First Look: Cannondale's 2015 Trigger and Jekyll

Mar 26, 2014 at 23:16
by Mike Kazimer  
Cannondale's Trigger and Jekyll mountain bikes see a host of changes for 2015, the most obvious being the switch to 27.5” wheels. We're currently in Spain spending time on both of the new models - more details and a first ride report are on the way.



photo

2015 Trigger 27.5 Details

• Intended purpose: trail / all-mountain
• 27.5" wheels
• 140mm or 85mm of travel
• Full carbon or alloy frame options



• 68° head angle, 73.5° seat angle
• Increased front center
• 60mm stem
• Lefty Supermax on select models


Cannondale's 2015 Trigger 27.5 is intended to be a do-it-all type of mountain bike, with 140 or 85mm of travel that's adjustable via a handlebar mounted remote that controls the Fox Dyad rear shock. The 27.5" wheels, slacker head angle and slightly longer front center, along with the shorter stem, are all design changes intended to make it a more capable, less XC-only type of ride than previous versions. Three full carbon options will be available, including a tricked out stealth black version whose highlights include an XX1 drivetrain and ENVE wheels. There will also be two alloy versions available that come equipped with a Fox front fork instead of the Lefty Supermax featured on the higher end versions. 29er fans will be glad to know that the big-wheeled version of the Trigger, which we reviewed a few months ago, will remain in the lineup, unchanged for 2015.



photo

2015 Jekyll Details

• Intended purpose: all-mountain/enduro race
• 27.5" wheels
• 160mm or 95mm of travel
• Full carbon or alloy frame options



• 67° head angle, 74.9° seat angle
• Increased front center
• 50mm stem
• Lefty Supermax on select models


Developed with extensive input from enduro superstar Jerome Clementz, the 2015 Jekyll receives geometry changes and upgraded suspension to make it even more of a threat on the trails and the race course. The full carbon version is the same frame that Clementz will be defending his 2013 Enduro World Champion title aboard when the race season kicks off in April. In addition to the increased travel and slacker geometry, the tunes of both the 160mm Supermax fork (Cannondale's longest travel Lefty ever) and the Dyad rear shock have been altered to give them a wider range of adjustments and better responsiveness to mid and high speed hits. Stem length has dropped as well, and the new bike comes spec'd with a 50mm stem, a smart decision considering the bike's intended usage. There will be two carbon versions and two alloy versions available, with the alloy versions receiving RockShox's Pike front fork instead of the Lefty Supermax.

www.cannondale.com

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Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

124 Comments
  • 202 9
 In anticipation of the comment war to follow - every argument we keep hearing is invalid. Allegations of fragility, flexibility, and unreliability have all been refuted in articles on Pinkbike and elsewhere. Those were problems from previous generations; they're fixed. It looks weird? Great. Don't buy it. But don't confuse others with poor assumptions because you don't like the way the product looks. Poor (subjective) aesthetics don't make a bad fork.

There are valid arguments against Leftys - stanchion more susceptible to damage, proprietary hub - but I can't remember the last time I've heard someone bring those up. Constructive criticism is great - it encourages dialogue amongst peers. But senseless, reactionary, arbitrary allegation promotes closed-mindedness in those who might have found their Steed of Destiny in a Trigger or what have you. Just stop. This sport is stubborn enough.
  • 188 8
 This is PB, not a place of logic.
  • 23 3
 my word! someone talking sense for once Smile
  • 5 4
 There is a travel select option for the rear. Is there an equivalent talus like option for the supermax?
  • 14 6
 I am sure these bikes work great and are light and would be really nice on a roof rack on top of a BMW but the problem I have is servicing. How many non Cannondale dealers carry parts and have the skills to fix a pull shock and a lefty? If they go wrong you are either bikeless or making a trip to a Cannondale main dealer.
  • 9 0
 Regarding the DYAD shock. You HAVE to send it to Mojo in the UK as Fox simply do not give anyone else the seals etc for the DYAD. £143 + Postage.

Lefty. I don't know!
  • 4 14
flag mfbeast12 (Mar 27, 2014 at 5:02) (Below Threshold)
 Patrick9-32 if your guys can't fix a simple cable actuated shock then your bike shop sucks. Neither one really takes any special skills, and if they really don't know they can look at the tech docs and figure it out.
  • 17 0
 Reliable ?

This is what my chainstay cross-member looked like from July to October last year :
www.pinkbike.com/u/tristanpb/album/Cannondale

92 days to get a new one.
  • 2 1
 I'm more concerned about those SLR being able to take the constant beating of an AM rider...
  • 9 5
 @tristanPB That's why we call them Crack 'n Fail!
  • 3 1
 Thumbprint tuning in devon uk service lefty forks, postal service too. the mechanic is an ex cannondale dealer mechanic, has years of experience, really knows his stuff (even managed to teach me how to build wheels as well as basic suspension servicing many years ago too when i worked with him)
  • 3 0
 the SLR's are actually stiffer than the STs, and Jerome Clementz won multiple EWS stages on the STs.
  • 1 0
 I had a set on my trail bike, and I do heavy XC/Trail riding, those things are extremely light, but I had a lot of friends complaining constantly about spokes snapping and wheels bending. So I put mine away and kept them only for race day, eventually got rid of them since I don't race much. These wheeles are XC racing specific, meaning they do sacrifice durability in exchange for lightness. I guess if you have money, you can use them for whatever you want, but they might not be ment for it, like All mountain riding.
  • 18 0
 LOGIC and REASON are not welcome in the comments section. This is a place for banter about cost of new bikes, different wheel sizes, making fun of leftys, and other uninformed opinions.
Cannondales use multiple wheel sizes, cost too much because of the name, and has a lefty. Obviously its a terrible bike and nobody can ride them(forget about that Clementz guy).


p.s. If you are a selling your new Cannondale for cheap, PM me.
  • 2 0
 To service a DYAD everything you need is inside 2 F32 service kit (2 positives chamber) and one F36 service kit.... It's not so hard to service except the weird thing is that you have to bleed the shock at the end
  • 5 23
flag groghunter (Mar 27, 2014 at 7:56) (Below Threshold)
 Owning a Cannondale is the part of the yuppie trifecta: the other two parts being Starbucks and Mac computers. Oh, and the overarching smugness of being better than other people because you spent more money on these brands.
  • 5 9
flag sammybikes916 (Mar 27, 2014 at 9:29) (Below Threshold)
 Groghunter, you forgot to include the Prius.
  • 3 6
 True, must be because I'm not forced to encounter them anymore, I'm not up to date on latest yuppie trends.
  • 17 8
 hey groghunter, I ride a Cannondale and go to starbucks. Does this make me an a*shole? No, being an a*shole makes someone an a*shole. Product choice is not a valid criteria for determing someone's character. however, making comments like that do.
  • 6 10
flag Patrick9-32 (Mar 27, 2014 at 10:07) (Below Threshold)
 That comment made you sound like an asshole.
  • 4 8
flag groghunter (Mar 27, 2014 at 10:25) (Below Threshold)
 Nor did I use the word asshole. and it was a joke. but hey, if you want to take it personally, perhaps I hit too close to home...
  • 4 0
 Have 2 C-dales (scalpel and a flash , both 26) w/ SLR's on them. Both sets were used when i bought them and I've never had to adjust a spoke in the 4 years i've owned them and i've had plenty of epic wipe outs and weight in @ 205. The front wheel of one set had actually been ridden for a while after the tire had come off during a race and still performs flawlessly.



as for the lefty, i ride my bikes on mixed surfaces and they have great road manners, better than any other shock imo.
  • 7 1
 I want a Jekyll so bad.........my dicks hard!
  • 2 0
 @choppertank3e: There isn't, and I wish there was. I didn't think that travel adjust systems were so complicated that they would be difficult to integrate into a Lefty. It might be that they're a relatively niche product, and too small a cut of the market for Cannondale to justify extra tooling. Especially on these new long-travel forks, however, a travel drop feature might be very useful. And it would balance out the function of the rear end.
  • 1 5
flag Satanslittlehelper (Mar 27, 2014 at 13:18) (Below Threshold)
 You're missing the point though, we don't need "valid" reasons to hate Lefty forks. Just look at it, its an aesthetic atrocity! Which for me is enough reason to never ride one. That along with C-dales propensity to use components/parts with completely proprietary designs which can't be changed or upgraded is enough to keep me from ever buying one of their bikes.
  • 3 1
 there's nothing to "upgrade" to. if you want a bike with a single crown standard fork, buy that bike. cannondale designs their top-level bikes to be exactly that: top-level. look at the spec of the jekyll- aside from the rims and personal preference things like saddle, grips, tires, brakes and bar, what is there that you would want to change anything on? The same goes for the suspension- it's not designed to look cool, it's not designed to be aesthetically pleasing (although in my eyes it is): the lefty is designed to be the stiffest, lightest fork on the market. which it is. you've never even ridden one, so you would have no idea. it also is a 10 minute job to switch the dyad or lefty to something else.

some people choose to go all-out bling on their bikes- they build them to look amazing. aesthetics is pretty much everything for them. if you're willing to maybe sacrifice some quality and a hell of a lot of money, it's not a bad option. but you sir, as simply a dipshit with a keyboard who makes premeditated opinions based on a picture you see on your precious interweb.
  • 2 0
 @Satanslittlehelper: You're right. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life. Maybe aesthetics are your priority, which is fine! You don't have to justify your preferences to anyone. You certainly don't have to have a REASON to hate innovation. But if you race a Cannondale rider, who knows... you might just find one.
  • 1 0
 @renius: I don't know what you did to that hyperlink, but I don't think it likes you.

In this video [ www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y7Ncjm5g1Y ] Clementz says he's still going to be racing a Pike, as he's still sponsored by RockShox. He was just helping with the development program on the new Lefty - which I suppose RockShox wouldn't mind. Seeing as one's pretty much OEM-only and for only one company and the other's definitely neither, there isn't much competition.
  • 1 1
 Big news from Specialized tomorrow !
  • 1 0
 Bluefire check elsewhere; there's been news today. although it's been known for awhile.
  • 1 0
 It's cool that they made it 160 mm of travel
  • 2 1
 @elusive-phil thumbprint tuning are a bunch of useless idiots, whom i would not trust to fix a puncture let alone anything more complex. 6 weeks to 'service' a lefty, that came back worse than it went in. Leaking air at first, returned it to them, sent back out in the same state, gritty feel to lockout. Less than 6 months later the 'new' bearings and races have disintegrated. Cannondale SUCK.
  • 2 0
 Bluefire the Lefty is also associated with RockShox (they do the remote for the XLR models), which may be another reason they don't mind
  • 3 0
 Mallott, how is that Cannondales fault dude, I take it the fork worked correctly before you had to have it serviced. If it came back from a tuner in a bad state of repair and barely working and then shit itself from use then thats down to the service and not Cannondale. Were they using official replacement Cannondale parts do you know? I work in servicing and tuning MTB forks and shocks and we dont let any thing go unless it is working 100% perfect. So blame the work done and not the fork manufacturer. And as for a gritty feeling lock out well thats just a ridiculous oversight, as its just a simple case of removing the knob, cleaning and re-greasing.
  • 37 4
 As much hate as the Lefty gets, I've gotta give C'dale props for continuing to be on the cutting edge in design and principle. It's cool to see a company constantly evolving an incredible design. Prettiest thing in the world, perhaps not to most (though I think they look damn sweet), but in terms of engineering, not much comes to mind that can match it's prowess.
  • 6 0
 I'm excited to ride one, they are hyping the hell out of it. With clementz and a decent price I can see them gaining ground in the market.
  • 2 0
 I rode Manitou Sherman (first 150mm+ single crown) and Dorado (usd carbon), Marzo shiver SC and RS PSylo (Uturn!) BUT no lefty. I need a Lefty.
  • 8 1
 I know a few folks who have leftys and they all say that actually they are stiffer against torsion and flex than most double-legged forks.
  • 4 0
 1.25" head tubes and 3-peice cranks..... They had these things on mainstream rides in the mid 90's. I give them props for giving it a shot.
  • 2 0
 I guess cannondale are sticking to what they know best, and if Jerome can bomb it down a descent with a lefty then so can the rest of us. I'm just intrigued why fox and rockshox don't use needle bearings in their forks like in cannondales lefty. Anyone got any ideas?
  • 3 0
 Patents likely have something to do with it. As I recall though, Cannondale tried to do a downhill version "Lefty" with two legs instead of just one in the late '90s or early 2000s, and it wound up sucking because it had two legs instead of one. The lowers would have to be unbelievably stiff for that to work properly on a two leg fork design, because if there is any flex, the needle bearings will move on different (however slight it may be) planes, which would cause undo stress, and premature wearing. I would like to see a big-hub, monster stanchion 180mm+ version of the Lefty, but I don't know if there would ever be a market, regardless of performance. I'm curious to see just how much the design could take.
  • 1 0
 I'm fairly sure the engineering brains behind the lefty would make a 180mm version work, its only 20mm more than the supermax after all...
  • 1 0
 20 mm of travel is a MASSIVE amount of travel when it comes to engineering it to have the same safety and stiffness as something with less travel. 20 mm of leverage is A LOT to compensate for in one leg. If you don't think one inch does a lot for leverage, go grab a wrench and try to turn it, then move your hand out one inch and it changes things quite a bit. Definitely interested in getting one of these....
  • 9 1
 You knowwwww this is hilarious. I was honestly just looking at the reviews of the 2014 Trigger and Jekyll... So weird. This looks so much better though! I like that its 27.5 now. It probably won't feel as tall when sitting on it is Mike Levy described in his review. I've always been really skeptical about the lefty forks (which for a while when they first came out was fair) but now they've completely evolved. The Porsche 911 was a sketchy, tail-happy, death-wish of a car back in the day...look at it now! Well look at the Trigger & the Jekyll now!
  • 2 0
 I have a 10 year old Jekyll and a 2012 in my living room. That lefty works so good. Nothing wrong with it. Now I can get another one for the 2012 Jekyll. Sweet!
  • 5 0
 Oh I don't doubt it at all! I was just trying to say that Cannondale deserves much respect for sticking with a platform that seemed relatively unfavorable by most (as was the rear engine Porsche 911) and making it something absolutely great.
  • 9 0
 I have always loved Cannondale, 15 years old and I bought my first ever bike (Cannondale SuperV in british racing green and yellow swingarm, RST Hi-Fives, Sun Mammoth rims, and Azonic Bars) with saving my Grandma had been giving me from birth. I miss the Cannondale days on the DH scene, Rockwell, Chausson, Gracia and Giove. Behind the scenes I hope there working on a DH bike as those were the days crazy innovation and great riders.
  • 6 0
 Thats awesome! The Super-V was a sick bike in its day and still looks the part! My dad has a probably the cleanest Super-V 3000 you could find these days. It's that classic red color with Cannondale written in yellow. Oh and I can't forget the Spinergy Rev-Rox wheels. I just wish the Headshocks weren't so unreliable and that he could put discs on it - his brakes suck...He refuses to stop riding it though! Maybe this new Trigger will change his mind Razz Also, I bet that Jekyll would shred DH parks pretty freakin hard!!
  • 2 1
 The Porsche still looks the same as it did when it originally came out! Razz
  • 3 0
 Porsche now have a mid rear water cooled engine.
  • 1 0
 Yes yes I knowww
  • 3 0
 @heavyp I'd love to see a new Cannondale DH bike too, I'm still on my 2009 Perp and would love to see what they could do to replace it and the Judge.
  • 1 0
 Still got my prophet - those above may refer to cannondale as a yuppie brand and what not but I personally couldn't care less. This bike, as simple as it's design may be (and arguably not exactly the prettiest) still gives me more joy to ride than any other bike I've ridden. It could say anything on it's downtube - kona, specialized, trek, hell even carrera. It doesn't really matter. All that matters is that it rides extremely well and I just so happen to have Cannondale to thank for that. I won't be replacing it for quite some time yet (and if I do, I can see a likely contender in one of the two above bikes) Smile
  • 12 2
 That "Jekyll Carbon Team" edition shown above (formerly Jekyll 1) weight is 26lbs. I can't wait! only thing I would change is the crap Maura brakes. Why not XTR?!
  • 3 0
 I know I'm SO pumped about this bike right now. It's been a while since I've been this excited about a bike release actually... I WANT ONE.
  • 2 0
 I am a little confused by some of the spec choices with the Jekylls! I'd rather go a model down and get the Shimano XT model!
  • 3 6
 I would still take a slight weight penalty for having a proper fork. Looks good though.
  • 5 2
 If you think a lefty supermax isn't a "proper fork" you probably haven't ridden one.
  • 3 6
 My brother has one. He raced Cannondale ATVs (quad MX) back in the day so somewhat a fanboy. It is decent but no way do they match the performance of the RS and BOS offerings, especially in stiffness which is key for more aggressive longer travel stuff.
  • 4 12
flag jordache-keepers (Mar 27, 2014 at 7:41) (Below Threshold)
 God I hate lefties! They just look so wrong. I don't care if they're good or not, they just look ridiculous.
  • 1 1
 Something to talk about on the trail though, eh?

Now it is acceptable to price a bike at $10,000 US you have to have something for the big spenders to gloat to their mates about...
  • 6 0
 After just riding a trigger 2013 with a lefty supermax at Bike Park Wales last weekend and afan forest, I'm a convert, even to the extent the rep won't be getting his Bike back ;-), cutting edge tech, and works much much better than a shocking kashima coated fox fork.
  • 8 1
 Forget the weird bike,"We're currently in Spain", who do I send my resume too.
  • 3 0
 I'm really digging the 2015 Jekyll Carbon Team, and the SuperMax lefty, too. I just think they should have gone for 66 HA with the new 160mm platform. But as it should have a 1.5 head tube, one can fit an Angleset if replacing the SuperMax for normal fork.
  • 1 0
 the front centre is soo long, i doubt many would want it slacker, this thing is in dh bike territory for the wheelbase
  • 1 0
 nope, you cant fit an angleset in 1.5 SI headtubes, those have integrated cups.
  • 1 0
 According to this article on Bike rumor...

www.bikerumor.com/2014/03/27/all-new-cannondale-27-5-trigger-jekyll-mountain-bikes-unveiled-w-long-travel-lefty-supermax

I get the impression that it is a 67HA in Elevate mode and 66HA in Flow mode....so you get your 66HA for descending...win
  • 1 0
 Speedgoat9 - changing the rear shock mode does nothing to the static geometry. The only difference is sag, where Flow gives the sag of a 160 mm bike while Elevate firms the spring rate and gives the sag of a 95 mm bike.

What's surprising to me is the 14.3" bb height. Unless that's an error, that seems mighty high and not in line with what most other new bikes are doing. The 26" version with a 160 mm fork is at about 14" bb, so also high.

My guess is that Jerome really liked his old bike and, while Cannondale had to go for bigger wheels for marketing reasons, he wanted the new bike to ride very similar to the old one.
  • 3 0
 As once upon a time I owned a Prophet I cannot help but have a soft spot for these aesthetically often somewhat challenged bikes (though in some people's eyes that actually counts as a virtueSmile Equipped with the old Pike, wide bars and beefy wheels the bike was one crazy demon of a machine.
  • 1 0
 As with my comment above - still have one and can't bear to part with the little beast Smile Incidentally, BikeMagic have recently acquired a second hand prophet frame which they plan to restore/rebuild. I hate to mention other sites on here (it feels like it goes against etiquette) but it would be pretty cool if PB did something similar - like a running feature.....
  • 3 0
 Years ago a friend had a Cdale with a lefty and he loved the fork. He talked about how much stiffer it was than my '07 Fox 32 140. He repeated everything the salesman said and did it with conviction. But this was when the forks had no compression damping. It had the worst brake dive I've ever felt. The thing was unsafe to ride. Hard braking and g-outs sent the front end down fast. @Ustemuf's video of the traditional fork vs the lefty reminds me of the same phenomenon. I really don't think my new Pike is binding up under hard cornering. The demo has no bearing on actual riding but believers will now talk about bushing stiction like it's the main thing holding them back.
  • 6 0
 Bring back the Claymore!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 For all those people hating on the Lefty fork, here is my 2 cents worth. I am an aggressive rider, see my all around bike (an Intense Uzzi with coils) and I am heavy, as in 255. When I pick up a new more trail oriented bike I will likely get one from C-dale specifically for the new Lefty Max, have ridden a number of them from several generations ago and they are stiff, light and track beautifully never had issues with them and rode them all over the Rockies
  • 2 0
 They ever do a righty? No seriously, I think C'dale make great bikes, quality and engineering up there with the absolute best, but to my lefty-eye the bikes always feel they aren't going in a straight line, like the stem is off a little. If I look at it from the other way it looks perfect, so if they made a righty it'd seem 'straight' to me. Anyhow, time for quick ride now before my opticians appointment.
  • 4 0
 I'm sure this type of press release is just music to the ears of all the Cannondale dealers world-wide who are just receiving their outdated 2014 shipments about now...
  • 4 0
 The Lefty Carbon on my 2013 Trigger 26 tracks noticeably better than my Fox 40. That was MY eye-opener.
  • 3 0
 The best part about Lefty's is that even people with bad grammar aren't tempted to use the plural word (forks) to describe a single item (fork).
  • 1 0
 Had a chance to try out Trigger frame Lovely bike, with appropriate components xc will be pleasant too Not too sure about racing though, general design seems and feels a bit 'wobbly' When it comes to Cannondale-Fox shock, is as good as an ordinary one Cannondale has presented 2015 catalogue with some pretty impressive bikes this year
  • 2 0
 I don't know why i always overlook Cannondale when I buy a bike? I always opt for other boutique brands and then see one of these on the hill / trail and think oh yeah forgot about those, thats a nice ride
  • 1 0
 I have a Prophet and love the idea of a Lefty Supermax, My next bike is a Specialized Enduro 20. The entry model. Thats all I need. They took too long to bring out a bigger travel lefty amd a 29. Im sure ths Cannondales will be great.
  • 1 0
 I'm sold. I'll finally replace my beloved Prophet with a 650b Trigger in Monster green. Glad to see that Cannondale is finally doing what they do best: doing things differently.

I know about the past flaws of the Leftys, rode them for a decade. Once you know what to do with the maintenance it was easy to work on.

Even if some proprietary designs are not what most mechanics like, guys will not have a nervous breakdown with the cable routing on both trigger and jekyll.
  • 3 0
 I want to see JC racing on the Supermax instead of the Pike. Come on SRAM, release him ;-)
  • 6 4
 Why oh why a longer travel lefty? Give me that 160 Jekyll with a Pike all day!
  • 2 1
 There's a model for that Smile
  • 3 0
 Shame there is no geo adjust on the jekyl.
  • 1 0
 What is the configuration of the remote? Can you order a certain type (right side above/below, etc) or does it only work in one set up?
  • 2 0
 Lefty would make a great seafpost, no sideways flex, but then you would need to change the name to something else?
  • 1 0
 also just looked at pics, whats the shortest stem you can put on a lefty, i have had problems with the wifes lefty in the past.
  • 2 0
 oh it's looks perfect. this bike wanna spread my leg
  • 1 0
 I would be quite happy buying the Jekyll if it's $3000 or less, if not, I won't bother.
  • 4 2
 *Cues lefty fork debate*
  • 2 3
 sticking with the pull shock how awesome NOT another year and i still wont be buying a cannondale drop that shit shock and people will be lining up
  • 1 2
 I am also highly suspicious towards the pull shock. They have never performed as good or plush as a regular shock.
  • 1 0
 The Dyad is awesome. It feels super smooth and the travel adjust feature is very handy, especially since these bikes are single pivot and quite active. Mine has been flawless in its first year and I have not read of any significant durability issues. The main negative is that they are not user-serviceable and less service centres are equipped to handle them. But I know that OGC, Canada's Fox Service centre, will service them for about the same cost as a Float rear shock.
  • 1 0
 Where are photo ????????????????????''
  • 1 0
 Jekylls HA seems a little steep for a 27.5",bit 2012 GEO!
  • 1 0
 Frame design is literally outstanding
  • 1 0
 2015 already? lookin good though
  • 1 0
 can't wait for the righty in the rear.
  • 2 1
 Can O' Ale
  • 1 0
 Spain! Where?
  • 1 3
 JC could ride a CCM and still win, Cannondale SUCK!!!!!!!
  • 3 4
 Lefty's aren't right
  • 5 0
 Of course they're not right, they're lefty
  • 3 6
 why ruin such nice bikes with 650b wheels and leftys.
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