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CANNONDALE F-SI Hi-mod World Cup test

15 episode puliti dentro biker fuori

Cannondale is a historic brand in the world of MTB that often stands out for its counter-current and unconventional choices: see the Lefty leg fork and the lifetime warranty on the frames even in unsuspecting times.

This time the F-SI WORLD CUP was tested, a top-of-the-range model for the Cross Country sector in the front derivation, given that in this sector we also find the Scalpel, a dual-suspension XC. In the World Cup the official team is often preferring the Scalpel but the F-SI always remains among the most sought-after bikes on the market. Everyone describes it as a real colt that is difficult to tame. Let's see if all this is true.

cannondale f-si hi-mod world cup
Cannondale F-SI Hi-mod World Cup in test
€9.999

FEATURES

The frame structure is made of high quality carbon: BallisTec Hi-Mod MR70 and YS60 high modulus carbon fibers: the first is for tensile strength, the second for stiffness. Thanks to the innovative blend of intermediate, high and ultra high modulus fibers, the frame is extremely light, resistant and responsive: the declared weight is 900gr, in line with the references cross country (Stairs and S-Works).

Cannondale AI
OFFSET AI - Offset Ai drivetrain makes the rear triangle more open, providing even wider tire clearance and keeping the chainstays short for exceptional agility.

The thru axle has been improved and is now faster in wheel replacement: The notched design of the dropouts allows the axle to stay in the hub thus making changing wheels quicker and easier. Compatible with standard 148 × 12 thru-axle hubs. For the front wheel, simply press a button and unscrew the screw to remove the caliper. Vice versa, for assembly just screw the screw and you hear a "click" when closing (be careful to first press the safety pin that blocks it since if you force the screw without pressing it it breaks). The FS-i is designed for mounting the double and for the telescopic seat post (eye to the diameter contained in 27.2cm) with internal cable routing. The bottom bracket is a 30mm BB73.

micro-suspension save
SAVE MICRO-SUSPENSION - The flex areas and directional carbon layout allow the rear triangle and seat tube to absorb shock. They also provide better traction and greater speed, and minimize fatigue both sitting and standing on the pedals.

LEFTY OCHO

At the front, another nice novelty: the Lefty is renewed and changes structure, no longer with a double plate but a traditional stem and headset. The new Lefty Ocho does not slide on the bushings like all other forks, but runs smoothly on three connected sets of needle bearings, thus preventing the inner stem from rotating inside the outer stem. All this leads to an increase in rigidity and precision, as well as to improve its smoothness. Another positive aspect is that you can finally change the stem without having to resort to proprietary or compatible stems.

cannondale app
INTEGRATED SENSOR APP - Through Cannondale's free app, the built-in wheel sensor acquires highly accurate information on speed, route and distance traveled. It also allows you to register your bike, reminds you to carry out maintenance and offers you many other services.

The Lefty Ocho provides a compression adjustment at low speeds (6 clicks), the classic rebound (23 clicks) and handlebar remote control with 2 positions (open and closed). For maintenance we recommend the "Vuforia view" APP, thanks to which it is possible to consult the manual, view the recommended setup and many other useful functions simply by "scanning" the code imprinted on the Lefty plate: bringing the phone close to the fork, you can see the its mechanisms showing the details. The range of adjustments is designed for riders with a weight between 45 and 105 kg, while to increase progressivity it is possible to insert up to 4 spacers (token style) in the positive chamber.

VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS

We find 7 models: F-Si Hi-MOD World Cup (in test) for € 9,999, F-Si Hi-MOD 1 for € 6,999, Carbon 2 for € 5,299, Carbon 3 for € 3,499, Carbon Women's 2 for € 2,799, Carbon 4 at € 2,799 and Carbon 5 at € 1,999. The frame of the F-Si Carbon 1 and WC are in Ballistec Hi-Mod carbon with a weight of 900 grams declared in size M while the models 2,3,4 and 5 are in “normal” Ballistec.

GEOMETRY

The geometry is very modern when referring to the XC canons: the steering remains more relaxed than other models (69 °) with a 55mm rake, very abundant that goes towards the open steering to make the F-SI manageable. The top tube has been lengthened by one centimeter from the last version and the rear is now extremely compact (427mm) in order to keep the wheelbase under control, which measures 1134mm.

The seat angle is 73,1 °. Cannondale uses a fairly short stem (70mm) and a fairly wide handlebar (76cm) which, as we will see later in the test, are essential to ride the F-SI well.

kom cruise f-yes
Time 5'32 ”- link track strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3475963969

THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST

The first feeling when riding the F-SI is that of a stable bike well planted on the ground: the seat on the saddle is central and the wide handlebar makes me feel at ease. However, the front does not seem to be there: it has a 0ms rotation reaction (probably derived from the rake increased by 55mm) and a feeling of lightness that at first is intimidating. The 69 ° head angle, and the presence of a single-stem (or knee-high) fork at the front, induces aggressive driving, but in the early stages of the test I go who goes there. Uphill and in the stretches of distance, you feel very centered on the bike, thanks to the abundant values ​​of reach and top tube: the bike in steep sections does not rear up, it drives easily and is very stable. The SAVE micro-suspension, that is the flexible areas and the directional layout of the carbon, allow the rear triangle and the seat tube to absorb the blows even if they cannot work wonders since it is a Front: if there are direct hits, it takes a full house (for example Scalpel) to feel real benefits, however these are precautions that make it stand out among the Front frames; including the 27,2cm seat post, used in this size to be more flexible than larger sizes.

cannondale gopro
Photo from the video test: onboard gopro with Davide.

Only words of praise for the Lefty which proves to be a truly high-performance fork in the Cross Country field: a blade that goes exactly where we want to put the wheel. The sensitivity is superior to many of its XC competitors and it feels like riding with a 130mm all-mountain fork for how sensitive it is. Once you use it and learn to understand it, it is difficult to abandon it: it is a fork where you can perceive a more refined hydraulics than many rivals, including the low speed adjustment and, for those who are sensitive in their riding, they will appreciate it a lot. The wide handlebar and the short stem bring the right characteristics to be able to appreciate the F-SI as a whole: woe betide anyone who tries to shorten the handlebars excessively or lengthen the stem without having first tried it well. The reactivity of the front due to the increased rake requires a fairly wide handlebar otherwise the front would turn into an ON/OFF when turning. The sensations on the saddle are truly shocking, with a mix of excellent stability (overall) and handling (at the front) thanks to innovative geometries and technical solutions: the bike is stable, especially in curves, but agile at the same time. It is a very technical bike that requires mastery of the vehicle, given that on the saddle you need to have a well-centered position without leaving the front too light: the beginner or the biker with little technique will not feel at ease, while the expert rider will be able to bring out all its features.

Luca Sponda and Davide Finetto
Photos from the video test: Luca Sponda and Davide Finetto.

A small drawback is the remote control which is too sensitive in its operation: it is not uncommon to have activated the lever inadvertently and, when it is activated, the fork locks (instead of unlocking it). ENVE approved carbon wheels: on a bike like this too much stiffness hurts but the ENVE M525 were excellent and stiff at the right point, keeping the performance to the maximum without taking the characteristics of the F-SI to the extreme. Nothing to say about the SRAM AXS (wireless) gearbox: flawless and precise, as well as the SRAM LEVEL Ultimate brakes, although a larger disc at the front could be an improvement (from 160mm to 180mm).

XC MARATHON TRAIL ALL MOUNTAIN ENDURO FREERIDE DOWNHILL
XXXXX XXXX
Geometry
Sizes S, M, L (test), XL
Steering angle Inline
Vertical tube 480 mm
Steering tube 113 mm
Rear chassis 427 mm
Wheelbase 1134 mm
Bottom bracket height 308 mm
Reach 440 mm
Stack 623 mm
Particular signs LEFTY OCHO Extremely fluid. The Ocho doesn't slide on bushings like all other forks, but rides smoothly on three connected sets of needle bearings, thus preventing the inner leg from rotating inside the outer leg. No friction, no friction.
€9.999 Euros
Price of frame + shock | nd
Italian distributor: www.cannondale.it
Weight (without pedals) 8,9kg
Fork LEFTY Ocho Carbon, 29″, 100mm, Chamber Damper with cable lockout, OppO Spring System, tapered steerer, 55mm offset
Shock absorber nd
wheels ENVE M525 Carbon, 24h, tubeless ready
Service (F) Schwalbe Racing Ray 27.5/29 x 2.25″, Snake Skin, Addix Speedgrip Compound, tubeless ready
(R) Schwalbe Racing Ralph 27.5/29 x 2.25″, Snake Skin, Addix Speed ​​Compound, tubeless ready
Rolling mill chocks SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB, 34T, Ai offset
Rear gearbox SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS
commands SRAM Eagle AXS, 12-speed
Brakes SRAM Level Ultimate hydro disc
Sprocket pack SRAM XG-1299, 10-50, 12-speed
Headset Integrated, 1-1/8 to 1.5″, sealed angular contact bearings (Integrated steer stop size small only)
Chain SRAM XX1 Eagle, 12-speed
OFFENSE CANNONDALE 1, 7075 Alloy, 1-1/8″, 31.8, 7°
dumbbell ENVE M5, Carbon, 760mm, 31.8mm, 5mm rise, 9° sweep
seatpost ENVE Carbon, 27.2 x 400mm, 0mm offset
Sella PROLOGUE Zero II, Tirox rails
Color Black (test)

FINAL VERDICT

Bike for the incognito agonist

If your only thought, when you get up in the morning, is not to lose too many watts and not to ingest too much fat for breakfast, the F-SI World Cup is the bike for you: a real Supercar of the Mountain Bike world with unique characteristics of stiffness, weight and speed. The performance of the new Lefty Ocho closes the circle in terms of sensitivity and lightness. But be careful: not suitable for those seeking compromises and beginners.

+-
• Proprietary standards that bring many unique innovations.
• Lefty Ocho fork as a whole.
• Unique mix of stability and handling (at the front) thanks to innovative geometries and technical solutions.
• Proprietary standards that raise costs for upgrades / maintenance (Lefty, AI Asymmetric wheels, crankset sprocket and Lefty compatible wheel).
• Remote control too sensitive.
cannondale f-si world cup votes
Overall ratings 365tv test

Video featured in episode # 15



Written by

[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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