Any thoughts on the Cannondale EVO?

[Moose McKnuckles]

I'm curious about this bike. It has received glowing reviews, but most are from your usual bike review sites who often has a vested interest in pushing a product.

Anyone here have experience or thoughts about the Evo?

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Our local college team is Cannondale sponsored, and they all ride EVO's. I test rode one about a month ago out of curiosity and enjoyed it thoroughly. Super stiff, super light, the only thing is I didn't get get into the mountains with it, the ride was just Denver metro, but I'm sure it climbs and descends great. IMHO Cannondale are some of the best riding big brand road racers on the market for a long time now. Hate their "Lefty" mtb's though.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Our local college team is Cannondale sponsored, and they all ride EVO's. I test rode one about a month ago out of curiosity and enjoyed it thoroughly. Super stiff, super light, the only thing is I didn't get get into the mountains with it, the ride was just Denver metro, but I'm sure it climbs and descends great. IMHO Cannondale are some of the best riding big brand road racers on the market for a long time now. Hate their "Lefty" mtb's though.

Thanks! I am considering the Evo green frame, so your input is really appreciated.

I have had a Scalpel for the past year and have really quite liked it. Two things I like about the Lefty are the stiffness and the tracking. I went with the aluminum steerer rather than the carbon on the advice of the dealer. He said they just make the carbon steerer for customer demand, not because it's any better.

 

[Race Radio]

I'm curious about this bike. It has received glowing reviews, but most are from your usual bike review sites who often has a vested interest in pushing a product.

Anyone here have experience or thoughts about the Evo?

the two guys I ride with most often both have them and love it.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

the two guys I ride with most often both have them and love it.

Much thanks, RR. I have heard only positive things about it so far, it seems. Both you and RDV say good things. I tested it and really really liked it as well. It is a superb climber and a very good descender, though I would say that it requires a steadier hand than a Pinarello. I owned a Prince and it was an absolute stunning descender, requiring little input from me. The Cannondale requires more input, though it is a far more comfortable ride.

Thanks again guys.

 

[durianrider]

Bike is a bike these days as long as it fits you right.

My question about the EVO is: Is the EVO another stupidly light carbon road bike that will break when you drop it in a crash?

 

[Ad Rock]

I just picked up an EVO this year after 3 seasons on an 09 Supersix... I'd have to say that I think the reviews are spot on.... The new Evo is lighter, feels stiffer in both the drivetrain AND in the front end, and the rear really seams to eat up road chatter. One of the biggest improvements I saw was how it sticks to the road when descending.... I thought that saying 'This bike decends better than X' was silly before, but I rode ysterday and REALLY noticed the difference... I'm usually a bit of a nervous descender but yesterday I really felt like I was on rails, leaning more into tight switchback turns than I ever would have dared to before... definitely feels stable at speed too, no twitcheyness in the front end!

 

[lostincosmos]

i know i'm late here....

i'm late to this party, but i'm about 3 weeks into my new EVO and i have to say this bike is truly amazing.

switching from an '06 Orbea Onix, this new EVO is worlds different.

it's extremely efficient in the bottom bracket through the chainstays... i can pedal at lower cadence up hill with more ease.
it's so very comfy. i test rode a few bikes before buying, and for me the BMC RM01 was really nice and i thought i was settled. then by chance i got a shot at an EVO and was just simply amazed. a true bump or jolt will hit me harder than my Orbea, but over washboard and manhole covers and stuff like that this bike is srsly smooth. Bikeradar called it "medium" comfy i think, and i'd sure love to know what ranks higher on their scale.
it's also a truly fantastic descender. Liquigas calls it "point and shoot" and that's pretty apt. lean it over, jerk it around, hit your brakes when the car slows down...whatever. the bike stays solid.

i'm a huge believer now. and this from a guy who only rode the cannondale because the wife was buying a bike and i needed to ride along next to her...but that's all it took (and a good deal since we both bought). add to that the sub-15lb weight (with pedals..i sprung for the titanium speedplays) and i just don't know how i could be better off. well...if it looked like the Time RXRS i'd prally be happier...but you can't have everything

 

[biker jk]

Bike is a bike these days as long as it fits you right.

My question about the EVO is: Is the EVO another stupidly light carbon road bike that will break when you drop it in a crash?

Perhaps but then so would a bamboo frame plus the CF frame is termite proof.

 

[42x16ss]

Perhaps but then so would a bamboo frame plus the CF frame is termite proof.

Wait a second Harley, isn't your Trek "another stupidly light carbon road bike that will break when you drop it in a crash?"

 

[LOOKFOOL]

Thanks! I am considering the Evo green frame, so your input is really appreciated.

I have had a Scalpel for the past year and have really quite liked it. Two things I like about the Lefty are the stiffness and the tracking. I went with the aluminum steerer rather than the carbon on the advice of the dealer. He said they just make the carbon steerer for customer demand, not because it's any better.

Did you ever get your EVO?..I too have a Scalpel, a carbon 2..An amazing Mtb..I never thought I would own a C'dale road bike but after riding/racing the Scalpel, I just ordered an EVO frame sight unseen..I hope I'm looking forward to riding it..

 

[durianrider]

Wait a second Harley, isn't your Trek "another stupidly light carbon road bike that will break when you drop it in a crash?"

I havent had a carbon Trek for quite a while.

 

[42x16ss]

I asked that question quite a while ago.

What are you on atm? Still using the bamboo frame? That looked like a pretty cool bike.

 

[durianrider]

10.46kg as is.