Cannondale SystemSix

This afternoon, the Cannondale rep stopped by and dropped off a SystemSix. This model is the Dura Ace version with a carbon compact crankset. He plans to get a SRAM-equiped System6 in the future, so I'll be able to tell you then more what it is like with the SRAM.

I could tell the rep was really excited about this bike, because he took the liberty to change the parts around just a little bit. For instance, though it comes stock with the Arione, he likes the Aliante better and happened to have one that matched really well. I love the Aliante (and ride one on my personal bike), so I didn't mind the change. Also, he couldn't help puting Michelin tires on because of the red stripe on the sidewall. Normally, it comes stock with Hutchinsons.

Other things of note in the pictures below:
Carbon brakes by Cannondale? Well, perhaps like the stem and crankset, the brakes are manufactured by someone else, but they are carbon, and they do have the Cannondale name printed on them.

Also, the bulky thing on the handlebar is the rep's GPS mount. As I only will have this bike until Thursday (I'm going on vacation then. Don't worry, I'll get an extended test when I get back.), I'm not going to bother taking it off.

The wheelset is the Mavic Ksyrium ES. These are beautiful wheels that deliver a solid ride. I'm hoping to swap them out with my topolinos, so I can get a better frame of reference on the handling of the frame itself.

No, I haven't been on it yet, but I will post something when I can.

I still think this stem looks a bit bulbous.

The massive head tube.

Evidently, this is the largest down tube Cannondale has ever made. That's saying something.