Podcast #102 – Cannondale Factory Racing & Lefty Deep Dive

Written by Jordan Villella Jul 26, 2024 11:48 a.m. ET

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Jordan sits down and talks about all things Lefty with Cannondale Factory Racing (CFR) and the suspension team at Cannondale. Steve Exstance, Murray Washburn, and Lefty Larry walk us through the conception, progression, and even electrification of Cannondale’s Lefty line.

LeftyLarry_BikeRumor_2 — (Lefty Larry with his collection of period-correct Cannondale Race machines. All images: Cannondale)

Larry was kind enough to meet us at CFR headquarters. He described “a day in the life at CFR,” explaining what team members do and how all the moving parts behind wins work together.

Murray_Washburn_BikeRumor 2 — Murray talking in the pits with the Cannondale Factory Race Team

We cover how the team dials in their suspension for different course demands and rider styles and what it’s like servicing multiple Lefties while traveling worldwide. Plus, we get the insider scoop and some secret tips from Lefty Larry for setup, lockout and the team answers reader questions.

Steve Exstance_3 — Steve testing Leftys in the Cannondale facilities

Steve testing Leftys in the Cannondale facilities

So, if you’re a Cannondale fanatic or a rider looking to get a peek behind the scenes of World Cup life, this episode is a must-listen!

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Jordan Villella

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Jordan Villella is the Racing Tech Editor for BikeRumor.com, specializing in cross-country mountain, gravel, road, and cyclocross. He has written about bicycles and bike culture for over fifteen years with no signs of stopping.

Before BikeRumor, Jordan raced professionally and wrote for MTBR and the now-defunct Dirt Rag Magazine. He’s covered the World Championships, World Cups, and everything in between — where he loves to report what people are riding.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Jordan coaches cyclists of all abilities with Cycle-Smart; you can find him racing bikes around North America and adventuring with his family.

For an inside look at his review rides follow him on Strava.

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Dag

4 months ago

Larry and Murray – absolute Legends of MTB. Thank you for this episode.

jdog

4 months ago

I’m due for another ride in an epic place with Murrray!

Fatty Hügi

1 month ago

What was the solution Larry came up with for the booted Lefty to run it without the boot? I would love to run my 1,150 gram 110mm booted Lefty without the boot, and possibly lose a few grams. Some kind of square rubber wiper perhaps? I love my 110 DLR Speed SL carbon, I even got an extra new speed SL damper to keep it light in the future. It is so sick-light: 300grams lighter and double-digit -percentage stiffer than Ocho, I would love to dispose of the boot. I have an Ocho too, and I think it’s the best looking fork to date, but 1,440 grams is quite a bit more than I like, my inner weight weenie cringes.

Fatty Hügi

1 month ago

Also they didn’t talk about the 1994-95 Marzocchi one-piece air/oil cartridge. Only 50mm supposedly but rode like it had 80. The Team Issued race ones were called the Recart in mechanic-speak. There was no top rebound/speed adjustment rod sticking out, but a countersunk screw making the top flat, so the steer tube top was as slammed as possible. Also interesting is for the first MTB Olympics in Atlanta ‘96 Alison Sydor rode a non-tapered fork DD60 oil cartridge with elastomer or the excellent aftermarket Speed Spring made by Eibach, instead of the new first-Fatty 50mm; apparently they could lose air suspension without warning, so I’m guessing when she was going for the Olympic podium she didn’t want to take chances of having a race-killing mechanical. Her bike was bombproof, and she took Silver and won the rainbow jersey for the 3rd year in a row. Her Olympic bike is in the Cannondale Museum BTW!