Cannondale Jekyll Carbon Test Bike Build

Each year MTB-Mag likes to focus on testing various bikes from various brands through the year, but often we like to have a test mule which we use as our baseline to test everything else against and also swap parts out and in the long run test the frame that this is all based on.

For 2015 Cannondale have sent us a large size carbon Jekyll. This is the exact frame model that Jerome Clementz developed with Cannondale in his first season of the Enduro world series. It has 27.5″ wheels and all the latest thinking from Cannondale incorporated into it’s design and engineering. As we took the frame only for the moment it allows us to build up a completely custom bike. Our aim by the end of the year is to arrive with the exact same set-up that Jerome rides with, testing various products along the way.

This is our first build up with Bagnoli Bike doing the technical build based on an Enduro style focus aimed at Enduro World Series trails as those found in Punta Ala, Tuscany, which will also serve as our test base for the bike. The trails are varied and allow us to ride from extreme Enduro (Rock -OH), to easy going trail (Cala Violina). It was also our location for our group test so we already have a good base line of how other bikes perform in similar conditions. Although we will have an extend time to test in this area.

Video: Bike Build

cannondale from MTB MAG on Vimeo.

Bike Build Photo Story

Our first build as outlined below will not be our final build. We decided to build the frame up based on a solid robust Enduro build that is not high end but at the same time can be adapted to various set-ups. As the year progresses we will swap out components and look to build different styles of set-up onto the bike to see how it makes a difference to performance. The aim is to come up with an “ideal” build. We will also be trying our the Cannondale Lefty fork at some point.

The frame and fork starts to take shape.

The cable routing of the frame was external.

We mounted Maxxis tubeless tyres on CYP rims and Hope Hubs.

The gourpset is SRAM based. we are starting with a 1×10 set-up.

Our first Sram cassette, their top of the range 11-36T cassette.

Once main components are on, we started the cabling.

Magura brakes based around the MT7 4 piston range.

Starting to take shape the entire set-up is a custom focused build for Enduro, the main purpose of the Jekyll frame.

The control centre will vary over time, but includes a suspension lock-out control.

With the build finished the large size frame without pedals weighs in at 13.56 Kilos. A robust Enduro focus build. We will try and save weight over time and look at the best ways of doing that in our test series on this bike.

Thanks to Bagnoli Bike for their bike build up.

We added a One 42T cog to see how it works. Note X9 rear mech, and Magura brakes.

Specialized Henge seat, note here where the cable runs to for seat post control.

For our set-up the seat-post could be run in the lowest position

X9 Cranks and an Oval ring, which we were interested to try after talking with Fabian Barel about his oval set-up. It is a drop stop specification.

A Fox Talas completely custom build 34 fork, specially prepared by Chris from Fox Europe.

The DMR Defy stem is one beautiful piece of Engineering.

The cables run down the underside of the main tube. There is space for internal routing for seat posts.

The Magura MT7 brakes, with very lightweight levers an low profile design.

Geometry

Our test frame is the large size.

First Build Specifications

Fork: Fox 34, with special custom Fox preparation and shim stack.
Shock: Fox DAYD, standard build.
Wheel Build/Rims: CYP Sixsigma. A Custom wheel brand, (Test) wide rims.
Hubs: Hope EVO.
Tyres: Maxxis Minion 2.35″ tubeless front, Highroller 2.35″ tubeless rear.
Groupset: Based around SRAM X9, First set-up with an Absoulte black oval ring. Later testing will include 2 x 10 as well with X9 and x7.
Chain-set: SRAM X9
Brakes: Magura MT7, 4 Piston Hydraulic brakes. 203mm/180mm.
Bar/Stem: DMR Bikes Defy 35mm Stem and 800mm Bar.
Seat Post/Saddle: Fox Doss and Specialized Henge Ti Expert.

Your View

Gradually through the year we will be testing various components on this frame and also giving our opinion of the frame itself. We would be very interested to hear which components our readers would be interested we test and build onto the bike and we will endevour to organise that those components are tried. Please comment below with any set-up ideas.

Support

Bike: Cannondale

Test Location: Punta Ala

Technical Build Support: Bagnoli Bike