The 2014 Cannondale Trigger 29er Carbon takes the long travel, big wheel design they introduced in alloy last year and gives a lighter, stiffer frame.
It will come in two builds. The new Trigger 29 Carbon 1 is 27lbs (claimed) with XX1 and their Si cranks and CrossMax ST wheels. The carbon Trigger frame is 550-600g lighter than the aluminum version depending on size. The rocker link is a solid carbon piece and the frame uses BallisTec carbon from front to rear. Same frame and shock for both the Trigger 1 and 2.
The Trigger 1 uses the carbon Lefty SuperMax, and the Trigger 2 gets the alloy Lefty. Both get refined valving for 2014 for better rebound adjustability and a more supple feel.
The headtube is designed around their straight 1.5″ steerer and has a big bump stop on the left side.
While the alloy models use a pivot above the rear axle on the seatstay, the carbon frame uses a pivotless rear end with continuous carbon fibers designed to flex a bit. The DYAD pull shock switches between 80mm and 130mm of travel only minor tweaks to the geometry thanks to decreased or increased sag. That makes it tighter and steeper in the short travel setting and cushier and slacker with long travel. Check this post for a tech breakdown on how it works.
The rocker arm is quite stealth-bomber looking, it’s angular shapes finding subtly placed homes throughout the otherwise rounded frame. Stealth dropper post routing runs under the downtube and ducks into the frame just above the main pivot.
The Carbon Trigger 2 gets the white/black/red paint scheme shown behind the top model. They’ll be available in S/M/L/XL sizes.
The alloy bikes carry through unchanged except for color and that they no longer get the SuperMax Lefty…standard forks for the lot of them. One Trigger 26″ remains in the line, the carbon frame, but it’s likely for Europe only.
All of this begs the question: No 650B bikes? Ummmm, suffice to say they’re well aware of what’s going on in the marketplace. There are no specifics available, but the Trigger and Jekyll are prime suspects.
