grnrcr

Currently ride a Caad9 and love the stiffness and responsiveness. Made the mistake of test riding these two bikes and now can't stop dreaming about a new bike. Here are my takes on both and how i ride. Input, please?

The SuperSix Rival feels like a souped up version of the Caad - just as stiff (6', 170lbs) but lighter and accelerates faster. AND it's a ton more comfortable than the Caad. My body is familiar with this geometry, so overall, it just feels like a very natural upgrade. But is it "too" similar to the Caad?

I wasn't even thinking about the S2 until I saw the price tag of a 2010 on my way out of the shop. It's my size so I thought I would give it a try. The S2 felt completely different than the SS. It has a very nice sensation while accelerating but not as explosive as the SS or Caad. It's a very smooth get-up-and-go. However, it definitely doesn't soak up road buzz as well as the SS. Why am I even thinking about the Cervelo? The price the LBS is offering on this '10 is just a few hundred more than the SS. I know I am being blinded by the Cervelo name and the beauty of the frame. What other things does an S2 do well?

I ride mostly on flats with short and steep climbs mixed in. Need a bike that descent/handles well since that's about my favorite part of road cycling. A bike that also aids in high speed cruising (>25mph) would be ideal.

P.S. I was happy with the components on both bikes. SS does have a nice Sram BB30 BB and Force crank while S2 is full Ultegra.

2ndGen

SuperSix WITH Ultegra.

2ndGen

R U kidding? Look at that ^^^^^^^^ thing! GORGEOUS!
Holy crap G! Thanks a lot! Now you got me frigin' thinkin' about it more.
A HiMOD frameset with that color scheme or with the CAAD10's monochromatic black.
If those two bikes were in prison, that SS looks like it would make that Cervix it's female dog!
By the way, you want that SS. Forget the Cervix. I read between the lines. You're going to keep it in the family.

thirdgenbird

that is funny because i would want the s2 with sram (and the fulcrums)


given the two bikes above, i would probably go with the supersix (im not a fan of shimano levers)

ilovecycling

I probably won't be of much help, but I totally understand what you are going through. I made a similar thread not too long ago, but I'm debating between the exact same SuperSix 4 w/ Rival and the 2011 Cervelo R3 w/ Rival. I'm not too sold on the real-world benefits of an aero road frame (S2,S3), but I do like the BBright and tapered head tube design of the new R-series bikes. Cannondale still has BB30, which is almost the same thing, and the MSRP on the SuperSix 4 is $700 less than the R3.

Without knowing how much that 2010 S2 was going for, I can't really give my opinion, but I say unless that S2 was LESS than the SuperSix (doubt it) go for the SuperSix!

twince

I rode probably like 20 different bikes before I chose to buy the matte black SS Rival. I love it! It makes me want to ride and boy, is it beautiful!! The Force crank (which it comes with) makes a big difference and I am glad I have that. IMHO, go for the SS. You will not regret it. BUT that being said, choose the bike that will make you want to go out for a ride. That is what really matters.

grnrcr

Ha, nice to see someone so enthusiastic about the 'Dale. The prospect of putting a set of 50mm carbon wheels on this matte black frame does get me pretty excited.

Just not entirely sure if I should rule out the S2 yet.

thirdgenbird

carbon wheels on the supersix would look great.

2ndGen

Yes! I concur. Hawt.



Out...must you rule it.






This is "not" the bike you are looking for.

Tunnelrat81

Am I really going to be the first to recommend the Cervelo? This place has really gone the way of the Cannondale. Don't get me wrong, I have tons of respect for both companies, and would happily buy either one if I was shopping. I think they fit different categories of bikes though. The Cannondale is simple, understated and classy, is surely a wonderful bike, but it's not going to turn to many heads out on the road. The S2 is just straight nasty (in a very good way). It's the race-car version of the roadbike, will certainly have at least the stiffness of the SS, and will look far more at home while riding >25 mph. Perhaps a negative to riding the Cervelo is that it might hold you to a higher standard of performance. This could be a good thing, pushing you to meet the challenge, or embarrassing if you can only hit 25-30 while descending. =) I personally would prefer the ultegra over rival, but I'm probably in the minority around here on that point also.

So my final answer? Don't buy either if you don't have the money...but if you do have it, choose the one that fits your cycling style the best. My vote says Cervelo, simply because it's an amazing looking frame with rock solid componets, but if you're more of an understated cyclist and really want sram, then go with the SS. Either way, you'll be able to realistically expect to get exactly 1 day worth of performance increase before you're going exactly the same speed that you're achieving now on your Caad9. You'll just have a wider smile on your face.

-Jeremy

grnrcr

Very nicely said, Jeremy. Appreciate the input. The "aero" factor of the Cervelo is what's intriguing me the most (along with the sexy frame). While a set of deep carbon wheels will look unbelievable on the black SS, the aero benefits of deep carbon wheels on an aero frame is also tasty as hell.

Yeah, I've obviously made 0 progress so far.

Tunnelrat81

I'll further complicate this for you. Go and watch the videos at www.bartape.net (starting with #01 - Beginnings) and then try NOT to buy the cervelo.

-Jeremy

JonnyUtah75

Or better yet, this video (yes, I know he's riding a look on the rollers, but outdoors, it's all Cervelo baby).

rat fink

I'd almost be tempted to buy a Cervelo because they are great rides and very good looking. However, I have ridden them both, and much prefer the handling/fit/ride of the Super Six. That will be my next frame.

Munk69

S2 is a rocket ship. I would get that

fatallightning

what size did you ride? i have a 54 caad9 and a 54 slc-sl and the geo and stack/reach (i.e. fit) are almost exactly the same. that said, stack and reach on cannondales don't progress in a linear manner.

kleinboogie

Correct.

patentcad

No Cervelo for you.

patentcad

Depends on the engine. Mine, not so much.

2ndGen

ftfy

rkelley23

Such a sick video. Cycling and Maynard..two of my favorite things. Also that dude has some explosive power

wfrogge

Its not a HiMod

2ndGen

Off topic, but; The vids that makes me want to ride...