2010 Cannondale Mountain Bikes

Cannondale has unleashed a flurry of hot new models, boasting the lightest ever carbon hardtails in both 26″ and 29er (their words) in the Flash Ultimate.  Shown above in 26″ wheeled form, it’s a World Cup race ready rocket weighing in at 16.5lbs complete (w/o pedals).  Available in November for the low, low price of $8,999 US.

It achieves this feathery weight with some serious frame working (more on that after the break) and by building it up with SRAM XX, but replacing the cranks with their own Hollowtech SL BB30 model, Lefty Speed Carbon SL 110, Fizik Antares saddle and the ridiculously light Schwalbe Furious Fred tires (that will probably only last you for a couple of races, but they’re stoopid light).

Oh, and that 29er version?  Cannondale’s marketing and dealer materials show the frame weight to be only 50g more than the 26″ frame (1000g vs 950g), and the Lefty forks only have a 20g difference (1179g on the 80mm 29er vs 1159g on the 110mm 26″), meaning if the only other spec that had to change were the wheels, the 29er would likely come in a hair under 17lbs.  The 29er uses Stan’s NoTubes rims on DT Swiss hubs, which are both known to be pretty light, but fortunately for your wallet (unfortunately for the “world’s lightest” claim), it does make a few other spec changes.

Hit ‘more’ for deets and photos of the other new models…

The Flash’s frame is made of High Modulus Carbon Fiber and is layed up and shaped to give it a little compliance while remaining laterally stiff.  The seatstays are straight and are one piece with the top tube, which Cannondale claims improves efficiency, as does the ovalized seattube at the bottom bracket.  The chainstays are slightly shaped to improve compliance.

The beauty of this bike is that the exact same carbon frame will be available on the Flash 1 and Flash 2, which will retail for $5,999 and $3,499 respectively.  They’re outfitted with Shimano XTR (incl. wheels) and FSA K-Force Light (triple) cranks on the Flash 1, and SRAM X7/X9, Avid Elixir R brakes and DT Swiss wheels on the Flash 2…neither one is a slouch in the component department.

On the Flash 29er, there will be two models, the Flash 29er-1 (shown above) with FSA Afterburner Carbon (triple) cranks, Stans ZTR Arch 29er rims on DT Swiss 240S rear hub, SRAM X-0 and Avid Elixir CR brakes; and the Flash 29er-2 with FSA V-Drive cranks, SRAM X7 / X9, DT Swiss rims and Avid Elixir R brakes.  Both use the BB30 bottom bracket.  Pricing and release date TBD.

There are also Flash SL aluminum models in both 26″ and 29er, which you can see on their website.

2010 CANNONDALE SCALPEL

The 2010 Cannondale Scalpel sees a couple of refinements.  The engineers tinkered with the carbon layup on the rear triangle to get 100mm of travel from the pivotless design.  Up front, a new layup of High Modulus Carbon Fiber shaves 100g off the 2009 frame weight.  Designed to win races, this is the ride of choice for the legendary Tinker Juarez.  It’s available in a range of price points, with two aluminum models at the lower end:

Scalpel Carbon Team – $7999

Scalpel Carbon 1 – $6499

Scalpel Carbon 2 – $4599

Scalpel 3 – $3499

Scalpel 4 – $2699

2010 CANNONDALE RIZE ONE20

The 2010 Rize One20 hits the sweet spot between the now-defunct Rush and the current Rize One40 by putting 12omm travel into a 2300g trail bike frame made of hydroformed aluminum.  It has a 69º head angle, which is normal for a “trail” oriented bike, meaning it should be stable but still maneuverable.  What’s really new for 2010 is size-specific linkages, allowing Cannondale to get exactly the same leverage ratio and suspension feel on all frame sizes.  The other big news is that all One20 models get BB30 bottom brackets.  Models are:

Rize One20 1

• Lefty Ultra Carbon w/ PBR 120
• Fox RP23 with Boost Valve Shock
• DT Swiss XCR 1.5 Wheelset
• FSA Afterburner BB30 Crank w/ Carbon Spider 44/32/22
• SRAM X-9 Shifters and Rear Derailleur
• Avid Elixir CR Disc Brakes
• $3,850

Rize One20 2

• Lefty Ultra w/ PBR 120
• Fox RP2 Shock
• DT Swiss X430 Rims
• FSA V-Drive BB30 Crank 44/32/22
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur
• Avid Elixir R Disc Brakes
• $3,399

Rize One20 3

• Lefty Ultra w/ DLR 120
• Rock Shox Monarch 3.3 Shock
• Schwalbe Racing Ralph 26 x 2.25 EVO Folding
• Shimano XT Rear Derailleur
• Hayes Stroker Ryde Disc Brakes
• $2,650

Rize One20 4

• Custom RST Deuce 120 Air, 1.5, 32mm, Thru 15.
• Custom X-Fusion 02 RLZ Rear Shock w/ LO
• Shimano BR-M486 Disc Brakes
• Shimano New Deore Shifters
• Shimano New Deore Rear Derailleur
• $1,919

The Rize One20 is also available in a Women’s specific model, too.

2010 CANNONDALE RIZE ONE40

The Rize One40 increases the travel a bit and has six models to choose from.  The entire line gets new shock selection to better match the performance of the Lefty forks, and some models get the new 2010 Lefty OPI, which uses a new one-piece external upper that sheds about 100g from the multi-piece models and is stiffer. Unlike some all-mountain bikes, the One40 gets 140mm travel in both front and rear (some bikes get more or less travel on one end or the other), and Cannondale claims this bike will go up just as easily as it’ll bomb down.  Range includes:

RZ One40 1 – $5799

• Lefty Max Carbon w/ PBR 140
• Rock Shox Monarch 4.2 Shock
• Mavic Crossmax ST Lefty Tubeless wheelset
• FSA K-Force Light BB30 44/32/22
• Shimano XTR Rear Derailleur
• Avid Elixir CR Mag Disc Brakes

RZ One40 2 – $4999

• Lefty Max Carbon w/ RLC 140
• Fox RP23 w/ Boost Valve Shock
• Mavic X-Trail Lefty Tubeless wheelset
• FSA Afterburner BB30 w/ Carbon Spider 44/32/22
• SRAM X-9 Shifters
• SRAM X-0 Rear Derailleur
• Avid Elixir CR Carbon Disc Brakes

RZ One40 3 – $3299

• Lefty Max w/ PBR 140
• Rock Shox Monarch 3.3 Shock
• DT Swiss X430 Rims
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur and shifters
• Avid Elixir R Disc Brakes

RZ One40 3Z – $3699

• Rize Alloy frame w/ ISCG/BB30
• Rock Shox Revelation Team Air U-TURN, 140, 1.5
• Rock Shox Monarch 4.2 Shock
• Truvativ Hammerschmidt 24/38
• Truvativ Cockpit
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur
• Avid Elixir R Disc Brakes

RZ One40 4 – $2399

• Fox 32 Float RL 140, 1.5
• Fox RP2 Shock
• Schwalbe Nobby Nic 26 x 2.25 EVO Folding
• Shimano XT Rear Derailleur
• Hayes Stroker Ryde Disc Brakes

RZ One40 5 – $1799

• Custom RST Deuce 140 Air, 1.5, 32mm, Thru 15.
• Custom X-Fusion 02 RLZ Rear Shock w/ LO
• Shimano BR-M486 Disc Brakes
• Alloy Lock On Grips

2010 CANNONDALE MOTO CARBON

The big news for the 2010 Moto is spread across FIVE major changes:

1. the Carbon Moto frame gets BB30 bottom bracket sizing, all models get ISCG tabs
2. the headtube has been slackened to 67º
3. rear dropouts are now interchangeable to 12mm Maxle or 9mm QR
4. BB height has decreased by 1mm for lower center of gravity
5. shorter suspension links…same suspension response, tighter geometry

The Moto will be available in five price points to fit more riders’ budgets, as follows:

Moto 1 Carbon – $6499

• Fox 36 TALAS RC2 160mm, 1.5
• Fox DHX Air 5.0
• Mavic Crossmax SX wheelset
• FSA K-Force Light BB30 44/32/22 Crank
• SRAM X-0 Shifters
• SRAM X-0 Rear Derailleur
• Magura Louise BAT Carbon Disc Brakes

Moto 2 Carbon – $4999

• Fox 36 TALAS R 160mm, 1.5
• Fox RP23 w/ Boost Valve
• FSA Afterburner w/ Carbon Spider BB30 44/32/22 Crank
• DT Swiss E540 Rim, 340 Hubs Front and Rear
• SRAM X-9 Shifters
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur
• Magura Louise BAT Disc Brakes

Moto 3 – $3999

• Rock Shox Lyrik IS w/U-TURN, 1.5
• Rock Shox Monarch 4.2 Shock
• Truvativ Hammerschmidt 22/36
• Schwalbe Fat Albert 26 x 2.4
• Avid Elixir R Disc Brakes
• Truvativ Cockpit – Hussefelt Bars, AKA Stem

Moto 4 – $3299

• Rock Shox Lyrik IS U-TURN, 1.5
• Rock Shox Monarch 3.1 Shock
• Folding Tire – Kenda Nevegal 26 x 2.35 Iron Cap
• SRAM X-7 Shifters
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur
• Magura Louise Disc Brakes – Size relevant rotors

Moto 5 – $2499

• Rock Shox Domain 302 w/U-TURN, 1.5
• Rock Shox Monarch 2.1 Shock
• Folding Tire – Kenda Nevegal 26 x 2.35 Iron Cap
• SRAM X-5 Shifter
• SRAM X-9 Rear Derailleur
• Hayes Stroker Ryde Disc Brakes