By Stan Portus

Published: Tuesday, 09 August 2022 at 12:00 am


Cannondale has released the SuperSix EVO Leichtbau, a limited-edition version of its race bike frameset.

‘Leichtbau’ means ‘lightweight’ in German and this frameset has a claimed weight of 750g, bringing it in line with some of the older SuperSix framesets.

Cannondale has achieved this claimed weight through new carbon construction, materials and parts, while retaining much in common with the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod, in regards to aero-optimised tube shapes, cable routing and tyre clearance.

Cannondale says it has created the Leichtbau to celebrate its performance heritage and “tireless pursuit of the perfect ride”.

Few will be able to join the celebrations, however: the SuperSix EVO Leichtbau is limited to 200 worldwide and it costs £4,250 / $5,200 / €4,999.

Save 90g

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The Leichtbau has a claimed weight of 750g.
Cannondale

Cannondale says the Leichtbau frameset weighs 750g including small parts.

According to Cannondale, this is 90g lighter than Cannondale’s standard SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod frameset, which is the premium option in the brand’s range.

Cannondale says it has achieved this reduction in weight by using its “most sophisticated carbon construction to date” with the “latest layup technology and most advanced materials”.

Cannondale hasn’t gone into greater detail on what this layup technology is or how the materials differ from the Hi-Mod version of the SuperSix. However, the spec sheet for this new frameset lists the frame and fork material as ‘SuperSix EVO Leichtbau carbon’.

Leichtbau extras

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The Leichtbau has a custom switchplate.
Cannondale

The Leichtbau frameset has several features that distinguish it from the standard SuperSix EVO.

The frameset comes with a special-edition rear derailleur hanger. This appears to resemble the custom hanger we spotted on Elisa Balsamo’s Cannondale SuperSix at the 2021 AJ Bell Women’s Tour and on Alberto Bettiol’s Rapha x Palace Cannondale SystemSix at the 2022 Tour de France.

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‘Leichtbau’ is written on the top tube.
Cannondale

On the down tube of the SuperSix is a switchplate that can be swapped out for different cable-routing options dependent on the type of groupset you have fitted to the bike. The Leichtbau has a specific version of the switchplate etched with concentric circles and the Cannondale logo.

Less for aesthetics and more for practicality, the Leichtbau comes with Speed Release thru-axles. Cannondale says these make for easier wheel changes. This should mean you needn’t reach for a multi-tool when fixing a puncture.

‘A modern classic’

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Each frame is numbered.
Cannondale

Cannondale describes the Leichtbau as a “modern classic” thanks to its advanced materials and construction in combination with its “time-tested black and chrome aesthetics”.

The frame has minimal graphics, mostly around the head tube and on the fork, and ‘Leichtbau’ written on the top tube.

Cannondale says each of the 200 frames will be numbered.