Cannondale

What are your thoughts on the Cannondale coming out this fall?

I think they are idiots for making a road lefty before a fat lefty, that's what I think.

I have the old Cannonade Ultra Cyclocross with the micro Headshok; this looks like a new incarnation. I wonder if it will be carbon or aluminum like these prototypes. Unfortunately Cannondale graphics these days are usually way too loud and advertising-ish for my taste, hard to see through my dislike to the bike underneath.

I thought if you want a little squish from Cannondale for all applications and save some money, they already have an option. It's not cool I guess. http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/fitness-urban/fitness/quick-cx/quick-cx-1

My thoughts are: I'd have to ride this a couple of miles on chunky gravel to formulate a valid thought on it as a gravel bike

* to clarify; I've ridden shocks that don't do much to help with vibration, certainly no more than a good compliant frame and carbon fork, so until I put my butt in seat on ugly limestone gravel, I can't opine on where this sits on the Gimmick to Must-Have scale.

As a recreational cyclist the lefty doesn't appeal to me, there are far better choices to go with for an all rounder.  I remember reading an article with one of the top execs at Cdale saying something  to the effect of gravel was a fad and they had no plans for a bike not that long ago. Almost bought a Caadx I like the CX  line and own a 29mtb that is very comfy to ride with the save stays.  Good to have options looks fast. Will a lefty wheel fit a regular fork?

New video posted On YouTube

650b

That is the cheesiest video I've seen in quite some time! I couldn't stop laughing.

They said it will be aluminium, the lefty fork weights 1.1kg on a spec sheet I saw.  I understand why they went 650b so they could fit wide and keep the chainstays at 405mm the overall diameter is same as 700c with 23mm, with there 42mm 650b.

I like the iso-speed on Trek, seems to me that a more compliant rear is more useful?  On a long ride I'm not going to be out of the saddle for 50miles to take the bumps with my legs, I can easily run 30psi on the front with wide tires to get 'shock' on the front.

I think it's an interesting concept.

Looks like 3 builds, any idea what they'll be component wise and what the cost will be?

Rumors but hey

Slate 105 = $2900
Slate 6800 = $3300
Slate Force X1 = $3900

 

Slammed that stem. I like the color.

Thanks, I was hoping that it being alloy the price would be lower.

Any idea if it uses Cannondales new "Smartweld" processing like on the CAAD 12? That would help explain the price.

Probably they said the slate was based off the CAAD frame?

According to BikeRadar "The Slate’s frame was developed with the same advanced software and engineering input as the all-new CAAD12. So the frame's tube shapes and material thicknesses have been defined and optimised in much the same way." That would explain the $3,000 starting price.

If I am spending that kind of money,a carbon Warbird would be my choice. Divide those numbers in half and Dealers will stock them.

Bikerumor posted this yesterday: http://www.bikerumor.com/2015/07/01/cannondale-slate-gravel-road-bike-ready-to-hit-the-dirt-details-actual-weights/

So 21.9 pounds and $3,000 for an alloy bike. I think I'd go for a Smartweld Diverge at under 20 pounds at $2700 or a carbon 105 Grade at $2500 and 21 lbs.