The eye-catcher and technical highlight is the Lefty single-arm suspension strut. Originally designed for the US brand's mountain bikes and tried and tested for years, the Lefty on the Slate has been customised for gravel passages and easy terrain. The suspension travel is limited to 30 millimetres and the trail is adapted to the geometry. The second special feature is the 27.5-inch wheels. The idea behind them: The outer diameter of the wheels with 42 millimetre wide slick tyres is almost the same as that of 28-inch rims with narrow road bike tyres. Despite the generous tyre volume, the smaller wheels allow a geometry with typical road bike steering characteristics and sufficient foot clearance. At the same time, the wide tyres improve the off-road potential.
With this concept, the Slate is causing quite a stir; hardly any other bike has been reported on more recently. We were therefore very excited about this test bike. With mechanical Ultegra gears and hydraulic disc brakes from Shimano, it corresponds to the middle of three equipment variants. However, Cannondale pointed out to us that it was still from the pre-production series. The Lefty, for example, is not yet as responsive as planned, and 42 millimetre wide folding tyres from Panaracer will later replace the heavy Maxxis clincher tyres.
First surprise: You sit stretched out like on a competition crosser, with a significant saddle/handlebar rise. But anyone who thinks the Slate is going to take off like a fire engine will be slowed down by reality and the inertia of the system. A total weight of 10.2 kilos, of which quite a few grams are in the relatively heavy wheels, is not so easy to argue away. Compared to the Open, Salsa and Stevens bikes, the bike is significantly less agile. However, it is quite possible that this will change with lighter equipment. Surprisingly, you hardly notice the Lefty in normal riding situations (it can be deactivated with the lockout button when pedalling out of the saddle). Its hour comes when the front wheel hits obstacles such as roots or medium-sized stones. This is where the front suspension provides a significant increase in safety, and not just for less experienced riders. Whether treadless slick tyres are the right choice for the bike depends on the area of use. Such tyres work well on asphalt and fine gravel - for Paris-Roubaix such a bike could be a revelation. However, they are less fond of fast bends on any type of natural surface, and they slip easily on damp ground. That's why you want a studded tread pattern at the latest when it comes to real off-road terrain.
In short: an innovative, avant-garde concept that we will be testing even more intensively with finalised front suspension and readiness for series production.
PLUS comfortable, avant-garde look
MINUS expensive, heavy
Info www.cannondale.com
Frame material/sizes Aluminium / S, M, L, XL
Price/weight 3,499 euros (complete bike) / 10.2 kilos
WHAT THE TEST DRIVERS SAY
Jens Klötzer " After the great anticipation, I'm a little disillusioned. Because of the high weight, it doesn't ride as lively as expected. The tyres give practically no feedback off-road. "
Christoph Allwang " The bike is very comfortable and manoeuvrable. Thanks to the suspension fork and the voluminous tyres, it rides quite well and forgives riding errors. However, the tyres are too slippery off-road."
Thomas Musch " The spectacular look is contrasted by an inconspicuous riding behaviour in the best sense of the word. The suspension fork is particularly impressive on fast bumpy roads."
Alternatives none
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