DESIGN DETAIL:

It has always been about integrated technologies and thinking with Cannondale. They’re not shy of innovation and have brought both their single sided Lefty fork to the market (now used only on their shorter travel bikes) and the much used BB30 bottom bracket standard. With fresh thinking based around a Fox 36 fork and Float or Float X EVOL rear shock, this bike has similarities in approach to the short lived 2010 Moto – one of the few Cannondale’s trail bikes not designed around a Lefty fork.

Cannondale’s BallisTec carbon is used on the frame and swing arm of the top of the range Jekyll 1 with the three lower priced models sporting an aluminium back triangle. The rear suspension tech is carried through the models though and is all new, along with a carbon linkage. Here Cannondale has worked with Fox (and SRAM – the test/show bike had a RockShox shock, as does JC’s bike) to develop the Gemini rear shock (the DYAD shock is no more) with a cable operated handlebar remote allowing you to switch between 165mm Flow and 135mm Hustle mode. Here are Cannondale’s words on what it offers:

‘Flip to Hustle to shorten the travel and ramp up the spring rate for a snappier, more responsive feel for pumping through turns, sprints and traction-challenged climbs. Flip back to Flow for full Fox travel when things get rough’.

Hub spacing is Boost (110mm front and 148mm rear) but Cannondale take a typically different approach with the rear end of the Jekyll, with their Ai integration. The Ai offset shifts the rear hub and drivetrain 6mm to the right, allowing super short chainstays and a rear wheel that is dramatically stiffer and stronger because the spoke tension and angles are equal on both sides. Cannondale’s custom Ai HollowGram cranks move the chainrings an equal 6mm to the right, balancing the system and maintaining perfect chain-line and gear shifting performance. Neat internal cable/hose routing and and easily accessed bottle cage mount are details we’re pleased to see.

Weight? We’ve no accurate data but the older carbon Jekyll was one of the lightest in its class, without a compromise to performance. We feel this new version will be in the same ballpark.

GEOMETRY:

With four size options on the new Jekyll, all designed around a 35mm length stem, we were keen to see how they compared against our favourite enduro frame designs. Looking at a size ‘large’, the Jekyll has a reach of 470mm and a wheelbase of 1220mm – ample numbers and not the longest in this category but comparable to an 18” Radon Swoop. The 65° head angle (based around the stock 170mm fork) and short 420mm chainstays are on the money too. A brief day of testing at the European launch had our rider Callum questioning whether the 349mm bottom bracket height (with a drop of 8mm) was a touch high when compared to the ground hugging Radon. More riding time is needed on home turf taking into consideration both tyre sizes (stock rubber is large volume 2.5”F/2.4”R) and the shock set up.

SPECIFICATION:

With Fox suspension as standard on all production Jekylls, the top two models (1 and 2) are decked out with SRAM Eagle 1×12, with custom Ai Truvativ cranks. SRAM Guide brakes are a favourite of ours here at Dirt and are always good to see. The top model gets Cannondale’s 30mm (internal width) carbon rims, with WTB wheels on the other models. Maxxis Minion DHR II tyres are a pick in the 2017 Dirt 100 and are standard kit here in 2.5/2.4″ sizes. The cockpits are sorted, with a well shaped Cannondale 780mm bar and 35mm length stem on all sizes and models, along with a longer stroke RaceFace dropper post (150mm on M/L/XL sizes, 125mm on size S). As you’d hope with a bike being launched ready for the 2018 model year, the spec is well thought through and fit for some serious action.

Check out our full review of the new Cannondale Jekyll HERE.

PRICES: JEKYLL 1: £6000, 2: £5500, 3: £4000, 4: £3000

cannondale.com

cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk