Cross-country trailbike
Lefty Speed Carbon SLS: Cannondale has long advocated system integration, and this fork proves it. The 11 cm-travel fork is less than three pounds.
Cannondales Rush platform, introduced in 2006, fills the gap between their short-travel, single purpose, cross-country race bike (the Scalpel), and their 14 cm-travel trailbike, the Prophet. Cannondale hoped that riders would want the responsiveness, vitality, and comfort of a cross country race bike but with the ease of a long-legged trailbike. Cannondale has increased the Rush range from seven to ten models for 2007, with three of them made from carbon fiber.
Rush Carbon 1 (tested here) and Rush Carbon 2 are part of the Rush Carbon Team. These three models share the same frame, with price and weight differences determined by the component mixture.
Rush Carbons have a monocoque front triangular design that is 298g lighter than the alloy Rush. Cannondale can create a flowing front triangle with carbon design flexibility. They also offer a low standing over height. Cannondale’s System Integrated (SI), Headset reduces weight and eliminates the need for cups. The bearings are press into the pre-molded headset design.
Cannondales Connecticut headquarters found it amusing that Specialized had created their own fork in 2006, despite all the publicity. Weve been doing this for five years, the polite engineers at Cannondale said. The new Lefty Carbon SL 11 cm travel fork weighs in at just 12 kg. It features a size-specific compression valve and negative spring settings. Cannondales SI stem/steerer is integrated into the Lefty. Riders have nine options to select the right size to achieve the correct position.
ON THE STAND
Although the Rush Carbon is technically not a new bike, it shares the same geometry and rear suspension as its aluminum brothers. However, one ride will be enough to see that the Carbons work on a different plane from the alloy Rushes. Although it shares many of the same design elements as last year’s Rush, this bike is an entirely new beast on the trails.
Keep going: It feels like a Rush. You will notice the difference between last year’s Rush 3000 and the Carbon Team as soon as you begin pedaling. There are several reasons. The Carbon Team is 2 pounds lighter than the 06 Rush 3000 (July 2006), however, the weight loss doesn’t tell the entire story. Carbon Team feels a lot stiffer in the saddle. This is not punishment-type stiff. This is a noticeable increase in torsional stiffness, which could be felt by anyone from a novice to a veteran MBA wrecking crewer. It’s not subtle? it is right in front of you.
Cornering: This bike is quick to steer in corners thanks to the same torsional rigidity as the Carbon Team’s rocket-assisted push when they hammer. Cannondale gave the front triangle a lot more rigidity (just look at its head tube) and the result is a bike that can handle any line you give it. We were able to hit lines we wouldn’t have been able to with a less powerful bike.
Climbing: Like all high-pivot monoshock swingarms with good chain tension, the suspension will contract slightly when you pedal in the small chainrings. The Fox RP23 shocks platform is very effective and this makes it possible to climb in either standing or seated mode. Rush’s double anti-bob function makes it easy to avoid being blown off the trail by high climbs and step ups. To avoid scrubbing up the trail, the Rush’s quick steering is best when climbing.
Downhills: Although the Carbon Team isn’t afraid of technical descents, riders must make an effort to maintain their weight. The alloy Rush felt nervous when it came to fast descents. However, the carbon has a soothing effect on Rush’s personality. This Rush is much more comfortable at speed, giving the illusion of extra travel.
Braking: Rush riders need to focus on keeping their weight rearward when braking hard. If you brake from neutral, too much weight will shift to the front of your bike. This can tax the fork and make the steering feel steeper. Although the Juicy Ultimate brakes are quiet, powerful and fade-free, they can be a bit grabby at slower speeds, such as when you’re doing a switchback.
Jumps, big hits, and drops: The Rush Carbon Team is capable of handling any technical singletrack. Cannondale Prophet is the perfect choice if you want to be scary. Cannondales cross country racers are closer to Rushs personality than their downhill offerings.
Standout components: The wheels are the most important part of any frame. Carbon Teams are back with the Mavic/Maxxis combination. The carbon frame is a perfect match for the new Mavic hubs and Mavic wheels, which are mated to Maxxis Crossmark tireless tires. These wheels roll like cross-country racers and offer plenty of bite for climbing and cornering. This is a very attractive spec.
Cannondale uses BB30 International Standard (an oversized shell for the bottom bracket) which allows for pressed in bearings and a spindle of 30 millimeters. This system reduces weight by eliminating cups which would normally hold the bearings. This design could account for some of frames’ torsional rigidity.
Keep going: You can get past the mavic CrossMax SLR US wheelset’s sexy appearance. They are so much more than just pretty. We were impressed with the results of our first extended test.
OBJECTION
During a ride, a plate on the Mavics front hub broke off. The wheel was not removed from the hub, and it went unnoticed. The bolt that holds the front wheel in place has no support, so it can’t be removed. You can change a flat tire with no need to remove the wheel.
It takes a while to reach the Fox RP23 shocks ProPedal lever. (By the way, we still love this shock and the Carbon Team bike is just one of the bikes that it works great on).
Soft pedaling is required to shift from the granny gear into the middle ring. Under torque caused a severe crunch, and the chain had difficulty finding its way to that ring. The problem was not solved by keeping an eye on your chain and making sure that it is properly lubricated.
When you are out of the saddle, it is easy to make knee contact with the lockout lever. Clearance issues with the handlebar mean that the lever cannot be moved. We have warned you.
THE JURY RETURNS
It’s amazing what a material can do. The carbon treatment moves the Rush off our capable-trailbike list and onto our standouts list (the price also moves it to our steep-for-a-wrecking-crew-salary list). It’s lighter, faster and more forgiving that the alloy Rush. Although it has limited travel, some riders may be put off by its limitations. However, you should look beyond that number before making a decision. Hidden travel is possible. These bikes’ light weight and responsiveness will make a lot of longer travel trailbikes wonder what they just saw.
Price
Taiwanese country of origin
110 kg
Hotline 726-2453
Frame tested 46 cm (medium).
Bottom bracket height 32 cm
Length of the chainstay 42 cm
Top tube length: 61 cm
Head angle 69
Seat tube angle 73.5
Standover height 75 cm
Wheelbase 110 cm
Suspension travel (front), 11 cm
Rear suspension travel 11 cm
Carbon/Aluminum frame material
Fork Lefty Speed Carbon SSL
Shock Fox Float, RP23
Rims Mavic CrossMax UST
Tires Maxxis Crossmark XC UST (5cm)
Hub Mavic CrossMax SLR
Brakes Avid Ultimate
Brake levers Avid Ultimate
Crankset Cannondale Hollowgram Si
Shifters SRAMX.0 Trigger
Front derailleur Shimano XTR
Rear derailleur SRAM X.0
Chainrings Cannondale (44/32/22)
Cassette Sram PG-990, 9-speed (11-32)
Pedals CrankBrothers Eggbeater
