Cannondale SuperSix EVOvsCervelo Soloist
If the SuperSix EVO is "fast road bike nirvana," the Soloist is the "just-right answer" for the rider who refuses to choose between a climbing specialist and an aero sled. Both bikes have ditched proprietary headaches for threaded bottom brackets and smarter integration, but they target different parts of the race-day experience.
Overview
The SuperSix EVO Gen 4 is Cannondale's statement that the climbing bike is dead; it is now a full-blown aero-lite machine that can compete with dedicated sprinters' bikes in the wind tunnel. Cervelo takes a more grounded approach with the Soloist, positioning it specifically for the amateur racer who does not have a professional service course at their beck and call. Both models signal a significant shift back toward practicality, with both brands using threaded bottom brackets (BSA for Cannondale, T47 for Cervelo) and clearing space for massive 34mm tires. While the SuperSix range stretches into the expensive territory of the $15,000 Lab71, the Soloist remains more accessible, focusing on a single high-quality frame material across all builds. Cannondale's hierarchy relies on marginal gains in carbon layup to justify its tiers, whereas Cervelo's Soloist delivers a WorldTour-level frame even at the entry level. This makes the Soloist a much more attractive proposition for those who care about frame quality more than a flashy name on the top tube.
Ride and handling
On technical descents, the SuperSix EVO manages a rare trick: it feels remarkably stable in a straight line at 70kph but remains nimble enough to allow for mid-corner corrections on tight switchbacks. One reviewer noted they felt confident "jamming corners" at high speed on their first day with the bike. The Soloist, borrowing its geometry from the R5, offers a similarly precise turn-in but can feel like a "shopping trolley on cobbles" when the pavement gets nasty. This front-end chatter is the Soloist’s main drawback; its stock alloy cockpit frequently lacks the dampening found on the SuperSix’s more integrated carbon setups. Power transfer is where the Soloist fights back. It is a stiff frame that rewards pedal strokes with a noticeable change in speed the second you stand up for a county-line sprint. While the SuperSix is equally effective at translating watts to motion, it does so with a more mellow character when you are not on the gas. Both bikes suffer from some vertical harshness due to their aero-profiled seatposts, though the Cannondale’s "leaf-spring" seat tube design tries harder to mitigate the buzz than the Cervelo’s more traditional shapes. Handling on the SuperSix is often described as "on rails," a feeling aided by a long wheelbase that tracks accurately even in blustery side winds. The Soloist feels a bit more like a traditional crit bike, requiring the rider to keep the handlebars firmly in hand at high speeds to manage its lighter steering feel. While the Cervelo feels efficient, the Cannondale feels effortless, gliding forward with a "quiet efficiency" that makes maintaining 30-35kph feel surprisingly easy.
Specifications
Cannondale's component choices often feel like a tiered ladder toward the Lab71, whereas Cervelo packs the Soloist with practical wins. A major advantage for the Soloist builds is the inclusion of Reserve wheelsets on the Force and Ultegra models. These wheels are plenty stiff and use "turbulent aero" rim profiles designed for real-world winds rather than just a sterile laboratory. Cannondale’s HollowGram R-S 50 wheels on the mid-tier builds are capable but were described as feeling a bit slow to spin up on steep ramps compared to the snappy Reserve hoops. Integration is the other big differentiator in the workshop. Cannondale uses a Delta triangular steerer tube that hides cables inside the headset while still allowing standard stem compatibility via wedges. Cervelo opts for "externally integrated" routing, running hoses under the stem and into the bearing cap. This makes the Soloist a dream for the home mechanic who needs to swap a stem or pack a bike box without bleeding the brakes. However, testers noted the Soloist's seat clamp bolts are awkward and fiddly, making it a pain to dial in a perfect saddle angle. At the entry level, Cannondale relies on basic DT Swiss R470 aluminum rims that feel basic on a bike costing several thousand dollars. Cervelo's entry-level Soloist 105 is often better value for those planning to race immediately. It is also worth noting that while both bikes offer threaded bottom brackets, several Soloist users reported creaking from the BBRight T47 standard early in their test period, while the Cannondale's BSA setup remained largely silent and reliable.
| EVO | Soloist | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12x142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible | |
| Fork | Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon fork, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" Delta steerer, 55mm offset (44-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm) | Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Soloist Fork |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | SRAM Force AXS, 12-speed | Shimano 105, R7120 |
| Front derailleur | SRAM Force AXS, braze-on | Shimano 105, R7100 |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM Force AXS | Shimano 105, R7100 |
| Cassette | SRAM Force XG-1270, 10-33, 12-speed | Shimano 105, R7101, 11-34T, 12-Speed |
| Chain | SRAM Force, 12-speed | Shimano M7100 |
| Crankset | SRAM Force AXS Power Meter, 48/35 | Shimano 105, R7100, 52/36T |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB BSA | FSA, T47 BBright for 24mm spindle |
| Front brake | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc | |
| Rear brake | SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc | |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | HollowGram R-S 50, Carbon, 20h front, 50mm deep, 21mm inner width, tubeless ready; HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm Center Lock; Formula Grand Forza, double butted, straight pull | Vision Team i23 Disc, 23mm IW, J-Bend, 12x100mm, 6 bolt, tubeless compatible |
| Rear wheel | HollowGram R-S 50, Carbon, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm inner width, tubeless ready; HollowGram, 12x142mm Center Lock w/ DT Swiss 240 internals; Formula Grand Forza, double butted, straight pull | Vision Team i23 Disc, 23mm IW, J-Bend, 12x142mm, HG freehub, 6 bolt, tubeless compatible |
| Front tire | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT, 700x28c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 700x28c |
| Rear tire | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT, 700x28c, tubeless ready | Vittoria Corsa N.EXT TLR G2.0 700x28c |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6° | Cervélo ST36 Alloy |
| Handlebars | Vision Trimax Carbon Aero | Cervélo AB07 Alloy, 31.8mm clamp |
| Saddle | Prologo Dimension TiRox NDR | Cervélo Saddle |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (44-48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm) | Cervélo SP27 Carbon |
| Grips/Tape | Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm | — |
Geometry and fit comparison
At size 54, the SuperSix is the more relaxed of the two, sporting a stack of 555mm compared to the Soloist’s 540mm. This 15mm difference is huge in race-bike terms, making the Soloist a much more aggressive, nose-down machine out of the box. While the reach is nearly identical at 384mm for the Cannondale and 383mm for the Cervelo, the Soloist's lower front end naturally pulls the rider into a deeper aerodynamic tuck that may challenge those with less flexibility. Handling geometry is equally distinct. The SuperSix uses a slacker 71.2-degree head tube angle paired with a massive 55mm fork offset to maintain a 58mm trail. This setup results in a long 1010mm wheelbase that explains its high-speed stability and composed descending. The Soloist sticks to a traditional 73-degree head angle and a much shorter 977mm wheelbase, providing that classic, reactive response common to pure race bikes. If you have a shorter torso or prefer not to run a stack of spacers under your stem, the Cannondale’s taller geometry is easier to live with. The Soloist is essentially an aero version of the R5, meaning it demands a pro-level fit. For the rider who likes a bike that feels stable and "long," the SuperSix's 33mm wheelbase advantage over the Soloist makes it the clear choice for high-speed confidence.
| FIT GEO | EVO | Soloist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 505 | 491 | -14 |
| Reach | 370 | 363 | -7 |
| Top tube | 512 | 516 | +4 |
| Headtube length | 100 | 86 | -14 |
| Standover height | 698 | 708 | +10 |
| Seat tube length | 400 | — | — |
| HANDLING | EVO | Soloist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 70.9 | 71 | 0 |
| Seat tube angle | 74.3 | 73 | -1.3 |
| BB height | 268 | — | — |
| BB drop | 74 | 74.5 | +0.5 |
| Trail | 60 | 57.3 | -2.7 |
| Offset | 55 | 57.5 | +2.5 |
| Front center | 582 | 574 | -8 |
| Wheelbase | 981 | 972 | -9 |
| Chainstay length | 410 | 410 | 0 |
Who each one is for
Cannondale SuperSix EVO
Picture a rider who spends Saturdays hunting Strava PRs on five-mile climbs and Sundays tackling local centuries. The SuperSix EVO fits the person who wants a WorldTour-pedigree machine that doesn't feel like a chore to ride for six hours. It is for the climber who has started entering faster group rides where aero efficiency matters as much as weight, but who still wants a bike that descends with absolute composure.
Cervelo Soloist
Self-funded racers who spend their own money on tires and registration fees will find their match in the Soloist. It is for the person who needs a bike that is fast enough for the local criterium but simple enough to work on in a garage the night before a race. If you prefer a slammed, aggressive position and want a frame that rewards every watt during a sprint, the Soloist's stiff character is its greatest asset.
