Skip to main content
BikeSize
Road Bike

Trek Émonda SLR vs Cannondale SuperSix EVO

The classic American lightweight versus the American all-rounder. The Trek Émonda SLR is the lightest frame Trek has ever built - OCLV 800 carbon, sub-700 g, race geometry. The Cannondale SuperSix EVO went the other direction in 2023 and reinvented itself as an aero race bike that still climbs. They overlap in price and intent, but the on-paper personalities pull apart: pure climber versus aero all-rounder. Most race calendars favour the SuperSix today. Mountain weekends still favour the Émonda.

Check Trek sizingCheck Cannondale sizingBrowse bike types
Cyclist considering which bike to choose

Side-by-Side Overview

Trek Émonda SLR

$6,500 - $13,000

Best for: Climbers and lightweight specialists who care about every gram on long ascents

Strengths

  • •OCLV 800 frame around 690 g - the lightest production frame in Trek's range
  • •Eight sizes (47-62 cm) cover riders from about 5'0" to 6'5"
  • •Project One custom paint program
  • •H1.5 race geometry is aggressive but not extreme - rideable for long days
  • •Trek's US dealer network is the largest in cycling

Considerations

  • •Less aero than the redesigned SuperSix EVO at any speed above 30 km/h
  • •Tire clearance 32 mm matches the SuperSix but lags newer all-rounders
  • •BB90 press-fit shell has a polarising service history
  • •Integrated RCS Pro cockpit on top trims raises long-term fit cost

Cannondale SuperSix EVO

$3,500 - $13,000

Best for: All-around racers who want one bike for crits, road races, and fast Sunday rides

Strengths

  • •2023 redesign added genuine aero gains while keeping climbing manners
  • •Seven sizes (44-61 cm) including a true 44 for smaller riders
  • •Frame weight around 770 g - heavier than Émonda but aero offsets it above 30 km/h
  • •Entry-level Carbon trims start at $3,500, well under the cheapest Émonda SLR
  • •Hidden seatpost wedge and dropped seatstays give a distinctive look

Considerations

  • •Aero gains add weight - not the right bike for hill climb specialists
  • •Cannondale's dealer network has thinned in some US markets
  • •Proprietary HollowGram cockpit on top builds limits stem swaps
  • •Long, low front end can feel cramped for riders with shorter torsos

Head-to-Head Comparison

Stack (54)
Trek Émonda SLR537 mm
Cannondale SuperSix EVO527 mm
Reach (54)
Trek Émonda SLR383 mm
Cannondale SuperSix EVO388 mm
Frame weight (top build)
Trek Émonda SLR~690 g ✓
Cannondale SuperSix EVO~770 g
Aero performance
Trek Émonda SLRModest
Cannondale SuperSix EVOSignificant ✓
Entry price (carbon)
Trek Émonda SLR$6,500
Cannondale SuperSix EVO$3,500 ✓
Tire clearance
Trek Émonda SLR32 mm
Cannondale SuperSix EVO32 mm
Size count
Trek Émonda SLR8
Cannondale SuperSix EVO7
US dealer network
Trek Émonda SLRLargest ✓
Cannondale SuperSix EVOWide
Best discipline
Trek Émonda SLRPure climbing
Cannondale SuperSix EVOAll-around racing

Size Chart Comparison

Trek Émonda SLR
Size 50
Stack:
521 mm
Reach:
376 mm
Size 52
Stack:
528 mm
Reach:
379 mm
Size 54
Stack:
537 mm
Reach:
383 mm
Size 56
Stack:
550 mm
Reach:
389 mm
Size 58
Stack:
568 mm
Reach:
394 mm
Size 60
Stack:
588 mm
Reach:
398 mm
Cannondale SuperSix EVO
Size 44
Stack:
489 mm
Reach:
376 mm
Size 48
Stack:
503 mm
Reach:
380 mm
Size 51
Stack:
518 mm
Reach:
384 mm
Size 54
Stack:
527 mm
Reach:
388 mm
Size 56
Stack:
559 mm
Reach:
392 mm
Size 58
Stack:
587 mm
Reach:
395 mm
Size 61
Stack:
613 mm
Reach:
400 mm

Geometry Comparison Chart

Loading chart…

Sizing Comparison

At the 54 mark, the SuperSix runs a lower stack (527 vs 537) and longer reach (388 vs 383) than the Émonda - a more aggressive front end at the same nominal size. Riders coming from an Émonda 54 will want to consider the SuperSix 56 (559/392) for a comparable cockpit height, or stay at 54 and add spacers. At the small end, the SuperSix 44 (489/376) is the most aggressive frame either brand offers - genuinely race-only. The Émonda's 50 (521/376) is a more forgiving small-frame option.

Verdict

Buy the Cannondale SuperSix EVO if your races are flat or rolling and your group rides hover above 30 km/h - the aero gains compound over a season and the entry price is thousands lower than the cheapest Émonda SLR. Buy the Trek Émonda SLR if you climb a lot, count grams, or want Trek's dealer safety net and Project One paint. The Émonda is the better climber by a noticeable margin. The SuperSix is the better all-rounder by a similar one. They are not really the same bike anymore.

Best for Comfort

Trek Émonda SLR - the H1.5 geometry is less aggressive than the SuperSix's longer reach, and the wider size range improves fit precision

Best for Performance

Cannondale SuperSix EVO - the 2023 aero redesign wins everywhere except sustained climbs above 6 %

Trek Émonda SLR vs Cannondale SuperSix EVO FAQ

More Road Bike Comparisons

Bianchi vs OrbeaImpulso vs AvantBianchi vs TrekOltre vs ÉmondaBMC vs SpecializedRoadmachine vs Roubaix

Sizing Guides for These Brands

10 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations11 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations12 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations3 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations4 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations5 Year Olds GuidePersonalized sizing recommendations

Full Size Charts for These Brands

Trek size chartFrame sizes by height and inseam across the Trek rangeCannondale size chartFrame sizes by height and inseam across the Cannondale range