Bikes
CANNONDALE SYSTEMSIX W’S
PRICE: $7,900 / WEIGHT: 17 LB (51CM)YOU WILL FLY on the SystemSix—
this bike should carry whiplash
insurance for all the heads it will
turn as you whiz by at warp speed.
The latest from Cannondale is
unmistakably aero, and its sleek
shaping makes you feel like you
could almost slip through a tor-
nado without getting tossed off
your line. And yet, this bike deliv-
ers more than straight-line speed.
The SystemSix is a blast over
lots of terrains, and the stout-
looking frame belies a nimble
road-bike feel; the bike sweeps
through corners with minimal
input. It rockets through rollers,
spins up moderate inclines with
ease, and descends as well as any
aero bike I’ve tried. And that addsup to extra speed, everywhere.
On rolling routes I ride often, my
average speed jumped from the
high 16s to 17-plus miles per hour
aboard the Cannondale.
Steep hills, however, were less
fun. Once you get past about a 7
percent incline, you can feel the
bike’s extra heft. That’s something
to consider, depending where you
train, ride, and race most often.
The 64mm-deep carbon wheels
are relatively wide and can make
even racy 23s feel more like 26mm
tires. So you get more comfort and
traction.
If you ride or race often on
wide-open roads, the SystemSix is
the rocket ship you’ve been look-
ing for.—Selene YeagerGIANT STANCE 2
PRICE: $1,550 / WEIGHT: 29.9 LB (M)
THE STANCE 2 IS Giant’s lowest-
cost full-suspension bike. It’s a
great bike for riders who want a
capable yet affordable trail bike.
Whether you’re new to riding
or hoping to keep costs low, the
Stance 2 is a great ride.
Like a lot of other new or rede-
signed models this year, the Stance
gets updated geometry with longer
reach and a slacker head angle
than its predecessor. But Giant was
relatively restrained—the geom-
etry is still in line with traditional
trail bikes, not like the DH-light
orientation of some others. The
2019 frame has clearance for up to
2.8-inch-wide tires (it comes with
2.6s) and now includes internal
cable routing.
The Stance 2 has 120mm of
travel activated by a simpler sus-
pension design than the brand’s
high-end Maestro design, and
it’s controlled by a Suntour fork
and shock. You also get a 2x9
Shimano drivetrain and Shimano
hydraulic disc brakes, and the
wheels and tires come already
set up tubeless.
The first thing you notice when
riding the Stance 2 is how stable it
feels. The wide, 2.6-inch tubeless
tires glide over small rocks and
roots and let you easily hold your
line through corners. The Stance
2 is forgiving of less-than-ideal
line choices and allows you to
enjoy the ride without dropping a
ton of cash.—Matt JacobsAWESOME MAXXIS
TIRES COME SETUP (^) TUBELESS.
MEASURE YOUR
WATTS WITH
THE STOCK
POWER 2 MAX
POWER (^) METER.
ISSUE 5 • BICYCLING.COM 93