Bike Review: 2010 Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod 1 (sort of)

The all-new 2010 Cannondale SuperSix dropped last August and I have spent approximately 2,000 miles on the saddle of one of the first examples to hit stores. If you want the short version, it's a phenomenal bike and I highly recommend it. If you want the long version, read on.

The SuperSix is one of the latest entries into the superlight, vertically stiff/laterally compliant superbike fray. My size 52cm bike built up with race wheels, computer, pedals, and bottle cages to 14.5 pounds for a complete ready to race bike (see complete specs below). Although I received the SuperSix Hi-Mod 1 which comes spec'd with Shimano Dura-Ace, I stripped the Dura-Ace shifters and derailleurs and replaced them with a SRAM Red/Force mix in order to lower weight and save money. Plus, I simply prefer SRAM.

Highlights on the build include a frame which features a tapered head tube, massive "Beat Box" bottom bracket (BB30, of course), carbon cable stops that are molded into the frame and even full carbon dropouts and front and rear (although the rears feature aluminum clamping surfaces to prevent damage) to save weight. The sub-600 gram Cannondale Hollowtech BB30 crank comes assembled with standard chainrings but inlcudes all the necessary tools and parts (including an extra set of FSA chainrings and bolts!) to convert it to compact.

The finishing kit on the SuperSix 1 is pro-tour ready with a complete FSA K-Force cockpit and seatpost, Fizik Arione CX saddle and Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium wheels. Sure, most folks will swap out the Ksyriums on race day for something deeper in carbon, but it wasn't too long ago that Ksyriums were being ridden up mountain passes in the grand tours. I'd race them with no hesitation and they make a great bullet-proof yet lightweight "everyday" wheel.

The first time I hopped off the 2009 SuperSix I said "that's a perfect crit bike." The 2010 model retains the 2009's crisp, precise handling and instant power transmission whilst cutting frame weight - the black/white version of the SuperSix Hi-Mod frame weighs in at 837 grams for a size 52cm. In spite of the HUGE frame tubing the SuperSix evinces a surprising level of comfort. I did notice a slight increase in road buzz compared to say, the Orbea Orca, but I feel that the SuperSix is at least if not more comfortable than similar superbikes such as the Specialized Tarmac and Trek Madone and definitely more comfortable than rigs like the Cervelo Soloist.

The massive tubes and asymmetric chainstays combine with the aluminum BB30 crank to create a pedaling platform that gives no sensation of power loss. Stomp on the pedals and the SuperSix goes NOW. If you get dropped from your local Tuesday Night Worlds on the SuperSix you certainly won't be able to blame it on the bike. Another nice frame feature that smaller riders such as me might appreciate is the very slightly sloping top tube which allows you to run two full-size water bottles. I've often been able to carry only a small bottle on the seat-tube position due to the slope of other frames.

An interesting note on the Hollowgram SL crank - unlike most crank manufacturers, Cannondale fashions their super light crank from aluminum instead of carbon. Each crankarm is actually two precisely machined and press-fit pieces that leave a hollow void in the middle of the crankarm. All SuperSix Hi-Mod 1s also ship with the extra interchangeable spider in 110 bolt circle diameter so you can choose compact gearing, standard gearing, or even swap back and forth. Cannondale also makes the same basic design in a mountain bike crank.

Overall impressions? The SuperSix provides excellent handling, a solid, responsive pedaling platform and a ride that won't beat you up as much as many other "stiff" bikes at the end of the day. I have to say that even after 2,000 miles the prevailing feeling I always get from the SuperSix is one of rock-solid stability. It never fails to go exactly where I point it and it always feels as though every bit of power I make goes straight into the rear wheel. My complaints about the Supersix? The headtube may be a little short for some, but those looking for a more comfortable ride should probably be looking at bikes in another segment anyway. Other than that, my only complaint is that I couldn't get one in black.

Another nice thing about the SuperSix lineup - if you forgo the flyweight components and "Hi-Mod" carbon frame (I suppose you get "Regular-Mod" instead?), you can get the same great performance and handling for as little as $3,750 MSRP. Or, if you're an extremist and regional Category 4 champion hopeful, you can get it decked out complete with Zero-G brakes, DT carbon wheels and SRM for a mere $13,300. Each of the build/pricing levels on the SuperSix is well thought out.

2010 Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod 1 Test Build (14.5 lbs.)

Frame/fork: 2010 SuperSix Hi-Mod 1 size 52cm

Crankset: Cannondale Hollowgram SL BB30 with FSA 53/39t chainrings

Shifters: SRAM Red

Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red

Front Derailleur: SRAM Force

Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 12-25

Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 7900

Wheelset: 2009 Easton EC90 Aero

Tires: Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp tubular

Handlebar: FSA K-Force

Stem: FSA OS-99 (90mm)

Seatpost: FSA K-Force (25mm setback)

Saddle: Fizik Arione CX

Pedals: Look Keo Sprint

Computer: Cateye Strada Wireless

Bottle Cages: Bontrager Race X-Lite (x2)

(In case you're curious, the weight with the included Kysrium SL Premium wheels and Schwable Ultremo R tires 15.2 pounds.)

Christmas Shopping for the Cyclist on Your List

So it's December 7th and you still don't know what to get for that hard-to-shop for cyclist in your life. Well the Bike Critic is here to help - below you'll find ideas that are sure to please any cyclist and fit any budget. Although I composed this list mostly with roadies in mind I've also included a few ideas for those whose bicycle tastes wander away from the open road. You've only 17 shopping days left as I type this, so get crackin!

$5-20 Range

Nutrition Items: Gels and nutrition bars retails for about $1.50 - $2.00 each and are something that every cyclist will use and can be found at any local bike shop (that's LBS for short) and often at places such as GNC, Whole Foods, Target, etc. The idea here is to get a smattering of flavors so that you turn every ride into a culinary adventure! Popular gel brands include PowerBar, Gu, Accel, and Hammer. For solid foods I recommend Bonk Breaker, Clif Bloks, and PowerBar Bites. Purchase an array of these to make a great stocking stuffer.

Tubes: Every cyclist flats once in a while and although tubes aren't the most exciting thing around they're extremely practical. And at $5 a piece retail you can easily replenish your loved one's stock. Make sure to get the right size - if you don't know what size your cyclist uses then carefully check the tires of their bike, it's printed on the sidewall. Look for a number such as "700cx23" or if they're a mountain biker "26x2.2." If their tire size starts with "650" consider getting them an entirely new bike without ridiculous tiny wheels. Write the number down, also note what kind of valve stem is on the wheel (if it looks like your car valve stem or not) and take that info to your LBS. They'll be able to find the right tube for you. Make sure you get standard tubes, anything fancier is really a waste of money.

Bar Tape: This is another practical item every roadie/triathlete can use that runs from $10-$20 retail. Fancy tapes such as "Stitch Wrap" or "Grippy Tape" are popular, and Specialized makes a kind of textured tape that is great for triathlon bikes. You can color coordinate with their rig or just buy white. Repeat after me: "Black is slow, white is fast. Black is slow..."

Wool Socks: Riding in the cold sucks in general but it sucks a little less when you can actually feel your toes. Wool socks start out at about $15 and will keep your cyclist's tootsies from going numb on those miserable winter training rides. Smartwool, Sockguy, Castelli, and many others make excellent wool socks in a multitude of colorways/designways. Make sure you get ones with tall cuffs.

Coffee: Roadies love their caffiene and there are a surprising number of bike-themed coffees available in the $10-20 range. Jittery Joe's, 53x11, and Phil Liggett's are just a few of those available.

$20-100 Range

Cycling-themed Casual Clothing: Cyclists want the world to know that they ride even when they're off the bike (why do you think we shave our legs?) so it's hard to go wrong with cool cycling-related casual clothing. Twin Six currently makes some of the coolest cycling-themed t-shirts around and their quality is top-notch. You can also find cool tees from Rock Racing or Lance Armstrong's Mellow Johnny's bike shop. If you're a big spender then you can drop around $100 for a track jacket from Castelli (remember, Castelli stuff is made for tiny Italian people so order one size up, unless your cyclist happens to be a tiny Italian) or a wool jersey from Pearl Izumi. Wool jerseys are available from many manufacturers and often look as good off the bike as they do on it.

RoadID: For a little over $20 you can get a laser-engraved ID tag for your loved one to wear whenever they hit the road. RoadID offers multiple models in several colors (the RoadID Elite is particularly cool) and you can add up to six lines of emergency info. What better way to show you care? Order by December 14th for Christmas delivery.

Magazine Subscriptions: Give the gift that gives year round! You can look in your cyclist's bathroom to see what magazines they currently read or use my handy guide below.

Your cyclist is a:

• Roadie - If he's a Europhile who rides a Colnago or Pinarello, try Cycle Sport or ProCycling. If he's a Category 1/2/3/4 racer who spends every weekend at an event, then go for Road or VeloNews.
• Triathlete - Triathlete. Doesn't get easier than that.
• Casual/Recreational cyclist - Bicycling magazine.
• Mountain Biker - assuming they're literate, Dirt Rag or Highlights for Children

Blinky Lights: Keep your cyclist safe as the days get shorter with a set of blinky lights. For the ultimate in compact lighting that will delight the gadget/tech geek, I suggest the Blackburn Flea. They're a available as a front/rear combo for about $50. For the casual cyclist/hipster Knog makes compact lights in multiple colors. For the commuter or just the ultimate in visibility I suggest the $25 Planet Bike Superflash (this same light is also sold under different brand names so ask at your LBS).

Cateye Bike Computer: The Cateye Strada Wireless ($60 retail) is one of the best bike computers for its ease of use and installation. It's also available in a double-wireless version that features cadence (very popular with triathletes) for $100.

$100-$200 Range

Really Sweet Kits: It's hard to go wrong when decking your cyclist out with a full team kit. Mellow Johnny's has some of the best looking outfits around, and teams such as Garmin-Slipstream, Cervelo and Rock Racing seem to have realized they can sell more shorts and jerseys if they look cool. You can go with your cyclist's favorite team or try some of the fashionable jerseys from Twin Six (don't forget matching socks). DO NOT purchase anything from Primal Wear unless your cyclist rides either a) a single-speed mountain bike or b) a recumbent.

Carbon Fiber Bottle Cages: Roadies love lightweight fragile things, so if your cyclist doesn't have carbon bottle cages this will make their rig complete. To find if your cyclist already has carbon cages, wait until they're not around then go up to their bike, look at the bottle cages, and make a mean face. If the cages don't crumble under the oppressing weight of your grimace, they're not carbon. Carbon cages can be found at your LBS for about $50 per and are made by just about every bike manufacturer, so you can match them to your loved one's bike. I prefer the RXL Cage from Bontrager; Arundel, Serfas, and many others make nice carbon cages as well.

A Helmet: If your cyclist does time trials or stage races or if they're a triathlete, they need an aero helmet. These are the kind that make you look like a rocket man from a 60's comic book. Specialized, Giro, and Louis Garneau all make nice ones in multiple colors. Make sure you go whole hog and get the carrying case too, otherwise it will suck when that $200 helmet gets crushed in the trunk.

Suppose your cyclist has an aero helmet or maybe doesn't time trial. If their current helmet is over 3 years old, it's time for a replacement. Helmet foam breaks down chemically over time so that it doesn't protect as well. Get a top-o-the-line model from Giro, Bell, or Specialized and you can't go wrong (you can check their current helmet for brand and size preference). Don't know what color to get? You can match your cyclist's team kit, or remember that white, silver and black go with anything.

The Nuclear Option

If you're a corrupt Wall Street CEO or your coffers are just particularly well-lined this season, here a few show-stopping (albeit spendy) ways to make it a Christmas to remember

Rapha Bike Clothing: If your cyclist has a $9000 Italian superbike but only rides it three times a month then consider some bike clothing from Rapha. I've never seen the stuff but it's incredibly expensive and sure to satisfy the snob in them.

Zipp 404 Wheelset: Zipp wheels are the gold standard in aero and the 404 is the most versatile wheelset of the bunch. At $2300 retail they're not cheap, but if your cyclist doesn't have a set, he wishes he did. If you're feeling particularly generous you can get the PowerTap SLC+ version and let your cyclist monitor their power on their rides. If your cyclist is a triathlete then go for the Zipp 808 wheelset instead. Note: wheelsets are component-specific. If the components on your loved one's bike say "SRAM" or "Shimano" make sure you buy a SRAM/Shimano wheelset. If they say "Campagnolo" then consider buying them a complete SRAM component group as well so they can get rid of that Campy crap. And don't forget the Zipp Tangente tires at $110 a pop.

Cycling Vacation: I've heard these exist but have never been on one. Apparently they include sag-supported rides through various scenic locales and plush accommodations. Trek Travel offers several complete packages as do others. For the ultimate gift, make it a European cycling vacation.

Other Ideas

So you say to me "My cyclist isn't a hard-core roady, what do I do?" Here's a short list of things that are sure to appeal to the other riders out there.

If your cyclist is a:

• Triathlete: Visit your LBS and ask for the most complicated hydration system they have. The more tubes, bottles, and mysterious hardware the better
• Cyclocrosser: Beer. Anything from Belgium in a 750ml bottle
• Mountain biker: Beer. Anything from Wisconsin/Colorado in a 12 oz. can
• Commuter: Home composting starter kit
• Recumbent rider: Personal grooming kit
• Hipster: Carton of Camel Turkish and the new Animal Collective CD
• The Bike Critic: Cannondale Slice Hi-Mod Ultimate size 54cm with SRM cranks, Hed Black Dog aerobar, SRAM R2C shifters and Look Keo 2Max Carbon/Ti pedals

Happy Holidays and happy hunting!

The Perfect Warm Up

As every cyclist knows, the key to a good time trial is the warm up. Some folks prefer to warm up on the road, some prefer a trainer, some like to warm up on rollers (which I have never understood). Or you can do like Alberto Contador and shove eucalyptus up your nose. You can debate all you want about the best warm up technique or which heart rate zones to hit for how long but none of that is half, no, one-quarter as important as THE most important aspect of any warm up. I'm talking, of course, about the playlist.

There are many ways to approach the warm up playlist - you can go old school US Postal and listen to all ZZ Top, you can join former track-specialist turned roady Bradley Wiggins in some Brit-pop jingle jangle, or you can take the Jens Voight route and "just try to get as angry as possible" (although we saw how that worked out for him at this year's tour). I know several folks who enjoy German grind-core junk such as Rammstein and the more obscure Boltthrower. Whatever you do, don't go the neo-Armstrong route and just listen to whatever college kid BS got released this week. If you don't believe me, read his twitter.

As a recovered musician and former shop TT champion I realized that I could do a great service by providing my fellow cyclists with a sample playlist as well as a general guidline of how to create your own. Call it a sonic road map to greatness if you will. The following 40 (+/-) minute playlist is scientifically designed to increase your average wattage by at least 3 watts, decrease your coefficient of drag, and shave 18 seconds off your 40k TT. Unless, of course, you're still pimping black bar tape, in which case there is no hope for you.

First, you need a couple of tracks to spin lightly to and, in effect, warm up to the warm up:

• Echo and the The Bunnymen - "Lips Like Sugar"


• Foo Fighters - "Best of You"

Next up you want to work a little bit and hit that second heart rate zone, so we up the tempo and the intensity, but not too much:

• Fuel - "New Thing"


• Nine Inch Nails - "The Collector"

The next phase of my warm up is usually a kind of steady-state, moderate intensity with a bit lower cadence, hence we need some tunes that keep the energy level up but generally have a little bit lower BPM (that's beat's per minute for you non-music types):

• Does it Offend You Yeah? - "Doomed Now"


• The Cardigans - "Erase-Rewind"


• Audioslave - "Exploder"

The next three help you roll into and hit that upper heart rate zone briefly:

• Better Than Ezra - "Recognize"


• Metallica - "Fuel"


• Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

The final track I include for a little cool-down - you don't want to "leave it in the gym" so to speak. Ideally you can hop off the trainer and go pretty much straight to your start time, although I've never seen an event actually start on time, except for the fabled Mike Simpson Time Trial Series.

• The Rolling Stones - "Gimme Shelter"

For some reason that tune always gets me fired up. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my magical warm up playlist, now go try it out or create one of your own.

Bike Review - 2009 Orbea Orca

The Orca is the flagship of the Orbea lineup, and although it's been slightly revamped for 2010 I thought it would be worthwhile for me to comment on the 2009 model considering the significant amount of seat time I have on it.

The '09 Orca features subtle revisions over the previous Orca, notably one-piece rear dropouts, a magnesium seat collar, carbon headbadge and revised carbon layup. According to Orbea these revisions shaved about 90 grams off the frameset and made it 20% stiffer. Having ridden both, I can't say that I could tell any difference in stiffness.

My frame (size 51cm, 53.5cm top tube length) weighed in at 940 grams when stripped of all of its metal bits. Total weight for my bike at its lightest build was 15 lbs, 2 oz ready to race (see below for a complete build list). This is certainly competitive with most of the carbon flagship bikes on the market and could easily have been lower with a few substitutions.

How does it ride? In my opinion ride quality is the area where the Orca really shines. The frame does an excellent job of filtering out bumps and high-frequency vibration. This bike is all-day comfortable. Handling on the frame is feels stable to slow - the Orca almost seems to smooth out your line even under hard pedalling. The flipside is that you don't so much dive into corners as much as you herd the Orca through them. Don't expect Cannondale or Specialized Tarmac responsiveness here, although the ride is much better damped than either of those bikes.

In fact, that lack of responsiveness is what I liked least about the Orca. After riding some top-level carbon bikes from other manufacturers I found that they felt much more eager to cut turns or responded much more noticably to pedal input. It seems the Orca rewards smooth, calculated inputs much more than sudden forceful ones. I suppose something had to be given up in order to infuse the Orca with comfort and stability.

I have noticed a few issues with this generation of Orca, all of them related to the reliability of the carbon frame. I personally have seen more than a couple of Orcas that fell over at low (or no) speed, sending the handlebars into the sculpted top tube which then cracked. In my opinion the dramatic lines of the frame create a series of stress risers not found in round tubes and make it more susceptible to such damage. It seems that the ridges of the tubes allow external force to concentrate in that area causing the carbon to fail.

The other issue I encountered was with my personal bike. After a while the carbon headbadge (which also serves as the cable guide for the derailleur cables) formed cracks on the outside edges, apparently from the stress of the cable ferrules and tension of the derailleur cables. Orbea replaced my frame under warranty and I built the second frame using longer housing runs and plastic ferrules per Orbea's advice, only to have that frame fail in the exact same manner. Orbea once again replaced the frame under warranty. According to sources at Orbea, the headbadge has been reinforced on 2010 models in order to prevent this from happening (which also tells me that I wasn't the only person experiencing this).

For racing I believe the Opal is actually a better choice than the Orca. Although it's a little heavier and not nearly as good-looking as its upscale bretheren it should prove far more durable and, from what I've heard, is more responsive. That's probably why Orbea-sponsored Team Type 1 rocks the Opal, along with many other domestic amateur teams.

Of course, all of my reservations about the Orca didn't keep Samuel Sanchez from winning an Olympic gold medal on one. As Lance Armstrong says, "It's not about the bike."

A few more nice features about the Orca include a non-proprietary seatpost (which seems to be a rarity these days) and Orbea's spectacular Made to Order program, which allows you a great deal of flexibility in choosing color, components, wheelsets, even saddles. I know there has been talk at Orbea about scrapping Made to Order but I hope for their customers' sakes they don't.

In my opinion the Orca is best suited for those who want a high-performance rig that isn't going to beat them up on long weekend or club rides. If I were a big sprinter or regular crit racer it probably wouldn't be my first choice. The new improvements for 2010 (tapered headtube, BB30 bottom bracket) should yield a frame that is slightly more responsive and perhaps a little lighter overall, both good things. And there is no denying the Orca's unique look - in my opinion it's one of the best looking bikes on the market, especially in black or red.

Test build (15 lbs, 2 oz):

• 2009 Orca frameset, size 51 (53.5 top tube)
• 2009 SRAM Force drivetrain (shifters, derailleurs, brakeset)
• 2009 FSA K-Force Light crankset, 172.5mm, 52/38T
• Ritchey WCS 4-Axis 100mm stem
• Ritchey WCS Anatomic handlebar (42 cm)
• Bontrager Race X-Lite 31.8mm seatpost (270mm length)
• Fizik Arione K:ium saddle
• 2009 Easton EC90 Aero wheelset
• Vredestein Fortezza TriComp tubular tires
• Look Keo Sprint pedals
• Cateye Strade Wireless computer
• Bontrager Race X-Lite Carbon bottle cages (2)

Landshark? Candygram?

I was right out of college when I bought it. It seemed so sleek then, so lightweight, so, real. Like what a road bike should be. It was a far cry from the old steel department store road bike I'd been tooling around on. I financed it because I didn't have the cash at the time (I'd spent the entirety of my first paycheck on a guitar) and ended up paying on it forever. Or so it seemed.

I didn't care though. That bike changed my life. My first rides were so short I wouldn't even call them rides now. Five miles, seven miles, eight point three-five miles, they all seemed like great achievements. And for a guy who was in the process of figuring out what to do with his life (I still am) and losing 40 pounds (I've kept most of it off) I guess they were. Maybe that's why I like helping new cyclists so much - I remember what it was like for me starting out.

At some point I started calling it the Landshark. I don't know why. I watched way too many SNL reruns in college and somehow it just seemed appropriate. The bike was blue and - like the Landshark - not terribly menacing. But it also could surprise you from time to time if you let your guard down. It became a joke with some of my friends - as we'd pass each other in the paceline we'd often mutter "Candygram," "Mrs. Argsbarglerem...," or "I'm only a dolphin."

The Landshark and I spent 12,000 mostly happy miles together over about six years. We rode in at least four states, numerous charity and club rides, my first century and at least one sanctioned, competitive event. I made a lot of friends because of the Landshark both on rides and off. And when I wasn't with friends the Landshark and I worked out a lot of stuff on the road. Anyone who has really ridden a road bike will tell you that it can get boring sometimes. But it also gives you time to think, and often that's exactly what I needed. I went through two addresses, three vehicles, three jobs, adopted two dogs and got married during the time the Landshark was with me.

All was not beer and skittles though, as the Landshark and I had some rough moments. I remember having to dig deep on my first 50 mile charity tour (I honestly wondered if I would make it on the bike). I still have the scars from my first (and only real) bike accident. The poor Landshark has its share of scars as well. Then there were the days when I rode not because I wanted to but out of anger - making the Landshark my unwitting accomplice while I blew off steam.

You've probably guessed how this story ends. Six years is an eon when it comes to bike technology, and despite the TLC and a few upgrades the Landshark has grown long in the tooth. In fact, I replaced it about five months ago with a nice new full carbon bike and since then it has seen only occasional trainer duty - something too harrowing for a brand new carbon rig to endure. That's why this week the Landshark went on the great internet garage sale known as eBay. This morning it took the last ride we'll ever take together - packed snug in a box, ready to be shipped to its new owner. I hope the Landshark enriches his life as much as it has mine.

Meanwhile, I've already gotten pretty attached to the Landshark II.