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Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon vs Specialized Tarmac SL9
Pick up to 4 bikes. Rows line up component by component. Highlighted rows differ, and green marks the best value where lower or higher is clearly better.
Key differences
- Both start at €4,499.
- Our verdict scores the Specialized Tarmac SL9 higher overall: 84/100 vs 80/100.
- The Specialized Tarmac SL9's lightest build is 0.50 kg lighter (7.1 kg vs 7.6 kg).
- The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon comes in 8 sizes, the Specialized Tarmac SL9 in 7.
Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon
Specialized Tarmac SL9
| CannondaleSuperSix EVO Carbon | SpecializedTarmac SL9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Brand | Cannondale | Specialized |
| Build | SuperSix EVO 2 | Tarmac SL9 S-Level - Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 |
| Build notes | Colours Tungsten Blue and Raw. Model code C1106GU (US) or C1119GU SMU (Europe/UK), same parts list; the UK store lists Tungsten Blue in sizes 48-61. Cannondale's pages give no complete weight; the 7.6 kg is Cannondale's launch claim as reported by TOUR. At launch the UK price was £6,995 (BikeRadar); Cycling Weekly quoted £5,995, and the UK store now lists £5,500. Extras: tubeless valves, Shimano EC300 charging connector and Conceal stem computer mount. | Colours: Satin Carbon (US); Gloss White Silver Metallic (UK, Germany). Weight of a painted production bike as pictured. |
| Price (MSRP) | €6,299$6,499£5,500 | €10,499$10,000£8,749 |
| Bike weight | 7.6 kg16.8 lb | 7.1 kg15.7 lb |
| Weight measured on size | — | 56 |
| Model year | 2026 | 2027 |
| Generation | Gen 5 | SL9 |
| Launched | 2026-02 | 2026-08 |
| Discipline | Aero road | Aero road |
| UCI legal | Yes | Not stated |
| Verdict (out of 100) | ||
| Overall score | 80 | 84 |
| Aero | 78 | 80 |
| Frame | 76 | 85 |
| Components | 72 | 76 |
| Fit | 86 | 84 |
| Practicality | 72 | 76 |
| Price | 90 | 90 |
| Weight | 84 | 94 |
| Frame & fork | ||
| Frame material | Carbon (standard-modulus, size-specific layup) | FACT 10r Carbon |
| Fork material | Carbon (Delta steerer) | FACT 12r Carbon (Flow Fork) |
| Frame weight | 910 g32.1 oz | 822 g29 oz |
| Fork weight | 427 g15.1 oz | — |
| Weight measured on | Cannondale white paper, size 56: painted Carbon frame with all bonded parts 910 g, fork with uncut steerer and full spacer stack 427 g. The product pages give 910 g for a painted 56 cm frame and 430 g for the fork. | Frame 822 g as stated by Specialized on the S-Level product page (painted production frame; BikeRadar gives it for size 56) |
| Max system weight | — | 125 kg275.6 lb |
| Frame sizes | 44, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Colours | Raw and Tungsten Blue (EVO 2), Raw and Cherry Lacquer (EVO 3), Raw and Cactus Green (EVO 4), Raw and Cashmere (EVO 5); Cashmere and Arsenic Green on the 2027 EVO 5 | S-Level: Satin Carbon, Gloss White, Gloss Cayenne Metallic (US), Gloss White Silver Metallic (UK/EU); Expert: Gloss Pacific Blue Metallic, Gloss Black, Satin Warm Smoke Metallic, Gloss Silver Dust; Comp: Gloss Dolomite Metallic, Gloss Charcoal Tint, Gloss Vivid Red (varies by build and region) |
| Also available as | Gen 5 SuperSix EVO in LAB71 Series 0 (728 g frame, size 56) and Hi-MOD (781 g) grades with the same geometry and stiffness, per Cannondale's white paper; those get the one-piece SystemBar cockpit | S-Works Tarmac SL9 (FACT 12r frame and fork, 687 g frame); no FACT 10r frameset is sold |
| UCI frame approval | Approved 11 Feb 2025 as 'SuperSix EVO', sizes 44-61 (8), code CANN-S62 (UCI list version 2026.10.02) | — |
| Compatibility & standards | ||
| Brake type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Max rotor size | — | 160 mm |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c |
| Max tire width | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Bottom bracket standard | BSA 68 mm threaded | BSA threaded, 68 mm |
| Front axle | 12x100 mm thru-axle | 12x100 mm thru-axle |
| Rear axle | 12x142 mm thru-axle | 12x142 mm thru-axle (UDH dropout) |
| Drivetrain compatibility | — | 1x and 2x; Shimano Di2 (wired routing) and SRAM AXS. 2x chainrings: Shimano 34-42 / 50-55T, SRAM 35-41 / 48-54T; 1x 46-54T. Cassettes: Shimano 11-36 max, SRAM 10-46 max. |
| 1x compatible | — | Yes |
| Max chainring | — | 55T |
| Front derailleur mount | — | Removable braze-on hanger; cover for 1x |
| Cable routing | Internal, through the Delta steerer | Internal |
| Hydration & storage | ||
| Bottle mounts | — | 2 |
| Bottle mount locations | — | Down tube and seat tube |
| Fit & adjustability | ||
| Cockpit | Two-piece: Vision Trimax Carbon Aero bar (alloy Trimax Aero on the EVO 5, Cannondale C1 ConcealBar carbon on the 2027 EVO 5) on a Cannondale C1 Conceal alloy stem that hides the hoses into the Delta steerer | One-piece Roval Rapide Cockpit on S-Level builds; Expert and Comp use a Roval Rapide alloy stem with a 31.8 mm Specialized alloy drop bar |
| Seatpost type | Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon V2, 365 mm, 0 mm offset (44-54) or 15 mm (56-61); integrated seat binder | S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seatpost, D-shaped (35.9 x 18.4 mm), 15 mm offset, integrated wedge |
| Fit notes | Stock C1 Conceal stems are 80 mm (44), 90 mm (48-52), 100 mm (54-56) and 110 mm (58-61) with -6° rise; bars are 380 mm (44-56) and 400 mm (58-61) wide, 400/420 mm on the EVO 5. Any 31.8 mm bar fits the stem. Compared with Gen 4, stack is 10 mm lower in every size and the old 51 cm was replaced by 50 and 52. | Seven sizes from 44 to 61 cm with size-specific layups. Stock bar width 380 mm (44-54), 400 mm (56) and 420 mm (58-61) on every trim; stem length 75 mm (44-49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56) and 110 mm (58-61) with the S-Level cockpit, the Expert and Comp stems being 80 mm on sizes 44 and 49. Headset spacers up to 35 mm. |
| Aerodynamics | ||
| Manufacturer aero claims | Same frame shapes as the LAB71: yaw-weighted drag 0.003 m² (CdA) lower than the Gen 4 SuperSix EVO, weighted at 40 km/h road speed, measured with the SystemBar cockpit that these builds don't get. | Same tube shapes as the S-Works SL9: Specialized calls the SL9 the most aerodynamic road race bike it has tested and claims 4 W less drag than the SL8; the Speed Sniffer head tube is 4 mm narrower for a 10% smaller frontal area, with the rear brake hose routed beside the steerer (Offset Steerer) to make room. |
| Testing method | CFD and wind tunnel. Cannondale combines drag-versus-yaw tunnel data with a modelled distribution of on-road yaw angles into one yaw-weighted drag value, and quotes power only with a speed. | Specialized Win Tunnel with a moving-leg mannequin, plus race-course simulations |
| Tube profile | Truncated NACA aerofoils, each tube shaped for its own structural and airflow needs | Speed Sniffer head tube, dropped down tube, Win Fin rear, twisted-blade Flow Fork |
| Travel, maintenance & warranty | ||
| Headset bearings | Integrated, 1-1/8 in to 1-1/4 in (Delta steerer) | Stainless steel bearings, Specialized custom 49.5 mm OD x 40.5 mm ID x 6.5 mm, 45° (top and bottom) |
| Derailleur hanger | UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger) | UDH (SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger) |
| Maintenance | — | Front rotor 160 mm only, rear 140 or 160 mm. The user manual lists tubeless compatibility as 'Only S-Works (OE spec)'; the Expert and Comp ship with inner tubes. No rack, fender, bag or kickstand mounts; 2.3 kg seat-bag limit. |
| Proprietary parts | Delta-steerer fork and C1 Conceal stem, C1 Aero 40 seatpost and integrated seat binder | Roval Rapide one-piece cockpit (S-Level), D-shaped seatpost and wedge, custom headset bearings |
| Frame warranty | Limited lifetime warranty on the frame; one year on Cannondale components | — |
| Sold via | Cannondale online store (bikes are delivered to and assembled by an authorised retailer) and Cannondale retailers | Specialized retailers and specialized.com |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 |
| Launched | 2021 · current generation | 2021 · current generation |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Electronic | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless | Yes | — |
| Drivetrain | 2x | 2x |
| Shifters | Shimano Ultegra Di2 ST-R8170 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9270 |
| Notes | Combined shift and hydraulic brake levers, wireless | — |
| Crankset | Shimano Ultegra R8100 | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 |
| Chainrings | 52/36 | 52/36 |
| Crank lengths available | 165 mm (44-50), 170 mm (52-56), 172.5 mm (58-61) | 165 mm (44-52), 170 mm (54-56), 172.5 mm (58-61) |
| Power meter | — | 4iiii Precision Pro |
| Measurement | — | Dual-sided |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano BB-RS500 | Shimano Threaded BSA |
| Standard | BSA 68 mm threaded | BSA threaded, 68 mm |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 |
| Notes | — | Braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 | Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9250 |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8100 | Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 |
| Range | 11-30 | 11-34 |
| Speeds | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M8100 | Shimano CN-M9100 |
| Notes | — | XTR M9100 chain with quick link |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake calipers | Shimano Ultegra BR-R8170 | Shimano Dura-Ace BR-R9270 |
| Type | Hydraulic disc, flat mount | Hydraulic disc |
| Rotors | Shimano RT-CL800 | — |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | — |
| Rear rotor | 140 mm | — |
| Mount | Center Lock | — |
| Wheels & tires | ||
| Wheelset | DT Swiss ERC LOG 45 | Roval Rapide CL III |
| Front rim depth | 45 mm | 51 mm |
| Rear rim depth | 45 mm | 48.5 mm |
| Internal rim width | 22 mm | 21 mm |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Tubeless ready | Yes | Yes |
| Hubs | DT Swiss 370 front, 370 LN Ratchet System rear, Center Lock | DT Swiss 350, 18H front, 24H rear |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Competition, 24 per wheel | DT Swiss Competition Race straight-pull |
| Tires | Schwalbe One TLR | Specialized Cotton TLR |
| Tire width | 28 mm | 30 mm |
| Notes | — | Specialized also lists 700x24-34 mm inner tubes with 80 mm valves |
| Cockpit | ||
| Handlebar | Vision Trimax Carbon Aero | Roval Rapide Cockpit |
| Type | — | One-piece bar and stem |
| Integrated stem | — | Yes |
| Widths available | 380 mm (44-56), 400 mm (58-61) | 380 mm (44-54), 400 mm (56), 420 mm (58-61) as fitted by size |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Notes | — | Stem length 75 mm (44-49), 90 mm (52), 100 mm (54-56), 110 mm (58-61) |
| Stem | Cannondale C1 Conceal | — |
| Stem length | 80 mm (44), 90 mm (48-52), 100 mm (54-56), 110 mm (58-61) | — |
| Notes | Alloy, 31.8 mm clamp, -6°, internal routing | — |
| Headset | Integrated 1-1/8 in / 1-1/4 in | — |
| Saddle & seatpost | ||
| Saddle | Fizik Vento Antares R5 | Specialized Power Pro with Mirror |
| Saddle width | 140 mm | — |
| Widths available | — | 155 mm (44-52), 143 mm (54-61) |
| Rails | S-Alloy | Hollow titanium |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon V2 | Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon Seatpost |
| Offset / setback | 0 mm (44-54), 15 mm (56-61) | 15 mm |
| Material | Carbon | FACT carbon |
| Notes | 365 mm long | 300 mm long (44-52), 380 mm (54-61); Tarmac integrated wedge binder |
| Bar tape | Cannondale Bar Tape | Supacaz Super Sticky Kush |
| Thickness | 3.5 mm | — |
| Geometry (smallest – largest size) | ||
| Sizes | 44, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 | 44, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61 |
| Rider height min | 144–190 cm4′9″–6′3″ | — |
| Rider height max | 154–200 cm5′1″–6′7″ | — |
| Stack | 495–615 mm19.5–24.2″ | 501–612 mm19.7–24.1″ |
| Reach | 373–406 mm14.7–16″ | 366–408 mm14.4–16.1″ |
| Seat tube angle | 72.5–74.5° | 73–75.5° |
| Head tube angle | 70.9–73° | 70.5–74° |
| Head tube length | 89–209 mm3.5–8.2″ | 99–204 mm3.9–8″ |
| Effective top tube | 510–600 mm20.1–23.6″ | 496–595 mm19.5–23.4″ |
| Seat tube length | 400–570 mm15.7–22.4″ | 433–545 mm17–21.5″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 980–1,024 mm38.6–40.3″ | 970–1,013 mm38.2–39.9″ |
| BB drop | 69–74 mm2.7–2.9″ | 72–74 mm2.8–2.9″ |
| BB height | 269–274 mm10.6–10.8″ | 266–268 mm10.5–10.6″ |
| Fork length | 376 mm14.8″ | 370 mm14.6″ |
| Fork offset | 45–55 mm1.8–2.2″ | 44–47 mm1.7–1.9″ |
| Trail | 58–60 mm2.3–2.4″ | 52–71 mm2–2.8″ |
| Front centre | 582–624 mm22.9–24.6″ | 567–609 mm22.3–24″ |
| Standover | 694–846 mm27.3–33.3″ | 722–833 mm28.4–32.8″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c |
| Crank length | 165–172.5 mm6.5–6.8″ | 165–172.5 mm6.5–6.8″ |
| Stem length | 90–110 mm3.5–4.3″ | 75–110 mm3–4.3″ |
| Handlebar width | 340–380 mm13.4–15″ | 380–420 mm15–16.5″ |
Geometry overlay
Pick a size for each bike to see frames and arm-pad ranges on top of each other.
Drawn to scale (how to read it).