A long-time industry innovator across multiple categories, Cannondale have pulled the covers off its 2019 product line-up. With a bunch of new colourways, tech improvements and a few new models for the coming year, join us as we take you through the highlights of Cannondale’s Australian bike range for 2019.
2019 Cannondale Road Range
Save for the marquee addition of the all-new SystemSix aero bike, the 2019 road bike range carries on largely unchanged for the coming year. The main updates are seen with the inclusion of powermeters on top-end models, slick new colourways and some specification changes.
SystemSix
Arguably the biggest addition of the 2019 road range is the inclusion of the all-new SystemSix aero bike, unveiled on the eve of the 2018 Tour de France.
The result of years of R&D, the SystemSix is designed to give riders more speed in more situations. An aerodynamic, two-piece integrated bar and stem features on the entire range, as does an aerodynamic 64mm deep carbon fibre wheelset. All told, a size 56cm SystemSix Hi-MOD frame as pictured here is claimed to tip the scales at an impressive 981 grams.
Shifting on all models in the line-up come courtesy of Shimano, with Hi-Mod models scoring a Power2Max NG Eco powermeter as standard. Prologo provides the finishing touches to each build, with tacky tape on the bars and a comfy perch up top. The 2019 SystemSix line up includes;
SystemSix Hi-MOD Dura-Ace Di2: RRP AU$14,999
SystemSix Hi-MOD Ultegra Di2: RRP AU$9,999
SystemSix Carbon Ultegra: RRP AU$5,999
SuperSix EVO
Designed for climbing specialists and racers, the SuperSix Evo has been the staple race bike in Cannondale’s road bike range for a number of years and continues into 2019 without major change.
Rim-brake models continue to dominate the lineup for the following year, outnumbering disc equipped models six to three. The biggest change in specification is the move from Mavic to Fulcrum as the wheelset supplier, with the flagship Hi-MOD Dura-Ace Di2 model scoring a carbon fibre Fulcrum Racing Quattro wheelset as standard. Cannondale’s own Hollowgram Si wheelsets are also found through the range.
The SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Disc Ultegra Di2 (RRP AU$7,999) featured here is finished in a stealthy black paint scheme and hides shadowed decals on the frame and wheelset. Sitting as the second tier Hi-MOD offering, shifting comes courtesy of Shimano and its slick shifting R8070 Ultegra Di2 Disc brake groupset. The wheels and crankset are Cannondale’s own. Like the stealthy look but want different components? The frame is also available separately.
CAAD
A long-standing member of Cannondale’s road bike lineup, the CAAD series has a cult-like following as a result of the carbon defying performance and weight on offer. Widely regarded as one of the best value road bike packages available on the market, the CAAD family caters to riders of all abilities, from entry-level enthusiasts to semi-professional racers.
Much like its carbon fibre SuperSix Evo stablemates, the line-up is stacked heavily in favour of more traditional rim brake models, with only two disc-brake options in the CAAD12 line up for 2019. The rest of the range also sees a change in wheel supplier from Mavic to Fulcrum, while Shimano provides the groupsets on all bar one bike in the range.
The CAAD12 Dura-Ace (AU$6,499) shown here sits alongside the RED eTap model at the top of the CAAD line-up. Designed by American design firm CNCPT, the bike is finished in what we think is one of the coolest paint schemes in recent years, complete with stealth grey/black pearl fade with acid green highlights.
The build kit is also suitably high-end with a full mechanical 9100 Dura-Ace groupset. Shipping complete with a Power2Max NG Eco powermeter, this ride needs nothing more than a performance wheelset to take this lightweight steed from a weekend bunch ride to a fast and furious crit or road race.
Synapse
Sitting in the range as Cannondale’s endurance road platform, the Synapse continues into 2019 with little change after undergoing a full overhaul in 2018. This overhaul saw refinements and evolutions made to the frame shape: improving stability, reducing weight, adding comfort, boosting tyre clearance and increasing stiffness at the bottom bracket area. These changes transformed the Synapse from a gran fondo specialist, into a race bike designed to go harder for longer.
In line with modern industry trends, the entire Synapse range is equipped with disc brakes thanks to the increased control and stopping power on offer. Another feature that sets the Synapse apart from much of its competition is its size optimised design. Each frame size in the Synapse line-up gets its own rider-appropriate carbon lay-up, fork steerer and headtube diameter to ensure uniform ride feel and handling, regardless of size.
The Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra Di2 (AU$5,999) shown here has one of the more striking colour schemes of the 2019 line-up. This value-packed endurance machine includes a full Shimano Ultegra R8070 Disc Di2 groupset, paired with a Cannondale HollowGram Si crankset and finished off with a Fulcrum Racing 600 DB wheelset. Finished in sage grey with volt green highlights, this steed is a real looker in the sunshine.
2019 Cannondale Mountain Bikes
Whether you’re chasing the joy of exploring a new trail network, the camaraderie of riding laps with your mates, the groove you find on a long solo epic or the post-race endorphin rush, there’s sure to be a ride in the Cannondale mountain bike range to suit.
Jekyll
Built to get you to the top of the mountain to charge technical descents, the Jekyll enduro mountain bike platform can handle it all. The entire platform has seen an overhaul in the past year, first with the 27.5” wheeled Jekyll and more recently with the bigger hooped Jekyll 29er.
For 2019, Australia will score both the all-new Jekyll 29 range, as well as the proven enduro ripper, the Jekyll. Each available in two different specifications, the range is designed to hit both the dedicated #soenduro crowd, as well as enthusiasts wanting to step-up to a bike with longer travel and a more aggressive geometry.
The key difference in the Jekyll 29 and the Jekyll lies in the tagline for each bike, with the 27.5” model angled more towards enduro racers, whereas the Jekyll 29, with its shorter travel, targets all-mountain riders wanting to ride even further.
The pictured Jekyll 2 27.5 is finished in a sleek, stealthy jet black paint scheme and sports an enduro-ready build kit. The 12-speed groupset comes courtesy of SRAM in the form of its GX Eagle groupset paired with a Truvativ crank and finished off with a capable set of Stan’s NoTubes MK3 Flow hoops. Like many of Cannondale’s mountain bikes, 1x shifting and dropper posts are standard across both the Jekyll and Jekyll 29 ranges.
Trigger
Designed for day-long mountain epics, big drops and punchy climbs, the Trigger all-mountain is perfect for trail riders seeking all-day easy pedaling. After a comprehensive overhaul in 2017, the Trigger platform carries over into 2019 largely unchanged, save for slightly altered specification.
Sitting in the mountain bike line-up as the slightly less gnarly sibling of the gravity focussed Jekyll platform, the Trigger offers up slightly more versatile geometry, 150mm of travel and slightly narrower tyres.
Also found on the Jekyll, the dual-travel Gemini rear shock remains standard on all models, allowing riders to flick between 115mm and 145mm of rear wheel travel on the fly. The shock is mounted to a carbon swingarm for increased frame stiffness and a lower frame weight. Unlike the Jekyll, which scored a 29er update within the past week, the Trigger is available with 27.5” hoops only, with no word on whether a 29er option will be added any time soon.
The Trigger 3 (pictured above) sits as the starting point to the Australian range. It sports a value-packed build kit, which includes a SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed groupset, Fox Float 34 150mm travel fork and Cannondale’s fancy 115/145mm travel Gemini shock. Paint wise, the hot red is sure to stand out on the trail.
Scalpel Si
Designed to appease the lycra-clad XC crowd, as well as those seeking a versatile rig for tackling fast, flowing trail, the Scalpel Si is the cross-country mainstay of Cannondale’s mountain bike lineup. For 2019, the entire range gets a suspension overhaul, switching to Cannondale’s own one-sided Lefty Ocho front fork. Unveiled in conjunction with the F-Si hardtail cross-country bike, the Lefty Ocho offers 100mm of travel and is claimed to be the lightest and stiffest XC suspension fork on the market.
Aside from a change in suspension fork, the entire Scalpel Si range now ships with single chainring 12-speed drivetrains. The rest of the specification includes carbon fibre wheelsets wrapped in Schwalbe’s all-new Racing Ralph and Racing Ray XC tyres on all carbon framed builds like the Scalpel Si 3 featured here.
The carbon components don’t stop there with the range-topping Scalpel Si WorldCup dripping in ENVE composite goodies, including a seatpost, bar, wheelset and crankset, all leading to a claimed bike weight of under 10kg, impressive.
Trail
Sitting as a capable entry-level offering, the 2019 Trail hardtail range continues to offer impressive construction, high-end features and a progressive geometry.
The entire Trail range is constructed from Cannondale’s second-tier SmartForm aluminium and features a number of premium features such as thru-axles, a tapered headtube, internal cable routing and a flat-mount rear disc brake. The entire Trail range, from the entry-level through to the range-topping models, all feature 1x drivetrains too.
In Australia, the Trail 2 tops the range at AU$1,999 and features a Shimano 11-speed groupset, RockShox Judy Gold fork with 100mm of travel and WTB i23 rims wrapped in 2.25” rubber.
With the 2019 range set to hit Australian shores in the coming weeks, right now is a great time to snap up a bargain on previous model year Cannondale bikes! Check out the wide range of discounted Cannondale bikes on offer from leading retailers across the country right here, at BikeExchange
