Spotted: Prototype Cannondale Enduro Bike
Cannondale's re-entry into the world of downhill bikes came this year via a wild, high-pivot prototype that can use two shocks (but only one has damping) and offers all the adjustments. Matt Simmonds did the 2019 World Cup season aboard the bike as a toe-in-the-water return to top-flight downhill racing for Cannondale, but don't be surprised to see a full-on factory race effort in 2020.
Downhill bikes are always interesting, but it looks like someone at Cannondale is thinking about a bit less travel, with this all-grey prototype being spotted in the lift line at Mountain Creek Bike Park this weekend. There are some big differences, too. While the downhill bike sees an optional dual-shock layout that lets them separate damping and spring duties, it looks like they've ditched that system here as there's no forward shock mount. There is a water bottle in the same spot, though, while the shock is hidden from view inside the downtube and behind a bolt-on shield, just like on the downhill bike.
The downhill bike (on the right) sees its shock hidden inside the downtube and protected by a bolt-on shield, as does the latest prototype (left).
A few other things to note, including that those sure look like 29" wheels, and that they've skipped the adjustable-length chainstays used on the race bike. The drive-side is mostly hidden by the rider's leg, but given that it employs a similar-ish high-pivot suspension layout, it's a safe bet that it's using an idler-pulley to route the chain up equally high as well.
Of course, Cannondale has the 165mm-travel Jekyll (or 150mm on 29" wheels) as their current enduro-y bike, but something tells me that you have an idea where this might be heading in 2021.
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My bid:
Fox 38: 160-180mm of travel 2300g +/- 50g, integrated, one piece Crown-Steerer, 1,1/8"-2" steerer. Axle to crown Fox36+10mm. 15mm Boost axle, Price 1599$ +/- 50$
If you have an E-bike then why not just buy a Fox 40 at 2800g is beyond any reasoning...
Trek Rail is already sporting some wide crown, but seems there is no info on is the steerer tube wider as well or is it just some intermediate solution till Rockshox catches up with an upcoming standard.
/Sram waiting for Fox to make a first move to set those tolerances on their machines and finally get ahead in the great stanchion game.
They hide those payments in advertising contracts these days.
@fracasnoxteam:
Head of marketing: "So according to our pinkbike focus groups it "doesn't look like a session", I guess that's good? But it will need space for a water bottle next to all those springs."
Suspension designer: "Where do you expect me to put the damper, inside the bloody downtube?"
I will be a bad @$$ bike and will have the obligatory 17 different proprietary parts that only Cannondale or Fox can manufacture/service. That way in 4 years when you call them to get your bike/shock serviced they can tell you that those parts are no longer in production and you have to buy a new bike.
America was blessed to get Trump. A true moderate. Low unemployment. Someone to enforce the laws at the boarder. A president that stood up to China. Someone who showed the media’s Fake News side. Plus many other great things.
Also what do people think that a $52 trillion health care plan is going to do. I know it will stink the USA for years.
Will never own another Dorel bike, or Evil and possibly Rocky Mountain (expect to see more on RM soon)
that is after watching a friend go thru several warrantied frames.
Go back to your Nazi fanboy forums mmmkay?