Cannondale supersix

nick67
Posts: 111
I've had the 'dale for around 6 months albeit due to injury I could not cycle for a couple of the months.
I had a proper bike fit when new, it felt very comfortable, no aches at all.
The chap said as I get used to it I could remove the spacers on the stem to have a more aggressive set up.
My two questions are:
The front end feels very very light and nearly cr4pped myself when I first was out on it with side wind, will this improve the handling due to altering the weight distribution.
Will my peddling efficiency improve are not.
Sorry if these sound stupid questions or have been posted before, but I could not find anything via search.
I had a proper bike fit when new, it felt very comfortable, no aches at all.
The chap said as I get used to it I could remove the spacers on the stem to have a more aggressive set up.
My two questions are:
The front end feels very very light and nearly cr4pped myself when I first was out on it with side wind, will this improve the handling due to altering the weight distribution.
Will my peddling efficiency improve are not.
Sorry if these sound stupid questions or have been posted before, but I could not find anything via search.
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Comments
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Side wind made you crap? hmm what wheels are you riding? I ride next to sea in aggressive winds for the most part of the year on slightly aero (28mm) wheels. Eventually got used to it.
If i were you i wouldnt bother changing anything till i got atleast 10-12 rides in (200km+) its tough to tell how the bike fit is until you have ridden a bit and then you can get in to tweaking things out.1996 Cannondale M500 CAAD3 (Hardtail MTB)
2007 Cannondale F700 CAAD
2010 Cube Agree SL (Road, retired)
2011 Cube Litening Super HPC DI2 Frame, with Ultegra Di2 Components0 -
taimur wrote:Side wind made you crap? hmm what wheels are you riding? I ride next to sea in aggressive winds for the most part of the year on slightly aero (28mm) wheels. Eventually got used to it.
If i were you i wouldnt bother changing anything till i got atleast 10-12 rides in (200km+) its tough to tell how the bike fit is until you have ridden a bit and then you can get in to tweaking things out.
Lets just say the front end was very twitchy, I had been used to a Dolan CX with carbon forks. I have got used to it now.
The wheels are Shimano RS10 with Continental GP4000s.
I have riden the bike for around 10 times varied from 20miles to 60miles. I've always come off the bike feeling good.0 -
You could always ask your LBS to give the front end the once over to check that everything is okay. Psychologically, that might put your mind at rest. A friend of mine said exactly the same thing after he started road riding recently. He'd come from mountain bikes and a hybrid.
The Six has a lovely racy geometry that fits you well, but the handling will take some getting used to, particularly in a cross wind compared to the Dolan. In time, what might be twitchy now will become responsive and nimble. And stiff cross winds do take some getting used to no matter what road bike you ride.
Ultimately, it's a cracking bike and you feel good when you get off it, so there really isn't any reason to change anything at the moment. You've upgraded the tyres, which is a great move compared to the stock tyres. In the longer term, the RS10s are likely to be the next thing you could look at upgrading, but I really wouldn't do that just yet.FCN 3 / 40 -
The gusty crosswinds get me too. Irrespective of the bicycle I'm riding. I think I (we?) just "feel" it more than some. Do you actually get blown off course, or is it just the sensation?
I've got a Langster for commuting and occasionally have a fearful moment when suddenly exposed to the wind (having been sheltered between buildings etc). Front wheel is an R500, so hardly a deep aero wheel! In reality though, I've never moved more than an inch or so off course.
If everything's tight and non-rattly at the front end I would just start to get used to it, perhaps?0 -
Whats your stem length?0
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The Fuggler wrote:
The Six has a lovely racy geometry that fits you well, but the handling will take some getting used to, particularly in a cross wind compared to the Dolan. In time, what might be twitchy now will become responsive and nimble. And stiff cross winds do take some getting used to no matter what road bike you ride.
+1
the six is the quickest handling frame I have ever ridden, however this is achieved at the expense of directional stability but stick with it, once you have got used to it all other bikes will feel ponderous and slow in comparison.
Removing spacers is very unlikely to increase pedalling efficiency/power, its probably more likely to make it more difficult. It might just mean you ride with straighter arms so the front aero profile would be the same or worse. Plus if puts more weight through your hands I wouldn't bother.
But its good the shop anticipated some changes as you become more bike fit.0 -
No idea
It's whatever the standard fit is
Come on, take a guess. If its something stupidly short like 80 or 90mm then the steering will feel light.0 -
styxd wrote:No idea
It's whatever the standard fit is
Come on, take a guess. If its something stupidly short like 80 or 90mm then the steering will feel light.
Sorry I have been out all day, posting from the iphone.
Stem lenght is 110/120.
I've just removed a spacer and tried it briefly, it does feel a lot better, will see how it is when I go out for a few hours at 6.
Thanks for all the replies0 -
Got my SuperSix(50cm) 2 months ago and the first thing i done was slam the stem (100mm) to the cone spacer when setting it up ... It was still 15mm higher than my set up on my old Six13 but I gave it a go assuming maybe it helped with tne handling or something, after all, why else would you need 60mm of spacers ...
Handling was all over the shop and I felt way too upright ...
I then bought a whole new headset to get the flat headset cover (3mm high) and took bike to lbs to cut tne steerer and set it up with 10mm of spacers below and 15mm above (that way i could change to 15mm below/10 above if needed and also allow adaptability on resale) ... Turns out the flat headset cover was glued (very lightly) to the bottom of the cone one (hence I had missed it) so I was able to return the new headset (Qwerty's, top notch service) ...
Anyway, how does it handle ... miles better, way less twitchy ... BUT, it still gets away from me a tiny bit in crosswinds on occasion ... I have decided it's likely the humungous tubing, especially at the front end, just catching the wind a bit more than I'm used to ... Same effect as the first time you go out on aero wheels, once you get used to it it's forgotten about ...
Also, try around 110psi in the tyres rather than the ridiculous 145 mavic came up with (i went as far as 130psi and it was a bloody harsh ride) ...
Hope some of that helps ...0 -
Had a similar thing with mine, its a 56 as im a lanky bugger, but i had convinced myself it was more down to wheels than anything, the stock mavics with flat spokes catch the wind from the side in my opinion, you do get used to it though.
By dropping the stem you will increase the weight on the front wheel, as you move the center of gravity forward, which in turn will increase the grip you can get front the front tyre, but you might then find your saddle is slightly out of place.0 -
Well the ride last night seemed much better with one spacer removed.
I will see how it goes over the next few weeks before deciding to remove any more.
Once again thanks for all the replies0