Guest Posted December 27, 2012 Share So, I'm in the market for a new HT....Narrowed my choices down to: 1. http://www.specializ...percompcarbon292. http://www.cannondal...er/f29-carbon-33. http://www.bellscycl...d=475&Itemid=65 They are more or less the same price, except the GT is about 7k less. Now, Dangle has warned me against the Lefty and its issues, maintenance etc...Any opinions, experiences? Edited December 27, 2012 by Karma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escapee.. Posted December 27, 2012 Share So, I'm in the market for a new HT....Narrowed my choices down to: 1. http://www.specializ...percompcarbon292. http://www.cannondal...er/f29-carbon-33. http://www.bellscycl...d=475&Itemid=65 They are more or less the same price, except the GT is about 7k less. Now, Dangle has warned me against the Lefty and its issues, maintenance etc...Any opinions, experiences? Listed in no particular order... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meentb Posted December 27, 2012 Share Well I might be a bit biased but ill choose the Dale. Its an awesome machine. Fast smooth and that lefty is extremely plush. The lefty has got a 200hr service interval which is really not bad. Haven't had any issues with mine. I've upgraded a few things though. Wheelset shifters and brakes. Comes with *** avid brakes. But all in all I'm moer of happy. Remember. Forks are for eating. Lefty's are for real mountain bikes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbean Posted December 27, 2012 Share I would go with the spez.Problem i have with the cannondale is as said before lefty is very high maintanance.If you want to swop out stems or wheels its a hassle but the biggest issue i have is that all the bikes in the range from size S all the way to XL all share the same head tube length.That is hardly a coustom fit frame to your size.Backup must also be looked at and i'm sorry but when Cape Cycle Systems lost Cannondale and it went to Omnico things went belly up,so that would be GT out for me as well.Don't get me wrong i think Cannondale make great bikes(owned 26 of them) but taking all things into account i would go with the spez.Don't go for the most expensive one,go for lower spec and ask the shop to trade in some of the parts and upgrade.My 2C.SB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kosmonooit Posted December 27, 2012 Share Now, Dangle has warned me against the Lefty and its issues, maintenance etc... "issues" ... like what? Yes its not water proof (although 2013 model is sealed), and yes it needs a check & lube and bearing reset on a regular basis, but its a great piece of engineering and works superbly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringbean Posted December 27, 2012 Share If i remember the lefty needs a needle bearing reset every 25hrs and a damping cartrige and oil seal change every 50hrs.You can of course just carry on riding but if you ever have problems with the fork you know what the agent are goung to say....All of this must be paid for by you so factor that in your purchace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cav' Posted December 27, 2012 Share Since June of this year i've owned 2 of the 3 bikes you listed. (flash and the zaskar)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kosmonooit Posted December 27, 2012 Share I would go with the spez.Problem i have with the cannondale is as said before lefty is very high maintanance.If you want to swop out stems or wheels its a hassle but the biggest issue i have is that all the bikes in the range from size S all the way to XL all share the same head tube length.That is hardly a coustom fit frame to your size.Backup must also be looked at and i'm sorry but when Cape Cycle Systems lost Cannondale and it went to Omnico things went belly up ...,so that would be GT out for me as well.Don't get me wrong i think Cannondale make great bikes(owned 26 of them) but taking all things into account i would go with the spez. In further defence of Cannondale you can get all the parts and tools you need to service on-line off-shore (at least i do), with Spez I am led to believe all parts are proprietary and you have no option but to go via the local Spez channel, which is controlled price wise. The maintenance of a 'dale with a Lefty means putting your bike up on the stand and spending 15 mins be-booting it, checking the lube there, and undoing the nut on the top for the bearing reset. This should be at the time you give your bike a once-over, check BB bearing, check the dérailleurs, disk pads wear, etc. Major maintenance on a Lefty requires special tools, and more importantly, skills. To take it apart for a major maintenance and put in back together in the right way is not for the faint hearted and generally not suited for the average DIY'er but there are plenty of people around who can do the servicing. And you do get longer steerer tubes btw http://rlcsport.com.au/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/kt040.jpg KT040 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kosmonooit Posted December 27, 2012 Share If i remember the lefty needs a needle bearing reset every 25hrs and a damping cartrige and oil seal change every 50hrs. That's under 'race' conditions, otherwise for normal the schedule is: CHECK FOR DAMAGE, BOOT INSPECTION - BEFORE AND AFTER EVERY RIDE TIGHTENING TORQUE CHECK - CHECK EVERY 4-5 RIDES CLEAN/RE-OIL AIR FILTER - 50 hours CLEAN/ RE-GREASE TELESCOPE - 50 Hours NEEDLE BEARING RESET - 25 Hours Damping cartridge oil and seal change - 100 Hours Inspect, replace frame bumper - AS NEEDED Ref: Page 16 of Owners Manual Supplement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Posted December 27, 2012 Share I will go with the Spez ... but you already know that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now