lightweight race bike. It will be interesting to see whether this modular approach becomes more common in the future.

Painstakingly Optimised – The Geometry of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026

With a total of eight sizes on offer, Cannondale aim to cover a broad range of riders, and size 52 is new to the line-up. We opted for this new intermediate size, although the 536 mm top tube makes it feel slightly longer than you might expect at first glance. Short 410 mm chainstays meet a wheelbase of just under 1,000 mm and a relaxed 71.2° head angle. On paper, that points to one thing above all: impressive stability at high speed, combined with sharp, direct acceleration.

A 74° seat angle combined with a zero-offset seat post places you centrally over the bottom bracket, primed to deliver serious pressure through the pedals. With 532 mm of stack and 383 mm of reach, the bike delivers a sporty stack-to-reach ratio of 1.39. The 130 mm head tube keeps the front end low for aerodynamic gains.

Factor in the 80 mm cockpit reach and the additional reach of the SRAM hoods, and you end up with a cohesive, thoroughly modern race position, one that worked well for me at 1.75 m tall. On paper, the new SuperSix EVO presents itself as unapologetically sporty, with a clear emphasis on high-speed stability. But does that hold true out on the road?

Size	44.0	48.0	50.0	52.0	54.0	56.0	58.0	61.0
Top Tube	510 mm	522 mm	529 mm	536 mm	544 mm	560 mm	577 mm	600 mm
Seat Tube	400 mm	429 mm	448 mm	467 mm	490 mm	510 mm	532 mm	570 mm
Head Tube	89 mm	101 mm	114 mm	130 mm	143 mm	154 mm	178 mm	209 mm
Head Angle	70.9°	71.2°	71.2°	71.2°	71.2°	73.0°	73.0°	73.0°
Seat Angle	74.5°	74.0°	74.0°	74.0°	74.0°	73.5°	73.0°	72.5°
Chainstay	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm	410 mm
BB Drop	74 mm	74 mm	74 mm	72 mm	72 mm	72 mm	69 mm	69 mm
Wheelbase	980 mm	985 mm	993 mm	1002 mm	1010 mm	995 mm	1007 mm	1024 mm
Stack	495 mm	508 mm	520 mm	532 mm	545 mm	565 mm	585 mm	615 mm
Reach	373 mm	376 mm	379 mm	383 mm	387 mm	393 mm	398 mm	406 mm

A Bike With Two Faces – The Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026 on Review

We rode the new SuperSix EVO exactly where EF’s pros and their peers spin their legs ahead of the coming season: on the iconic climbs around Girona, including Els Àngels and the relentless ascent up to Mare de Déu del Mont.

From the very first hard pedal strokes, one thing becomes clear: this bike wants to be ridden. And it wants to be ridden fast. It feels coiled, almost impatient. There is no sluggish ramp-up in acceleration, no hesitation. Every input goes straight to the bottom bracket and is converted into forward drive without delay.

On climbs in particular, the EVO fully delivers on the directness that defines its character. It feels sharp and agile, yet never remotely nervous in its handling. You press on the pedals and it surges ahead. That’s exactly how a modern race bike should feel.

And what happens when the road levels out? The bike shifts character, but it does not lose its identity. On the flat, the deep-section wheels help it hold speed effortlessly. It rolls with impressive efficiency and rewards you for pushing the pace with a real sense of momentum.

The only slight drawback is the Reserve wheelset, with extra grams that slightly dull that final flicker of explosive acceleration.

Point it downhill and the Cannondale fully reveals its all-round DNA. It carves cleanly through corners, tips willingly into lean and always feels predictable. You get plenty of feedback from the front end, enough to ride proactively and push your limits, but never so much nervousness that you are forced into constant corrections.

It’s exactly this blend of composure and agility that makes the bike genuinely fast and, just as importantly, seriously good fun.

When it comes to comfort, the difference compared to its predecessor is subtle but noticeable. While the previous SuperSix was considered impressively compliant for a race bike, the new generation feels distinctly firmer. Whether that comes down to the lighter LAB71 build, a revised carbon lay-up or simply the frame size is hard to say without a direct back-to-back comparison. What is clear is this: the new EVO is not a comfort cruiser, but nor is it harsh. It remains firmly tuned for race performance and delivers honest feedback from the road. In our setup, much of the smoothing effect came from the Vittoria Corsa Pro tires, with a cotton casing that does a tangible job of filtering vibrations.

Our standout feature is the new cockpit. At just 34 cm wide at the tops, extremely narrow and visually clean, with nearly 400 mm in the drops right on the UCI limit, it feels surprisingly natural out on the road and actively supports an efficient aero position. The only downside is the long reach to the hoods. If you are between sizes or prefer a more compact fit, sizing down is well worth considering. We were less convinced by the Fizik saddle. It is relatively long and may not suit everyone straight away.

We also took the opportunity to head out early one morning for another test ride up the punchy climb to Mare de Déu del Mont, this time swapping the wheels for lighter DT Swiss ARC 38 CS carbon rims. They may be significantly shallower, but they bring a noticeable boost in liveliness. Acceleration feels sharper, the handling a touch more agile and the overall ride more direct. On rolling terrain and through tight hairpins on the way to the summit, this setup feels particularly responsive.

All in all, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026 still rides exactly as you would expect a SuperSix to ride: direct, well balanced and fast, without ever feeling like a twitchy mountain goat or a single-minded aero brute. If you are after a rapid all-rounder with excellent ergonomics, you will feel right at home here.

Tuning tip: If you are after sharper acceleration and a more agile feel, it is well worth considering a lighter wheelset.

Who Should Take a Closer Look at the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026?

Even in its fifth generation, the SuperSix EVO remains true to its original mission: a no-compromise race all-rounder. The punchy acceleration on climbs, balanced yet lively handling and impressive efficiency on fast sections make it a bike that feels at home in almost any race scenario, from rolling classics to hard, fast training rides.

For most riders, especially those outside the rarified WorldTour level, that balance is exactly what matters. Unless you are exclusively sprinting on flat, high-speed circuits or targeting pure summit finishes, you will benefit far more from a bike that performs consistently everywhere rather than excelling in one discipline while demanding compromises in others.

The new, significantly narrower cockpit options are particularly beneficial for smaller riders, offering a more ergonomic front end and a naturally more aerodynamic position. At the same time, the EVO 5 delivers ample stiffness to hold its own in a sprint. It is not a one-trick specialist, but a versatile race bike for anyone who simply wants to be fast wherever the road leads.

Conclusions About the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2026

With the fifth-generation SuperSix EVO, Cannondale have chosen not to reinvent the wheel but to refine an already outstanding platform with careful, considered updates. In 2026, the EVO still feels at home in almost any race scenario. It accelerates eagerly on climbs, remains impressively efficient on the flat and delivers exactly the blend of stability and agility you want on fast descents. At the end of the day, the SuperSix EVO is not a specialist built for one specific discipline. It is a race bike for riders who want to be fast everywhere.

Tops

• ergonomic cockpit with a pleasantly narrow handlebar
• high stability at speed
• balanced handling

Flops

• no pwoermeter available in lower spec

Find out more on cannondale.com.

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Calvin Zajac