I was recently researching the Cervélo S5 and comparing it to the System Six (aero bike vs aero bike) and I realized that I had to really scrutinize the data and the test bike build spec to get the best understanding of how bikes really compare. For example, the S5 they used in the Super Six white paper was 1) not a new style 2019 model as it wasn’t available yet and 2) it had Enve bars and stem which are not the Cervélo aero bars and stem that would have been a. Better comparison. I’m not saying Cannondale did anything shady. they just compared it to a production bike. The newer wheels, aero handlebar system and the new frame design the S5 is actually an equal or slightly faster bike.
Something similar can be extrapolated from the Super Six Evo white paper. The different frame design, less aero tires, wheels, bars and stem were all contributors to the 30w improvement over the outgoing bike. Much of that could have come from the ancillary parts not the frame design itself.
I feel like there should be light road bikes and fast aero bikes and nothing in between. The in between bikes are lost and I don’t see the value proposition. It’s the “jack of all trades, master of none†analogy.