What is high modulus carbon fiber?
Carbon fiber in its simplest form is a filament fiber, much like but smaller than a strand of hair. These strands are bundled in what is called "tow." Different types of filaments have their own set of structural values and properties which also throws another variable in the mix.
This tow is then woven into sheets of fabric much like a wool blanket is made from yarn. Or it may be laid into a unidirectional sheet which is used to make into structural forms. (designed to be stiffer or have built in flex.)
 |
| High Modulus Woven Fibers |
Tensile Strength and Modulus
Tensile strength rating is based on the force it takes to break the carbon fiber by pulling it apart from end to end. Tests do vary, but in the simplest explanation, however the tests are done, a designation of tensile strength is given.
 | ||
| Tensile strength testing based on UV and Oxygen effects with High Modulus fibers... Science! |
Modulus on the other hand is how stiff the carbon fiber is. The higher the modulus, the stiffer the overall product. But it comes at a cost of tensile strength. Low modulus carbon fiber may stretch more than high modulus. Modulus is rated in High, Medium, and Low.
In the application of modulus carbon to cycling, the much desired stiff frames of today are able to utilize the stiffness of high mod carbon without needing to use as much material as a lower modulus carbon built frame. Manufacturers use their own "recipes" to build in frame handling characteristics.
Cannondale's High Modulus: Super Six Evo
EVO Carbon:
By using a higher percentage of intermediate-modulus fiber to tune the stiffness, we are able to expand the EVO line with a super high-performance, sub-950 gram frame.
Continuous Carbon:
-cannondales design teamA continuous network of high modulus stiffening fibers runs around joint areas and along the outer edges of the frames tubes, connecting all parts of the frame and allowing precise tuning of stiffness and ride quality.
As far as the process of forming and shaping carbon fiber goes, that's probably Cannondale's secret and more in depth than I would like to go in this much long overdue blog entry.
Here are some examples of the handy work Cannondale has done with their High Modulus Carbon shaping. Keep in mind the amount of material used to do this.
The dropouts are clean cut and very stout.
 |
| Very thin seat stays allow the carbon to be more flexible vertically and very stiff laterally. |
 |
High Modulus Insignia on the fork and seat stays. |
The Bike
Enough of the carbon and the weave, lets see how that one strand of carbon evolved into a sheet of fibrous weave which was molded into this beautiful Evo frame, and finally, built up to roll. FAST!
 |
This Cannnondale Super Six Evo, High Mod frame is built up with the newest Dura Ace 9000 components. Manual shifters, front and rear derailleur, brakes and the fancy polymer shift-cable and housing set for buttery smooth shifting. |
Cannondale's flagship Shimano equipped bike, the Dura Ace 1, will incorporate the newest Dura-Ace Di2 with the appropriate 9k cassette and D-A 9k chain. The Dura Ace 2 bike is equipped with an Ultegra Chain and cassette. The weight savings in regards to parts is much less than the weight savings your wallet will incur. (429g Dura Ace 9k chain and cassette vs. 465g of the Ultegra 6800 11sp)
 |
Brakes are easy to modulate, have a ton of power, and look fantastic. |
..........
Internal
rear brake cable routing is very low key, the external routing of the shift
cables works seamlessly, and allows for easy cable change. Don't let the
lack of internal cable routing ruin your perception of function over
form!
Internal rear brake cable routing is very low key, the external routing of the shift cables works seamlessly, and allows for easy cable change. Don't let the lack of internal cable routing ruin your perception of function over form!
..........
 |
The ever popular Si crankset is installed on the frame along with a FSA Chainring set. (this was switched out to the Si milled spider-ring Set. This is much smoother shifting, and ~50g lighter) To round out the group, Fizik's newest Arione seat is used with the Cannondale C1 alloy seat-post. The seat took some time to get used to but after a few hundred miles time on it, the seat is actually not that bad for a very flat profile top. The materials used are mg rails a suede feel inner fabric and the outer edges are standard vinyl material. |
Specs:
15lb 2oz (with cages and pedals)
- Frame: SuperSix EVO, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, SPEED SAVE, PressFit BB30
- Fork: SuperSix EVO, SPEED SAVE, BallisTec Hi-MOD full Carbon, 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" steerer
- Wheels: Shimano RS81 Carbon (Not Shown in blog) Novatec R5 Clincher shown 1560 grams
- Tires: Schwalbe Z1, 700x23c, folding
- Chain: Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11-speed
- Stem: Cannondale C1, 31.8 6 deg. (Not Shown in blog) Cannondale Fire 120mm
- Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Crank: Cannondale HollowGram Si, BB30
- Bottom Bracket: Cannondale Alloy PF30 BB Cups, FSA BB30 Bearings
- Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11-25, 11-speed
- Saddle: Fi'zi:k Arione, w/ Mg Rails
- Seat Post: Cannondale C1, Lightweight 2014 Alloy 27.2x250mm
- Headset: SuperSix EVO, 1-1/4" lower bearing, 25mm carbon top cap, 5mm Hidden top ca
- Brake Callipers: Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Brake Levers: Shimano Dura Ace 9000
