Cannondale bikes: product line, selection and operation tips

Cannondale bikes have proven their worth. The company's goal was the production of lightweight and durable bikes for everyone - from beginner young cyclists to professionals.

Cannondale at the beginning of its existence was engaged in the supply of camping equipment and gear. Over time, management decided to retrain, and the first Cannondale bicycle trailer was introduced to the market in 1971.

More than 10 years later, the ST-500 Touring roadway entered the market. This Cannondale bike quickly gained popularity. Perhaps the reason for this was the aluminum frame, which was a rarity in those days (mostly bicycles then were with steel frames). A year later, the company introduced another bike - a mountain bike.

The company made frames for its bicycles using its own unique technology. Manufacturers increased the diameter, which increased the strength and efficiency of the structure. In the early 90's, the company began to produce carbon frames, at the same time, the mountain double suspension comes to the market. Then the company began developing cross-country motorcycles, but after a few years Cannondale abandoned the idea and sold the department of motorcycle production.

The company got its name in honor of the station of the same name in North America.In Wilton, Minnesota, prototypes of bicycles are being created and new production technologies are being developed. And the manufacturing countries are the Netherlands, Taiwan and China. To date, Cannondale is recognized as the best manufacturer of bicycles, the design of which is recognizable even among beginners and amateurs.

Like other brands, Cannondale bikes have their advantages and some disadvantages.

Let's start with the pros:

• strength - the unique frame design allows bicycles to withstand loads of any complexity, including off-road movement;
• optimal parameters - the trip will not only bring health benefits, but will not be tiring due to the thoughtful design of the frame;
• quality parts;
• service upon purchase from official representatives and a lifetime warranty on the frame (the warranty is valid if you are the first owner);
• stylish look - The design attracts both adolescents and middle-aged people; The company produces models with bright creative colors and strict concise design.

The Cannondale range is wide - here you can choose a bike for the most demanding tastes and for any purpose. The company produces bicycles both for city walks and for cross-country cycling.

Mountain bike classification:

• Cannondale trail - The classic version of a simple and reliable bike with excellent riding characteristics;
• Cannondale F-SI and F - hardtail, which are characterized by excellent cross;
• Cannondale Rush and Scalpel - Two-hanging models for driving in mountainous terrain and off-road;
• Cannondale Trigger and Jekyll - universal models designed mainly for cycling.

The best model of Cannondale mountain bikes is the Trail 6 hardtail. This model behaves perfectly on any road. The frame was made using butting, which allowed to reduce weight while maintaining strength and rigidity. A spring-oil plug with an external lockout is installed here. Thanks to this, the bike literally rushes along a flat road and climbs uphill.

The 24-inch Cannondale Trail boys kids bike is suitable for an active child. The model is very similar in appearance to the adult Trail bike line - the body position is stretched forward for better pedaling. With the same physical capabilities, this will allow you to get ahead of your peers at the beginning of the journey. The model is suitable for driving on any road, mechanical disc brakes will work in any emergency. The child model has a shock absorber with a soft spring, which will soften the blows, even if the child’s weight is small.

Hardond Cannondale F-Si Alloy 1 with one fork stands out for its powerful lateral stiffness of the frame. The Speed ​​Save micro-suspension is vertical and pliable, which maintains speed and reduces vibration fatigue. The ten-speed F-Si Alloy 1 has reliable disc brakes and is simply designed for cross-country driving; it runs well for driving on any road. Even where there are no roads, the bike will not lose its control. The frame in this model is the result of more than 30 years of the company.

Experienced experts were able to reduce the weight of the frame, changing the thickness of the walls only where necessary. The result is one of the most durable and rigid aluminum frames.

Cannondale Scalpel 4 - two-suspension, equipped with a new generation of bicycle forks with a stroke of 100 mm. Thanks to this, the maneuverability of the bike increases by an order of magnitude. Rear shock absorbers work well on rough terrain. Scalpel 4 has:

• hydraulic disc brakes;
• hard rolling wheels;
• Shimano transmission.

Road bike Cannondale Slate SE Force It has excellent off-road performance. Slate SE Force will allow you to make sharp turns, jumps, drive off-road. The bike rides well both on wet gravel, and on a flat highway - the shock-absorbing system dampens all bumps and vibrations while riding. On bends, this bike has good torsion resistance, which is provided by the front and rear axles of the Thru-axle.

Picking up a bike it is important to choose the right size of the frame so that during the trip it is as comfortable as possible. For extreme trips, it is better to choose models with a short frame, since such bikes have better handling.

You can choose a bike along the length of the frame in various ways.

We give a table of typical indicators.

When buying a bike, you can immediately order additional accessories at a separate cost. It can be:

• trunk;
• flask and bottle holder;
• gloves
• steering out;
• steering ring;
• seatpost bag;
• wings;
• flu
• interchangeable hook on the frame;
• lamp;
• bike computer.

Comfort during the ride depends on the model selected correctly according to the parameters.

Bicycles are divided into types:

• highway;
• mountain;
• BMX;
• electric bikes;
• fatbikes and others.

Such a separation is necessary to facilitate the choice of a bicycle, for example, a simple bicycle for walking around the city will bring a lot of inconvenience if you want to go to a mountainous area.

Once you have decided on the type of bike, you need to select the type of drive:

• chain (the most common and simple);
• Belting (light, does not require lubrication, under heavy loads is not very reliable, usually used on city and folding bikes);
• cardan drive (heavy, bulky, rare).

The frame size must be selected correctly, otherwise the landing will be uncomfortable - you will quickly get tired, there will be pain in the back.

The depreciation setting option affects the modification of the bike.

• Rigid - complete absence of depreciation or depreciation seat. Rigid is found on highway, road, some models of city bicycles. Such models are lighter, they have improved pedaling due to the lack of swaying while riding. Disadvantage: discomfort on a rocky road.
• Hardtail - a common type of depreciation. A shock absorber fork is installed on the bicycle, which softens vibrations and shock during off-road driving.
• Double suspension - front and rear shock absorbers are installed. In addition to comfort while traveling, this type of cushioning reduces the load on the spine.

Wheel diameter affects speed and ride comfort. The larger the diameter, the greater the speed can be developed without feeling discomfort on the road.

Brakes can also be different.

• Foot - pedaling backwards activates it. Mounted on bicycles without speeds. Works well in all weather conditions.
• V-brake - A common type of front and rear brakes, cheap, easy to maintain, light. The brake is applied when you press the brake levers on the steering wheel, which compress the brake pads.
• Tick-borne - by the principle of action are similar to V-Brake. Mounted on road bikes.
• Mechanical disc brakes - the action is similar to V-Brake, except that the brake activates the brake rotor. The system is easy to maintain, reliable even when the wheel is deformed or dirty, but needs regular adjustments.
• Hydraulic disc brakes - the brake activates the hydraulic line. It has good braking performance, no need to adjust often, works well in bad weather conditions. Such brakes are almost impossible to repair, they are expensive and heavy.

For the bike to last longer, you need to properly care for it.

• Before each departure, you must check the tire inflation, steering wheel condition, seat, brake and clarity of the gears.
• Tire inflation is different for different roads. On soft ground, you can pump a little more than 2 atmospheres, on a good smooth road - 4 atmospheres.
• The wheel should be located evenly and at the correct height for you. The stem should be tightly fixed.
• The brakes are checked as follows: push the bike forward, press the brake knob and watch how each wheel locks.
• The correct operation of the gear shift is checked as follows: raise the rear wheel and pedal, switch the speed, checking all the combinations.

Inspect once a week:

• wheels
• tires;
• connecting rods.

A general bicycle test is also recommended: check the screws, bolts, adjustments, moving parts, lubricate the parts if necessary.

Check once a year:

• chain;
• carriage;
• steering column;
• switches
• shock absorbers.

If the bike is dirty, it must be washed, while avoiding the ingress of water into the bearings, carriage and steering column.

Browse the Cannondale Trail 5 bike in the video below.