Cannondale Bikes - Interbike 2009
Cannondale has proven themselves to be one of the most innovative bicycle companies around. Debuting new technology every year has kept them at the forefront of the cycling world and inside we'll have a closer look at a new 120 mm travel platform, the RZ One Twenty. Using 3D forging, a single piece Si stem and steerer unit, and an amazing 3 lb 120 mm travel Lefty fork, the RZ platform continues push the limits.
Watch the video and listen to Cannondale's Doug Dalton explain the new RZ One Twenty
![photo]()
The RZ One Twenty 1
Cannondale's RZ One Twenty is a bike that a lot of riders will find more than capable enough to tackle their local terrain, as well as a fresh approach to a shorter travel platform. The little brother to the One Forty, the new RZ is a firmer platform and aimed at riders who are looking for a bike with a bit sportier feel to it. While we are used to seeing longer travel bikes boast about stiffness improving qualities, the RZ series has some interesting features that keep the 5" travel frame rigid and precise.
![photo]()
The RZ's entire seat tube, BB shell, and pivot assembly is a single 3D forged structure to ensure perfect alignment and maximum stiffness
![photo]()
Meaty chainstays and captured pivots at the dropout to further enhance rigidity
The RZ One Twenty can brag about having some very neat technology built into it. The heart of the bike is its 3D forged seat tube, pivot points, and BB shell (think along the lines of a high-end seat post being all one piece). Forging ensures that this important piece is perfectly straight and stronger than a welded together unit. Large diameter aluminum pivot hardware and captured dropout pivots help to boost stiffness even more. Although the BB30 bottom bracket system can be found on many other bikes now, Cannondale was the first to use this large diameter spindle and bearing design and it makes another appearance aboard the RZ One Twenty's frame. One of the most unique pieces on the One Twenty is the Si stem and steerer tube combination. Si is an acronym for System Integration and the stem/steerer are just that, a one piece unit that does not rely on bolts or clamps of any kind to hold it together. Lighter, stiffer, and pretty damn neat!
![photo]()
Cannondale are the originators of the BB30 bottom bracket system and it is used here on the RZ One Twenty
![photo]()
RZ One Twenty 1 full specs
![photo]()
A Lefty Ultra Carbon w/PBR and 120 mm of travel at the front of the RZ One Twenty 1
Lefty Specs
• 130 mm of travel, 3 lb. weight
• Push button lockout
• Rebound adjust
• Solo air spring w/ self adjusting negative air spring
• Si single piece stem and steerer unit - lighter and stiffer
![photo]()
The Lefty may be different than what you have seen but has been around for a decade now in many travel and damper options
Despite the fact that the proven Lefty fork platform has been in service for many years now, even outlasting any competitor's models, it still has its fair share of doubters simply based on the fact that it is a single sided system. Those riders who would like to learn more about the Lefty fork and why it has been so successful over the years should head over to Cannondale's Why Lefty?' page and familiarize oneself with the internal workings of this misunderstood fork. Remember kids, don't hate, educate!
Have a look at the entire RZ One Twenty lineup!
Cannondale Moto Carbon 2
Watch the video to learn more about the Moto's Hatchet-Drive suspension and how Cannondale used Carbon fiber on their 6" AM bike
It must be blast to work in Cannondale's R and D section. The big C always seems like it has something on the go that is pushing the limits, or at least making some of their competitors scratch their heads. I think the Moto ticks both of those boxes off. Not content to slack out an existing bike and bolt on a longer stroke shock, Cannondale developed the 6" travel Moto from scratch for last season. Never one to follow any trends, the Moto has a look that is all its own. Built from carbon fiber, still a rarity in the 6" travel sector, the Moto uses Cannondale's Hatchet-Drive suspension to avoid mounting the shock to the front triangle. Thru-axles front and rear, a full length seat tube, and all-mountain geometry are the other important ingredients that make up the Moto package.
![photo]()
Cannondale Moto Carbon 2
![photo]()
The Moto's Hatchet-Drive suspension
Look closer and you'll find that the Fox shock that handles rear suspension duties is not mounted to the front triangle, but to the black link at the top and the swingarm at the opposite end. This allows the engineers at Cannondale to accomplish two things. First, it lets them build both a lighter and stronger front triangle because it no longer has to be braced to accept any force from the suspension. Second, they have another place to control the rate of the suspension. The Hatchet-Drive is driven via a Cannondale staple, a simple and solid single pivot and a substantial swingarm.
![photo]()
![photo]()
A 12 x 135 mm rear Maxle for stiffness and quick removal
Moto Carbon 2 full specs
![photo]()
The rear shock attaches to the Hatchet-Drive at the top and to the swingarm at the opposite end, not to the front triangle
While there are both carbon and aluminum Motos available, the carbon frame is stunning in person and will be appreciated by any true bike nerd out there. The shapes of the tubes are eye catching, as well as the bits of unpainted carbon. Besides looking great, the carbon also allows Cannondale to build a massively strong frame without the usually equally massive weight penalty. Have a look at the immense head tube and surrounding area as evidence.
![photo]()
The front of the Moto features a massive oversized head tube
Visit Cannondale.com for more info on the RZ One Twenty 1 and the Moto Carbon 2!
Mike Levy
Watch the video and listen to Cannondale's Doug Dalton explain the new RZ One Twenty
Cannondale's RZ One Twenty is a bike that a lot of riders will find more than capable enough to tackle their local terrain, as well as a fresh approach to a shorter travel platform. The little brother to the One Forty, the new RZ is a firmer platform and aimed at riders who are looking for a bike with a bit sportier feel to it. While we are used to seeing longer travel bikes boast about stiffness improving qualities, the RZ series has some interesting features that keep the 5" travel frame rigid and precise.
The RZ One Twenty can brag about having some very neat technology built into it. The heart of the bike is its 3D forged seat tube, pivot points, and BB shell (think along the lines of a high-end seat post being all one piece). Forging ensures that this important piece is perfectly straight and stronger than a welded together unit. Large diameter aluminum pivot hardware and captured dropout pivots help to boost stiffness even more. Although the BB30 bottom bracket system can be found on many other bikes now, Cannondale was the first to use this large diameter spindle and bearing design and it makes another appearance aboard the RZ One Twenty's frame. One of the most unique pieces on the One Twenty is the Si stem and steerer tube combination. Si is an acronym for System Integration and the stem/steerer are just that, a one piece unit that does not rely on bolts or clamps of any kind to hold it together. Lighter, stiffer, and pretty damn neat!
RZ One Twenty 1 full specs
| Frame and Size | Cannondale RZ One Twenty •Si BB30 |
| Rear Shock | Fox Float RP23 |
| Fork | Lefty Ultra Carbon w/PBR, 120mm |
| Headset | Cannondale HeadShok Si |
| Crankarms | FSA Afterburner BB30 w/Carbon Spider, 44/32/22 |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA BB30 |
| Pedals | Crank Brothers Candy |
| Chain | KMC X9 CP 9-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-970, 11-34 |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X-9 | Front Derailleur | SRAM X-7 |
| Shifters | SRAM X-9 |
| Handlebar | FSA XC-282 660mm, 18mm riser, 31.8mm |
| Stem | Cannondale XC3 Si Stem/Steerer |
| Grips | Cannondale Morse Alloy Locking grips |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir CR, 160/160mm |
| Front Wheel | DT Swiss XCR 1.5 Custom, Lefty SL 24h hub |
| Rear Wheel | SDT Swiss XCR 1.5 Custom, DT 340 24h |
| Tires | Schwalbe Racing Ralph EVO Folding, 26 x 2.25" |
| Saddle | Prologo Vertigo Max, chromoly rails |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C2 Black, 31.6mm |
Lefty Specs
• 130 mm of travel, 3 lb. weight
• Push button lockout
• Rebound adjust
• Solo air spring w/ self adjusting negative air spring
• Si single piece stem and steerer unit - lighter and stiffer
Despite the fact that the proven Lefty fork platform has been in service for many years now, even outlasting any competitor's models, it still has its fair share of doubters simply based on the fact that it is a single sided system. Those riders who would like to learn more about the Lefty fork and why it has been so successful over the years should head over to Cannondale's Why Lefty?' page and familiarize oneself with the internal workings of this misunderstood fork. Remember kids, don't hate, educate!
Have a look at the entire RZ One Twenty lineup!
Watch the video to learn more about the Moto's Hatchet-Drive suspension and how Cannondale used Carbon fiber on their 6" AM bike
It must be blast to work in Cannondale's R and D section. The big C always seems like it has something on the go that is pushing the limits, or at least making some of their competitors scratch their heads. I think the Moto ticks both of those boxes off. Not content to slack out an existing bike and bolt on a longer stroke shock, Cannondale developed the 6" travel Moto from scratch for last season. Never one to follow any trends, the Moto has a look that is all its own. Built from carbon fiber, still a rarity in the 6" travel sector, the Moto uses Cannondale's Hatchet-Drive suspension to avoid mounting the shock to the front triangle. Thru-axles front and rear, a full length seat tube, and all-mountain geometry are the other important ingredients that make up the Moto package.
Look closer and you'll find that the Fox shock that handles rear suspension duties is not mounted to the front triangle, but to the black link at the top and the swingarm at the opposite end. This allows the engineers at Cannondale to accomplish two things. First, it lets them build both a lighter and stronger front triangle because it no longer has to be braced to accept any force from the suspension. Second, they have another place to control the rate of the suspension. The Hatchet-Drive is driven via a Cannondale staple, a simple and solid single pivot and a substantial swingarm.
Moto Carbon 2 full specs
| Frame and Size | Moto Carbon, 160 mm |
| Rear Shock | FOX DHX 4.0 Air |
| Fork | FOX 36 Talas R, 160-130-100 mm |
| Headset | Moto 1.5" Integrated |
| Crankarms | Shimano XT, 22/32/44 |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Hollowtech II |
| Pedals | Crank Brothers Smarty |
| Chain | Shimano 9-speed |
| Cassette | Shimano XT, 11-34 |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X-9 | Front Derailleur | Shimano LX |
| Shifters | SRAM X-9 Trigger |
| Handlebar | FSA XC-190AOS, 25 mm rise |
| Stem | Cannondale XC3 1.5", 31.8 mm |
| Grips | Cannondale GRIND Locking |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir CR |
| Front Wheel | DT Swiss E2200 |
| Rear Wheel | DT Swiss E2200 |
| Tires | Continental Mountain King Supersonic, 26 x 2.4" |
| Saddle | Fi'zi:k Gobi XM w/MG rails |
| Seatpost | Thomson Elite |
While there are both carbon and aluminum Motos available, the carbon frame is stunning in person and will be appreciated by any true bike nerd out there. The shapes of the tubes are eye catching, as well as the bits of unpainted carbon. Besides looking great, the carbon also allows Cannondale to build a massively strong frame without the usually equally massive weight penalty. Have a look at the immense head tube and surrounding area as evidence.
Visit Cannondale.com for more info on the RZ One Twenty 1 and the Moto Carbon 2!
Mike Levy
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
That's like saying "ground-breaking differential materials manipulation" when all it could mean is butted-tubing. It's a bunch of jargon to make it sound cool to people who don't know what it is.
Integrated headset as a feature?(or semi, can't remember, don't want to watch the vid again) Gimme a break, everyone has one in their line-up. It's like pointing out the bike has a rear derailleur.
"Hydro-formed" tubeset. Looks nice, too bad the wall thickness is inconsistent and all over the place when you use that style of manufacturing. Which results in the need for more material, which means it's not as light or strong as it could be using other styles of tube manufacturing. And again, they're dropping jargon and terms that aren't cutting edge the way there were 3 years ago.
Okay, so I ranted. Don't get me wrong, Cannondale makes really nice bikes. I've ridden two in Canmore, Alberta and they were both sick, light, stiff, responsive! I just get frustrated when I see companies trying to jazz up "common" technology when all they're basically doing is releasing a different travel version of a previous bike.
er, no. they haven't designed anything new since they came out with the lefty about 3000 years ago, and they've been flogging it like a dead horse ever since.
'hatchet drive suspension' ? - is that what everyone else would call a 'single pivot with a linkage' ?
show me something new please.
And owning a moto, i think that they are sick bikes, when looking for solid AM bike. its a great bike. I had a choice between specialized, cannondale, and santa-cruz for bikes the LBC sold, and i went with this. Like it alot. Granted there may be lighter things out there, and that it might have the whole"crack and fail" name to it, but isn't that why they make life-time warrenties?.... So you can trust their ish, and if it just so happens to break, get a new one?..
As of 2010 in Canada they still have the lifetime warranty
Very BIG buisness!!!
"Look closer and you'll find that the Fox shock that handles rear suspension duties is not mounted to the front triangle, but to the black link at the top and the swingarm at the opposite end. This allows the engineers at Cannondale to accomplish two things. First, it lets them build both a lighter and stronger front triangle because it no longer has to be braced to accept any force from the suspension."
And that lightness in the front triangle due to not have to brace it for suspension forces can be found in the rear triangle being braced to take the force there. Correct me if I'm wrong, but considering the vector of the force on the lower shock mount is pointed almost right at the pivot throughout it's entire travel, is it fair to come to the conclusion that the shock force is still being transferred to frame through the rear triangle, then to the pivot, and ultimately to that section of the frame? Someone that knows their physics - is this correct?
However, in a market that, although it's hard to see if you're only reading PB, is seeing sluggish, slow and in some cases, dwindling sales in big bikes and DJ/Street bikes at all price levels, it's unfortunate but no surprise that Cannondale is looking to "put their money where the market is".
To clarify, brands like Giant have such competitive pricing since they're vertically integrated (build other brands bikes at a higher price than it costs to make their own) that they can rework their DH designs and stay competitive in the DH marketplace with a design that was already successful. Same goes for Blkmrkt, they eat, breath, sleep Street/DJ so people are almost always going to be asking for their bikes.
I'd say it's a smart move by Cannondale. There's only so much time and energy you can put into fighting for a portion of a specific market and when everyone else is doing the same thing while at the same time sales are probably slumping a bit as well, it could be a very good call.
www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/02/04/cannondales.html
The blatant lie about the Lefty lasting the longest is great too. I can name probably 15 forks off the top of my head that have remained the 'same' as the Lefty.
Rock Shox SID
Rock Shox Boxxer
Risse Trixxy
Risse Champ
Anyone else care to help?
Thought you said you could name 15 off the top of your head?
I used to race on Risse Champs. I still think they are the butteriest forks ever. Most young 'uns would have never felt their suppleness. They used to sag under their own weight, ha ha! They were the easiest fork in the world to work on. They took 350-400 mls of oil. Nothing else comes close to that volume that I know of. More oil = better damping.
I saw two guys few weeks ago starting out for a session and they were both running Trixxies. One set was attached to a Risse Larsen. I'd never seen one before. I do know at least two guys that run Champs.
That's bcuz there isn't much good to say about any "Crack-n-fail"!