Published August 22, 2011 10:18PM
Colorado tech: Cannondale’s new Slice time trial bike
Cannondale's new aero Slice. Ready for Basso's use.
Like many modern time trial bikes, the front end of the new Slice uses an integrated fork/stem to smooth airflow. Hidden mini linear-pull brakes keep everything clean. Photo: Nick Legan © VeloNews
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (VN) — We’re bound to learn more at Eurobike, but Cannondale had the new version of its Slice time trial bike available for Ivan Basso. Though Basso ended up using his old bike for the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge prologue, mechanics were working furiously before the start of preparing the bike.
A new integrated front end and hidden brakes show that Cannondale is working to close the gap to bikes like Trek’s Speed Concept and Specialized’s Shiv. Many of the frame shapes are reminiscent of other popular time trial bikes. The fork bears a strong resemblance to the Speed Concept and the bottom bracket looks much like Cervélo’s P4.
A fin shape behind the seat tube/top tube junction is unique, but whether it’s there for product differentiation or for aerodynamics is unknown.