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Submitted by
James Newman
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cranks | | Strengths: | Smooth, supple, lock-out | | Weaknesses: | Water ingress under rubber boot area can cause rapid bearing wear. . .keep you balls dry people! | | Similar Products Used: | Fox's, Manitous | | Bike Setup: | Std Rush 1000 | | Bottom Line: | The greatest 'fork' so far for XC and the occasional drop off. I've hit mine very hard (I weigh 90kgs) and they keep coming back. There is a slight tendency for them to shed air, but that's easily fixed with a shock pump | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe programmer
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Ant Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Lone Star Bikes | | Strengths: | Light Weight, strong, stiff, plush action, low maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Needs a little help out of the box | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou r7, Fox rlt100, Marzocchi bomber | | Bike Setup: | Scalpel 2000 | | Bottom Line: | Review for Lefty DLR2 carbon. It's been a few months and the fork is now right. The negative air pressure buildup was solved through the use of x-rings on the piston. The shop changed the air valve and it now works perfectly. The unit no longer needs frequent servicing and it does it job perfectly. It's very responsive to small bumps and doesn't bottom out on large ones. Overall, it's a great fork, very plush, the damping adjustment works great as does the lockout. It's lighter than the fox and just as stiff. What are you doing here, go out and ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe programmer
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | the urban ride on Ilhabela | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Lone Star Bikes | | Strengths: | Light weight, stiffness, smooth operation | | Weaknesses: | oil in air chamber, loss of travel | | Similar Products Used: | lefty dlr, headshok, bombers, manitous, rock shox | | Bike Setup: | stock cannondale scalpel 2000 | | Bottom Line: | This review is for a lefty carbon dlr2. Nice fork, when it works properly. Mine came from the dealer showing about 3" of travel. After a couple of rides, it is now down to about 2". I checked and adjusted the pressure, but to no effect. Also, when I put the shock pump on the shrader valve, oil leaks out. I wrote Cannondale, but they haven't responded. Next, I'm taking it back to the dealer (they are pretty far from me) to see if they can fix it. Even with the loss of travel, it's still a great fork. Light, stiff, doesn't bottom out. The lefty has spoiled me for any other fork. Hope it doesn't take long to fix it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andro Galero
a Weekend Warrior
from Butuan City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Malalag Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | -lightweight! only 1.60 kilos
-5.1 inches of travel
-very stiff
-very unique one leg design
-a head turner | | Weaknesses: | -dont know if my bike mechanic can true a lefty wheel | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox psylo sl, headshok fatty, | | Bike Setup: | cannondale jekyll, hayes HFX ydraulic disc brakes, easton monkeylite DH bars, thomson elite seatpost, crankbrothers eggbeaters, truvativ stylo team crankset and sram X.O drivetrain. | | Bottom Line: | this review is for my HEADSHOK LEFTY DLR TITANIUM fork that came with my cannondale jekyll 800 mountain bike. my only gripe is my mechanic might not be able to true my front wheelset if i wanted to change into lighter rims and spokes, and i live very far from a cannondale dealer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy Chan
a Cross Country Rider
from South Coogee, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Oaks Fire Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Inner City Cycles | | Strengths: | Unique design that always attracts questions. Very rigid and solid in use. Easy to repair or replace tube on the front wheel. | | Weaknesses: | My review is based on the DLR2 (2005 model)which is an absolute disappointment when compared to the original DLR fork. The design of the O-rings and piston on the DLR2 is a disgrace. I have had multiple incidences of air spring leakage that has resulted in major frustration. The fork has been replaced three times at Cannondale's expense. | | Similar Products Used: | F900SX (2000 model) with original Lefty DLR, B900 (1996 model) | | Bike Setup: | F1000 Hardtail (2005 model) | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden Cannondale bikes since 1997 and never have I experienced the kinds of problems that now exists with the Lefty DLR2. When Cannondale's quality and reputation is analysed closely this fork is an absolute stuff-up. The overall concept and design is brilliant and I love it but there has to be some checks in place to ensure that this type of dilemma never happens again. As mentioned above I have now had a third DLR2 fork fitted to the F1000 and it seems to be working like it should but I await the next dramatic exit from the trail. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Krayzie Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Scarborough
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Don River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Used Classfied @ Pinkbike | | Strengths: | Accurate point and shoot tracking, very light steering, stiff with no play, rebound damping and infinite travel adjustment controls on the fly, runs on silky smoove needle bearings. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to access air valve stem (requires a shock pump with a valve that has a small diameter or else it wouldn't fit), rebound knob seems fragile, drifts to the left if ridden without hands, no quick release front wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Six Elite, Rockshox Duke SL | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F800 with Lefty | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the Lefty DLR Ti, the fork's steering feels really light dispite being a 3.5lbs fork, it feels very stiff with a dual crown setup, the fork tracks so accurately it's out of this world - an entire class of its own. The air cartridge is very tough as it is rated at max 225psi (as opposed to the RS Duke SL @ max 180psi) - I set it up at 165psi and I'm 220 pounds and the fork feels very plush yet stable (unlike the constant bobbing Manitou Six Elite). Excellent travel and rebound controls close to hand on the fly, although the rebound knob doesn't feel very solid unlike the travel lever. The fork allows 20mm of travel when it is locked out which is perfect for road commuting. A very capable cross country racing fork with 100mm of high quality travel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very responsive in corners. Easy access to lock-out. Unique design. | | Weaknesses: | Seal design sucks. LBS will not service. Sent back to Cannondale, and still leaked. Speciality tools required to service shock. Replacement parts unique to Lefty, i.e. headset, hub and stem. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Marzocchi shocks. | | Bike Setup: | F800 with stock components | | Bottom Line: | This is a gimmicky shock. I was happy with the performance, when it was NOT leaking. If I had a second chance, I would pass on the Lefty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Denton, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bushey's Cycle | | Strengths: | Light, super responsive, elo nice on climbs | | Weaknesses: | Does not lend itself to no hands riding. Must have wheels trued by cannondale dealer. Truing or wheel building cannot be done unless special tools are used. Make sure you live close to a Cannondale dealership. | | Similar Products Used: | Roc Shox Psyclo, Marchozzi | | Bike Setup: | Jekyl stock with hayes disc | | Bottom Line: | I like the fork and have had no problems with it in the 2500 miles + I have used it. I do wish that Cannondale could make their products a bit more mantainence friendly and provide a way to true wheels at home without the use of special tools that can only be purchased at a dealer. I do not have access to a Cannondale dealership close by, so it is very difficult to have any service performed. Also, normal blke shops will probably not be able to service this fork because it is so unusual. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from East Montpelier VT USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | Large travel, smooth rebound, indestructable completes balance of bike with drivetrain on right and shock on left | | Weaknesses: | $$$$$$$ wow my damper broke and had to be rebuilt at $400 that stinking hub icant find a wheelset if you find one e mail me at fastguyrules@juno.com oh yeah can not change the preasure at home unless you have the pump | | Bike Setup: | F900SX frame with upgraded Sram X and XT font | | Bottom Line: | Once you go Lefty you will not go back. When i ride my friend's bikes they feel odd meanig Trek 6000 and 4500 and Specialized Stumpjumper it feels ostrange and unatural after being aquainted with the Lefty. it is the shock that will end all others so go get it though i am a little suspicious of the ELO because i like simplicity so if your looken for a shock get the lefty pluss its on a Cannondale and look at the welds "quality" So if your looking for a cheap bike go to Walls*Mart But if you want the top of the line this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Racer
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | 50 year trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | eBay on Jekyll | | Strengths: | Travel, Smooth, Lock-out | | Weaknesses: | Lock-out failed to 'unlock' on one ride. Currently no rebound, need to have rebuilt right away. Clunk at top, again, need to rebuild asap. | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox junk | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll, Magura Julie, XT groupo | | Bottom Line: | Great Shock, turns heads, gets many questions from people who are normally not interested in bikes (conversation piece). Long travel, very strong, ease of adjustment. Half the amount of parts to break or fail than a traditional fork. Came on a used bike I bought, so price was not an issue for me. I'm sold on the lefty. 4 chilis on value due to the replacement cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from hull,quebec ,canada
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | camps fortune | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | mec gear swaps | | Strengths: | Light weight, good lock out, rebond adjustments, nice look | | Weaknesses: | just fit on cannondale frame,need a special adapter to put the bike on the roof, hard to put a bike computer,wery expensive | | Similar Products Used: | sid 100,xc, manitou mars | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f800(magura julie disc brakes (ther crap)xt,lx,deore lefty dlr titanuim,caad 5 integrated disigne full cannondale(coda)expert) | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork i never used, it have some smalle weaknesse bot nothing make mee hunhappy of my purtchasse
i dooind some crosse contry and its great but my frinds does dh and freeride and ihe love it so its for every body
i givs 5 flames chilis beacous i thinks is the perfect rating | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Cornwall
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Mud Clearance, Small/Medium bump response | | Weaknesses: | Not usable on anything other than a Cannondale, Still they make some of the best frames money can buy so what the hell. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy, Bomber, Headshock, | | Bike Setup: | Gemini, Full 03 XTR, Lefty | | Bottom Line: | This fork kicks ass on my CAAD 5, now iv put it on my Gemini and the back is set on 170, the front does not feel out of place at all, i have converted the lower to run oil bath, which really makes it much plusher and more responsive than any thing iv tried before, but the travel blows quickly. Still cant ask for everything, im also using some of Foxes ultra expensive in my cart, same weight as before but the rebound adjuster seams to be much more precise now. If anyone needs tips on tuning the Lefty please contact me turfey21@aol.com i am the manager at a large UK based mail order/retail bike shop, im happy to help without trying to sell anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Florian
a Cross Country Rider
from Austria
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Hardcore | | Strengths: | Stiff, plush, very direct steering, the fork seems to handle some crashes, the hub you have to use with the lefty runs well. also, this fork gives every disc brake system a boost, because the torsion stiffness is higher than many regular forks and so there is no flex at breaking and steering at the same time.
| | Weaknesses: | the damping controll seems only to switch on or off- can anybody help me with this? also, i think the fork needs more progression- i ride this fork very soft and often i don't know how far i can go with this thing, because you really don't know when it will bottom out!
expensive! i used a fatty ultra dl at first, but was not satisfied with it (65mm of travel suck!) paid about 500$ for fork and 100$ for the hub. | | Similar Products Used: | fatty ultra dl | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f800sl (2003), all stock, except specialized low rizer handlebar, lefty dlr, specialized enduro pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | very fine fork, works as good as regular forks.
but if you want to have one, you should buy a c'dale with a lefty, because buying a lefty aftermarket can be very expensive - up to 1300$ - !!
hadn't had any problems with it yet, but let's see next summer- because i think the hub needs a better sealing, don't know if it's possible that dust will come into the hub. until know it worked very well, i ride in snow, too, you know. no water in it afterwards. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iain Rathie
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | chocalate buddah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | adjustable rebound. accessible lockout. plush/hard (easily adjustable via air pressure in main spring). no lateral flex - precise steering and handling (in comparison to forks listed below) | | Weaknesses: | no performance weaknesses. little things like mounting for fork carrier (rigged up a system with a few bits of timber in the back of the ute that carries her fine. 'ute' is the aussie version of the pickup by the way) Mounting of 'putor - put it on the back if you really want one | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Judy C (two years on hardtail) 2000 SID SL (2 years on a dakar) lots of brands and models on mates bikes | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Jekyll 800 (i'm in love with this bike) | | Bottom Line: | A forks performance is a sum of how well you set it up, the bike you are riding and most importantly - the skill of the rider. I'm not a pro level rider by any stretch - but i like to ride hard and fast and try most things. This fork is just so far ahead of the abovementioned its not funny. Obviously you can only obtain this fork as part of a cannondale package - rest assured it will not let you down as part of the overall package. cannot give it 5 as nothing is perfect. 4.5 would be my rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CZP
a Weekend Warrior
from Denmark Copenhagen
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Louis Cykler | | Strengths: | Just NAJS, stiff like hell, and plushness like the best frem M. | | Weaknesses: | Can't easily remove the front wheel | | Similar Products Used: | SID / JUDY / Marzocchi | | Bike Setup: | F1000 Cannondale XTR/LX | | Bottom Line: | Lefty with the Elo funktion works like no other fork out there....JUST tooo Najs.
It's the ultimate CHICK magnet - all the girls like it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Mallette
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Revilution Cycle | | Strengths: | Coolest looking shock ever and it works BIGTIME.
The ELO is great. Lefty is smooth, fast and is stiff. | | Weaknesses: | Cost, finding information on servicing and mounting to roof rails | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 700 LTD, XT components, Magura disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Cannondale is still one of the best bike out there. I have not been on a bike since my Red Shred. Came back to mountain biking this year, jumped on a Jekyll with the Lefty, put's mountain biking in a hole new world. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | tight, adjustable height, easy to change a flat | | Weaknesses: | 4 bolt rotor | | Similar Products Used: | Rockshox, fox | | Bike Setup: | F2000/XTR/many upgrades | | Bottom Line: | Very low maintenance. Gummed up after three months, I turned it upside down, pulled the boot down and dripped transmission fluid down all sides, never gummed up again. Works best with a short stem (sucks up everything). With the long stem I had to many trips over the handlebars. THIS SHOCK ROCKS!!!!!! Took off the Coda brakes and mounted Avid Mechanical on the Coda rotor; works great. And unlike others, I’ve found a way to mount my computer. On the rotor, instead of the spokes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Hanover, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | blue Ribbon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Omer and Bob's | | Strengths: | STIFF-NESS, PLUSH-ness | | Weaknesses: | Can't easily remove the front wheel. | | Similar Products Used: | Quadra 21R, Marzocchi Z2 Atom Bomb | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F800 with a couple of component upgrades | | Bottom Line: | The difference that I felt in switching from the Marzocchi to the Lefty is equivalent to the difference I felt between the quadra 21R and the Marzocchi. This fork is amazing. It's soft, so I feel like it will bottom out, but I haven't gotten it to. And it's smooth as anything. Even smoother than the Marzocchi. I couldn't imagine spending $1000 on this fork, but it came stock on my f800 and I have No complaints whatsoever (granted I've only rode it a little bit). I'll post again if it craps the bed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Masba
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Michel, Finland
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Everything mentioned below | | Weaknesses: | Top out DOES make a small *klunk* as I would describe it, but it's nothing serious. No retailers in my city. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing "similiar" but RS Sid SL, Judy XC and Manitou Magnum R | | Bike Setup: | 2001 C'Dale F2000, Hope Mini, Sram Grip Shift, Race Face cranks, Mavic D321 Rims, Monkeybar | | Bottom Line: | I have had this fork for just a short time but already it has convinced me of its quality. I have made some big drops and I find very hard to bottom it out and I weight over 200lbs. I like to ride hard and this fork really helps me doing so, I just hope that I won't brake it... Only time will tell. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from CT
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth feel, Excelent rebound adjustability, air shock spring rate adjustibility, lockout, great lateral stiffness, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | PRICE, hard to mount on a fork mount bike rack | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox psylo xc (doesn't offer enough adjustment), RS psylo sl (excelent fork), Marzocci shiver SC (heavy but great feel), headshox fatty ultra (super light, not very adjustable, xc use only) | | Bike Setup: | cannondale Jekyll 900sl | | Bottom Line: | I originaly got a fatty ultra with my jekyll but after only a few months I Upgraded to the Lefty. It was one of the most expensive but also one of the most worth while upgrades on my ride. The lefty offered much more travel but also rebound adjustability and aditional front end ride height adjustment. At least once a month I come down nose heavy off a drop and thank god I have a lefty to save me from my stupidity. If you are looking into upgrading your cdale I would recamend it but if your bike isn't new look into a whole new rig because the price of the lefty will give you sticker shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hiro Yoshida
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, California
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Strengths: | Rigid handling yet absorb very hard shock. No other
manufactuerers can match with this performance in price range. | | Weaknesses: | Available only for Cannondale. Expensive. | | Bike Setup: | V800, XTR shifter & Crank/BB,King Disco hub,Shimano FR Hydro, Grimeca Fr with 8'rotor, WTB Laser saddle, Thomson post,Raceface bar,Mavic 321s with Geax 2.25fr/2.1RR
and Fox RC Float. | | Bottom Line: | Should buy cheap C'dale full suspension bike and modify to lefty. You will never go back to double shock absorber again. Everybody knew the best solution is single shock but only C'dale made it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonathan
a Weekend Warrior
from western maryland
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | adventure sports(frostburg md) | | Strengths: | air adjustable with lockout and rebound adjust | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | rockshox products | | Bike Setup: | jekyll 800 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome fork, better than any other product i have ridden
if you could put this on another bike you should, but with cannondale making frames like the jekyll series, just buy the whole package | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Wood
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Top of the World | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Open Road | | Strengths: | Stiffness, Steering precision, plushness | | Weaknesses: | Have to purchase new rack - or use the Fork-Up adaptor which seems like a real pain in the rear (you'd have to remove the front disc brake caliper and front wheel each time you wanted to load your bike). And I still haven't figured out how to put the front wheel into a truing stand?? | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z1 w/ecc and Z2, Rock Shox Psylo XC, Sid XC and SL, Judy XC, Manitou SX-R and X-vert. | | Bike Setup: | Stock '02 Jekyll 1000 except Shimano 424 pedals and SDG Grand Prix saddle | | Bottom Line: | Best fork I've used. Until I tried the lefty, the Z1 with ecc held the top spot in my book, but the lefty tracks better and feels more plush. It's 100mm of travel is so smooth that it feels bottomless, and the lockout works great for climbing. I think this if by far the best 100mm all purpose fork on the market. I probably wouldn't recommend it for the heavy freeride types, but for general XC and adventure riding it's unbeatable. And obviously Tinker thinks it works pretty well for racing as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david crane
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorkshire,England
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bingley/Wilsden | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Beyond the cutting edge image, plush ,lockout very useful,general sexiness | | Weaknesses: | slight top out clunk, wheel change ,limited range of wheelsets (none!} | | Similar Products Used: | Most other forks | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 4000sl | | Bottom Line: | I was one of the 367 carbon leftys recalled. The fork was returned recently with some rather clunky looking rivets in the wheel mounting casting. Performance seems unaffected.I was promised adjustable travel but this is not obvious.
Does anyone out there know of alternative wheelsets? I read that Spinergy were doing one but cannot contact them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DanKY
a Cross Country Rider
from BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Burnaby Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal Sport Chiliwack | | Strengths: | Lockout, adjustable damping, boot prevents water entering the fork, adjustable height(changing the entire bike geometry), adjustable travel(just install a little plastic ring, then u get 80mm travel), light hub(no disc hub in the market is light than 150gm, lefty hub does!!), no headset is needed, saves over 100gms from it!(just ask the dealer to take off the headset cap, u can see thru the headset to the tire!),,, | | Weaknesses: | caught too much attention, although u dont need 2 take off the wheel 4 changing front tube; however when the wheel is still installed with the fork,,,its a more painstaking process 2 change spare!! ppl claime that hearing the disc ouching the pad which indicates the flex of axle, WRONG, flex is the hub, not the axle,,,its steel or newest one with titanium,,,its no way 2 b flex, needs four bolts disc, coda disc works well if uve got a good mechanic,,, | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | GripShift Rockets, Cutted Oury, CT2 5degree flat, Cateyes Wireless2, Suns DS1 rims, Michelin Hot S Front, Time Alumin, XT front deri. XTR rear deri. XT casse. Pana XC Pro 2.1 Rear, CT2 seatpost, Selle Italia Nostrex200gm saddle, overall 23.4 lbs | | Bottom Line: | lightest 4inchs disc fork in th eworld, if u pick carbon ELO, its only 2.8 lbs, adjustable damping stops manufac. int the coming year,,guys, get the jeckll 2000 or 1000, then u can get the titen axle plus DLR | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Brigton Me USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | red jersy cyclery | | Strengths: | every thing (the ELO is the best thing to happen to shocks) | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | there is nothing like it | | Bike Setup: | f1000 with lefty, coda expert partd and xtr and lx componants | | Bottom Line: | this is the best shock i have ever ridden it makes the ride smoother and the ELO kills on the uphill climbs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Cross Country Rider
from Brigton Me USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | red jersy cyclery | | Strengths: | every thing (the ELO is the best thing to happen to shocks) | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | there is nothing like it | | Bike Setup: | f1000 with lefty, coda expert partd and xtr and lx componants | | Bottom Line: | this is the best shock i have ever ridden it makes the ride smoother and the ELO kills on the uphill climbs | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nibus
a Cross Country Rider
from Marshall, VA USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | It plain works. Great balance and steering control. Awesome suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Water gunks up needle bearings if not careful. Rebound damping doesn't do much. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F900SX with XTR BB and front rings/cranks. Coda Expert disc brakes/hubs, LX/XT with SRAM 7.0 rear cassette. | | Bottom Line: | Killer piece of equipment. Works every time !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a
from Fairfield, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | strengh, stiffness, plushness | | Weaknesses: | price | | Bottom Line: | great shock | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alessandro
a Weekend Warrior
from milano
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | mottarone single track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | la biciletteria | | Strengths: | all terrain from the hard roks to the asfalt!!! | | Similar Products Used: | nothing | | Bike Setup: | super v 700 sx , freeride | | Bottom Line: | I think that my mtb with this fork could go down from himalaya !!!!
It's fantastic and very technical!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fronk Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single track | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Unlimited | | Strengths: | Light Weight
Stiff
100 MM of travel
Very low maintanance
Awesome tracking
Fully adjustable and tuneable
| | Weaknesses: | Special tools for reapirs and rebulids. | | Similar Products Used: | There really is nothing similar. I have ridden all of Rock Shocks, Maitou and Marzochi's products at one time or another. I have found the new Psylo fork with the 20MM axle very good. | | Bike Setup: | Custom Jekyl with CAAD 5 rear swing arm. Lefty DLR front fork, Monkey Light bars, SRAM 9.0 SL Shifters and rear derailure, XT front derailure, Thompson seat post, Serfas Seat, CODA Trantula cranks, XTR rear cogs, SRAM 9.0 Sl rear hub, Vuelta Free Ride Rims, Hayes Hydro disk brakes and Time pedals. Bike Weight 27.5 pounds. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this fork for one year ( Ending last May.) I have yet to repalce anything on the fork, not even the boot. I know I need to have it serviced soon but I'm afraid it won't be the same when I put it back together. I am a police officer in Southern Utah and we purchased the Jekyl 1000 as our patrol bike. We have had ZERO problems with the forks on all 7 of the bikes. Prety good record, counting mine thats 8 Lefty forks with no problems.
Please take the time to ride one of these forks before you rate it low on a rental or demo bike. Don't bash Cannondale for trying new inovative ideas, someone has to push the envelope. I have seen many more forks come back to my LBS with problems that have had to be "Recalled." Not the Lefty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ari K
a Weekend Warrior
from Iceland
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | various local | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | GÁP bike shop | | Strengths: | Tracks like a dream, responsive on small and large bumps, almost Never needs servicing | | Weaknesses: | hard to set up right, hard to service(need special tools) | | Similar Products Used: | first fork owned, have tried misc. other forks (Judy and others) | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Cannondale f1000 | | Bottom Line: | By far the stiffest, best tracking fork I have ever tried, that´s of course why I bought that bike....
The damping dial doesn´t make as big a difference as I would like, and it took me a few weeks to get the air-pressure right, otherwise I´m very pleased.
This fork is for those who aren´t just thinking about Amount of travel (get a lefty or a real downhill fork) but for those who would otherwise buy rockshox or similar, get this one instead
Defense of flamin´ dog turds:
4 for value- expensive, hard to change internal settings (for those who HAVE to customize) and damping dial should make more of a difference
5 overall-Best I tested, you feel confident riding this thing at ludicrous speeds in any terrain (almost any, anyway) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Helton Moraes
a Cross Country Rider
from Brazil
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Roots/Hi speed rocky roads | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Light, long travel, easy to fix flats, you can ride a bent wheel, easy on the fly dial and lock out, you only have ONE air chamber to pump. | | Weaknesses: | It's not beeing used long enough since it was invented to have a clear idea about durability. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XL, Bomber | | Bike Setup: | Timberline FS '95 (I rode the Lefty in other bike, of course) | | Bottom Line: | I don't have the Lefty yet, but I realy think ther's nothing better now, that's why I am only counting the minutes to put my hand on it definitely. I just wrote this comment because I have seen some coments about the potential damage the single-legged fork could cause to the frame, or to the very suspension:
In the first place, it DOESN'T have any tortional effect on the frame, because the same length the left leg goes to the left, the wheel comes back below the steering tube, staying exactely under it. If the wheel is misaligned to the right, for exemple (what isn't improbable due to the lack of the other leg to use as a reference point while centering the wheel on the bike), the force would be the opposite, and the suspension would tend to bend to the right.
Besides, the pedals and the crankset are attached to the bike by one side only, and I haven't heard of enyone who has broke them under normal conditions. Think about it... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati Oh
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cave Run | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This fork is light weight for a 100mm travel fork, stiffnes, easy to change a flat, tracks well | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Fatty Sl, Fatty D, Judy Xc | | Bike Setup: | Nearly Stock 2000 2000sx (traded out the suspension seat post for my old school thompson elite | | Bottom Line: | The Bottome line is that I am a 200 lb xc rider and racer that rides like a 150 lb rider. I am hard on everything I own. My first cannondale was a 97 f1000 that was purchased after I snapped the frame on my gt only after 6 months of use. I still have that f1000 and love it. I just needed something that was easily upgradeable (something with ninespeed, the oldschool 8 sp rapid rise is now sortof hard to find) So I purchesed this bike mainly for the caad 4 frame. However after only a few rides I fell inlove with the fork. It is increadably stiff even during sprints, also with a 100mm of plush travel on a xc bike it gives me the ability to take a completley different line than the others. ADVANTAGE>> | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from Lasalle, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | bush trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | very still torsionaly, on the fly lockout, plus the reaction from people who just think it's different | | Weaknesses: | none yet, but there is always a flaw in everything | | Similar Products Used: | nothing quite like this, but most of the familiar names in double tube forks | | Bike Setup: | 900sx jeykle | | Bottom Line: | i overlooked this design, after my initial assesment that it would be weak, and offer no practical advantage. the bike was an excellent deal, and when i began looking at the lefty setup with an open mind, i found it hard to believe i could do with out them. The difference between them and "NORMAL" front shoch set-ups is very noticeable, and now i am a true believer.
Time will tell if the headset/frame handles the stresses of the design, but frames can always be made stronger, and that would be a small price to pay for the benifits this shock provides | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jed
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ones made from dirt, rocks, and roots | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | This fork is fab | | Weaknesses: | Posts in this BB | | Similar Products Used: | All Rock Shox | | Bike Setup: | Jeckyll 2000 | | Bottom Line: | I find it hard to believe that Brian Lopes has a hard time breaking the Lefty, but all these people in here have broken them.
I am 230lbs and that alone beats the S*@t out of my frame and fork. I have not had a single problem with the exception of fitting my bike in my car and not on the roof.
I'll give a couple fin flamers to this bad ass. I've only owned it for a month, but I will repost next month hopefully with the same news | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean-Stephan VOZA
a Racer
from Marigot, St-Martin, France
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | 5mn from home | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came with the bike | | Strengths: | + Look
+ Carbon / Titanium
+ Weight
+ Travel
+ Lockout | | Weaknesses: | - Rebound damping
- Adjustability
- Lockout (Battery) | | Similar Products Used: | Marzocchi Z3 superfly | | Bike Setup: | JEKYLL 4000 SL (mod 2001) | | Bottom Line: | First I was happy with the fork. It is the coolest looking fork around. Then the bad things happened :
1 - The upper bolt was loose. You don't want to screw it to hard because of the aluminum upper clamp...
2 - My fork is underdamped on the rebound. I don't like to change the oil to adjust it...
3 - The bike doesn't hook to the ground. Is it the Mosquito tires ? Is it the whole bike ?
4 - The 9V battery just died after 2 week of use & 1 week of sleep...
I hope all theses problems will never happen again now that the bolt is tight, that I have to change the oil, that I'll change the tires & the battery. Is it a break-in period or a bad fork ? Time will tell... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benjamin
a Weekend Warrior
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lightest of the long travel 4x. | | Weaknesses: | People say that the Lefty is stiff. I agree up to one point.
When i go downhill i really can notice flexing (torsion) of the fork during braking. That's because all the riders weight plus the inertia tackles the left side lowers.
Mine keeps making this strange noise like tgtgtgt. Sounds to me that there's some play in the needle system (have been under investigation by dealer but didn't find anything!).
Got it with to heavy oil, way overdamped.
Can be a little more progressive.
Cannondale forgot to place a washer on the fronthubs left bearing. Needed replacement after two weeks!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Zocchi Z1 BAM 99 reduced to 100 mm, still have him on my Santos DS bike. Way better feeling by the way. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Raven 900SX everything replaced exept the hubs and brakes.
Wats on it now.
Rigida disc rims (tip: don't you ever use normal rims with discbrake setup, failure PROGRAMMED.
Sapim CX-rays aerospokes also on DS bike.
XTR-deraillieur
XTR Cogset
SRAM rocket Shorty
Continental Twister Pro's
Maxxis flylight tubes
TA-specialites Chainrings
Home made Ti cranks (300 grams, so wat do you say now he).
Tune JU bracket.
Easton CT2 straights Hbars.
Easton carbon seatpost.
Selle italia SLR sadle
And some minor tweaks like Ti nuts and bolts.
Total weight 9.6 Kg
| | Bottom Line: | Put some little improvements to the fork headshok. Like the oil for instance. Every mag i read says that the lefty is overdamped. I am curious about the carbon version wich must be way lighter than the old version.
Happy trails | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew Martino
a Weekend Warrior
from Roxbury, CT
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Pinnacle | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Class Cycles, Southbury, CT | | Strengths: | Amazing weight for a long travel fork, tracks perfectly, stiff, oh so plush, absolutely bombproof, you can use it for everything from a cross country race to bombing down 5 foot drop off, on the fly lockout is perfect for climbing or sprinting. | | Weaknesses: | Gets stiff in cold weather, pain in the ass roof rack options. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Headshok DD50, a bunch of Rock Shox, Manitou, Marzocchi forks | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Cannondale F2000sx | | Bottom Line: | There is nothing this fork does not do well. Use it for cross country, dual slalom, downhill, freeriding, anything. Cannondale has made an amazing fork that does damn near anything. Forget Rock Shox, Manitou or Marzocchi, I got a Lefty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lance irvin
a Cross Country Rider
from jefferson city, MO
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | gooseberry mesa, utah | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclextreme columbia, mo | | Strengths: | stiff, tracks like a slot car, long travel for xc, looks, plush, problem free, light for 100mm | | Weaknesses: | front wheel removal,bike rack pain, hard to get tear down info. | | Similar Products Used: | judyxc,sid, head shock | | Bike Setup: | 2001 f1000sx, stock, caad5 | | Bottom Line: | rode specialized stumpjumper comp for a couple years, wanted to buy a new 2000 stumpjumper pro. went to several shops rode similar bikes gt,giant, jeckyl with head shock then rode the cannondale with lefty, had to have it, smooth long travel, i am light and i rarely bottom this shock out, have had absolutely no prblems, have not detected any flex, sweet inovative product period | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam F
a Downhiller
from alameda Ca USA
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mr Toads | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Unbelievable plushness, steering precision, and lack of bounce when sprinting | | Weaknesses: | need secial tools to service | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou X vert R, Fatty SL | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Hardtail, XTR, stock CODA disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | This fork is performing beyond all my expectations. I Fell in love with my Fatty SL due to the lateral and torsional stifness accomplished by cannondale's needle bearing technology and expected to be let down a little because of the increased travel of the Lefty but that wasn't the case at all. This fork has all the benefits of lesser travel forks and all the bebefits of longer travel forks combined. Awesome smoothness, perfect steering precision, the damper works great and I don't bob around like I did riding my Manitou X Vert R, and its light to boot. In a word, Beautiful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheldon. Missouri
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Well here I am still waiting for Cannondale to honor their warrenty. My raven frame is cracked and they won't admit it is from the Lefty.This fork does harm to your bike! I have read all the reviews from the so called engineers who graduated from this university or that but they never give a detailed explanation as to why their statement is correct. Cannondale is a retarded company that soley sells their products on marketing appeal. Just look at their dirt bike project and you will see what I mean. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Doylestown Pa USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | High Rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cycle Sports | | Strengths: | Plushness, Looks, Weight, Rigid, You can waffle your front wheel and still ride (I know from expirience). It is holding up great. Even under way more abuse than I've put on any of my previous forks that all lasted less that a year. Works vary well. Mainenance free | | Weaknesses: | Expensive to buy after market. Having people stop and ask if the one side screws me up or if I'm affraid of it breaking. Every fork I've ever used has broke and I wont be supprised when this one does to. | | Similar Products Used: | Many rock shox products | | Bike Setup: | year 2000 SuperV 700sx with many upgardes | | Bottom Line: | This fork rocks. All you people who say they couldn't get used to it need to shut up! there is nothing to get used to except maybe having a fork the works awsome. And as with any Headshock fork they are virtually maintenance free. Screw what cannondale says about maintenance. I work at a connondale retailer and we are one of the most well trained headshock shops around. Your supposed to get headshocks serviced one a year. We almost never see any of the ones the we sell. And when people do bring them back after a few years we take them apart and the are clean and don't need any work. I took my lefty apart after a year, and it was the same deal. If you want an awsome fork that you don't have to think about get a lefty. They just need to make one with an 1 1/8" steer tube so I can put on on the specialzed P3 that I want to get this coming summer | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
madhatter
a Cross Country Rider
from indianapolis, in
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all over michigan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | bicycle garage indy www.bgindy.com | | Strengths: | travel, looks, damping (after some mods), i have the elo on mine, and it cant be beat. | | Weaknesses: | straight out of the box, they are so-so, but if you dont know how to tune forks, take them to a reputable head shok dealer, and tell them what you are looking to get out of the fork. they should be able to accomadate just about anything. | | Similar Products Used: | almost everything rock shok | | Bike Setup: | cannondale jekyll, nothing other than the forks stock | | Bottom Line: | everyone who says that these forks shouldnt work because of the one leg should shut up about things they know nothing about. i graduated last year from the university of michigan with a degree in physics, and these forks are simply one of the best, most revolutionary ideas in forks to come around in a while. everything that the guy (i cant recall his name) said in his review where he was talking about the physics of this fork is dead on balls accurate. you wouldnt know you only had one leg unless you look down. like i stated earlier, they are only so-so for any serious riding out of the box, but you can easily take care of that. i wouldnt reccomend it for anyone who does strictly DH, but for any XC rider, who has a cannondale, pretty much no matter how hard you ride BUY THESE FORKS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bike Setup: |
| | Bottom Line: | Follow up to my previous post below (on 5-22-2000).
Well it's been almost 4 more months and I am getting yet another fork. Cannondale service has been great, but 3 forks in one year?
Actually some of this is the fault of my local LBS not being 100% familiar with the new Lefty.
I weigh 200lbs, ride technical XC (read to old to start freeriding), and have broken just about everything on my bike. The Lefty as is from C'Dale is not suited for my weight and riding style. Heavier oil and a stiffer "shim stack" were called for.
I still give this fork a tenative 4 chilis as everything posted here about the plush, yet stiff ride is right on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area CA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Purisma Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It works. It is adjustable. 4 inches, sort of light, and looks cool. very rigid. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, not easlily serviced without special tools, wheel removal | | Similar Products Used: | Mag 20, Judyxc, Englund Total Air, Manitou Pro | | Bike Setup: | F2000SX Stock, except for Monkey-Lite 150, and Bebop pedals | | Bottom Line: | This fork has yet to give me any problems. The lockout is nice for long climbs or road riding. This fork has saved me by absorbing some of the large obsticals that I'm supposed to steer around.
It does it's job well.
I think it's a good all around fork. You could almost do anything short of serious downhill with this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | kettle moraine, crystal ridge(ski hill) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | awesome travel ore than other say, looks, lockout, very adjustable, double clamp(you know its not messing around). | | Weaknesses: | specific hub can't be upgraded to new wheelset. | | Similar Products Used: | 98 judy XC, old quadra 10, new judy XC, sid XC, fatty SL, and most forks that are out know i have test rode (mars C, manitou SX, sr suntour, rst just to name a few). | | Bike Setup: | 2000 jekyll 900sx. | | Bottom Line: | Long travel, heavy-duty, set for anything from difficult singletrack to hardcore down-hilling. This is a real xc mountainbike fork not just race light or a super-long travel downhill fork it can do anything. The only one who shouldn't get the lefty are people who don't want a sweet shock, ounce counters(which I kind of am but oh well), and people who have something with cannondale which thats there problem. I have 2 and my family has 5 all together and no problems. About cannondale baking there products, I work at a LBS and had a old P-bone come in and we tried to fix it but we didn't know what was going on so we sent it in and the sent it back in a couple of days working like new. To anyone who is looking to buy a MT bike spend as much money as you can it will pay of big in the end. If anyone has any questions about the jekyll or the lefty it self email me and i will try to help, harvestlaser@hotmail.com.
I gave it 5 value chili because of the end of the year close out, otherwise I think it might have gotten 4. and overall 5 because it is the greatest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Sarasota, FL
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in front of me | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | trick looks, no flex, precise, this thing is definately a work of art | | Weaknesses: | wheel removal, but I'd just throw the bike in the back of my car (hatchback) | | Similar Products Used: | cheap sr suntour, fatty DL, rock shox sid | | Bike Setup: | soon to be cannondale, and it will have this fork | | Bottom Line: | Looks aside, this thing is trick. The design is avant garde and WORKS. The lockout feature on Cannondale's forks is awesome, considering i do a lot of city commuting as well. Everyone spanking it for its "design flaws" are obviously not looking at the fork for its design characteristics. (Its like a murder trial where someone has a little blood on their hands, so everyone assumes that person is guilty. Look deeper into an investigation and you might find that they were framed or the evidence wasnt as obvious. Point being, not everything is as simple as it looks.) Granted the fork has one leg, but that doesnt necessarily mean that the stress is pressed upon one side of the headset. The wheel is directly below the headset but the fork is stiff, one leg or two, so the forces applied to the headset are inline. Its uneducated to say that it flexes the headset because it has one leg. The "stand on one leg and hop up and down" comment really made me laugh, seriously. Your hips flex, They are made to flex. Metal doesnt fles like this unless its weak, cheap, or is designed around a hinge that is made to flex. The telescoping action causes no headset flex, in fact it is inline with the headset. Now, if you are a bad rider and land sideways on the wheel, or like to hit at odd angles, with ANY fork you might crack the headtube. Every other review I've seen claiming this fork has incredible precision and tracks better than most forks out there makes sense if the fork doesnt flex at all. If it did flex on a landing, then the bike would instantly steer to the left or right, depending on which tire hit first. (simply physics) This obviously doesn't happen or people would say so. Therefore there is no flex. Any outlandish design would perform perfectly it point A (headset) and point B (wheel) moved with the proper geometry of inline suspension travel. Symmetry isn't necessary if the design balances the physical forces. Just look at the single rear swingarms of road racing motorcycles, no flex but lighter weight. Go figure. Do your homework before you bash something you dont understand.
4 chills for value cause it isnt cheap, (fork isn't $1900 as posted in the list, must be the price of the whole bike)
5 chills cause its simply badass
as far as maintenance goes, There's a cool local cannondale shop that loves the headshock series, so I'm not worried. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Racer
from Nevada
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Neat Look. Esay tire change. Good travel length Nice Bearing in headset. Lock out. Good for a slow to aveage rider. | | Weaknesses: | Um lets see. Needle Bearing thrased twice failed and ground themselves to sherads. Blown out the fork 3 times. Flex not in the fork but in the mounts. Not for a hard rider. WEIGHT | | Similar Products Used: | X-vert super, Sid xc sl and race, Mars 1 Mars cl, Z2 and Z1 X-fly | | Bottom Line: | Buy this fork if you are a moderate rider. If you race or just ride hard DO NOT buy this fork you will destroy it very quickly. The fork is heavy for a weight freak at 3.5 pounds. This fork flexes quite a bit at the braces. A better choice for racing or Cross country is the SID or the Mars 1 is a better choice for racing and the Z1 X fly for freeriding. Dont expect both out of this fork. There are better forks for the money. And I wouldn't race this ever agin if my life depended on it. This fork has a very hash feel. The bottom line is there are better forks for your money.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight = 3.7lbs Travel = 100mm(4") Lockouts, and no maintenance so far | | Weaknesses: | can't use quick release carriers | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900sx | | Bottom Line: | I have used on some very technical stuff; rocks, roots, logs, drop offs, and can't believe the performance. The front wheel tracks great through and over it all. Had to flip the stem down with the riser handle bar to keep the wheel down though. I had an older coil shock before, wish I had switched to the lefty bike before now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy "Elmo" Chan
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Well, this fork looks great, feels great, and attracts great amounts of attention... | | Weaknesses: | After 1 use, the hydro leaked out of the fork... | | Similar Products Used: | RST 318, Rock Shox Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | Custom built... Chris King Disco Tech Hubs, Splined Drive splined nipples, Mawi Rainbo Ti Spokes, Sun DS-1XC, Pannaracer Fire XC Pro 26 x 2.1, Easton CT2 carbon seatpost, Easton CT2 Monkey Lite Lo-riser carbon handlebar, Coda Stem, Time ATAC Titan pedals, XTR cranksets, XTR rear deraileur rapid rise, XTR front deraileur, Coda Competition disc brakes, XTR rapid fire shifters, Yeti/ODI clamp-on grips, Selle Italia Max Flite TransAm, Ride on Gore cables, Onza CWA barends. | | Bottom Line: | This fork was really great while it lasted... however, I am having some defects on the fork fixed at the moment...
Though the up time experience was good, the down time experience is bad...
This is something that is good to have... Provided is dosn't leak hydro... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frankie
a Weekend Warrior
from SDCA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | So trouble free | | Weaknesses: | Everybody wants to try it | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Judy XC with Englund guts | | Bike Setup: | Stock F2000SX | | Bottom Line: | Bought the bike with this fork in July of 99. It is May 00 now, the bike (and the fork) has almost 3000 miles on it.
List of things the fork wanted:
*Changed oil to 10W 30
*Had it taken apart for cleaning at the 6 month mark.
My style of riding? Oh we do like 7 to 10 mile long climbs then enjoy the ride down ( you know? like Mtn biking?). I also commute on the bike a bit.
All these naysayers could not produce proof of frames cracking from twisting or the fork leg snapping and other "issues" that their "armchair" engineering says will occur.
Yeah the Lefty looks different huh? Did it ever occur to you non Lefty owners that to a non rider, your Marzocchi, RS, Manitou equipped custom framed FS rig looks just like those rigs at Toys R Us (yeah those bikes have disk brakes too!)? When ppl see my bike they KNOW it ain't a Toys R Us or CostCo bike : P
Frankie the parking lot poser
Shameless plug: http://www.angelfire.com/sd/bandido/portal.html
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Weaknesses: | Limited disk brake choices (currently Coda, Hayes, and Magura)
Limited rack options as you can't take front wheel off | | Similar Products Used: | Various RockShox, Zoches, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | C'Dale SuperV, Sram ESP9 drive train, Coda Expert Discs, Coda hubs/Mavic317 rims | | Bottom Line: | I find it interesting that those who "demoed" this fork bash it, those who actually own one love it.
I had my fork for 6 months when the races holding the needle bearings began to fall apart. C'Dale had a new fork on my bike within 5 days. That was my only bad experience with this fork. About par compared to what my buddies have experienced with their more mainstream forks.
I am a 200 lbs extreme XC rider who enjoys fast downhills. I have taken 4 foot drops on this fork with no problems.
It is stiffer than anything else out there short of a Hanebrink downhill fork.
It is plusher than most other forks. Remember this is an all air fork. It's stiffer on the small stuff, plusher and more progressively responsive on the big stuff (when compared to coil)
Flex? yeah right. Take your average RockShox and press down sharply down on only one end of the handlebar. Feel the fork binding? Do the same with the Lefty, no binding.
Hold the front wheel between your legs and twist the handlebars, see the dual stanchion fork flex, Flex, FLEX? Do the same with the Lefty, very little flex..
Yes, the fork applies a twisting force on the frame. However any mechanical engineer will also point out that the distance from the head tube to the fork's stanchion is so small as to make this force negligable.
To the guy with the Y2K Raven frame, are you sure the problem you had was the fork and not the frame?
If your tired of flexy forks and are willing to spend the bucks this fork can't be beat.
If you enjoy bashing a bike simply because it costs a little more then post elsewhere.
I give this fork 4 value chilis because it's the lightest, plushest, and stiffest long-travel fork on the market.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johann Perez
a Weekend Warrior
from Watertown, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Nameless | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Inovative, great looks, very plush, handles great | | Weaknesses: | Price.
Taking the wheel is not as simple as with conventional forks. | | Similar Products Used: | None like it. | | Bike Setup: | 900sx | | Bottom Line: | I have notice how a lot of people tend to resist inovative engeenirig concepts. I know that the engeeniers at cannondale are not surprise by some of the extremely negative reactions to this new design. Im also sure this fork went trhough extensive testing before being release into the market. It is part of human nature to resist change and a lot of folks out there will jump to conclusions.
Note that most of the people who gave a low score to this product do not own one!
I own one and I am not sorry. The fork work better than
expected out of the box, you actually forget you are riding a one legged fork.
Still this fork has a very tough test to stand, that is time, only time will let us know.
I give it only four chilis because it is pricey, but it deserves five in the performance deparment! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheldon, MO
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Yeah, uh, like I don't know what the guy below me is talking about. I bought a '00 Raven late last fall and now I'm looking at small cracks around my headset. I rode this bike hard. it spent many afternoons on my backyard BMX track and countless hours on the trails. My '99 Raven didn't suffer any problems in the 10 months I owned it. I like my bike but I think the cracks are from the Lefty. I wish I would have stuck with the standard Headshock. The extra 1" of travel wasn't worth it. I'll write back and let you know how Cannondale handles the situation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from ottawa, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wolf | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | light weight
good handling
yes, yes, it does look cool
feels real nice | | Weaknesses: | can be harder to transport
| | Similar Products Used: | judy xc, judy 100, bomber z2, headshock dd60, fatty d | | Bike Setup: | raven 900sx large, monkeylite bar, oury grips, michelin xl/front, avocet 02r saddle, thomson post,lx cranks, xt cogs (for 34 tooth large cog). weighs 26.6 pounds (on a digital scale) | | Bottom Line: | this fork is a very nice fork.
handling is on par with a z1, waay better than the judy 100; no comparison. the fork is very light for the travel, i've had one off a bike and it weighed 3.8 pounds on a digital scale. to all who think a rockshox is a whole lot lighter, go weigh one. none of their forks which i have weighed are even close to the claimed weights (including this years judy race: over by more than half a pound); and like i said, the steering is nowhere near as precise.
as far as suspension feel, i won't argue, just go feel one for yourself. personally i think it's real nice
as far as all this headset tweaking mumbo-jumbo goes, here my thoughts. if there is going to be torsion on the headtube, then there must be a reacting force counteracting that load, otherwise the bike falls over (an unbalanced moment in the system). since the bike obviously doesn't rotate when you push on the handlebar (stem, steerer or whatever), there is no torsion in the headtube. hypothetically, even if there was a torque in the head tube, these would be substantially less than those caused by the side loading of the fork from impacts on rocks, ruts etc. which kick the wheel sideways. also, the headsets on cannondale seem to be very good quality, i've only seen one replaced in four years.
as far as being an inherently unstable design, with faults that can never be corrected: any design can be made strong enough, you just throw more (or stronger) material where the stresses are to high. where a design fails is when the weight added by the reinforcing material to compensate for the different structure makes it heavier than a more 'normal' structure - this obviously hasn't happened with the lefty, it's light. also, cannondale has too much to loose if the lefty wasn't strong enough; if they didn't do proper testing, a couple of lawsuits could hurt real bad, and you know people are looking for these things to break (by the way, how many do you know of that have broken... that's what i thought)
as far as only being available on a cannondale, i don't see that as a disadvantage. at the shop i've been at for five years, only two guys don't ride cannondale (one has a specialized big hit- cannnodale just doesn't offer a bike like this-, the other has a santa cruz superlight-which contrary to it's name weighs 28.3lbs as built). everyone has owned a cannondale within the past year, and has nothing bad to say about them.
yes i do work at a bike shop which sells cannondale (along with specialized, norco, santa cruz, and merlin), and i'm a mechanical engineering student in my final year; take my opinions as you see fit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeffro
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The ones with bumps | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | It will be funny to look back a year or two from now and see how harshly history treats this fork. It is obvious to me, just your Joe average biker, that this fork is not a sound design. Despite what defensive owners say, this fork will twist your frame because of the single leg. You can compare it to a Macphereson Strut as both are very similar. The difference being the lack of a lower control arm as on an automobile. The strut is attached very solidly to the unibody and it speads the loads over a large area. Now look at the bike frame, where can the loads go? Just to the left side of the headset causing a twisting motion. I like the comment about the Moto FR. Look at the Lefty, that is what it is, at least partially. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight
Stiff and strong
Looks (everyone wants to try it) | | Weaknesses: | Everyone wants to try it.
Idiots think it doesn't work....obviously they went to MIT. | | Similar Products Used: | C-dale, Rock Shox, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | SV with CODA expert Disks, XT/XT | | Bottom Line: | I absolutely love this "fork." I can easily ride over things that I had trouble clearing with my Ultra. It's plush and easy to adjust.
I still don't understand why some people question this thing. The Q-Lab has done their homework. It doesn't do anything to the frame at all...maybe just make it a better overall bike.
The real bottom line is that it's a great fork. Period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Canton,MI
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake, Poto | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Smoooooth
Stiff
Great small impact sensitivity (bearings!)
Air spring with NO! stiction
Adjustibility | | Weaknesses: | Strange head tube flex???
Hard to mount computer | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou FS, Manitou XVert DC, Rock Shox Judy XL, Judy XC, Judy T2, Mag 20, Mag 21, Indy SL
| | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll 900 SX | | Bottom Line: | This fork is simply AWESOME for XC and light urban assault.
I hit a 3" root and watch the tire move up and the handlebar doesnt freakin move. Its SWEET! This fork tracks very well in corners. The whole bike feels well balanced with 210psi rear, 160 front.
Now for the wierd stuff. The head tube seems to twist on large impacts.Im using it for urban/campus assault out here and when I land a 3 foot+ drop, the front of the bike twists to the left. When it snaps back, I feel like the bike is trying to throw me off. I have never felt anythng like this before. Since I bought this bike to use for urban assault and good XC riding, I might be forced to sell it and get something that doesnt do this crap. Im hoping the head tube doesnt twist off before i sell it! This one sided fork this CAN work. The problem is that the frame has to handle it, abnd they need a beefier design to resist the twisting. When you put a huge stress on the clamps, they will twist the front of the bike. So many people on here claim it wont happen since the steerer/head tubes and tire are co-planar. well, the force that is exerted on the wheel is trsferred to the fork, which is not co-planar and this is gonna cause problems whenthat foce is tranferred to the clamps on the headtube. I only notice this stuff when Im doing the kind of things that void warranties.
If you are looking for a great XC bike, get a Jekyll. If you do the things I do, then maybe get one and put one of those Moto 120 forks on from last year. Oh yeah, the rise CODA bars that come on the SX Lefty equipped C-Dales are horrible for XC riding. My front pops up with every pedal stroke and I can steer on climbs. I picked up a Race Face flat bar and some CODA bard ends to fix that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris B
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | -Very Unique Design
-Easy tire changes, flat changes.
-Long Travel / Low Weight
-Stiffness
| | Weaknesses: | -Need special adapter to true the wheel
-Need adapter for car racks
-First impressions | | Similar Products Used: | I've worked in bike shops for 10 years, so pretty much all of them. RockShox, Manitou, Girvin, Marzocchi, Amp, and so on. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Raven900SX, WTB tires, WTB seat, Easton HB and Seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | There seems to be a huge gap between the people who have ridden this fork, and the people who are judging it from initial impressions. I'll admit that I had initially condemned this fork for the simple reason that it looked funny, and the idea seemed wrong. But, after I did some research I uncovered the independent study Mountain Bike Germany had conducted on the Lefty vs all other major forks, bombers, judys, sids, etc... What they found is that the lefty is simply stronger in every way. And when I looked closer I saw why. Bigger bearing surfaces, no-rotating square shafts, and and upside-down design generally heralded as stiffer and stronger. Combine all that with the double clamps at the top and its easy to see why this fork should ride better, longer.
After I did my research, and bought my Raven (which is an amazing bike, truly worth all the praise), I was happy to conclude that the Lefty fork design does actually work. I also made a startling discovery which some people may relate to. The "Flex" some people felt in this fork, but couldn't describe, that is actually a LACK of flex. If you had ridden a Judy for your entire career, and then rode this fork, you would find that the fork wasn't doing what the Judy did, thus you think flex. Wrong. Here in the Northeast, we have the rockiest, hardest trails anywhere (OK, this may be debatable, but they're damn hard!), and so far this fork is working wonders. I love the design, and I believe it will hold up in the long run. All of you who are hoping this fork will be available to the general public soon, be patient, I'm sure some mad-machinest is working on 11/8" adapters at this very moment. It won't be long. Oh, and for everyone complaining about proprietarty parts on their bikes...Try putting that cool set of Chevy rims on your Ford...its just the way it is sometimes.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Eaton
a Racer
from Los Gatos
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | overgrown in losgatos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | very rigid, tracks straight, convenient adjustments. | | Weaknesses: | Have not had any probs to date. | | Similar Products Used: | mag 21, judy | | Bike Setup: | jekel 900 | | Bottom Line: | At first sight told myself naa.. no good... gimic.
After first test drive in parking lot after trying all
the new forks. it felt the best. so my buddy buys it. I take his out for a few ride and its sweet. then my bro gets one. he now smokes me down hill sitting on his seat. we jump it, hit logs, baby heads, marbles, wash boards, technical down hill and out of our pack every one(12 riders) thinks its a killer fork. 8 months 2400 or so miles on my bros has a few scratches but is still kicking ass. As for the speedo we made a bracket and it works good. have had no probs with the hub or disk brake. worn out a couple set of pads. rim has no wobble or flex. close your eyes and its the best fork. some guy posted that its " very very flexy " I have no idea wht his prob is. he probly doesn't have one or does not have a job to buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guido
a Cross Country Rider
from Crystal, MN
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | looks, travel, stiffness, lockout, light weight | | Weaknesses: | can't mount on standard roof rack, need special headshok tools to service (if that's ever necessary), must use disc brake and Coda hub | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX-R, various others test ridden | | Bike Setup: | F900SX | | Bottom Line: | It actually works. I am very impressed with the performance of this fork in every way. Time will tell how reliable it will be however. If you have the opportunity, test ride this fork off road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dod Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from North West UK
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Walna Scar Road? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, lockout | | Weaknesses: | Non standard front hub
No quick release front wheel | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F900SX, as bought but riser bars fitted. | | Bottom Line: | I think this fork addresses a few problems with long travel single crown forks, and I'd say that as a result of this it would make a better buy. Most of the competition are probably a good bit cheaper though. It works great on a hardtail to make a hardcore trail bike. The bike is very light at the front (probably just the way I sit) but behaves absolutely impecably when pointed down a steep, rocky descent. I'm happy to go a bit slower on the smooth and flat stuff, safe in the knowledge that it won't kick me over the bars when the going gets a bit rough. The lockout is pretty handy too, I wouldn't wish to ride a bike with long travel forks (~100 mm) and no lockout. There's just too much wallowing around at the front end if you put in a sprint otherwise. If you're into riding rocky, mountain trails (where a bit of carrying is almost a certainty) then I'd say that you couldn't go far wrong. The only problem is forking out all that coin in the first place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun Hamilton
a Cross Country Rider
from PJ NY U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Wiper Snaper Shot | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very Stiff, light, Lock-out & rebound knobs work great.
Very plush for xc and freeriding. Flat repair quicker. | | Weaknesses: | There is only 2 things, The frnt hub, it's ok but, the bearings are almost right on the rotor, it has killed the bearings on that side of hub because of the heat from the rotor. #2 It only fits cannondale head tubes. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy xl, rst mozo 120. I have also had judy's and manitous.
I have also riden lots of mag20 and 21s, back in the day. | | Bike Setup: | Raven 900sx. No riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | This is a awesome fork for xc and freeriding (i hate that word). There seems to be alot of people saying bad things about this fork, It only seems to me to be the down hillers, guys this isn't a dh fork. If you have all the kranked videos , then this fork isn't for you. If you are a xc rider who thinks he is a dh rider, (stop reading and go sh*t in your hat ). This fork isn't for people who go to the ski resorts and downhill all day (although it would probably work great for that), this is a fork for xc riders who are looking for more travel & comfort with less fatigue, Isn't that why you bought a full suspension bike anyway!. I live in the north east it is very rocky! Hardtrails are for the xc race corses, If you ride where maybe 10 people know about this trail, the trail usually isn't gromed or cut out. If i am making you think of how nice it would be to Go down or up your favorite trail alittle faster because you going over the rocks instead of going around them, then buy a longer travel fork or bike something with 120mm in the rear. I have been riding for a long time now about 8 years, I now what works for the all around rider, I do have a dh bike and it is about 15 pounds more then my raven, sure it's alot stronger and has more travel, but i am sure as hell not going to climb any thing with that. If your reading this looking for a dh fork this fork isn't for you, if you a xc rider or ever a racer stop reading go to a cannondale dealer and test one, it really does work great. I am going to give this fork 4 peppers, because of the hub. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Canada
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | urban assault | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light weight cool looks plush travel | | Weaknesses: | had to change the oil in the cartridge ,was too slow for my taste , | | Similar Products Used: | manitou x vert | | Bike Setup: | jeckyl 900 sx | | Bottom Line: | great fork for city riding at the moment because snow is covering all the trails at this time of the year , 4 foot drops and mutiple stair cases are no problem for this fork , it works awsome once you set it up for your weight and riding style , cool looks too | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fronk Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from St. George, Utah Washington
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jem to Laverkin overlook | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Super stiff, No flex, lock out feature, lots-o-travel and a great conversation piece. | | Weaknesses: | Putting the thing on a bike rack, it sucks. I had to get my old motorcycle tie downs out of storage to secure it in the bed of the truck. | | Similar Products Used: | I've used allmost every type of fork on the market. I have only owned Head shocks, Moto 120's and Moto FR's. | | Bike Setup: | Custom built bike. Super V frame with lefty up front and FOX air in the rear. Mavic ( They suck) wheels using CODA hubs. CODA disc brakes ( They rule but so do HAyze) CODA cranks TX2 ( They rule and the new 2X9 rocks.) SRAM 9.0SL transmission with Shiminno nine speed cluster on the rear. | | Bottom Line: | When I first saw the thing I told my friend " No way that will work." I was totally opposed to the whole thing. I had my doubts and thought the fork would break off at the hub and send me grinding, face first, into some big rock pile. Boy was I wrong. This fork kicks butt. No flex, execpt in the front rim. Because it only has one leg you can really see the front rim flexing from side to side on switch backs. No more that with any other fork, you can just see it better with the lefty. Cool lock out knob. Nice for the road. Give the thing a chance you'll like it. Don't be so opposed to change, after all we all laughed at Mr. Turner when he put a " Motorcycle" shock on a bike. The value thing is a double edged sword. You gotta have the bike to get the fork. Thats spendy. If you like 100 MM of plush travel on a hard tail or full suspension Cannondale has the bike for you. If you don't like C-Dales then the MOTO FR would be a great alterantive. Lets face it all most all of the quality bikes out there are fun to ride. Some shine better in certin areas that others. Just remember, it's getting out and riding that matters, which reminds me I've gotta go, my bike is calling me for a ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Amherst
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | it sure as hell looks cool.
Lopes uses it | | Weaknesses: | it may be just me, but this fork handles so wierdly. it just doesn't steer well. i'll take an X vert or a judy XL over it any day. flex is kind of tough to figure out because it has only one leg. also, the quality of the travel sucks. maybe it's just because i've never gotten inside the fork and tweaked it, but i've ridden this fork on 4 different bikes, and each time it had a very linear feel, it wasn't at all progressive. it didn't feel like 4 inches of travel because of this, | | Similar Products Used: | SID xc, Manitou FS Ti, X-VERT, Judy XL | | Bike Setup: | cannondale | | Bottom Line: | i don't like it. maybe you will. but, make sure you ride it before you buy it. also, in a somewhat related topic, the coda disc brakes suck. if you get a cannondale, ditch em. get hayes or shimano, or the new avids are supposed to be pretty sweet. 2 chilli's because lopes uses it and becuase it looks cool | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Racer
from Nelson, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | -light wieght
-4 inchs of travel
-stiff as hell
-cool looking | | Weaknesses: | -need special adapters for truing stand, t.h.e. fender, and cyclo meter
-when people stop you on training rides to ask you about it. | | Similar Products Used: | mag-21, bombers z_1 | | Bike Setup: | cannondale f-900sx setup for freeride mania and indestrutability | | Bottom Line: | OK i reviewed this way before and though i should review it again. This my last review i added aa t.h.e. fender which required me to goto a machine shop to get a specail adapter made so it would fit, and my cycle computer needed to be strapped around the boot which i did not want todoy but it works, my bike is a totally none stock cannondale now so that it won't brake when i crash plus hayes brakes in stead of codas which majorly suck see my review later.
This work totaly rocks, it is really stiff no flex at all, and 4 inchs of the smoothest air fork around, plus the lock out is great for the road or going up. i really love this fork, its not as plush as bomber put doesn't wieght like it is off a motor cycle.
The major weakness to this work is the brakes that come on it and the bearings in the hub which are now loose on my bike.
I havn't hade todo any maitenance on the fork but thats really good because i have over 1000kms on my bike in 3 months.
So if you buy you won't be disapponited just watch out for the brakes and hub bearings.
HAIL TO THE LEFTY | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Lofthouse
a Downhiller
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wu Kau Tang | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Incredibly stiff (torsional and lateral stiffness), Plush, adjustable, Lock out, looks, etc etc etc | | Weaknesses: | Wheel removal (removing caliper is a pain in the butt) and thats it really... | | Similar Products Used: | Judy 100's (good value and performance)
RST High 5's (crapola..on a friends bike)
Marzocchi z1 drop off's (schweeeetttttt...) | | Bike Setup: | Super v900, Lefty DLR, Stratos Helix Pro, Mavic d321s, irc 2.35 kujos, Hayes Hydraulic Disc | | Bottom Line: | O.k.. i can safely say i have thrashed my lefty. I've jumped down flights of stairs with it, done 5-6 ft drops with it, doen trials all over hong kong with it, including in the pouring rain on one of the most techincal trials in hong kong and the tracking and steering precision is amazing. Flying down steep downhills at Hoi ha at 60kph + are no problem for the lefty, climbing with the lockout is great. Small bump response is typical of headshocks - great.
I'd just like to mention that yes, the lefty IS available on the Jeckyl's, as i've seen on two different models at my LBS. It is also available as a seperate fork, yet only for cannondales (oh boo hoo..just buy a cannondale), not as mack stated in previous reviews. I also got it at a really cheap price so it was a great buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Bourgaize
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, B.C.
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bogieman | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The precision and durability are very good and it takes a 2.6 Gazzolodi | | Weaknesses: | just the little rebound knob | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale SV 700 sx
| | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my first review. This fork has held out very well with no maintenance except looking under the boot just to be sure. On large drops (7') it just bottoms but that is with the air pressure low for good general trail handling. I am totally impressed with this fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mack
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I rode yesterday | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Excellent steering feel. REALLY!!!! Must be all that torsional rigidity C'dale brags about. Reasonable weight, all things considered. | | Weaknesses: | Not available to us non-C-dale riders. | | Similar Products Used: | M & M, RS, ProFlex/Noleen. Darn, no White Bros yet. | | Bike Setup: | All that C-dale swingarm, brake, and seatpost stuff that supposedly isn't part of the fork. A Super 700??
| | Bottom Line: | Why do this? I'll just get slammed. Seems you C-dale folks are just a tad bit defensive. Notice, before you jump all over me, I am giving it 4 good chilies. Well, there is a reason. This fork felt precise.
My non C-dale bike has lots of weaknesses, but the one most agravating to me is the fork (Manitou FS). So I've been looking for a precise steering fork to replace it. Here it is! One legged even. Oops, it is only available with swingarm, tires, seatpost, brakes, etc? Guess it won't be my new fork. Supposedly there is a patent pending on this thing. Let's hope it doesn't get approved. That's right, DOESN'T. I for one would like to put something similar on MY frame. I can't blame C-dale for making it fit only C-dales (or maybe the other few 1 1/4 headtube bikes). Maybe all framebuilders should move to 1 1/4. What could it hurt? Heck, that presumes C-dale will ever sell the fork with out the bike. The LBS told me "no." Anyway, let's hope there are more similar forks on the market soon. And that's why I hope they can't patent the thing. (Besides, I swear there are high performance motorcycles with this design, so although I congratulate C-dale's engineers, I hope their lawyers can't monopolize a design they borrowed).
For me, I vote for a 3-3.5" travel, 3 lbs. X-country version (okay, 3.25 lbs. with complete hub & axle). Am I the only X-countrier that wants steering precision? Also, perhaps it's my technique, but the handlebars on these C-dales are still too high in the air for me (even with a downturned stem). If you think I am crazy, why did C-dale just introduce the Jeckel? It has the lower h-bar, more stretched cockpit I am used to. No Lefty though. So they would have to lower the travel to lower the handlebars. And 3.7 lbs (if that's what it really weighs) is still a bit much for an X-county fork & hub.
So five chilies for the great design, minus 1 for making it come with a complete bike, one that's more downhill / freeride than I care for. Oh, and now there's a value rating. Hmmm, $1,500 to $2,500 for a fork? Not great value in my book, even if it does come with tires, swingarm, seatpost, etc.
Oh, and now my rant: Those of you who bitch about "lame" reviews from people who don't own the fork, and then don't add any product-related comments, do NO more service than those lame reviewers. If all you're gonna do is bitch about another reviewer, take it somewhere else. Several of you made no expanation of your 5 chilie reviews, other than brag that at least you owned the fork. All that proves is you have money and can't admit you'd ever spend it wrong. Bitch if needed, but still say something USEFUL about the product. Yeah, there have been some very lame reviews (both pro and con). But resorting to bashing based on what state someone lives in, come on! Washington doesn't have a monopoly on intelligent bikers, nor does Texas have a monopoly on dumb ones. Now I can't speak for Oklahoma. Any state that has the terrain of the Ouchita Mountains and hasn't completely infested it with mountain bike trails is missing something. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Stiff, Plush | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox, Manitou | | Bike Setup: | F900SX stock | | Bottom Line: | Took a test ride on this bike and bought it, too much snow to ride now. To all of those armchair engineers...I fly Learjets for a living and the nose landing gear on the Lear is almost the same as the Lefty. Lears have been flying since the early 60's and I know of no nose gear failures. The Lefty should hold up great. Lots of other aircraft have Lefty's (and Righty's.) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laurence Wilks
a Weekend Warrior
from Southampton UK
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ride the Dragon, Wales | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight for performance. Very smooth (as good if not better than Z1). Very stiff. Headshok bearings | | Weaknesses: | Proprietory, needs Coda hub, disc etc. Hard to fit to car roof rack. | | Similar Products Used: | Z1, Pace Evo III, Rockshox XC, SL, SID. | | Bike Setup: | Stock UK spec F900SX | | Bottom Line: | This is the best fork I've ridden in over six years of riding off road, the only thing stifer is a rigid fork. As the fork was fiited as stock to my F900SX it's great value, as a after market buy - not so good hence 4 chillies, overall though this needs to be riden to be belived. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond VA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
PoorFarm Park | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Looks very Cool
Very Stiff
Goes over ANYTHING! | | Weaknesses: |
must use Coda hub
bike rack
But they don't add up to much | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XC
Judy 100 | | Bike Setup: |
2000 Super V 700
Air at 65% of rider weight | | Bottom Line: | The Most Amazing long Tarvel fork for All around riding currently available. This thing goes over everything. The steering precsion is awesome. I've never been able to steer through the rough stuff before I rode the Lefty. It's just rock solid, and sucks up everything. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rico
a Cross-Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
No Place for Mud to collect , VERY STIFF , Plush.. | | Weaknesses: |
What weaknesses?? | | Similar Products Used: |
Judys , Moto Dh | | Bike Setup: |
F2000 SX | | Bottom Line: | Love every part of this fork. The bike rack thing is a pain but C'Dale is working on an adaptor , Ask your Lbs. A little info for all those leap before Look people out there. On ANY conventional fork , wear is the load applied to the frame? The HEADSET CUPS !! One on top one one bottom. Wear does the Lefty mount to the bike?? THE HEADSET CUPS !!!!! So wear is the force applied to the frame with a lefty fork??
THE HEADSET CUPS !!!!! Has the lightbulb lit up yet?? This is not rocket science!!!!! So PLEASE DON'T REVIEW A PRODUCT YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT OR HAVE ONLY DEMO'D !!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MeandMyself
a Racer
from Somewhere
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
It is pretty stiff and light | | Weaknesses: |
others that do the same thing and are cheaper and have more felxibility | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou SX-E
Rock Shox Sid
Rock Shox Quadra 5(a long time ago) | | Bottom Line: | Ok, First off I will mention I do not own this fork. I just wanted to give my opinion of the demo. The fork is a pretty stiff one, but the thing is, go get a SID 100. It has 100mm of travel too, and weighs 3.2lbs. If you want stiffer than that, although I don't see a reason that you'd need it stiffer, get a SID XL. 100mm at 3.7lbs. No, i am not a Rock Shox dealer, or ride stricty Rock Shox. I personally own a Manitou SX-E because It has all the more travel I need (80mm) and is the plushest fork I have ever felt (yes, i have felt marzocchis). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Our Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from SD CA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Guitar Case | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smoooooth and steady | | Weaknesses: |
Weird | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XC Arlo Englund conversion | | Bike Setup: |
Stock F2000SX Leftster | | Bottom Line: | I dunno if folks have noticed but bikes almost always crash on it's right side. To ascertain damage to yer der? So anyway, the fear that a Lefty crash will destroy your front wheel spokes because there is no fork leg to protect it is another fine fine example of armchair engineering. How do I know this? Because I HAVE the fork, I've RIDDEN it in excess of 1600 miles, and I have CRASHED it several times. So there...The Lefty is a cool solution to a Headshok problem (how to make a long travel Headshok without having the front end sit REAL high).Now, this is a review page, not an opinion page. What you THINK does not apply here, what you EXPERIENCED does.
I got me a Dale and it seats about 20 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MK
a Cross-Country Rider
from Pasadena
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt Wilson Toll Rd. | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light
Smooth Compression & Rebound
Easy flat tire replacement | | Weaknesses: |
won't work on conventional bike rack set-up | | Similar Products Used: |
Rockshox Quad21 & Judy XC
RST Mozo
Marzocchi Z2 & Z1 | | Bike Setup: |
Raven 4000SX | | Bottom Line: | This fork works and works very well. I think it's comparable in performance to the Bomber Z1's on my Heckler. It seems to track a little better, too. The front end of my Raven is definitely lighter than my Heckler, so I'd guess it has a lot to do with the lightweight Lefty. HEY, IT WORKS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Downhiller
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tai Mo Shan | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Incredibly Stiff - on par with top DH triple clamp forks
Plush air cartridge
Easy Tire removal in case of punctures
Damn cool looks
Lockout | | Weaknesses: |
Only one i can think of is removing the front wheel, where you have to remove the brake caliper. Not a major issue. | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock Shox Judy 100 | | Bike Setup: |
99 Cannondale SuperV900
Hayes front disc brake
Stratos helix pro rear shock | | Bottom Line: | I really wish people would stop reviewing a product if they haven't tried (for longer than a spin around the carpark) it or own it. This fork is great. I haven't owned it for long, but my first impressions are that it's a really stiff, plush fork. I was doing 5 and a half foot drops with it and there was no noticable flex. Tracking through corners is amazing - the bike feels so precise. On rough, rocky downhill sections the fork remains smooth and the small bump rebound is great. The axle is beefy and the hub is workign fine.. i've already ridden in rain, mud, dirt and there was no noticable difference in performance. The disc brake (hayes) is amazing. (but thats not really part of the work). Good Work cannondale. (any of you doubters just look at brain lopes and cedric gracia on their Duel slalom rigs - 24ft jumps with the lefty prove no hassle.) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rubberdown Sometimes
a Cross-Country Rider
from SE PA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
uphill | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Works as advertised | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Headshok, Rockshok | | Bike Setup: |
F2000 SX | | Bottom Line: | I actually own a bike with this product installed and have ridden it on a variety of trails for 4-6 hours per weekend since July. I think it's an extraordinary product. I find it utterly incomprehensible that people who don't own the product would post here. I suspect that those people skip here and there to different sites reviewing everything from strollers to vacuum cleaners and do the same thing. It's not a good idea to let very young children and extremely immature people access websites unsupervised. Virtually all of the negative reviews are by people who have decided that because it looks different it must not work. Or just like to see the response to their post. Perhaps when they get to the higher (8th, 9th) grades they'll gain a better understanding of how to fit into the scheme of things. Or maybe not. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BRETT WALKER
a Weekend Warrior
from FRANKSTON VICTORIA AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anywhere | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Stiffer and plusher than anything | | Weaknesses: |
shit cannodale wheels | | Similar Products Used: |
Rockshox mag21,judyDh,judyXc z1Bombers manitou3s Xvert R | | Bike Setup: |
900 sx | | Bottom Line: | Can't belive Cannondale put such light wheels on what is really a freeride spec bike. Ditch the wheels and you'll be roosting.The only hard tail good enough to replace most duallies on the trail,basically a great all day fun trail bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Quinn
a Racer
from Launceston Tasmania Australia
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
dam track | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
stiff light cool looking | | Weaknesses: |
coda components | | Similar Products Used: |
marzochi z1
manitou xvertr
rock shox judy dh | | Bike Setup: |
cannondale 2000sx | | Bottom Line: | The best bike I have ever had,apart from some of the cheap coad parts the canondale is a dream to ride! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
n/a
a Cross-Country Rider
from n/a
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | People have been complaining that it will put unusual forces on the frame and bend it, has this actually ever happened to anyone? And regaurdless of whether or not it does, the CAAD4 frame that the lefty comes on, as well as others, have lifetime warranties, so whats the big prob? no proof of flex on the frame, and a replaced frame if it does, I aggree that there are very good chances of unique flex on the frame, but cannondale wouldnt produce a problem that big. The lefty is a light weight long travel fork that won Les Gets DS by Lopes, its proven its worth on the track, and its single side lessens the weight, and remember, its designed to be incredibly stiff torsionally and on side impact, so its almost, not quite, just as likely you twist your frame under common use as with any other fork. I gave it one pepper because people notice that more | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Stiffest long-travel fork out there. | | Weaknesses: |
Wheel removal
Car rack options
Disk brake choices (Hayes or Coda) | | Bike Setup: |
A Macindale SV 700SX | | Bottom Line: | Followup to my previous post.I've gone through 2 rims, one rear brake, a chain, and the bottom bracket. Fork? no problems. Feels as plush and responsive now as when I first got it. I have compared my bike to the Hecklers, Fishers, Specialized, and Schwinns in my group; none compare.Yes there is a minor twisting force applied to the frame, but I trust Cannondale to have handled it. Your frame is already handling all sorts of forces, this minor one is nothing. (Fork arm flexes some, hub and crown twist towards each other, causes twist on frame).This fork has already proven itself. Enough with the rumors (exactly when was this fork recalled?) and posts by those who so obviously have never ridden the Lefty anywhere outside of a parking lot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Doylestown, PA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
High Rocks | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Awsome | | Weaknesses: |
PLEASE Stop asking me questions!!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy Dh
Quadra 21r
Rigid
My friend's crappy Interlock | | Bike Setup: |
Super V 700sx | | Bottom Line: | This fork is AWSOME. I waffled my front wheel two weeks after I got the bike but could still ride. It is incredibly smooth and plush. I've never worn out a fork, I've catistrophicaly broken every fork I've ever ridden so if this one breakes its not because its a weird design, and I won't be suprised. And no its not weird to ride and it doesn't throw me off, and I'm noyt spooked because I only see one leg when I'm riding. How often do you look at your fork while your riding? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from California Uber Alles
Date Reviewed: October 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Trail of blood | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
No more mud accumulation on brake arches. | | Weaknesses: |
People still ask a lot of Q's abt it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XC with Englund TA Conversion | | Bike Setup: |
F2000SX, stock cept for seatpost, fr tire, saddle and pedals (TIME BABY). | | Bottom Line: | Whoopee... No more clogging up. No place for mud to gather :) Bought good mud pedals to take advantage of newfound possibilities this winter :)There.... one more reason to have a Lefty :)920 miles in 2 and a half months and counting :) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raymond Mulnix
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethany,mo
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Crowder State park, Missouri | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
very stiff, but yet gives a soft ride, ability to lock out at anytime. | | Weaknesses: |
haven't found any yet | | Similar Products Used: |
rock shock judy, headshock fatty | | Bike Setup: |
2000 Cannondale Raven 700sx, Front Lefty DLR, and Fox vanilla float on rear. | | Bottom Line: | I am very impressed with this shock, I have ridden it around 100 miles, mostly rough trails with rocks, logs and roots. Really smooths out the biggest bumps. Go get yourself one and see for yourself. Also looks really cool to. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale Peterson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Fairfax, California
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
B17 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Light, Stiff, Reliable | | Weaknesses: |
Wheel removal | | Bike Setup: |
SV700SX | | Bottom Line: | First of all, I want to clear up a few misconceptions about uneven stresses on the frame. As a mechanical engineering major, I feel I have a strong enough grasp on physics to explain this correctly. The frame cannot tell that there is only one stanchion. As long as the wheel is directly below the head tube (which it is), any bumb or vertical load will be just that: a vertical load. There won't be any more twist on the head tube than a normal fork because the point of the load is directly under the head tube and thus there is no lever to create twist. As for side loads, the single stanchion can transmit the load just as well as two can. In this case it just happens to be on the left side. If you consider the fork to be a rigid body, it transmits the load, EXACTLY the same as if you had two stanchions. Hopefully that cleared up some misconceptions.
As far as the performance goes, you can expect it to be on par with other headshok forks. As long as you keep grease in the needle bearings, it should be as smooth as butter. Excellent product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Weight, plush and stiff. | | Weaknesses: |
? | | Similar Products Used: |
RockShox, Bomber and other Headshok | | Bike Setup: |
SuperV | | Bottom Line: | I've ridden this fork a bit and know a guy with one and have seen it in action (Northshore action!!) I've heard nothing but good about it from people with sense in their head. Their are way to many critics out their who pre judge things.Head tube twist or flex? Give me a break!! the tire is directly below the head tube, hence that's where the force is placed. Plus, it's an aluminum frame, which means a very stiff frame.
And also you don't have to use Coda brakes, C'dale sells these bike with cable Hayes too. So it's easy to go fully hydro Hayes.
It's not a ploy to get you to buy Coda stuff. The only thing Coda specific is a stem and right now hubs. I'm sure someone else will make hubs for these soon. If it's good enough for 6 ft. drops on the shore and If Brian Lopes kicked ass with it on the Dual, then it's good enough for anybody! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred L Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Tx
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Memorial park (before the trail closings) | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy | | Bottom Line: | This is a wonderful fork!! The bike came with downhill handlebars, which had an odd feel to them, so I changed to a straight bar. With 170 psi and no dampening, it handles wonderfully. The whole concept of the fork is wonderful. There is no chance of mud or leaves being compacted around the tire, because there is nothing to be compacted into.
When I first got the bike, I did not know the dampening screw was adjusted in fully, so I continued to reduce the air pressure to get a better ride. What a goof, but I did find that when the fork was fully compressed, the ride became unstable. Since I have changed the dampening to zero, and established the air pressure at 170 psi, I have not experienced that instability at the end of any downhill sections yet.
The fork is truly an engineering marvel!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Surry, B.C.
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bogeyman, Pink Starfish | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Anybody who knows me and the northshore of Vancouver has witnessed the strength and accuracy of the Lefty. We do big wheel drops and rocky, near vertical, descents and all who try my bike like the handling. The forks action is near perfect. I am currently running a 2.6 tire that just clears on the crown.
Since I have run many headshocks I am confident in the Lefty's strength, air cartridge(they never leak) and the totally rebuildable(tuneable)oil damping cartridge. | | Weaknesses: |
The only weakness to me is the small rebound knob that is hard to manipulate by hand | | Similar Products Used: |
Rock shox, Manitou, headshock | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale sv-700sx | | Bottom Line: | So far I highly recommend this fork | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from SDCA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | Look at the review immediately preceding this one. WHOA!!! I didn't know forks had swingarms and frames and brakes...Hey, with a fork like Mike Vacura's... Who needs a bike??? Did you special order this fork of yours Mike? My Lefty works and that is that is that. Sure Cannondale bashing is fashionalbe but my God let's not add swingarms and such to the fork. Kinda reflects on one's intelligence (or lack thereof) when one tries to bash a product ON THE WRONG PAGE. Nyuk nyuk nyuk. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE VACURA
a Racer
from SCHAUMBURG , IL
Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
ROCK CUT STATE PARK | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
GREAT CLIMBER & NEAT LOOKS, SOLID FORK | | Weaknesses: |
RECALL ON BRAKES ( THEY LEAK), SWINGARM (CHAINSUCK), FRAME ( SEATPOST IS RIPPING OUT OF IT ), FORK LOCKOUT LEVER ( SLIDES OFF & WONT SPIN CORRECTLY) | | Similar Products Used: |
Y-33 WITH SPIN WHEELS, AVID 5.0 BRAKES, XTR DRIVETRAIN | | Bike Setup: |
RAVEN 900 SX WITH RACE FCAE CRANKS , & SRAM 9.0 SHIFTERS | | Bottom Line: | TOO MUCH $$$ FOR THE AMOUNT OF RECALLS, CAN I TRUST IT IN ANOTHER 24 HOUR RACE LIKE MY Y-33, WIIL SELL FOR $ 1,000. AS SOON AS THE NEW TREKS COME OUT , NO SPINS YET ( I HATE SPOKES ) , CANT WAIT TO GO BACK TO RIM BRAKES | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wild Thing--Keystone, CO | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Rigid, Smooth, Light, 100mm of truly useable travel. This is a Legit Fork. | | Weaknesses: |
Lock out lever comes loose (who needs it?). Forget your old roof racks--time to get creative. Impossible to make a wireless computer work. People constantly stop you to ask about the fork. | | Similar Products Used: |
Z-1 Bomber; SID SL; Judy XC; Super Fatty SL, etc. | | Bike Setup: |
Y2K Raven 4000SX | | Bottom Line: | I've been hammering on this fork (and bike) for almost three months now and have put seven or eight hundred miles on it (about 200 on XC and DH trails in Colorado). I've blown out the Fox Vanilla Float RC shock once, bent the rims at least 10 times, and broken a few chains, but I can't hurt this fork. It's the real deal boys and girls and don't listen to a bunch of doubters that base their opinions on heresay and conjecture.
This fork/strut/stanchion (whatever you want to call it) is as smooth and forgiving as any fork I've ridden and is way more plush than other air forks. It stays pointed where you aim it and has no flex--no bullshit. It does not twist or lean to either side and as long as you don't look at it you can't tell it's one sided. I was a skeptic at first, but I swear you can ride this thing with no hands and with your eyes closed and it goes straight. The lock-out knob came off in my hand the second time I used it and I shoved it back together and it has stayed put (I hated the way it felt locked out anyway and don't plan on using it again). The front hub bearings aren't quite as smooth as when brand new but I'll keep you posted on that one. I've got multiple friends that hate lowly, mass production, trend seeking Cannondale and wouldn't get caught dead without their high dollar boutique rides but every one of them agreed that this fork is awesome after spending some trail time on it. To those guys that think this fork is a bogus gimic--you sound like the people who scoffed at Charles Darwin when he came out with his theory of evolution.
As for frame stress--no signs as yet and I'm not too worried about it. And as for taking off the front wheel--it's a lot easier than it looks (the brake caliper swivels after loosening and the whole process takes only 30 seconds). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ty Childers
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cactus Cup Fountain Hills | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Light, Stiff, Looks cool | | Weaknesses: |
very suseptable to water and dirt. | | Similar Products Used: |
Girvin, Sid, Judy, Bomber | | Bike Setup: |
SV700SX | | Bottom Line: | I have had mine 115miles now according to my computer. Mine is in the shop because the original buttery smooth feel went away and now is gritty The LBS is going on a week and hopefully will get it back to me soon. I have not found out yet if dirt or broken parts are to blame but I will repost when I find out. A week ago Five but after this breakdown 3 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Coffee Mug | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
It hasn't killed me yet | | Weaknesses: |
Too many questions (Solution: Let them take it for a spin) | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XC, with Total Air conversion | | Bike Setup: |
F2000SX stock cept' for post (Thomson), saddle (Flite), and front tire (WTB Velo). | | Bottom Line: | One month and 420 miles later... according to my sales receipt and Mister CatEye that is...No problems noted. I'm not an MIT graduate so I am not going to attempt to armchair engineer the fork's moment and shear diagrams, but I have been using the thing and it works, it took me a coupla tries til I got the air pressure setting just right and after forgetting to unlock the fork before a downhill, I never really used the lockout anymore but other than that, it rocks. You all already know that flex is not an issue with this fork (Flex is spelled :R-O-C-K-S-H-O-X) so I won't comment on that anymore. Also, the fork does not really limit you to Cannondale frames only, coz there is always the Merlin (hey there you go). I have not had the problem of the fork banging my knees, that problem sounds like it is brought about by a frame that is too small for the rider. Maybe one day somebody else will make a front hub for the Lefty (ARE YOU READING THIS MISTER KING????). In the meantime, keep the rubber side down and quit worrying about physics, you oughta be used to gravity by now anyways.
Shameless Plug: Lefty in action at: http://www.angelfire.com/sd/bandido/portal.html | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
City Park, Austin, TX | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
innovative design,C-Dale's marketing bucks driven HYPE. | | Weaknesses: |
rack mount limitations, wheel/hub/brake selection. | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy SL, 'Zoke Z1. | | Bike Setup: |
Psycle Werks, Z1, enough goodies to be accepted by people care about that kind of crap. | | Bottom Line: | in defense to greg's rebuttal of my previous review, i HAVE ridden the new Lefty-equipt C-Dale at my fave local trail. i DID in fact LIKE the innovative design that cannondale can always be relied upon for. the dual-crown design for anything but a downhill rig just makes things too CRAMPED for me, and my budd who let me ride his fancy, trendy bike has yet to get used to bashing his knees on the upper crown. the fork does work nice, but boy, how out-of-place would it look on someone's new Jamis or whatever if they decided to sell them aftermarket? moreover, any other brand's bikes may not function properly with what still IS a Cannondale product on it. true, my mention of rear suspension in a FORK review was out of place, but the POINT is that a GREAT product is one that the entire bike world can lay their hard-earned dough out for. not everyone wants to stroll into a C-Dale shop JUST to get the damn forks, and unless i'm wrong, it's not sold by its lonesome. so, the Evil Empire has once again convinced YOU, the lowly comsumer to BELIEVE that you'll be the raddest, coolest rider on the trail. just so long as you ride one of their spindly, WEAK hardtails (seen 5 break last year) OR their sadly-designed, TIRED duals. like Mr. Gates and his empire, C-Dale has roped you into their technology. i'll STILL give it 4 chili's, though. we need Evil in order for the GOOD to rise ABOVE! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a Weekend Warrior
from Oceanside,CA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
rigid, tracks accurately
100mm of travel, weight | | Weaknesses: |
rack mount compatibility
issues, plastic lock out knob, need adapter to true front wheel | | Bike Setup: |
y2k Super v 700sx | | Bottom Line: | smoooth!! just point & shoot, lots of travel to play with...plastic lock out knob can get stripped, but I heard that cannondale will rectify that problem by replacing it w/ a metal one. Also be careful if you want to take the front wheel off..damage the axle & it's useless and how do you true the front wheel?? It does take some getting used to...with the appearance factor and the fact that it does really work! Hopefully, other hub & wheel makers will come out with lefty compatible hubs. For now i'll give it 4 chilis | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIO
a Racer
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: August 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Prettymuch evereything inmaginable. | | Weaknesses: |
Plays mind games on you. | | Similar Products Used: |
Girvin Chubby
Boxxer
ZZYZX
RST(crap) | | Bike Setup: |
Super V Raven 700 SX. | | Bottom Line: | This strut(another name for single-sided fork) is totally awesome. The only drawback I felt was that you must first accept the fact that you only have one fork leg before you start riding good. If you concentrate on what you are mounted on top of(the lefty), you tend to push down alot harder with your left hand than your right. This causes the whole left side of your upper body to get tired alot faster than the right. Once you start actually riding some technical stuff on it, though, you totally forget about it, and it just feels like a Very good 4' travel shock. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woody
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Super riged in every direction.
100mm travel.
Smooth action.
Light. | | Weaknesses: |
Have to use Coda hub
Cant use Hope brakes (disc dose not fit the hub)
Cant fit Spin or Spinergy wheels
Damping adjust nob is way to small. | | Similar Products Used: |
lots of HeadShoks, Rockshoc etc | | Bike Setup: |
Raven 2 SX900
GripShift Sram Plasma.
Avid Carbon Teflon gear shift cables. | | Bottom Line: | You have to give this fork a go to appreciate its fine qualities. Some think it looks stange not me it looks ace & it works. You have no ider it is a singe sided fork if you dont look down. It is super riged, much more riged than my SV2000 Fatty fork & that has two legs & half the travel. Its hard to find fult with this fork. I love the ability to be able to lock it out & ride at the same time, it is a shame that the damping adjusting knob is so small. Cold wet hands are going to hate that knob.
I prefer a softer set up to the stock one but thats easy. Change the oil & shims & it will be dialed. All the Air/oil HeadShoks are so adjustable, maybe the most adjustable on the market. If you are a 100LB weakling or a 250LB heavy weight no problem. If you take the time to set it up right I dought that you will find a better fork. Theres alot of technolagy in this fork & much you can find on motor cycles. To me this fork is a natral evolution of the famed HeadShok. Good job Cannondale.
I believe that Spin Wheels are working on a Lefty compatible hub. Very good news, I hate spokes.
I have had a SV2000 active with fatty fork & Spinergys from 1996 & its all been totaly reliable. Nearly 4 years of pounding & its all still going strong. I am very happy. I tryed the new Raven SX900. Now my girl freind has my SV2000. What can I say!!!
This fork is a definate 5 star. However I forced to drop 1 star becaues of that stupidly small damping adjuster knob, & why did Coda use 4 bold holes only to mount the disc to the hub when the international standard is 6 holes!!! When (I hope) Spin Wheels get there new Lefty hub out I can then fit the Hope ProDisc which will change my rating to a big 5 stars. | | Overall Rating: |
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