Is This Cannondale's New DH Bike?

Mar 16, 2019
by Mike Kazimer  
Team rumor season may be over, but there's plenty of whispering and speculation going on about what bikes we'll see in the start gate at the first World Cup DH race of the season. Mismatched wheels, completely new frame designs... there's a boatload of new tech on the way. It also looks like we're going to see Cannondale's return to the DH world, if the social media teasing by Matt Simmonds and Max Nerurkar is any indication.

The photos below are the closest looks we've been able to get so far, which makes the final design about as clear as mud. Still, it's fun to crank up the 'enhance' sliders and see what appears.

photo

This bike was lurking in the background of Max Nerurkar's Instagram story, with a headtube shape that's very Habit-esque. Oddly enough, it looks like there's an empty shock mount on the underside of the toptube, despite the fact that it appears that the shock sits much lower down in the frame. There's not much else that can be gleaned from the potato-quality photo, although I'd be willing to bet that at least one version of the new bike will have 29" wheels. As round one in Maribor approaches I'm sure more details will emerge, but in the meantime, guess away as to what the bike will look like.


photo
Matt Simmonds on what's likely the new DH bike.




1997 Cannondale Fulcrum
Ah, the good old days. Here's hoping the new bike pays tribute to the Fulcrum in some way...



Thanks to @freductions for the eagle-eyed Insta-spotting.

Author Info:
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Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,715 articles

121 Comments
  • 152 5
 I love how spy pics of bikes are all grainy like bigfoot/UFO photo's. i suppose when we do see super clear spy pics of bikes, pb comments page always goes "yeah right, spy pics, why is it so clear and set up" so the grainy-ness makes it more believable.
  • 33 9
 It's grainy because it's cropped and zoomed in from the original picture Wink
  • 282 4
 @pqbb: Incorrect. It’s because the picture was taken with a used condom.
  • 18 4
 @ninjatarian: you were very quick to point that out. How much experience do you have with such pictures? Asking for a friend.
  • 52 2
 @ninjatarian: pinhole camera? Sounds risky.
  • 4 1
 The MaX files (the truth is out there somewhere)
  • 5 1
 Let’s hope Cannondale have some up with some crazy ass concept like they used to be know for in the DH world, imaging a bike with 3 different shock positions haha it must be a test mule! Can wait for it to be unveiled
  • 24 2
 Pinkbike probably already has done a photo shoot, test ride, and written the review article.
  • 5 1
 If you look closely at the photo just above the van hood you can see "big foot" ducking from the spy shot. Bet you that Big Foot is angry his test bike was spotted...
  • 2 1
 @jeremy3220: My thoughts entirely
  • 11 2
 Does this mean Fox is making a 40 lefty?
  • 2 1
 New Yeti DH bike?
  • 1 0
 ....and on page 2. Following the front page/ headline article on the finding of Bat Boy
  • 2 2
 Saw it up close in Portugal a few weeks ago... actually had a quick roll, well, around a car park. It's a stunner to look at..
  • 1 0
 You can see a much better view of the bike in the video at 0.06
  • 1 0
 @ninjatarian: Sad end to the glorious life of a condom.
  • 1 0
 @drdirty: Or is it a glorious end to the sad life of a condom?
  • 88 2
 Looks like a soccer ball.
  • 30 6
 Nobody outside of North America will know what your talking about
  • 28 1
 @Grmasterd: but they will because everyone in the world knows how annoying it is that we call it "soccer" instead of football... haha
  • 39 4
 @NorthEasternDownhiller: To be fair, it is soccer.......and you guys call 'football' something you throw....


Well, this is awkward
  • 8 2
 Yes it is but the Real question is how many psi is in there. Any ball inserts or just a sealant...Sorry for being a Nerd but Im trying to figure out FantasyLeague again
  • 3 1
 @Waldon83: The also have this sport called BMX (bicycle motocross). Out of all cycling disciplines, only BMX still don't seem to have a production model with a motor. Back in the fifties when the sport was invented, people would just call it bicycle cross.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDe6oJkuMGE
  • 7 13
flag DutchmanPhotos (Mar 15, 2019 at 15:04) (Below Threshold)
 Please don’t talk about the dumbest sport in the world on here....
  • 3 4
 Exactly my thoughts! At least it will roll fast...
  • 4 1
 @Grmasterd: You know, a volleyball for your feet.
  • 1 0
 From Lidl discounter in europe
  • 1 0
 @vinay: just wait til they produce an e-bike version
  • 43 10
 Like how pinkbike didn't give me the credit for finding it original screenshot www.pinkbike.com/photo/16967210
  • 20 2
 Oops, sorry about that - the info was passed on to me from a colleague. Your name is in there now.
  • 8 7
 @mikekazimer: Thanks, much appreciated
  • 2 2
 Tell us more about the bike!
  • 75 3
 was this going to be your big break?
  • 10 2
 @freductions: Pretty good mate, could get a job working with the Ninja Turtles in a yellow coat.
  • 3 1
 A soccer ball, a bent over man, two vans, and a weird bike...what an odd photo.
  • 1 0
 Tell us more cmon...
  • 7 3
 If you want credit you better get a better photo next time
  • 14 1
 Wait, what?
So you want credit because you looked at a picture and reposted it somewhere else.
Kids these days.
  • 2 5
 @timbud: You've read it incorrect @freductions posted the photo before then pinkbike used his image
  • 8 3
 His image? Are you kidding?
The original clearly shows whose image it is!

The only thing he did was spot a bike in the background...
  • 1 0
 at least you reaped some views out of the gig
  • 18 1
 I mean Cannondale did post a video of it on their Facebook... so think it's pretty much confirmed now - not just speculation
www.facebook.com/RideCannondale/videos/379848552745758
  • 1 5
flag Franzzz (Mar 15, 2019 at 14:27) (Below Threshold)
 Unfortunately indeed...
  • 3 0
 I don't believe it coz I expected a single stanchion
  • 8 1
 Is the bike silver? I saw a DH bike in Whistler last September that had an upper an lower shock mount. Shock was mounted in the lower position at the time. Wheels were 27.5. I bugged the guy with a few questions none of which he would answer with a smile haha. I did as if it rides good and he replied she riiips. I think it may have been the same bike but who knows. Fork and shock had no decals but looked to be RS.
  • 4 0
 also saw it in whistler and he also wouldnt say what it was! although i thought it was on 29s
  • 1 0
 @whistlervillagesports: I definitely could have been wrong on wheels, it was early and I had not had coffee. The two shock locations really threw me off. Who ever it was he was nice about it none the less
  • 1 1
 Looks more like a Norco to me.
  • 1 0
 It look nice to me...27,5?cos in the video you can see a 40 sticker on the forks
  • 9 2
 inb4 old jaded shop guy says "crack-n-fail" or "special lies".
  • 2 0
 we say special ed
  • 3 1
 What are the odds it's going to have the option to be multi-shock, multiple wheel-size? (The long sought-after "quiver of one").

Like, the next step from what Evil is doing.

(My guess is it's a multi-config mule but it's Cannondale, so anything is possible)
  • 2 2
 Whoa! Eek That would explain the empty shock mount... that sounds awesome!
  • 4 7
 Low. They lost their excitement a while ago.. It'll weigh a tonne too, the habit and jekyll are fairly hefty.. Personally just to redo the gemini, one pivot the size of raaw Madonna, gg style shock size setup and adjustable wheelbase, 1.5 HT for angleset.. Done.
  • 5 1
 Picture so bad, it looks like either Fica plant or the Lockness monster, either way I hope Cannondale returns full fledged to DH.
  • 2 4
 Loch Ness - like lake Ness
  • 1 0
 @cuban-b: Yeah, thanks for spotting that.
  • 7 1
 Nice Lidl soccer ball !
  • 1 0
 or they are testing multiple options or is something going on with multiple shock position/air-coil. In the video you can see an air shock,in the other photos that air shock is out. In tho photo from Vital it is a coil shock and other shock mounts are visible...Cannondale must do something good with this bike or go home for the eternity...it is like the last chance to be on target or forget this brand forever.
  • 3 0
 I like Cannondale, I think of them like a Bad Brains fan surrounded by Nickleback fans..
  • 2 1
 Lol.....please don’t give the bike industry any more crazy ideas for useless standards!!!!
  • 3 0
 Only way to find out is to let missy have one...
  • 4 1
 who's been ratting out those pix??
  • 3 3
 I see what you did there!
  • 1 0
 Freezing the video at around 6.5 seconds gives you a decent look at it...not sure why they don't just roll it out unless they are still in the test phase.
  • 4 3
 Seriously, does anyone care ? I doubt anyone is going to buy it.
This is another team Trek , drawn out nonsense, your hyping up is not working.
  • 2 2
 Cannondale are so outside the DH scene for so long, and haven't had a decent DH/Freeride rig for so long... i'm not sure if it makes this more or less interesting. Probably the latter.
  • 1 1
 Like you then
  • 1 1
 i had some news with my local shop about'it the bike for the moment will be exclusively design for the pro rider of the brand 50/01 crew etc...
  • 2 1
 It kinda looks like a Scott Gambler in a way. I say just wait because I'm sure better quality pics will show up soon.
  • 1 1
 DID YOU SEE THAT? The spy pic of the rider in front of the bike with the new CRIVIT helmet? Kinda, kinda looks kinda like a soccer ball?
  • 3 1
 i wanna hear more about the vans.
  • 1 0
 I remember the original Fulcrum hanging in the LBS for more than a year. Pretty cool at the time
  • 2 1
 Looks like an old Lapierre downhill bike Blenki used to ride.
  • 1 0
 On the old Cannondale, wth is the second chain for?
  • 1 0
 WOT a waste of time, see what I did der just like dat dear oer der.
  • 2 1
 «I am the law, prosecutor, and attorney»
  • 4 3
 and where is "superior" to all forks lefty??
  • 3 2
 bring back cooda cranks!!!!!!
  • 3 1
 Wilson!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 This thing has Russian collusion all over it!
  • 1 0
 Will Paul review it? Or maybe not...?
  • 1 0
 Id say so if you have rat boy riding for you lol
  • 2 2
 Imagine how much weed you would have to smoke to join team cannondale? Answers on a rat shaped postcard please.
  • 1 1
 Matt Simmonds may disagree
  • 2 2
 I've smoked a lot of weed and I never once thought about cannondale
  • 2 0
 Whats the big deal?Smile
  • 1 0
 Interesting design. Can’t wait to see come clear pics of it
  • 2 2
 Doesnt look much like a SESSION shocker!
  • 1 0
 I spy a crivit football.
  • 1 0
 RAT BOY RETURNS!!!
  • 2 1
 What, the soccer ball?
  • 1 1
 Since when did MTBing and Soccer become related? Gooooooallllll!!!
  • 3 3
 I see two stanchions, definitely not a cannondale
  • 2 1
 Looks like a gemini.
  • 1 0
 Yes
  • 1 0
 Cannot Date.
  • 6 6
 LOL! Who cares?
  • 4 4
 who cares.
  • 1 3
 Cannondales the best bike in the world now. They bought their street cred with 50201
  • 1 2
 it's a fulcrum
  • 2 3
 Looks like an e-bike.
  • 7 10
 It sure is Cannondale ugly.
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