Back in the 1970s, Connecticut-born brand Cannondale was launched under guiding principles that it was going to subvert the long-stagnant bicycle industry with innovative materials and designs that wouldn’t just strike aesthetic chords but would have on-field function as well. Championing aluminum and carbon fiber materials, the company was met with some contemporaneous pushback, but over five decades later, it still doesn’t care and is continuing to do things its own way.
A favorite among enthusiasts, Cannondale’s flagship SuperSix EVO road bike has proven to be one of the most versatile in the industry, with its lightweight, low-drag frame, hidden cable routing, and ability to be used on any slope. Now, the bike brand is releasing a brand-new, limited-edition Leichtbau frameset for riders to swap in on the SuperSix EVO. German for “lightweight,” the Leichtbau frame weighs an impressive 750g, which converts to around 1.65lbs Stateside — nearly 0.2lbs lighter than the SuperSix’s standard Hi-MOD frameset.
Cannondale achieves this incredible reduction in weight through its advanced carbon construction of high and ultra-high modulus fibers, going along with CNC machined alloy details and a finish in a beautiful black and chrome coat. Much like the standard SuperSix EVO frameset, the Leichtbau sports an airfoil tube shape for better drag reduction and stiffness, Speed Release thru-axles for easier wheel swapping, and SAVE rear stays for an even smoother ride. Likewise, the new design also supports tires up to 30mm for more versatility and still features the famed hidden cable routing.
If you’re able to get your hands on one of these framesets, consider yourself lucky. Limited to just 200 pieces globally, the SuperSix EVO Leichtbau is available exclusively through select retailers while supplies last.
