Why cannondale lefty

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Bike Carriers. Bike Bags. Bike Locks. Saddle Bags. Bike Protection. Bike Care. Tools and Pumps. The fork was efficient but took the edge off rough and bumpy gravel roads. The Lefty Oliver gravel fork returned, this time based on the sleeker single-crown Lefty Ocho. The two greatest performance benefits of the Lefty design are greater rigidity and reduced stiction.

As explained above, the tube shapes and upside-down design contribute to the greater overall stiffness. Needle bearings reduce stiction compared to bushings and eliminate bushing bind when bending and twisting forces are applied to the fork. Compared to a conventional fork of the same travel, the stiffer Lefty should provide more precision, control, and active suppleness in rough terrain, or under hard braking and cornering.

The impressive rigidity of the Lefty chassis is clear when the presenter is able to lean his full weight on the fork without substantial flex. Of course, this demo was put on at a Cannondale dealer by a Cannondale representative so it should be taken with a grain of salt. The conditions of the demonstration may be favorable to the Lefty. But the key differences shown in this video are still applicable to forks produced today. It even appears stiffer than several heavier trail forks like the Fox 34 and RockShox Pike.

The stiffness helps Henrique Avancini navigate this gnarly rock garden. Notably, this increased rigidity comes without a significant increase in weight. Through the years, the Lefty has remained competitive with the lightest XC forks.

This can make changing tires or performing trail-side puncture repair slightly easier. Conventional forks can take advantage of widely available components like wheels, headsets, and stems, and easier serviceability. It requires a proprietary Lefty hub that mates with the tapered axle. It is forged as a single piece with the stanchion, and the tapered shape creates a strong and rigid structure. Because it requires a special hub, replacing or upgrading wheels can be an added expense.

Riders looking to change their front wheel have limited off-the-shelf options and may need to rely on custom wheelbuilders. Removing the front wheel also requires removing the brake caliper because the wheel is removed horizontally rather than vertically. The previous generation dual-crown Lefty forks also used a straight 1. That is no longer the case with the new Lefty Ocho, which uses a conventional tapered steerer, but riders interested in Cannondale bikes with the older Lefty forks should be aware that they require stems compatible with 1.

Serviceability is the biggest concern a potential Lefty owner might have. Most conventional forks are easily serviced at most bike shops. However, due to proprietary technology, parts, and tools, Lefty forks need to be serviced by Cannondale dealers or authorized HeadShok service centers.

With older Lefty models, if parts fail and need to be replaced, riders could potentially face reduced availability and higher prices. Buyers looking at older discontinued versions of the Lefty essentially everything besides the Lefty Ocho and new Lefty Oliver should carefully consider serviceability and parts availability.

As models like the Lefty Ultra, Supermax, and Hybrid age, parts and people who know how to fix them will be harder to find. Intrepid home mechanics can potentially do the work themselves since service kits and instructions can be found online. There are good options in the U. Over time, the needle bearing strips can migrate from their original position, reducing the available travel. Resetting the bearings is a quick and easy process.

Simply remove the air and firmly bottom the fork out a few times and the bearings will be repositioned. It takes about the same amount of time as putting air in your tires or lubing your chain.

There is one final thing to note: For many Lefty skeptics, the greatest downside is its appearance. Humans are a species drawn to symmetry, and some have become so accustomed to the appearance of conventional forks, that the single-sided Lefty can seem unnatural. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I for one think the Lefty forks look incredibly cool. And no, Lefty forks don't pull to one side. I finally got a Lefty mountain bike when I picked up a special-edition F-Si hardtail.

I wanted to know how the Lefty would perform on technical trails so I tested the bike at Hall Ranch, a local spot known for fast and loose descents and a technical, extended rock garden with rugged features that can overwhelm most lightweight XC bikes.

Though not excessively heavy, I am no featherweight XC rider. I weigh pounds and I can easily exceed pounds with riding gear. Because of my weight, I can feel most XC forks flex when charging into rough terrain. The stiffer fork makes me feel more confident on tough descents. With a near encyclopaedic knowledge of cycling tech, ranging from the most esoteric retro niche to the most cutting-edge modern kit, Jack takes pride in his ability to seek out stories that would otherwise go unreported.

He is also particularly fond of tan-wall tyres, dynamo lights, cup and cone bearings, and skids. Jack has been writing about and testing bikes for more than five years now, has a background working in bike shops for years before that, and is regularly found riding a mix of weird and wonderful machines. Jack can also often be seen zooming about with his partner aboard their beloved tandem, Cecil. Home Everything you need to know about the new Cannondale Lefty Ocho fork.

The valve is located such that it can never spray oil on the rotor. The new Lefty now rolls on three roller-bearing assemblies Cannondale. Check out our first ride review of the new Cannondale F-Si to hear how the new fork performed Cannondale.

The new Lefty now rolls on three roller bearing assemblies Cannondale. The rebound adjuster has also been moved to the bottom.