IronMan and Pro Tour Winner
Cannondale introduced the Slice to the world in 2008 and it was their first foray into an all carbon tt/triathlon bike. Gone was a carbon-aluminum hybrid, gone was an all aluminum aero frameset bearing the IronMan logo and Hawaii-themed paint jobs: it was a sorrowful end to a long, colorful and storied past.
But that sorrow quickly dissapated when the Slice got a serious look for it quickly became apparent that also gone with the old was a dubiously aero frameset. Cannondale's previous attempts at an aero bike were likely as aero as they weren't. But when Liquigas signed on it was made crystal clear to Cannondale that they needed to get their aero act together: lost seconds in the Grand Tours because Liquigas didn't have the very best equipment was not going to be an option. So, Cannondale headed back to the drawing board...and the wind-tunnel.
If you take a head-on gander at the Slice the first thing you'll notice is just how narrow it is: that narrowness translates to invisibility. Look at most any bike head-on and you'll tend to notice how dramatically the seat stays and chain stays protrude from each side: with the head tube and fork squarely in the middle, it's as if you're staring directly at an isosceles triangle divided down the center. But take a look at the best aero bikes in the world and all you tend to notice is the head tube, fork, and aero bars. The rest of the bike remains hidde to the eye. And, if you can't see it, chances are neither can the wind.
You'll also notice that there are more than just a few design features taken from Cervelo: but keep in mind just how good this is! The top tune of the Slice looks remarkably similar to those used on the P4, P3, and P2, and the down tube shares a very similar aspect ratio to these bikes. The surprising thing about the Slice, though, is that it had features already in 2008 that Cervelo didn't introduce to the improved P4 until its 2009 model year, for instance, chain stays that sit much lower on the seat tube and a fork system that integrates into the head tube and down tube in much the same fashion as the P4.
It's probably no huge leap and no secret that Cannondale had to design a better aero bike for the Liquigas boys. But that doesn't mean they forgot triathletes in the design process. The Slice comes with a two position seat post that accommodates both the UCI's 75 degree requirements and 78+ degrees for those triathletes who like to ride "steep." Moreover, the size specific frames provide a bit deeper head tube than many aero bikes meaning that fitting riders to the Slice is just that much easier and aesthetically cleaner.
More proof that Cannondale didn't ignore the triathlete in the design of the Slice is found at the rear of the bike. Note the gentle curve of the seat stays? That curve is all about helping the triathlete conserve energy by remaining more comfortable on the bike: the curve actually attenuates high-frequency vibrations and provides a basic kind of shock-absorbing system. Because vibrations and rough roads are just as fatiguing as physical exertion, Cannondale took great pains to mitigate the fatigue over which it had control. In summary, if you're a long-distance triathlete looking for comfort over hair-splitting seconds in a prologue a serious look at the Slice is in order.
The one thing that all people who ride the Slice agree on is this: the power transfer when you step on the pedals is immediately noticeable. All riders of the Slice also remark at just how stable and solid this bike feels. Depending on your position, the handling of the Slice may be a little more tricky. Riding in the 75 degree position, the bike handles like a dream, but as you move forward, shifting your weight away from dead neutral over the bottom bracket, you may feel as if you're leaning on the front wheel. High speed or downhill corners may not be confidence inspiring if you're riding "steep" on this frameset. However, given that most triathlon courses are straight and flat, that shouldn't a reason to overlook this remarkable bike.