On January 23, 2014, Dorel Industries announced a restructuring of operations in its recreational/leisure segment. This resulted in the closure of its assembly and testing facility in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The Bedford plant, which at one point produced Cannondale's midrange to high-end aluminum and aluminum/carbon fiber bikes, still handled some assembly, testing, quality control, and customer and technical services. Around 100 people were laid off. The Bedford facility was shuttered in 2015.
In 1992 Cannondale introduced the 2.8 series frame based on CAD (computer aided design) and finite element analysis to make a frame weighing only 2.8 lbs. The 2.8 series featured a tapered large diameter down tube, double-offset bottom-bracket cluster, ovalized top-tube, and double-butted seat tube to achieve the weight reduction. The same year the 1.25" Sub One all aluminum fork was introduced.
The "CAAD" designation itself first appeared in 1996 and stands for "Cannondale Advanced Aluminum Design". Initially it was applied to mountain bike frames - the CAAD2 on hybrid and touring models and the CAAD3 on F-Series cross-country hardtails. CAAD-badged mountain bike hardtails (CAAD3 through CAAD5) went on to win multiple UCI World Cup rounds, national and world championships, and Olympic medals, before Cannondale moved its mountain bike range to different naming conventions (such as Optimo and Furio) around 2003.
On the road side, Cannondale's CAAD3 arrived in 1997 as part of a deliberate push into European professional racing, most notably through sponsorship of the Saeco team, whose riders - including sprinter Mario Cipollini - helped establish oversized aluminum as a legitimate choice for elite competition after years of skepticism from European teams and framebuilders. The CAAD4 that followed was ridden by Cipollini to Tour de France stage wins. Subsequent generations continued to refine the platform: CAAD6 introduced the BB30 oversized bottom-bracket standard alongside Cannondale's HollowGram crankset; CAAD7 was ridden by Gilberto Simoni to victory at the 2003 Giro d'Italia, and CAAD8 by Damiano Cunego at the 2004 Giro d'Italia - by some accounts the last two Grand Tours won on aluminum-frame bicycles.
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CAAD9 launched in 2007 and became the first version of the line marketed as a standalone platform rather than simply a frame designation, and by 2009 was offered with component groups up to Shimano Dura-Ace level, an unusual move for an aluminum frame at the time. CAAD10 followed with frame shapes that anticipated the first SuperSix EVO, and CAAD12 (Cannondale skipped the number 11 entirely, without a stated technical reason) added disc-brake compatibility. CAAD13, launched in 2020, adopted dropped seatstays and aerodynamically profiled tubing intended to mimic the SuperSix EVO road bike; Cannondale later described this direction as a departure from the CAAD line's traditional identity. In March 2026, Cannondale released the CAAD14, explicitly returning to a traditional round-tube silhouette and smooth-welded aluminum construction rather than carbon-mimicking aerodynamic shaping, while adding modern features including a UDH-compatible derailleur hanger, the Delta Steerer front-end design shared with other current Cannondale models, and tire clearance up to 32mm.
Synapse (2006)
Cannondale introduced the Synapse in 2006 as Cannondale's first full-carbon-fiber road bike, built specifically for endurance and sportive riders rather than pure racing, with a relaxed geometry and a "SAVE" micro-suspension system built into the frame to smooth out rough road surfaces. It grew out of an earlier, less radical model called the Road Warrior, introduced in 2002 as a more relaxed alternative to Cannondale's increasingly race-focused CAAD aluminum bikes. A substantially redesigned second-generation Synapse launched in 2014 (previewed and raced through the 2013 Spring Classics, including Paris-Roubaix, by riders such as Peter Sagan), introducing BallisTec Hi-MOD Hi-Mod carbon construction shared with the SuperSix EVO, race bike, an upgraded "SAVE Plus" compliance system combining a shaped fork, seatstays, and a narrow 25.4mm seatpost, and a claimed sub-kilogram frame weight for the top-tier Hi-Mod version. The Synapse was redesigned again in 2018, moving to a disc-brake-only lineup with a new carbon layup, a lighter claimed frame weight of 918 grams, and wider tire clearance, while keeping its relaxed endurance geometry.
In September-October 2024, EF Pro Cycling rider Lachlan Morton rode a then-unreleased prototype of the next-generation Synapse on a 14,200-kilometre lap of Australia, completing the ride in 30 days, 9 hours, and 59 minutes - breaking the previous circumnavigation record by more than a week. The bike underwent its official public launch in May 2025 as a sixth-generation Synapse, and Cannondale built its launch marketing around Morton's ride, releasing a campaign titled "The Only Mate You Need" that credited the record-breaking lap as real-world proof of the redesigned bike's durability and comfort. The new generation also brought a lighter and more aerodynamically shaped frame, further increased tire clearance, integrated "StashPort" in-frame storage, and the second generation of Cannondale's SmartSense integrated lights-and radar safety system; it was subsequently named Road Bike of the Year by BikeRadar. Throughout its history, the Synapse has been marketed as a bridge between comfort-oriented ednurance riding and race-level performance, a positioning Cannondale has leaned into further with each successive generation.
SuperSix Evo (2008)
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In 2008 Cannondale introduced their primary road-racing bicycle the SuperSix EVO. The bike traces back to the original SuperSix, a round-tubed carbon frame known for its ride quality and low weight, before the third-generation EVO shifted toward a lightweight-aero design that has largely defined the platform ever since. The fifth generation, launched in early 2026 lowered the frame's front end stack and introduced a claimed four-watt aerodynamic saving of 45 km/h, with top-end builds weighing as little as 6.35 kg. The redesign also merged Cannondale's separate lightweight-climbing and aerodynamic road bikes into a single platform, rendering the brand's dedicated SystemSix aero bike redundant despite it remaining a benchmark in its category. Cannondale positions the SuperSix EVO as a race-focused bike built for speed, and it is used by the EF Pro Cycling Team.
Electric bicycles
An electric bicycle manufactured by Cannondale Sports Group LLC includes a battery module based on Toshiba's quick-charging lithium ion titanite rechargeable battery "SCiB".
Moterra (2016)
in 2016 Cannondale launched the Moterra, marking the company's first full-suspension electric mountain bike platform and its first major entry into the eMTB category. It was first shown at Eurobike in September 2016 and released in 2017 as a plus-tire (27.5"+) full -suspension e-MTB, launched alongside a longer-travel "LT" variant built for alpine enduro riding with 160mm of travel front and rear. The platform later moved to 29" wheels and 150mm of travel and a 165-170mm mullet-wheel configuration (Moterra LT), using a Horst-link derived suspension design and Bosch's Performance Line CX motor, with carbon frames sold in Europe and aluminum frames in North America. In 2024, Cannondale introduced the Moterra SL, a lighter full-power e-MTB using a custom-tuned Shimano EP801 motor rather than Bosch, which was named the Electric Bike of the Year by Singletrack World Magazine. In April 2025, Cannondale gave both the standard Moterra and Moterra LT complete ground-up redesigns, sharing a new front triangle, motor, and batter, with the Moterra SL but retaining distinct swingarms, geometry, and "Proportional Response" size-specific suspension kinematics for each model. In March 2026, Cannondale released an updated Moterra Alloy for the North American market, adding Bosch's eMTB+ riding mode, a choice of 600Wh or 800Wh batteries, and revised geometry.
Tesoro Neo
An Electric touring and commuter range launched in 2019 with the road-oriented Tesoro Neo and the more rugged, MTB-inspired Tesoro NeoX, aimed at mixed-surface riding and bikepacking and dual-battery-reeady frames on higher-spec models. In late 2023, Cannondale added the Tesoro Neo Carbon, a lighter (approximately 16kg), sportier variant with a carbon frame borrowing design cues from the Synapse road bike, sold initially only in Europe.
Adventure Neo
An electric city/comfort bike launched in February 2021 for March 2021 availability, with a step-through frame option, front-and-rear suspension, and - on top-spec models - a Garmin collaboration rear radar sensor. An "Allroad" variant with wider tires and a more rugged fork was added in subsequent years.
Treadwell Neo
An electric hybrid/city bike designed to disguise its e-bike identity with a hidden hub motor; it introduced the wheel-sensor/smartphone app technology (tracking speed, distance, and service reminders) later reused across other Neo-series models.
Compact Neo
a 20-inch-wheel, partially folding urban e-bike (foldable stem and pedals) announced in November 2022 and marketed as Cannondale's lightest e-bike at the time, styled as a modern successor to the brand's earlier (non-electric) Hooligan compact bike.
Cargowagen Neo and Wonderwagen Neo
Cannondale's first full-size cargo e-bikes, launched together in 2023. The Cargowagen Neo is a class-3 longtail cargo bike with a rear cargo rack; the Wonderwagen Neo is a front-loading "bakfiets" style bike with a child-rated cargo box, sold only in the European market. These followed a smaller-scale 2022 entry into the category, the compact Neo-adjacent "compact Neo" folding bike is not a cargo model, but Cannondale's cargo range traces infromally to an earlier, smaller cargo bike sold only in limited markets prior to the 2023 launch.
Mavaro Neo
A comfort-oriented electric city bike line introduced in 2023, later expanded with the lighter-weight Mavaro Neo SL variant using a Bafang rear-hub motor in place of Bosch, aimed at reducing overall weight relative to the standard model.
Flying V
A lighweight urban e-bike announced in early November 2025, which Cannondale markets as the first all-carbon urban e-bike, with a carbon frame, carbon fork, and molded carbon mudguards. Its dropped, split-top-tube "V" frame silhouette deliberately recalls the Delta V mountain bikes of the early 1990s (see Delta V, below) and the later Holligan compact bike, and was designed at Cannondale's development center in Freiburg, Germany; the bikes are assembled in the Netherlands. The FlyingV prioritizes low eight over maximum power, pairing the frame with Bosch's lightweight Performance Line SX Motor (60 Nm of torque and 600 W peak output) and an integrated 400 Wh battery, for a complete-bike weight of just over 18 kg (about 40 lb). It is offered in two versions: the Flying V 1, which uses Shimano Nexus 5-speed internal hub with Di2 electronic shifting, and the FlyingV 2, which uses a mechanical Nexus hub; both use a Gates carbon belt drive in place of a chain, and inlcude an integrated rear rack rated for 18 kg, integrated lighting and an SPC+ phone mount on the stem that connects to the Cannondale app. The bike won a Design & Innovation Award in 2026.
SM-500 (1984)
The 1984 SM-500 All-Terrain Bicycle was Cannondale's first mountain bike. The front wheel was 26 inches in diameter whereas the rear wheel was only 24 inches large "to increase traction for climbing in steep, muddy terrain", Cannondale said. The frame was TIG welded from 6061 aluminium alloy and was fully heat treated. The same material and treatment Cannondale would use for all welded aluminum frames until the release of frames made from Alcoa Alcalyte Optimo alloy in 2003. The fork was made from chrome moly steel. The componentry on the SM-500 was a mixture of parts from Shimano Deore XT, Suntour, Specialized and Dia-Compe. The bike had a 3x5 drive train offering 15 gears, and cantilever brakes in the front and U-brakes in back. The bike retailed for $595 (approximately equivalent to $1640 in 2021–USD) in the United States.
SE (1991)
The SE was Cannondale's first frame with rear suspension, called Elevated Suspension Technology (E.S.T), a rear triangle with a high pivot and elevated chain stays. SE models were sold with rigid Cannondale Pepperoni aluminum forks and Girvin Flexstem stems. The bikes shipped with Cannondale's Force 40 system to increase the braking power.
Delta V (1992)
The Delta V was the first bike to introduce Cannondale's Delta V (later Headshok) suspension fork where the shock is integrated into the head tube. The Delta V was sold as a full-suspension bike with the E.S.T rear triangle, or as a "front suspension only" bike with a normal rigid frame (the term "hardtail" had not been invented). The original Delta V fork offered approximately 45–50 mm of travel and used an oil-damped air spring. The telescope of the Delta V fork had a square cross-section and instead of bushings, needle bearings were used to minimize stiction. Delta V forks were stiffer and more responsive than other suspension forks at the time.
Since the Delta V fork was taller than normal forks, the top end of head tube of Delta V frames was significantly higher. To not sacrifice stand-over clearance, Cannondale made a "V-style" top tube from two tubes – a very controversial design. Like other Cannondale mountain bike frames, the Delta V frame had a 50.8 mm (2 inches) down tube.
The full-suspension version was discontinued in 1994 in favor of the Super V. In 1994, the hardtail's rear triangle was updated and was identical to the rear in the F series frames. The Delta V hardtail was finally retired in 1995 and replaced by the F series. The two-tube top tube design remained in use for the smallest frame size and reappeared in the Gemini and Prophet models.
Super V (1993)
The Super V was a full-suspension bike manufactured by Cannondale. Instead of a main triangle, Cannondale uses an oversized down tube and a mast to hold the seat. The rear wheel is suspended by a high-pivot aluminum swingarm providing about 75 mm of travel. The front wheel is guided by a Delta V fork.
Missy Giove won the 1994 downhill world championship on a Super V.
In 1995, the welded aluminum banana swingarm was replaced by a carbon-fiber version. This was Cannondale's first carbon-fiber product.
In 1996, Cannondale changed the swingarm and lowered the pivot for the "Super V Active" to minimize pedal kickback present high-pivot swingarm designs. Different versions of the Super V Active frame and swingarm were made with travels of 80, 100, or 120 mm. Some models in 2000 and 2001 shipped with a new, bonded aluminum swingarm that was less expensive.
The Super V was discontinued in 2003.
V 4000 (1993)
The V 4000 was a non-functional full-suspension concept bike that never went into production, yet it caught attention due its futuristic design. The frame and the wheels were machined from aluminum. The highlight of the design was the suspension, two single-sided swingarms. Cannondale's president at the time, Joe Montgomery, said he would eat his hat if the V 4000 wouldn't be in the shops in the next season. Although Cannondale promised additional information later in the year, it was never revealed how the suspension was planned to work. The V 4000 was widely considered a show bike for magazines and trade shows, and Montgomery eventually ate his hat. The V 4000 was the first in a row of concept bikes Cannondale presented.
Killer V (1994)
The Killer V was a version of the Delta V without a suspension fork but with a 1.25" rigid Pepperoni fork. The down tube diameter was increased from 50.8 mm to 58 mm which made the bike very stiff.
F (1995)
The F was the front suspension bike line with Cannondale's suspension forks, called "Headshok" since 1994. In contrast to the Delta V frame, the F series had a straight top tube. The frame was available with either a swagged ("2.8 series", later "CAAD 3") or a straight ("3.0 series", later "CAAD 2") down tube. The rear triangle features wishbone seat stays.
Alison Sydor won 3 cross-country world-championships (1994–1996), and a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games on this bike.
Super V Raven (1997)
The Raven was a version of the Super V with a carbon-aluminum frame. It was the first bicycle frame by Cannondale made with carbon-fiber. Instead of an aluminum weldment, the main frame of the Raven was made of a cast and machined aluminum spine bonded between two carbon-fiber shells. The rear triangle was identical to the aluminum Super V's. The frame was updated in 2000. After a recall in 2001 of all Raven II frames due to failures of the pivot and bottom bracket area, the Raven was discontinued in 2002. The Raven frame was hollow and a large sound box.
Jekyll (2001)
The Jekyll was a full-suspension bike using the same swingarm as the contemporary Super V but with a traditional down tube and top tube design. The rear shock mount in the frame was adjustable such that the head tube and seat tube angles could be changed by the rider. Initially, the Jekyll came with 120 mm rear travel, and 135 mm from 2003 on. The front suspension was typically a Cannondale Headshok Fatty or a Cannondale Lefty. The Jekyll was discontinued in 2006.
Cannondale revived the Jekyll name in 2011 for a new full-suspension enduro platform, ridden by Jerome Clementz to the 2013 Enduro World Series Overall title. The Jekyll nameplate was substantially redesigned again in 2021 around a high-pivot suspension layout Cannondale calls "Guidler" in which an idler pulley positioned high on the frame doubles as a chain guide, intended to give the rear wheel a over rearward axle path over rough terrain.The Redesign moved the Jekyll exclusively to 29-inch wheels with a fixed 165mm of rear travel and 170mm-travel fork, repacing the previous generations adjustable-travel "Gemini" flip-chip system with a single geometry setting and housing the rear shock inside a twin-spar downtube. The Jekyll continues to use Cannondale's Ai asymmetric rear-wheel offset for additional tire clearance.
Scalpel (2002)
The Scalpel was a light-weight full-suspension bike designed for cross-country racing with flexible carbon-fiber chain stays instead of a pivot, providing 63 mm of rear travel and 67 mm from model year 2003 on.
In 2008, Cannondale introduced an all-carbon Scalpel, and moved the rear shock to enable 100 mm travel. The 26-inch version was discontinued in 2013 when Cannondale finished to 29-inch wheels for cross-country bikes.
The Scalpel has remained in continuous production since its introduction and is now in its eigth generation. The current version, launched in March 2024, increased travel to a consistent 120mm front and rear, updated Geometry for increasingly technical modern World Cup courses, and dropped the Ai asymmetric offset in favor of standard components, while retaining the Carbon "FlexPivot" rear-suspension design (by this point functionally similar to the technology later used on the Moterra SL e-mountain bike). It is offered in both full-suspension and hardtail (F-Si) configurations, and its debut season included the 2024 Olympic bronze medal, UCI-Cross Country World Championship, and World Cup overall title, all won by Alan Hatherly, along with both cross-country marathon World Championships.
Cannondale Factory Racing, since 2009
Roel Paulissen (XC, 2009–2010), Marco Fontana (XC, 2009–2017), Martin Gujan (XC, 2009–2012), Manuel Fumic (XC, 2010-today). In mid-2026 Cannondale announced that the 2026 season would be the final year for its dedicated cross-country mountain bike World Cup team, ending an elite MTB racing program dating back to the early 1990's. The brand said it would replace the traditional factory team with a broader "Cannondale Rogues" program beginning in 2027, combining professional racers with content creators and community ambassadors across multiple disciplines.
