I owned a 2011 S-Works Tarmac SL3. It was a nice bike but over time I noticed it was overly stiff resulting in a rough ride especially on less than perfect roads. I even lowered the tire pressure to 85 psi and still it was rough. I think part of the problem also was the small size 52cm frame I ride. My understanding is the newer SL5 has a smoother ride but I have not tried one. About a year a go I bought a Cannondale EVO and really like it, much smoother than the Tarmac and still plenty stiff. I also like the more traditional look of it better. I didn't feel paying a lot more for HiMod was worth it and find the standard EVO to be a really good ride.

 

Thank you. The comfort and light weight for the SS Evo HM are big selling points for me given that I already have a stiffer Caad10. I am a 52cm in both bikes as well. I am probably going to be looking for a frameset regardless of which bike I choose. Both of these framesets are priced well and there isn't much of difference between the two price wise. I like the look of the new Tarmac a little more though.

 

Coincidentally I ride with two guys who have both and they like the Cannondale much more saying it's smoother without giving up anything as compared to the Tarmac. Both their Tarmacs are several years old and they got the Super 6 last year though so that might not mean anything now.

Not that you asked but rather than a "gravel bike" (if you go that route) consider a cross bike with road gearing. Generally speaking a cross bike will be much better at filling in for your road bike with a simple tires change while not losing anything on gravel as compared to a true gravel bike (unless you were to get a super sensitive handling cross bike).

 

Good stuff, thanks.

 

Last year I purchased a SuperSix Evo HiMod (MY2014) in addition to my CAAD10 (MY2012). Though comparing geometry of road frames is not overly complicated, I very much liked the idea that I could easily copy the bike fitting of my CAAD10 (given that geometry of both frames is practically identical). What I wanted to achieve was just two road bikes with the same fitting but the one a bit more robust (CAAD10 has wider tires, alu clincher wheels e.g.) and the other one as light as it reasonably could be (SuperSix is equipped with carbon tubular wheels, Hollowgram etc.)

Further, I like the shifting cables routed outside the frame (for maintenance purposes). (MY2016 Cannondale frames have internal routing I think as well as the Tarmac).

What I do not like about (some) MY2016 SuperSix models is the "PressFit BB30A" bottom bracket shell which unnecessarily limits crank set options and is adding one more item to the long list of brillant BB specs.

What I do not like about the Tarmac* is the frame weight (point applies even to the S-Works version) - for a pricey top-notch non aero frame just not competive.

*) Apart from the looks which is a matter of individual taste so I refrain from making any comments.

 

Thanks! How do you like the ride quality of the Evo compared to the Caad? I am leaning toward the Evo as of now, but still not 100% sure.

 

IMO (not worth much), you can't go wrong with the EVO SuperSix HiMod if it fits you (long reach versus stack compared to some other popular race geometry bikes). It's a damn fine racing frame: light, stable, and comfortable.

Put a Praxis PF30 adapter on it and you're good to go.

 

Thanks tvad, that's what I am thinking as well. I already know the geometry works for me (hence the Caad10) and in fact it is one of the few bikes that I don't get toe overlap on in a 52cm. I am definitely going with a Praxis, bbinfinite, or wheels manufacturing external bb30 unit as well. After mulling this over constantly and hearing from you guys, I am about 99.9% sure the SS Evo Hi Mod will be the next project. I think I just got hung up on the respect I have for the Tarmac, which is also a great bike, but priced a bit too high when compared to the SS Evo Hi Mod (I basically get a top of the line lightweight frame for cheaper than a mid grade carbon Tarmac. Can't beat it). I sincerely appreciate all of you taking the time to help a confused brotha out. Take care.

 

Someone above mentioned the ride quality of a Tarmac SL3, they were IMO the stiffest of the Tarmacs. The new version (and even the SL4) are much more forgiving without giving up torsional stiffness.
I've got a new S-Works and I've ridden a SuperSix EVO Black Inc. The EVO wins hands down if you're a weight weenie. That said, the reason I own the S-Works is because at 210lbs and making some decent power, I didn't like the way the EVO felt under power. Without getting into the argument of the losses or gains associated with stiffness,,, I just didn't like that I could feel the EVO flex and get chain rub up front under power. It just bugs me when that happens. No matter how hard I hammer on the Tarmac, it doesn't give in a perceptible manner. As for ride quality, I think it's pretty damn smooth the way I have it built up.
Aside from that, I prefer the curvy lines on the Tarmac. The CAAD and SuperSix look a little too traditional for my taste with the straight lines.

 

This is a good perspective to have, so thank you. At my fittest, I am in the 165-170lb range, but as a former wrestler and football player, I carry more muscle mass than other cyclists and can get up to 185+lbs in the offseason or early season easily. I also can lay a decent amount of power down, so this could be an area of concern that I need to look into. None of the local Cannondale shops currently has a Supersix Evo HM for me to test yet, so that's why I can't say 100% the SS Evo HM is it. Based on reviews I have read, the feedback I have received from others, and how much I liked my test rides on the Caad10 and the Synapse, I feel like that's the direction things are heading, but if I feel the bike flexing under load, I will be going with a Tarmac instead.

 

And this is what I meant when I said I wasn't going to get into the debate about if flex, there's already a thread for that.
I don't think flex will keep anyone from winning any races, I simply don't like the way it feels. My opinion has nothing to with power transfer as I stated before or whether it's actually a problem.
Also, last I checked, none of those guys you mentioned sprint on a SuperSix. The bikes they do sprint on I think are very well suited to that discipline.

 

By all means if you don't like the way it feels that's cool, don't ride it. Not trying to imply you should do anything but. I don't want to debate if frame flex matters or not either. My only point was that all these high end frames are very capable for powerful riders so people who feel they flex to much should be taken with a grain of salt and a person should decided for themself.

By the way I ride what was, the year it was made, the second best stiffness to weight frame on the market (according to Tour magazine) and it's not all that light so you can imagine it's quite stiff.
I'm only 150 pounds. Powerful for a local yokal but in the large world of cycling certainly a nobody in terms of power. And depending how the front der it set up and which gear I'm in I can get chain rub up front under power too. A frame with no flex wouldn't be rideable.......so again when a stranger on the internet talks about frame flex I'll suggest taking it with a grain of salt.

I'm not trying to be a jerk here and attack what you said. Just that no one should make a decision based on it.

 

Sagan never rode a real EVO.

Not only was it not the stock tubing or anything the entire mold was custom for him. If you think his layup wasn't custom along with the mold you're crazy.


That being said, the EVO is the more comfortable of the two for sure. Other characteristics are probably quite even. I've had an SL4 for a long time now, it's a good bike. Once I get rid of it's ugly paint job it'll be even better. If I had the choice now I'd buy the 25.4 seatpost without question. So EVO it would be.

 

Sagan never rode a real EVO.

Not only was it not the stock tubing or anything the entire mold was custom for him. If you think his layup wasn't custom along with the mold you're crazy.

That would go along with the argument I was making a couple months ago regarding "ghost" custom frames in the pro peloton (a statement for which I was crucified in these threads).

If you can provide some proof of your claim, it will go a long way.

 

I was just told there aren't many of these in the country in my size and that my LBS (which is pretty big) doesn't have any plans to bring one in for stock in the near future (seems weird for the flagship bike from one of their major brands...), so I may not get to test ride one anytime soon unfortunately. That's not a huge deal since I am currently still working on the Caad10, but if they're not available once I'm ready, I may have to go in another direction with the next project. And before anyone goes off on it, I won't buy a bike unless I test ride it first, period. I know others may be fine making a purchase without a test ride, but that's not what I like to do.... Bummer.

 

Just test ride a standard EVO, I don't think the difference in flex if there is any will be noticeable.
You could save a bunch of money by buying the regular EVO as whole bike. You could swap out any components you don't like.

 

They don't make it easy sometimes (bike companies, distributors and retailers).

 

You are absolutely right, which is why I personally don't find fault with all of the folks that ride/fall in love with Specialized, Trek, Fuji, and Giant bikes. The fact of the matter is that they are available and that the majority of really good and accessible bike shops carry them, which presents opportunities to see them in person, get fit on them, and to take them out for a test ride, etc. You add to that other people you may know and/or come in contact that ride them, which presents more of an opportunity to ask them their opinions, etc.

I think more cyclists will try and appreciate other brands more when they have more of an opportunity to gain exposure to and experience with those brands. It's just really tough to get a look at some brands. I have also been told by another really solid shop here that I would have to order a Bianchi Specialissima frameset and get it shipped in before I could even see it in person. I realize that some people might be ok with that, but that just doesn't work for me at all.

 

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. I have decided to go with a Tarmac as my follow-up project to my Caad10. Now, I am jus trying to decide between the black Pro Race frameset and a SWorks frameset. I will likely take my time with that one since I will already have the Caad10 up and running, so I may shoot for the purple Sworks. We'll see, but thank you again.

 

Same reason I went with the S-Works, that model comes in more color options. I know that for me it will ride just as nicely as the Pro, but my wife (who is a keeper) told me to quit whining, pony up and get the one that comes in the color I want, even if it costs nearly 1k more. Her reasoning was that in a year or two from now, I'd still want the color and just end up spending the money all over again when I should have just done it the first time around. Seems like sound logic to me.
In my case it was the all black frameset. I like the stealth look, but even more that that, I like that it's the only frameset that doesn't actually have 'Specialized' plastered all over it. It says S-Works on the down tube and has the 'S' on the headtube, no other branding anywhere else. We all know what it is so no need for it to 'scream' it's name out right?
That said, the purple one is very cool. If they did it in a more blue/dark blue it would have been a much harder choice for me. Something like the blue colorway on the older SL4 Nibali frameset.

 

That is a great deal. At the LBS near me all the top bike frames, hm evo, s works tarmac, bianchis (basically everything but the Fuji SL and Transonic) are listed at ~4k until two or three years pass and then the price starts to fall. A friend of mine is looking at a S-works tarmac from 2012 that is still listed at 2k...

 

It really kind of has to be in that range for the current model year because you can get full bike with Ultegra for like $4,000. I don't think it is a special deal by much.

 

That's really part of what makes it such a great option. If only I could find one to test ride....

 

That is a good point Cannondales are competitively priced (not unlike fuji). I haven't seen their frames advertised alone from a shop before, only on ebay really..

 

Yeah, they don't advertise them because they prefer to sell complete bikes for some reason. Just call a local dealer or two and see what they can quote you.

 

I just heard they have some 2015 Supersix Evo Hi-Mod Racing Edition bikes with Sram Red leftover at some pretty good prices if anyone is interested in that. They are like $4500 for what was a $7000 or so bike. I don't think those models are Di2 compatible though....

 

But they are eTap compatible. So about $5500 total for an eTap Evo...

 

The upgrade kit should be about $1100-1600. You can also easily sell the Red shifters and derailleurs to get back some money. Obviously keep the brakes and crank.

 

Nice, that's a pretty solid option then...

 

Here's what it looks like, but the Atlanta based shop indicated they could get it significantly cheaper:

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD, Racing Edition - Bike Doctor of Waldorf

 

Trek Superstore has it on their web site for $3,900 that is a killer deal.

 

I've not had time to read the other posts so forgive me if this is redundant.

I had been riding a tarmac s-works sl3 for several years and it still hangs on the wall of my office/den.

Just about two years ago I bought the cannondale hi-mod disc/di2 synapse. The main difference seems to be that the synapse corners better. The stack height is really not much different than the sl3 although I believe specialized has now shortened the head tube on the tarmac.

As far as ride goes, I really don't notice any difference in comfort.

To be fair, I've only been on the sl3 a few times since I got the hi-mod. I'm much faster descending on the hi-mod and, since my riding partners and I are addicted to climbing and descending, the sl3 now feels obsolete.

 

I noticed that some of the new custom painted Madones that Trek is riding are labeled as pro team versions. Probably custom there as well. With carbon it's quite easy to have a custom layup bike. Custom mold is not so easy or cheap so that's quite rare, Sagan's case is still quite rare, but layups all day long.

I've noticed that the new Foil hasn't been under the Orica guys at all really. I've heard rumblings from them about it being a little too compliant for their racing needs. I suspect quite soon we'll see them on some stiffened up versions for this year. I see Orica AIS is still riding the old ones. Probably will be custom spec for the racers, us mortals like the comfort stuff.

As for the racing version of the Evo up there, I see how that won't really work. External routing setup. I find my only external routed bike to be a fair bit harder to clean. Cables are a pain to work around. Not the cleanest looking either.

 

As for the racing version of the Evo up there, I see how that won't really work. External routing setup. I find my only external routed bike to be a fair bit harder to clean. Cables are a pain to work around. Not the cleanest looking either.

I owned a 2013 SuperSix Evo Hi Mod. Mechanical exterior cabling. It wasn't a problem whatsoever to clean, and I found the external cables looked "classic". I really liked that bike.

 

Maybe another option to consider is the Fuji SL frameset? At $2k MSRP that thing seems like a steal.

 

It's a great option, they are tough to get in your hands as well, but it seems like a pretty incredible bike. They are actually going for $1800 at Performance and one local shop here. The Felt F1 is around the same price and is another good one.

There are no more SS Evo HM framesets in my size in the US apparently and nobody can say when there will be. I will likely focus on finishing the Caad10 build for now and then decide my next move later, but go into it with the Tarmac in pole position. The inventory on everything in my size (including the Tarmac) seems really low for this time of year. There are some great deals out there though.

 

That is pretty incredible.

 

The Fuji SL framesets are pretty much out of stock as well. I was told they have a few left in larger sizes, but that's it. No idea when more will be available....

 

I have S-works 2015. I test rode Supersix EVO before I made decision. It was a tough call. I like both of them. EVO is lighter but I like Tarmac for sprinting. What I said might be subjective, so take your time to test ride it. I like the look of Tarmac, and I was getting a pretty significant discount from the team, so that was easy to make a decision for Tarmac.