Submitted by
eduardo
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2010
Strengths: rigidez absoluta
Weaknesses: el ajuste del rebote no es muy sensible, a pesar que lo trato de regular, no se siente un cambio importante en el desempeño del amortiguador. Le he puesto 150 lb de presion de aire, que es lo que corresponde a mi peso.
Bottom Line:
Por las caracteristicas del terreno, casi todas las sendas son de arena o arenosas, el amortiguador lefty de Cannondale es de lo mejor que existe, lo curioso de mi caso es que lo uso trabado casi la mayor parte del tiempo, por que lo trabo para las subidas (y subo como nunca antes lo habia hecho) y para pasar los arenales y pequeños rios, que es la mayor parte del recorrido.
Este amortiguador tiene tal rigidez cuando esta trabado que es fantastico, se lo recomiendo a cualquiera, es muy estable y hace que la bici sea totalmente obediente, la llevas por donde quieres.
Bike Setup: xc in sand trails, cannondale f3000 con lefty
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
James Newman
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007
Strengths: Smooth, supple, lock-out
Weaknesses: Water ingress under rubber boot area can cause rapid bearing wear. . .keep you balls dry people!
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
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!
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.
Similar Products Used: lefty dlr, headshok, bombers, manitous, rock shox
Bike Setup: stock cannondale scalpel 2000
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Submitted by
Andro Galero
a Weekend Warrior
from Butuan City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006
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
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Jimmy Chan
a Cross Country Rider
from South Coogee, New South Wales, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2006
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: F900SX (2000 model) with original Lefty DLR, B900 (1996 model)
Bike Setup: F1000 Hardtail (2005 model)
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Submitted by
Krayzie Boy
a Cross Country Rider
from Scarborough
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Manitou Six Elite, Rockshox Duke SL
Bike Setup: Cannondale F800 with Lefty
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004
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.
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.
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Denton, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2004
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.
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.
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from East Montpelier VT USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2004
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
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.
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.
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.
Submitted by
alexander
a Cross Country Rider
from hull,quebec ,canada
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2003
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
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
Weaknesses: Not usable on anything other than a Cannondale, Still they make some of the best frames money can buy so what the hell.
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.
Submitted by
Florian
a Cross Country Rider
from Austria
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002
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.
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.
Bike Setup: cannondale f800sl (2003), all stock, except specialized low rizer handlebar, lefty dlr, specialized enduro pro tires.
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Submitted by
Iain Rathie
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
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
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.
