Opinions ? 2011 Cannondale Flash 29 Aluminium 1

[Weight Weenie]

Hey all

 

Looking at selling my GT to get a new bike or building parts over, maybe want to get a 29er HT as I mainly do half-marathons so seems like the ideal bike for that ?

 

Now although I have a pimp bike as you all know stuff is not worth sh!t 2nd hand so if I sell it I reckon I'll be able to afford this Cannondale with maybe a slight upgrade here and there.

 

I can get a great deal on a new one but AFIK its the last stock thats available in SA, Omnico is out (as usual... ) so I have to act fast !

 

Looking at the Bicycling reviews this is the lightest bike for 20k @ 10,8kg quoted, frame is under 1,5kg via info on the net. Also a great looking bike, racy which is what I want and the tech behind the lefty seems good, also runs BB30 and 2x10.

 

Does any one own this bike or ridden it ? How is it on dirt roads ie marathons type rides and how does it cope with tight singletrack ? Is the ALu not a harsh ride, as I'm used to a carbon frame on my 26er. Has anyone weighed it to confirm the weight ? Hows hte sizing, im 1,76 and ride an 18'' medium but do have a long inseam and like a bit of dropp to the bars, guess a negative stem can get that sorted if needed ?

 

I would definitely put my R1 brakes on there and try get a Race 29er wheelset, with my own saddle and egg beaters. Probly change the shifters to x9 as well. Bar ends will go on. I run a very narrow bar currently, seems the 29er needs a bit wider one ? would like to keep my nice light kcnc one if possible. Any other recommended changes ? Aspen/Ikon tyres will also go on and made tubeless.

 

I'll go take it for a parking lot spin tomorrow but its difficult to tell from that, so this is a big ask but is there anyone in pta/jhb that would maybe allow me to take it for a dirt spin somewhere ?

 

The local shops are being unclear as to if theres a carbon version of this bike, im not to keen on the alu and could maybe strethc my budgetr to that, there is a carbon 2 but thats like 38k so is way above what i can afford. Anyone know ?

 

Thanks,

WW.

[CScriba]

just got mine a week ago...went for one ride so far, but the bike is like AMAZING!!! really nice, have elixir crs on not the rs, but shifting etc is awesome and the ride is super plush , stiff, but gets you through the rough stuff beautifully (some special design feature).

 

havnt tried too much single track as of yet, but the little i did felt just like my old bike, and it climbs like a beast.

 

handlebars should be slightly wider, but its not too much fuss (barely feel it) but overall its an awesome bike. best alu frame around IMHO

 

cheers . hope you find a lekka one

[Weight Weenie]

THanks Eclipse ! Must say it just looks fast, love the lines

Have you maybe weighed it ? And hows that lefty ?

 

Post some pichas

[nickc]

Hey WW.

 

I have a Cannondale HT - unfortuantly not 29er but I also use it mainly for half marathons and I love it.

 

The Lefty is amazing - the best fork I have used so far.

 

I hope to upgrade to a 29er next year and there is no doubt it will be a Cannondale Lefty equiped HT.

[Weight Weenie]

Thanks for the input guys, will do a test ride at the shop a bit later, will see If I like it.

The lefty is cool though, just over 1400g for a 29er for is crazy ! My 26er fork weighs that much

 

Now if someone would just buy that frame of mine in the classifieds

[nickc]

Thanks for the input guys, will do a test ride at the shop a bit later, will see If I like it.

The lefty is cool though, just over 1400g for a 29er for is crazy ! My 26er fork weighs that much

 

Now if someone would just buy that frame of mine in the classifieds

 

Which shop - Singletrack?

[Dustman]

Weight Weenie.

 

Have a look at the momsen 29 carbon , I think it is R16k with front shock. it is one of the most stunning frames i have even seen. I rode one this week end and was blown away. The cannondale is also a great bike.

www.momsenbikes.com

[Weight Weenie]

Thanks Dustman, would have love to build a bike like that but its just out of my price range at the moment unfortunately.

 

Bikes arent worth anything 2nd hand so even thought I have a 9,2kg 26er if I sell it I'll just be able to afford the Flash.

 

But I'll report back after taking ti for a spin.

Maybe I dont like it at all and decide to get another 26er frame instead or build onto the new frame I got.

[Thumper]

That Alu flash is hot mate!

I looked at one before going single speed.

[Weight Weenie]

Yep had the frame in hand yesterday, work of art that CAAD technology, on the net they quote its sub 1,5kg haha so lighter than my 26er carbon GT frame and its BB30 which is sweet !

 

Would have loved a carbon version of the same bike but dont seem to be available in SA

[Thumper]

Yep had the frame in hand yesterday, work of art that CAAD technology, on the net they quote its sub 1,5kg haha so lighter than my 26er carbon GT frame and its BB30 which is sweet !

 

Would have loved a carbon version of the same bike but dont seem to be available in SA

Dude I was on a list for a carbon bike for I dont know how many months and honstely it was more than I was comfortable spending.

 

I suggest your grab the Flash Alu sell all the bits you swap out for what you already have and ride it like the wind. At a much later stage you can start looking at wheels and tyres.

[gummibear]

No luck here either all 2011 stock is sold out but sounds like new models for 2012 in 29ers.

 

I had a Cannondale Flash 29 1 for a week as a test bike.

 

Bike was not standard and was fitted with new XTR parts and the brakes on that are awesome.

 

I had a medium and i am also 1.76 and it was fine for me with a 100mm stem.Even with the stem level i fell like i was to up-rite and could go lower.Had 20mm spacers on.

 

I did a few 35km rides and one 50km and bike handled very well.Rode mostly single track and some gravel road.

The ride was plusher on the 29er over roots and some rocky areas.

The bike felt like it climbed better than my 26'' but i think that was because it is very light 9.8kg's.

 

My ride times were similar to my bike times some slower and some faster by 2 minutes.

 

After riding the bike i decided to keep my 26" and just went for a new frame and switched parts over.

[Weight Weenie]

Thanks for all the info.

 

Went to the shop yesterday but instead of having the bike ready they only pieced it together so I'll probly only be able to ride it on monday

 

Will report back here

[Bigshow]

hi there ww

 

I got a xxl flash 1, weighs in with spd's at 11.5kgs. I love it, wouldn't ever by anything but "cannondale". I have 4 cannondale bikes.

 

Very scarce bike, waited about a month, but worth the wait.

[Weight Weenie]

Jeez how tall are you Bigshow ? Think I need to get one for my friend thats 2,1m

[CScriba]

THanks Eclipse ! Must say it just looks fast, love the lines

Have you maybe weighed it ? And hows that lefty ?

 

Post some pichas

 

lefty is like the shizz!!! weight just under 11 kgs, with tubeless conv... do have elix cr brakes on though so slightly lighter there.