Cannondale MTB - What Model???

[CJT]

So I used to race X-Country and BMX and do a lot of single track and trail riding.

I am looking at getting back into off-road riding soon.

My only issue at the moment is what to get;

I am looking at either a Cannondale Hardtail or a Scalpel with Carbon Lefty Fork etc.

I do not want to race cross country again so this will be a general bike for weekends and possibly some commuting.

I do tend to be a bit of a dirt jumper as well (Having said that I have been jumping anything from BMX, hardtail, dual suspension with no issues).

So any thoughts from anyone?

[Rayngie]

Gotta love a Cannondale, I have a 2005 Gemini 1000 that i'll be buried with...

the Scalpel is a race bike really, geometery wise anyway, I reckon the new Jeykll is probably better as an all rounder, do it all bike, more so if going downhill will be involved, it'll handle that really well.

thing is, if you want a scalpel, buy a scalpel, very nice..

Ray

[rainman]

Hi CJT,

If you're going to be jumping, or leaving the ground at all, say NO to the Lefty. I've seen one of them come in to the transition area at Kooralbyn during a 12 hour as a "Righty" (spun around 180 degrees). I really think for longevity you're best sticking with the tried and trusted standard fork design.

As for the actual bike, it sounds like you're trying to cover a lot of bases. A carbon hardtail with 100mm forks is a good all round choice, except for the dirt jumping bit. You could go an alloy XC hardtail, but again, the forks are probably not going to be up to the jumping. The commuting bit pretty much rules out dual suspension, so perhaps an all-mountain-ish/dirt-jumpy hardtail? If you're happy to spend a bit, the Santa Cruz Chameleon is an awesome all rounder (this is why I have one, but I don't commute on it), but you're going to have to build it up as they don't come as a complete bike. Grimace here on the forum has just bought a Jamis Dragon Pro (steel hardtail) as an all rounder. It's basically an XC bike so it won't take a lot of jumping, but a bit.....

The sky is the limit really. Can you narrow it down a bit by giving us an approximate dollar figure? And how much air are you planning to get? Are you talking one foot drops on the trail every now and then or road gaps?


Viva la MTB!
James.

[Scallops]

I reckon, from my experience, that race geometry is better than a more "relaxed" geometry, even if commuting and general singletrack riding is your thing, and should perhaps be a consideration. My Fisher Cake with "all mountain" geometry was a pig compared to my Trek 9.9 SSL. I feel a lot more stable and confident on the "race geometry" bike. But I don't know what the geometry is like for your choices, but if they are different, maybe a consideration.

As to hardtail dually decisions - you'll have to make that one. Having had both, and for my needs, a hardtail wins every time and as my wife only allows a certain number of toys, having both is not an option.

[Scallops]

Another good reason to go with Cannondale (or Trek) is that they offer lifetime frame warranties. A friend in the UQ cycle club had the first generation OCLV road race bike (circa 1992?) and it broke in 2007 - he now rides a Madone 5.9 SL, and the frame was warranted without question.

[CJT]

The sky is the limit really. Can you narrow it down a bit by giving us an approximate dollar figure? And how much air are you planning to get? Are you talking one foot drops on the trail every now and then or road gaps?

Price wise, I am looking at buying a Cannondale bare fram and building up from there. Happy to pay good money for a Carbon Scalpel frame or hardtail frame.

For forks I would go to RLC Sports RLC Sport Aerozine Project 321 Cyclinic Cannondale Service Centre Lefty Spares for a MY12 XLR Carbon Lefty Fork with hydraulic lockout.

Rest of the build is still open at this stage however quiet possibly SRAM groupset and hydraulic discs, wheelset top be determined etc.

[CJT]

And how much air are you planning to get? Are you talking one foot drops on the trail every now and then or road gaps?

As far as air, it is whatever you run into on trail rides. I remember Noosa State Forrest had a long down hill fire road with drainage berms across it, you used to easily get a few feet clear under your wheels and travel a good six odd meters or more depending on your speed.

I would say though I do not recall coming across anything greater than probably a 3 - 4 foot drop off through the areas I used to ride, mainly Bunya.

[rainman]

I probably should sit on the fence for now . I've never been a Cannondale or Trek fan. I like Santa Cruz, Specialized, Giant, Scott. For a given price range it mostly comes down to personal experience, preference, and largely opinion really.

There are a few opportunities in Bunyaville now to get a bit of air, the largest being the road gap above the dam:

[DiscoWeb]

Hi CJT,

If you're going to be jumping, or leaving the ground at all, say NO to the Lefty. I've seen one of them come in to the transition area at Kooralbyn during a 12 hour as a "Righty" (spun around 180 degrees). I really think for longevity you're best sticking with the tried and trusted standard fork design.

Viva la MTB!
James.

rainman,

I am a big guy, 110 - 112 kg on a good day so probably 115kg + with riding gear and a small pack on a normal day and have ridden a 140 mm carbon left on a cannondale prophet since 2005.

I have ridden technical rocky trails, fast flowing single track, 24 hr events and done up to 4 ft drops and whilst I consider myself to be a reasonably flowing rider have hit stuff hard enough to burp the front tubeless and have never once felt the lefty flex or been worried about it.

I would have 100% confidence in suggesting that a left would be up to pretty much everything bar full on dirt jumping and a downhill thrashing.

they take a few rides to get use too but you get lots of inquisitive looks from people which is kinda cool.

If you are an ex racer then the slightly more aggressive riding position of a scalpel would probably suit but I would go a Rize or something similar with a bit more front and rear travel for not much weight penalty. Get a lock out on the suspension and it would be a great commuter.

viva la MTB indeed

George

[rainman]

I am a big guy, 110 - 112 kg on a good day so probably 115kg + with riding gear and a small pack on a normal day and have ridden a 140 mm carbon left on a cannondale prophet since 2005.

I have ridden technical rocky trails, fast flowing single track, 24 hr events and done up to 4 ft drops and whilst I consider myself to be a reasonably flowing rider have hit stuff hard enough to burp the front tubeless and have never once felt the lefty flex or been worried about it.

That's good to know. CJT, it sounds like you shouldn't have too many worries then if you go down the Lefty path. The reviews on MTBR seem to be very favourable as well.

There you go - personal opinions should be taken with a grain of salt .


James.