I just picked up a 2007 Cannondale 29'er on closeout tonight at the LBS. It is a raw frame and very nice. I did a search on the lefty fork, and found out that there is a recall on it. I guess I will be calling the shop tomorrow morning to see if they did anything about it yet. I am guessing not, but who knows. Kind of a buzzkill....but I sure do like the ride. It doesn't sound like a big deal, just an issue with the threadlock compound, but I am sure that the mechanic will have some labor involved with getting that fork apart.
2007 Cannondale Caffeine 29'er w/ Lefty
- Thread starter SMcGill
- Start date
you shouldnt be charged anything with a recall
It's a 30min job, max...
remove rebound knob
remove nut
remove lockout lever
uncrew cap
remove plates
unscrew damper
apply thread lock
reassemble
should be done for free. i don't recall ever messing with the 29er forks...but that was before i knew how to mess with Lefty's.
remove rebound knob
remove nut
remove lockout lever
uncrew cap
remove plates
unscrew damper
apply thread lock
reassemble
should be done for free. i don't recall ever messing with the 29er forks...but that was before i knew how to mess with Lefty's.
I work at a Cannondale dealer. We were required to service all those Lefty's when they were in our shop, so hopefully that one was done already. If not it, is an easy chore, as has been pointed out already.
I got to ride one of those for awhile. Great bike, albeit a bit quirky. I bet you have a ton of fun on it!
I got to ride one of those for awhile. Great bike, albeit a bit quirky. I bet you have a ton of fun on it!
I've been looking at this bike since it first came out. It seems there is tremendous value there. The problem is I need an XL bike and I never seem to be able to demo one. I had the same problem when I bought my Super V 10 years ago. I had to demo a Large frame instead of the one that actually fit me.
I'm not in a position to buy one yet (financially speaking) but I have had a lot of luck with my Super V. I'm 6'4" and really will be well served with a 29r of any make or model. This company has earned my trust.
Guitar, you made mention of the Lefty being a bit quirky...could you elaborate on that a bit?
I'm also concerned with the sale of Cannondale. Being that I live in Pennsylvania I was first drawn to Cannondale back in the 90s because every bike race I attended was loaded with guys on Cannondales. All of these people couldnt be wrong I thought. Again, my Super V has been a great bike. Its just that I know someday soon I want to turn it into my secondary bike and fly around on the 29r.
I'm not in a position to buy one yet (financially speaking) but I have had a lot of luck with my Super V. I'm 6'4" and really will be well served with a 29r of any make or model. This company has earned my trust.
Guitar, you made mention of the Lefty being a bit quirky...could you elaborate on that a bit?
I'm also concerned with the sale of Cannondale. Being that I live in Pennsylvania I was first drawn to Cannondale back in the 90s because every bike race I attended was loaded with guys on Cannondales. All of these people couldnt be wrong I thought. Again, my Super V has been a great bike. Its just that I know someday soon I want to turn it into my secondary bike and fly around on the 29r.
I think GT means the bike as a whole is quirky rather than just the lefty fork.
Real minor about the fork, I wouldn't worry about it.
The Lefty is the best fork for 29ers, in my opinion. Best design, although some say the Speed cartridge is not plush enough. But my man Harlan Price came in 9th overall in the Downieville DH on a Lefty.
The Lefty is the best fork for 29ers, in my opinion. Best design, although some say the Speed cartridge is not plush enough. But my man Harlan Price came in 9th overall in the Downieville DH on a Lefty.
Thanks for the responses everyone. I called the shop this morning before work, and the manager there wasn't even aware of the recall. He had to call their sister shop in another town to get more info. They will be doing the service Wed. (tomorrow) morning first thing he said. To date myself, my last mountain bike was a GT RTS-2, full suspension that is still in near new condition. I bought it to ride around campus in college, and now my wife is going to use it. I have test ridden a lot of bikes in the last week, and the 29'er was the only bike that really put a smile on my face, and that is what it is all about to me. I live in Ohio, and am looking forward to riding it at Vulture's Knob in Wooster, and Reagan park in Medina. It is really a good feeling rolling on those 29's. My other bike is a bmx, so it is one extreme to the other. But I think that will only improve my riding with each class of bikes. Concerning the fork, on my test rides I had the mechanic bring the pressure up through different ranges (I'm around 200 lbs. 6' tall), and it felt good around 165 psi. With the fine adjustment using the lever on top of the fork, I could go from a pretty cushy ride to fairly stiff.
Thanks, as far as the weight limit on the fork, I do not know. Maybe someone else with some more knowledge will chime in.
Yea, I noticed at the 24 Hours of Great Glen that probably half the riders were on Cannondales and over half of those were with Leftys. I guess Cannondale has the race crowd nailed.
The "quirky" comment was indeed a reference to the Caffiene 29"er as a whole, not the Lefty, which I found to be a totally great fork. It does have a bit of a break in period where it isn't as smooth at it is once it dos break in.
It is definitely a stiff platform, very good for technical terrain. During the time I rode one, I was never bothered by any aspect of he fork at all.
The frame and the geometry are definitely a unique set up. Long, uprght, and comfy for a hardtail. I would say it reminded me of what I might like in an endurance bike. The frame has a great feel for a hardtail. The brake bridge on the seat stays was a bit limiting on your tire choices, but otherwise, it would be a great rig for those that don't mind the upright position, long wheel base, and Lefty's looks.
It is definitely a stiff platform, very good for technical terrain. During the time I rode one, I was never bothered by any aspect of he fork at all.
The frame and the geometry are definitely a unique set up. Long, uprght, and comfy for a hardtail. I would say it reminded me of what I might like in an endurance bike. The frame has a great feel for a hardtail. The brake bridge on the seat stays was a bit limiting on your tire choices, but otherwise, it would be a great rig for those that don't mind the upright position, long wheel base, and Lefty's looks.
Got her back. They actually had to end up rebuilding the internals (actually swapped out an '09 cartridge from a bike on the floor) because the fork was leaking oil. It's a big difference. I had noticed before the rebuild that I couldn't lock the fork out at 165 psi, and now I am running it about 150 psi, and the lock-out works and it doesn't bottom out when I rotate the lever to the softer setting. Being new to the bike and fork, I probably would've never caught this, and just figured that it was supposed to be that way. I'm sure glad I called about that recall now. I've basically got a 2009 fork now, and props to Eddy's bike shop in N.E. Ohio for the excellent service. Off to ride...
I just picked up my 2007 Lefty. While I have had several Cannondales over the years, I have to admit: this is my favorite yet.
I have a Rush (nice and light - full suspension) but I still like my 29er better.
The pros are numerous, the cons are few and rare.
Yeah, I would recommend anyone to at least try one!
I have a Rush (nice and light - full suspension) but I still like my 29er better.
The pros are numerous, the cons are few and rare.
Yeah, I would recommend anyone to at least try one!