Second hand Cannondale Lefty, worth the risk?

[eggchaser1987]

I had one of my mountain bikes nicked out of my locked shed last week, bds, moved a couple to get to the one at the back.

Going through the insurance company so fingers crossed they will pay out as it was locked away. Anyway that's not what I'm asking here.

I'm now on the hunt for a replacement bike along with a shed lock. I have found a Cannondale lefty, it's quite old 2009, so old spec 26" wheels 27 speed but it is a carbon frame so should be quite light.

I've always fancied giving a lefty a go but is it worth risking it with an old one or should I just look for something much newer.

[d8mok]

Ive got a Cannondale flash 1 carbon which came with a carbon lefty in 2012. As long as its been serviced they are good forks. However you may find it difficult to find parts (qwerty cycles is good) and also many bike shops don't like to service them . Ive learned to do it myself which solved that issue.

I may actually be looking to move mine on soon as im wanting a gravel bike which is basically what i use it for. Mine is a 2012 Flash 1 which is full XTR 10 speed , carbon lefty , Dt swiss 240 hubs , sub 8kg weight.

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks for that, it looks like and in the as they say it has been serviced recently.

It's a full suspension I'm after really, looking at the rush SL1, as I already have a f4 with just the head shock.

[BOR]

In 2008 I bought a Cube Stereo, after testing the usual suspects.

But what I really wanted was a Lefty. I spoke to a couple of the shops selling them, and looked at what owners were saying at the time.

The concensus appeared to be that the Lefty is actually a really great fork, when it's working, but you needed to own a back-up Lefty for when one of them was away being repaired.

I would also be concerned about parts availability for a 2009 fork, unless the design hasn't changed too much since then.

My son is now pummelling the living st out of my old Cube, and I have noticed that spares for 26" / 3x9 are now getting thinner on the ground.

A carbon Lefty sound like it would be pretty cool to tool around on, but in my opinion, a modern bike with low/slack geometry would be more rewarding to ride, and no headaches about part supply.

[eggchaser1987]

BOR, that was one of my concerns regarding spares and repairs. I think I'm going to have to look else where for a replacement.

I have just spotted an Orange 5 29er. So that may be worth a look.

[Cimaguy]

I own a Prophet 1000 team edition. The Lefty is definitely worth it. I've had mine since 2003. It's in mint condition and hasn't missed a beat. I haven't done it justice tbh. Hardly ride it.