Cannondale 'Lefty' are they worth it?

[eggchaser1987]

Well the time has come for me to sell one of my older bikes, I know the plan was to keep the bit of cash that I got for it and spend it on something for the house or along those lines.

I have just seen a second hand Cannondale Scalpel 2013 alloy frame, 29" wheels and a lefty fork for what I think is a reasonable price (£900)

I have always wanted a lefty because they are different but has anyone had any first hand experience with these or this bike?

[Matt Sketch]

Lefty’s are pure witchcraft, there is no way they should work as well as they do.. it’s just not natural. That’s why I love them.
I’m not sure I’d fully trust them on a full on downhill rig, but for general messing around and XC duties I’m sold.

They do limit a few things though

Type of car bike rack,
Limited hub selection
Limited stem selection
Mudguard

Oh and get use to every joker asking if you are buying your forks by instalment

On the plus side, they are brilliant though. Having ridden with a number of different forks over the years (both DH & XC) I rank them up there with the best I’ve used. While they really shouldn’t work, I’ve yet to come across a situation they haven’t been able to deal with. The lack of a leg makes them really lightweight for the travel available. No flex at all and the steering is really direct while maintaing nice plush travel, no matter which way the wheel is point or how hard you are braking.

[d8mok]

Ive got a flash carbon team thingy with a carbon lefty. Yes its light, plush and looks cool. But .... its a nightmare to service, nobody stocks parts for them, and nobody wants to work on them. Just be aware. Qwerty cycles becomes your best friend, and you end up doing the owrk youself.

[RGambo]

They are brilliant forks. They need a bit more looking after than a fox, but super plush( I believe that is the correct termanology)

[budgie smuggler]

d8mok said:

Ive got a flash carbon team thingy with a carbon lefty. Yes its light, plush and looks cool. But .... its a nightmare to service, nobody stocks parts for them, and nobody wants to work on them. Just be aware. Qwerty cycles becomes your best friend, and you end up doing the owrk youself.

Do TFTuned not service them any more?

I've wanted a set ever since I tried a Headshok years ago. Zero friction.

Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 18th September 15:22

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks all. I love the look of a lefty and I have had the head shock for a few years and have found that that didn't need much servicing, just keep it clean and the protective boot on and all is well.

Think I will have to go and have a look at this bike then on the weekend as long as no one else has snapped it up by then.

I have had a word with my lbs and although they are not a speciality cannondale dealer they have all had ether a head shock or lefty and they seem to know what they are doing so hopefully servicing will not be too much of a problem.

Edt. Thanks for the qwerty cycles site. Sure they will be a big help.

Edited by eggchaser1987 on Thursday 18th September 16:32

[neenaw]

[quote=eggchaser1987]
I have just seen a second hand Cannondale Scalpel 2013 alloy frame, 29" wheels and a lefty fork for what I think is a reasonable price (£900)
/quote]

If you're thinking of spending £900 on frame and fork, it might be worth taking a look at this:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5203/CANNOND...

New complete bike with a Lefty. By the time you strip bits and sell them on you'd get a bit of money back and end up with anew frame and fork for <£900.

There was a thread on Singletrack forum recently asking pretty much the same thing about the Lefty, might be worth digging it up.

[eggchaser1987]

neenaw]ggchaser1987 said:

I have just seen a second hand Cannondale Scalpel 2013 alloy frame, 29" wheels and a lefty fork for what I think is a reasonable price (£900)
/quote]

If you're thinking of spending £900 on frame and fork, it might be worth taking a look at this:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5203/CANNOND...

New complete bike with a Lefty. By the time you strip bits and sell them on you'd get a bit of money back and end up with anew frame and fork for <£900.

There was a thread on Singletrack forum recently asking pretty much the same thing about the Lefty, might be worth digging it up.

Sorry no, that was my poor explanation. Its an entire bike, the alloy frame rather than a carbon frame.

My bad as they say

[deadtom]

Matt Sketch said:

I’m not sure I’d fully trust them on a full on downhill rig, but for general messing around and XC duties I’m sold.

that'd be why the don't make a DH version