With the Invert Tuxedo, Cane Creek is launching a special edition of its gravel suspension fork, limited to 50 units. The upside-down design combines a glossy white upper fork section with champagne-coloured lower fork legs. Technically, it remains the familiar Invert CS with 30 or 40 millimetres of travel.
The name matches the look: ‘Tuxedo’ means a tuxedo. Rather than a new suspension technology, this Invert model focuses on a more sophisticated look. This special edition is therefore aimed primarily at gravel riders who want to combine the unusual upside-down design with an exclusive look. Cane Creek has not announced any new technical developments for this edition.
White upper section, hard-anodised lower legs
The most striking feature of the Invert Tuxedo is its colour combination. The upper fork section gleams in white, whilst the lower fork legs stand out in a natural shade known as ‘Champagne’. This is a hard anodised coating. Black details, for example on the brake line guides, enhance the contrast and complete the gala look.
The term ‘lower legs’ here refers to the lower fork legs, which extend towards the axis. In the upside-down design, the slimmer, inner tubes are at the bottom, whilst the larger outer tubes are at the top.
Facts about the Cane Creek Invert Tuxedo
- Construction method: Upside-down construction
- Area of application: Gravel
- Suspension travel: either 30 or 40 millimetres
- Quantity: 50 copies worldwide
- Price: 1,199.99 US dollars
- Colour scheme: white upper fork section, champagne-coloured, hard-anodised lower fork legs and black details
- Suspension: Air spring, adjustable to the driver’s weight via the air pressure
- Climb Switch: a stiffer setup to minimise rocking whilst riding out of the saddle
- Ground clearance: up to 700 × 50 millimetres
- Wheelbase: 12 × 100 millimetre thru-axle
- Structure: According to the manufacturer, to be played by hand in the Fletcher style
50 copies from Fletcher: ‘handmade’
Cane Creek is limiting production of the Tuxedo to a total of 50 units. According to the manufacturer, each unit is hand-assembled in Fletcher. This applies to the assembly and construction of the fork, but does not mean that all individual parts are manufactured there.
Well-known inverted fork design with 30 or 40 millimetres of travel
The Tuxedo is technically identical to the Invert CS gravel suspension fork, which is available with a choice of 30 or 40 millimetres of travel. The Climb Switch switches to a stiffer setting, which is designed to reduce fork movement whilst pedalling out of the saddle. The air spring can be adjusted to the rider’s weight by changing the air pressure.
The standard Invert platform features a carbon fork crown and a carbon steerer tube, which are connected to aluminium upper tubes. Cane Creek states that the Tuxedo accommodates tyres up to 700 × 50 millimetres and features a 12 × 100 millimetre thru-axle.
Price and availability
In its US online shop, Cane Creek stocks both Tuxedo travel variants for US$1,199.99 each. That is the same price as for the classic Invert CS. In Germany, this model usually costs over 1,200 euros. It remains to be seen how many units of the exclusive Tuxedo version will reach the German market.
Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.