Cannondale Bikes

About Cannondale Bikes

Cannondale is one of the most innovative and respected names in cycling. They are known for pushing the boundaries of frame design, materials and performance.

Since 1971, the brand has been at the forefront of bike technology. From pioneering aluminium frames to developing cutting-edge carbon and e-bike platforms.

Today, Cannondale offers a wide range of bikes designed for every type of rider. Whether you’re chasing speed on the road, exploring rugged trails, or commuting through the city.

Cannondale Road Bikes

Cannondale's road bikes consist of the SuperSix, SystemSix and Synapse.

Each Cannondale road bike is available in different frame materials (aluminium or carbon) and different build kits at several price points.

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO is the race bike. It's a lightweight all-rounder that has elements of aerodynamic design to reduce wind drag.

It's also one of the more stable and calm handling race bikes. So at high-speed it's extremely easy to ride.

Cannondale designed the SystemSix as a pure aerodynamic race bike. But the need for this bike has diminished, as the SuperSix EVO has become the best balance between aero, comfort and versatility.

The Cannondale Synapse is an ultra-comfort, super stable road bike. It also has the calmest handling out of all of them.

Cannondale Mountain Bikes

The current Cannondale mountain range splits into two categories.

Cross-country (XC)

The Scalpel is Cannondale's XC race bike.

Lightweight, extremely responsive, favours climbing, and holds speed easily over rolling terrain.

It's built for racing and marathon distances rather than for hitting jumps.

Trail

Trail is the broadest category and covers the widest range of riding:

Habit HT. The trail hardtail. Modern trail geometry, no rear suspension, far more capable on singletrack than the price suggests.
Trail and Trail SL. The entry point to off-road riding. Fire roads, rail trails, light singletrack, and a very good first mountain bike.
Habit. The full-suspension trail bike, for riders who want to go further and descend harder.

Chasing longer travel for enduro riding?

Cannondale's current long-travel option is the electric Moterra LT.

For non-assisted enduro bikes we carry other brands, see our enduro bikes range.

Cannondale Gravel Bikes

Cannondale makes two gravel platforms: the Topstone and the SuperX.

SuperX is the racier of the two. A one-piece carbon frame makes it lighter, stiffer and more responsive than the Topstone.

It's the bike for gravel racing and cyclocross, where you want the bike to react immediately.

Topstone and Topstone Alloy are built for stable handling and a slightly more relaxed riding position. This makes it better for long days, loaded riding and rough surfaces.

The Topstone Carbon adds KingPin suspension, which gives up to 30mm of movement in the rear of the frame without a shock or pivot bearings to service.

How the two differ:

Head tube angle. The Topstone Carbon runs 70.7 degrees in a size 54. Slacker than the SuperX. The slacker front end is calmer over unstable surfaces and in corners.
Bottom bracket height. The Topstone sits roughly 7–8mm lower (76mm of bottom bracket drop in a size 54). Lower means more stable, at the cost of a little pedal clearance.

Neither difference is dramatic on paper.

Both differences are noticeable in the first ten minutes of a ride, which is why we'd rather you rode both.

Cannondale Electric Bikes

Cannondale's electric focus is on e-MTBs, in three weights:

Moterra SL is the lightest option. Less assistance and a smaller battery, but a bike that rides much closer to a normal trail bike.
Moterra is the mid-weight, full-power option. The default choice for most riders.
And the Moterra LT is the long-travel version, built for enduro terrain and steep descents.

Away from the trails, the Adventure Neo is the comfortable electric commuter. It has a upright position, wide tyres, and enough range for a Melbourne commute with plenty to spare.

Cannondale Commuter and Hybrid Bikes

The Quick is Cannondale's flat-bar fitness and commuting bike. It's light for the category, quick-handling, and set up for mudguards and a rack.

Quick 1 and Quick 2 bike models differ mainly in the drivetrain and brakes.

Cannondale Kids Bikes

Cannondale's kids range is one of the better ones on the market, mostly because the bikes are genuinely light — which matters more than anything else for a child learning to ride.

Kids Trail Balance Bike has no pedals, for the first stage.
16" Kids Trail Single Speed is first proper pedal bike for riders from 4 years old.
20" Kids Quick and Kids Trail designed for kids from 6 years old. The Quick is lighter because it has no suspension. The Trail is the all-terrain version.
20" and 24" Trail Plus for kids riding off-road from 7 to 8 years of age.
24" Kids Quick and Kids Trail are both for riders from 7 to 8 years old.
26" Kids Trail is the last size before an adult small.

Sometime sizing kids bikes by age can be unreliable.

Bring them in and we'll fit them properly. Because the difference between a bike a child rides and one that stays in the garage is usually just fit.

Cannondale Bikes FAQs

What's the difference between the SuperSix EVO and the Synapse?

The SuperSix EVO is the race bike; lower, lighter, more aggressive position, faster.

The Synapse is the endurance bike; taller front end, more comfort, calmer handling, easier to ride for hours.

Most riders who aren't racing are happier and faster on a Synapse, because a position you can hold is worth more than a frame that's marginally quicker.

Is a CAAD Optimo a good first road bike?

Yes. Cannondale's aluminium frames are the reason the brand exists, and the CAAD Optimo gives you real road bike handling at an entry price.

The upgrade path is wheels first, not a new frame.

However, there is a better option and that's the Giant Contend AR. It's more comfortable, stable in its handling and calmer at high-speeds.

Should I get a Topstone or a SuperX?

SuperX if you're racing gravel or riding cyclocross. Or your used to a fast road bike and want to make the transition easier.

Topstone if you're riding long days, loading the bike with bags, or riding rough surfaces.

The Topstone Carbon's KingPin suspension makes a real difference over several hours.

Is the Habit HT capable enough for real trails?

Yes. Modern trail hardtails have geometry that would have been on a full-suspension bike five years ago.

A hardtail also teaches line choice in a way a full-suspension bike doesn't.

If you're new to trail riding and on a budget, a Trail hardtail is the better first bike.

Which Moterra should I buy?

Moterra SL if you want a bike that feels like a normal mountain bike with help.

Moterra if you want full power and range. Moterra LT if you're riding steep, technical descents.

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