Bicycles

Focus on: Cannondale Flash Team

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: Cannondale

Published on Monday, 15 March 2010 07:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

The model Flash represents the new top range for Cannondale XC.

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 Large study has been placed in the design of the frame, the declared weight of 950 grams, a record for the industry. To achieve this goal they used a mix of carbon fiber to medium high and high modulus, chosen for different parts of the frame and the stresses to which they are subjected to various parties. Considering the heavy use that is under the bike, then the carbon tubes have received a number of treatments to improve resistance to shocks and the long term reliability. Therefore have an excellent ability to resist the flaking of the carbon and, in the areas most subject to shocks, they have a safety net (such as under the bottom bracket and underneath the down tube). In finding the best possible weight stiffness, could miss some technical aspects typical of Cannondale. Thus we find the BB30 bottom bracket, the fork Lefty and rear S.A.V.E. The BB30 bottom bracket stiffness and improves the bottom bracket receives a further contribution to the vertical stiffness of the tube near its junction expands and wraps the bottom bracket itself. Likewise, for more weight, the derailleur is attached directly to the frame, while the diameter of the seat post is 27.2 mm, again to reduce the weight compared with the usual 31.6 mm. The Superlight crankset Hollowgram SL was further lightened and is now declared as the lightest crankset on the market, in addition the complex BB30, crank and front derailleur has been optimized for the group set Sram 2x10. The top tube joins the rear according to the technology of continuous fibers,  carbon fibers are oriented and arranged in a rectilinear and continuous, starting from the set of steering to the rear. This has the typical conformation of wagons Cannondale S.A.V.E. where the size and the section of pipe is optimized to achieve good lateral stiffness, which is necessary to have a good power transmission, and a good vertical flexibility needed to better absorb the blows. The new rear triangle, of course, has been optimized for use in Mtb, compared to wagons used in the series Synapse S.A.V.E. street. The new Fork Lefty Speed, with travel of 110 mm, has been reduced and improved in all its internal components and now provides greater fluency, accuracy and sensitivity adjustments. The bike is then proposed in various assemblages: Flash Team, Flash Hi Mod 1 and Flash Hi Mod 2. The model Team adopts the new group Sram XX 2x10, Cannondale crankset with 28-42 associated sprocket 11-36. The crank bearings are ceramic type. The rest of the group, brakes, controls, gearbox and front derailleur, chain, all belong to the series Sram XX. The handlebar is FSA K-Force XC, while stem and seatpost are Cannondale. The saddle Fizik Antares Carbon Rail. The fork is the model Lefty Carbon, while the wheels are DT Swiss XCR, complete with tire Schwalbe Furious Fred. Four sizes available: S, M, L, X; while only one is the colour. The model Hi Mod 1 is assembled with Shimano XTR group, associated with the 386 crank FSA K-Force Light 42-27 and model Hi Mod 2 is assembled with the group Sram X0, associated with the FSA Afterburner crankset triple. Obviously, in these two assemblies, also change the various components and accessories. Prices range from Euro 7999 of the model Team, to 3999 Euro Model Hi Mod 2. Unfortunately high prices, but commensurate with the quality of the product. Overall a good bike, certainly among the best for racing use, while amateurs have no such ambitions can easily turn the other models Cannondale, less expensive. About then, the high stiffness weight this is undoubtedly positive, but it is true that in Mtb count also many other aspects, which may, in general, be even more important for the achievement of improved performance. We refer to the handling, the steering precision, traction control and rear, all of which may also be adversely affected by excessive rigidity of the frame.