Cannondale has launched the SuperX, a new gravel race bike with a sub-900g claimed frame weight in the premium LAB71 carbon, losing over 100g compared to its previous gravel race bike, the SuperSix Evo SE.
The new bike is claimed to be more aero, there’s wider 48mm tyre clearance and cable integration. Complete builds start at a claimed 7.4kg and there are three specs priced from £4,250 to £12,500 as well as a LAB71 frameset-only option, priced at £4,950.
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SuperX goes gravel race
The SuperX recycles a name from Cannondale’s past, one that was previously applied to its cyclocross race bike, even if the Unbound gravel race was won on the original SuperX cyclocross bike in 2017. The new SuperX directly targets the increasingly popular gravel race category though.
The new bike replaces the SuperSix Evo SE, which Lachlan Morton rode to the fastest ever Unbound victory in 2024. While that bike was based on the previous edition of the SuperSix Evo, the new bike takes many design features from the current fourth generation SuperSix Evo.
Cannondale has used CFD and wind-tunnel studies to fine-tune the SuperX’s aerodynamics. While the claimed 1.6-watt aerodynamic improvement over the SuperSix Evo SE is modest, it was measured at 35kmh rather than 45kmh, which is the wind speed Cannondale usually uses for its road bikes, to reflect the lower speeds typical on gravel surfaces.
But at the pointy end of gravel races, Cannondale says that average speeds typically well exceed 35kmh, so there’s the potential for greater aero gains for the top gravel pros, who have been test-riding the new bike during 2024.
While there was a single carbon frame grade for the SuperSix Evo SE, Cannondale offers the SuperX in two grades, standard carbon and LAB71. The latter is the carbon grade used for Cannondale’s pro-level SuperSix Evo bikes and, in the SuperX, results in a claimed sub-900g frame weight, 100g lighter than the SuperSix Evo SE and the standard carbon SuperX.
Cannondale claims a 7.4kg complete bike weight for a size 56 bike, while it says the lower two specs come out at 8.5kg for the SuperX 2 and 9.1kg for the SuperX 3.
The OutFront geometry of the SuperX is almost the same as that of the SuperSix Evo SE, although Cannondale has lowered the bottom bracket and increased the tyre clearance by 3mm to 48mm at the rear thanks to a slimmed-down, curved lower half to the seat tube.
This feature, along with flex zones in the rear triangle and a flattened top tube, is also designed to increase frame compliance for a smoother ride. There’s yet more flex in the D-shaped seatpost, which has a notch towards its top.
Unlike the original SuperX, which needed a symmetrically dished Ai rear wheel, the new bike uses a conventional asymmetrically dished rear wheel.
Clearance is even wider at 51mm at the fork.
Cannondale uses proportional tube profiles and different carbon layups for different frame sizes, which it says produces a consistent ride feel across bike sizes.
Cannondale says that with 33mm tyres fitted, the SuperX can do cyclocross duties too, thanks to the clearance for mud, its handling and its flat top tube.
Other feature updates include the concealed cables now typical on performance bikes. Cannondale’s Delta Steerer, as found also on the SuperSix Evo, provides room for internal routing through the head tube. The Lab71 spec has a one-piece SystemBar R-One cockpit, which can also be bought aftermarket.
There’s a threaded BSA bottom bracket in place of the SuperSix Evo SE’s Pressfit, a move that Cannondale has made with its other newer bikes. Cannondale says that you can fit 50/34t Shimano or 43/30t SRAM 2x chainrings or a 54t Shimano or 46t SRAM 1x. The UDH rear mech standard allows you to fit SRAM’s latest Full Mount rear derailleurs.
Cannondale SuperX specs and prices
Cannondale will sell the SuperX in three specs at launch and in six sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58 and 61. Pricing is available in US dollars and Euros, with UK pricing yet to be announced.
Lab71 SuperX
- Frame/fork: Lab71 SuperX, Series 0 Carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR AXS 42, 10-46T, 13-speed
- Wheels: Reserve 40|44 GR rims on DT Swiss 180 hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno T50 40mm
- Bar/Stem: Cannondale SystemBar R-One
- Saddle: Fizik Vento Antares 00
- Claimed weight: 7.4kg (size 56)
- Price: £12,500 / $15,000 / €14,999
SuperX 2
- Frame/fork: SuperX Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX825 Di2 48/31, 11-34T, 12-speed
- Wheels: Reserve 40|44 GR rims on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno T50 40mm
- Bars: FSA SL-K Compact Carbon
- Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal alloy
- Saddle: Prologo Dimension AGT T4.0
- Claimed weight: 8.5kg (size 56)
- Price: £6,550 / $6,900 / €6,999
SuperX 3
- Frame/fork: SuperX Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820 48/32, 11-36T, 12-speed
- Wheels: DT Swiss G1800 rims on DT Swiss 370 hubs
- Tyres: Vittoria Terreno T50 40mm
- Bars: Cannondale C2 alloy
- Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal alloy
- Saddle: Prologo Dimension AGT STN
- Claimed weight: 9.1kg (size 56)
- Price: £4,250 / $4,200 / €4,499
The LAB71 is also available frameset-only, priced at £4,950 / $5,500 / €5,499.
If you’re worried about the durability of such a lightweight gravel bike, Cannondale backs up the SuperX frameset with a lifetime guarantee.
