Cannondale SystemSix

Industrial Design

Cycling

Back in 2006 tires were skinny and frames were chunky, pretty much the opposite of today. Aerodynamics and disc brakes were not yet part of the equation so stiffness and power transfer were obvious top priorities for elite level road bikes. The SystemSix had an unorthodox aluminum/carbon construction where the idea was to combine extreme torsional stiffness with a bit of vertical compliance. A custom stem paired to the frame made for stability and power transfer that was out of this world. The frameset was heavier than it's lightest competitors but the UCI minimum weight requirement of 6,8kg for complete bikes was still fairly easy to achieve, even with SRM Powermeter. The team head mechanic, Guiseppe Archetti, would put steel BB30 axles on the smaller sized frames to bring the weight up. Pro riders found the frame very much to their liking due to the excellent ride characteristics.

Photo Credits: Cannondale

Torgny’s comment: “Despite the tight ID envelope this was such an enjoyable project to work on; not only was the outcome unique, the development- and manufacturing processes were even more so. I’ll never forget the numerous trips to the factory in Bedford, Pennsylvania together with the awesome development team. I still have a SystemSix at my parents’ place in Norway which I ride every summer, and it rides remarkably well for such an old bike.”