Cannondale slate

[AP81]

What do you guys think of the Cannondale slate? Coming to Australia soon. Some shops are taking pre-orders.

650B, lefty oliver fork with 30mm travel. A bit exxy but me rikey.

http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bike/P ... 58e054c781

[Mugglechops]

Awesome bike. Already here I think.

[dalai47]

Personally not a fan. No circuit I have raced on has necessitated suspension, plus a compact frame would make it hard to shoulder.

[silentbutdeadly]

I wouldn't know whether to call it Arthur or Martha. A 650B road bike with a 142x12 rear end, 42 mm tyres on 28 spoke wheels, 52/36 up front gearing and beautifully insane fork.

I'd call it the Cannondale Conflicted but I'd still like to try one.

[m@]

Well it's not really a cyclocross bike; in fact unless I'm very much mistaken the wheel size and suspension would make it illegal in any official cx race.

For its intended purpose (all-terrain randonneuring) it's interesting, but I'm unconvinced that the weight and complexity of suspension is justified over a 700c/29er frame with plenty of clearance for big rubber, like the Soma Wolverine, Curve Grovel or even just a hardtail 29er with drops and rigid fork. Guys I know who have dedicated bikes true backcountry adventure riding all use rigid forks...

[AP81]

Yeah, it's more a road/gravel, but I strangely want to try one. Who doesn't love a lefty?

Thought this was the most appropriate place to post it.

[m@]

Sorry - was more a reply to @dalai47's comment... probably should've quoted it for clarity

It really defies classification, maybe we need a Cannondale Slate section [emoji38]

[trailgumby]

Yeah, it's more a road/gravel, but I strangely want to try one. Who doesn't love a lefty?

Thought this was the most appropriate place to post it.

Leftys rock, especially the new bootless ones now that they've sorted out the damping.

For those from the roadie/CX persuasion wondering why you would need a suspension, you don't. But if you want more forgiving handling on loose or uneven surfaces and a wider grip envelope it is hard to go past suspension. And a Lefty is probably the lightest fork in its class.

30mm travel isn't a lot, but the upside is you're going to lose very little in pedalling efficiency. If you're grinding out of the saddle up the hills, they can be locked by tapping the PBR button on top of the fork, and unlocked the same way again. Fat tyres at lower pressures work well to take the edge off the harshness when on dirt with rigid frames and forks, but then you are pedalling through marshmallow when the surface is firmer. For those with the budget, I think this offers more flexibility and efficiency, but obviously it comes at a price.

[silentbutdeadly]

And that's the moral of the story...at that price and with that specification it is a long way from a bargain. Shame really...

[ChrisD]

Got the spade out for this thread

So I'm about to pull the trigger a Slate 105, as I think it's perfect for where I ride. I've been riding my CX bike on local fire trails, single track and road for some time now, while it's OK I really wanted something that can take a bit of the edge off the trail. So a few months back I bought another HT Mtn Bike, it's perfect for fire trails around the north of Sydney but I really prefer the geo and position that drop bars offer....so I sold it.
Well after much research and mental back or forth I'm going to get a Slate 105 as I think it fits the bill perfectly. It will do all the single track, fire trail & road that my CX did but with more ease and comfort....it will also be great for gravel riding after CX season finishes.

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

[AP81]

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

No, but it's on the cards (tax return).

I had the opportunity to ride someone else's 105 for a few hours. Loved it, really plush and I still felt like I could hammer it (had no problems sitting on 35km/h for a few kms).

I also test road the Apex and I do slightly prefer the rigid fork mainly because there is no maintenance. I only road it on the road though, whereas the slate I took it both off and on-road.

I say go for it, it's an awesome bike (albeit a bit expensive).

[jaseyjase]

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

nah, i just built my own

[AP81]

^^ That is so awesome!

[ChrisD]

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

No, but it's on the cards (tax return).

I had the opportunity to ride someone else's 105 for a few hours. Loved it, really plush and I still felt like I could hammer it (had no problems sitting on 35km/h for a few kms).

I also test road the Apex and I do slightly prefer the rigid fork mainly because there is no maintenance. I only road it on the road though, whereas the slate I took it both off and on-road.

I say go for it, it's an awesome bike (albeit a bit expensive).

Agreed, tax return and bike shops having good deals ATM helps with the price, I'm also planning on keeping this one for some time so it will pay for its self.
So I paid in full this morning....fingers crossed it will be ready tomorrow ( if not Monday). I then need to consider what tires to get, apparently G1's are the go (so I've read).....40mm wide, tubeless & grip to boot.

[ChrisD]

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

nah, i just built my own

Nicely done, looks great

[AP81]

So I paid in full this morning....fingers crossed it will be ready tomorrow ( if not Monday). I then need to consider what tires to get, apparently G1's are the go (so I've read).....40mm wide, tubeless & grip to boot.

Let us know your thoughts after you get it it. You're gonna love it.

[singlespeedscott]

It will be interesting to see how you find it.

[ChrisD]

Will do, looks like I'll collect Monday....so won't ride till Wed night.

[ChrisD]

Home earlier than expected, put my XT spds on and water bottle cages.....ready to roll in the morning

[singlespeedscott]

Nice

[CycloTron]

So since the last post has anyone bought a Slate?

nah, i just built my own

Nicely done!

Out of curiosity, where did you rustle up that frame?

[jaseyjase]

Nicely done!

Out of curiosity, where did you rustle up that frame?

Gumtree, lefty fork off a similar era Scalpel, also off gumtree.

Took me a a few months to find, essentially on gumtree every day

[AP81]

Out of curiosity, where did you rustle up that frame?

It's a F700 CAAD2 MTB frame I believe. Good luck finding one. Not so easy to find and they're quite collectable.

[jaseyjase]

Out of curiosity, where did you rustle up that frame?

It's a F700 CAAD2 MTB frame I believe. Good luck finding one. Not so easy to find and they're quite collectable.

Close! CAAD4

[CycloTron]

Out of curiosity, where did you rustle up that frame?

It's a F700 CAAD2 MTB frame I believe. Good luck finding one. Not so easy to find and they're quite collectable.

Close! CAAD4

I'm guessing these frames take 26" wheels? Or will 650b also fit?