Cannondale Lefty vs. any SC 20mm fork

quadricolour · Dec 21, 2004

Sorry I can't offer advice, but that pic makes me want a lefty!

TheMontashu · Dec 21, 2004

I have reddin both well ive bonced around on the lefty but you know as well as i do i couldent feel flex in a 12inch dual crown with an 1 1/8 stearer and a QR

ThePriceSeliger · Dec 21, 2004

i love my lefty but i dont ride it much. it was an older version so my advice really wont help but i loved it so much especially is you are a weight weenie. i also ride a 2003 DJ1 20 mm and love it even more because i guess i spend most of my time on it. they are both amazing forks but it is really personal preference when it comes to making a choice that that. as soon as i got on my lefty it was a little nerve wreking because one side is missing.

vitox · Dec 21, 2004

one question, and please dont take it the wrong way, i often hear about how stiff the lefty is, but then again i also see lots of them with tire marks on them, from the tire rubbing the uppers, should i assume this is from wimpy xc wheels?

also since the poster seems to know his way around cdales, does the lefty still use those shims inside, the ones that you have to change and measure with a micrometer in order to get rid of play?

ThePriceSeliger · Dec 21, 2004

yeah i used just an XC wheel but i was dirt jumping on it which did not turn out so well for the wheel. There were sum rub marks but that was because i was running a very large tire on a little XC wheel.

ThePriceSeliger · Dec 21, 2004

stiffer and stouter... i would probley say a SC 20mm fork but that is just me

OGRipper · Dec 21, 2004

I'm still trying to figure out what we should call the Lefty: fork or forks?

I don't have much time on the Lefty but people I know that love them are always saying things like "It's incredibly stiff...for a one sided front end" and they often complain about wheel flex being more noticeable. Some use a heavier wheel to compensate. I don't know if it's because of hub or axle deflection or what but it's definitely an effect people talk about. Sorry for the second-hand comments...sounds like we need some engineering factoids about the Lefty set-up and the physics of what happens to a wheel with a one- vs. two-sided font end.

Enginerd A2 · Dec 21, 2004

vitox said:
one question, and please dont take it the wrong way, i often hear about how stiff the lefty is, but then again i also see lots of them with tire marks on them, from the tire rubbing the uppers, should i assume this is from wimpy xc wheels?

also since the poster seems to know his way around cdales, does the lefty still use those shims inside, the ones that you have to change and measure with a micrometer in order to get rid of play?

Yes, Lefty's have those bearing races that have to measured precisely. Lefty's came about because there wasn't enough room in the headtube to make a Headshok with more that 3" of travel, so they moved the whole works over to the left a little. Same needle bearings and races as a Headshok, but Manitou damping cartridges now. Lefty's and Headshoks are very smooth because of the needle bearings, but it takes a little more effort to service them. Personally, I don't ride a Cannondale, so they're not really an option, but they feel pretty good when set up properly. I got some ride time on a friend's Prophet at Ray's MTB Park last night. It felt a little weird, but I attribute this mostly to how different the bike was setup compared to my PX Compo (with an QR Psylo) I had been riding for most of the night. I can't really give a very fair review until I get some trail time on a Lefty, but first impressions are favorable. I'll probably never own one, though.

leprechaun · Dec 21, 2004

I worked at a Dale shop 3 years ago,so this may be solved by now,
There is a rediculous amount of dish on the front wheel.I could easily see a problem with the front wheel deflection.The most irritating thing about it is all they need to do is scoot the leg outboard a few mm's to fix it.
They perform well and are certainly stiff.Stiff as a modern sc fork with a TA. The difference to me between a Lefty/Manitou damper and a zoke/Fox is that i like to tune the oul volume of a Zoke/Fox to tune bottoming resistance.Plus the service end of the Zoke/Fox is so user friendly.
Ok so there's an actual comparison.

manhattanprjkt83 · Dec 21, 2004

quadricolour said:
Sorry I can't offer advice, but that pic makes me want a lefty!

hahahahhahahahhaa

OGRipper · Dec 21, 2004

leprechaun said:
Ok so there's an actual comparison.

Ahh, you go-ride guys, always bringing real world experience to the mix. Yeesh.

Heath Sherratt · Dec 21, 2004

Lefty!! Lefty!! Lefty!!!! :d

Heath Sherratt · Dec 21, 2004

OK seriously, The lefty is lighter, no stanchions exposed to knick, no stiction, 3cent o-rings to service leakage, spv adjustability, rebound, compression, preload, it's carbon :cool:

so it's cool, it's unique, incredible looking, less flex than a dual crown fork, it has a 30mm hub that weighs nothing, what could be better? OK let's say- you cannot adjust the oil levels as easily, I don't anyways-ever. If it's right from the factory why would you have to? Can't mount on qr racks- neither can qr twenties-without adapter-same as lefty, doesn't blow seals (no no mikey, don't go there) I have never had the bottom out problem but even now it has the spv adjustment. I don't see the coparison myself, oh wait...not all shops can service them-that's a downer :mumble: or have parts for them. oh, and you have to have a special tool to true the wheel- oh wait so does the qr20. I can't think of any other downers...go lefties!!!! Oh, and you don't have to take off your front wheel to change a flat- where as with a QR20 it's a pain!!! :nope:

Endless tire clearance, but you need an adaptor for fenders. I call them shox cuz they are not "forks" or a fork. Lefty's rule. I'm glad more people aren't on them, it makes my bikes look unique instead of run -of -the -mill. Thanks Cannondale. :thumb:

The Mad Haderer · Dec 21, 2004

Heath Sherratt said:
doesn't blow seals (no no mikey, don't go there)

how did u know??....
and i will say that #1..ur riding for factory Cannondale... and #2 you havent had much time on a good single crown to base a comparison on...it just happens that you started on the lefty as where most of us started on the normal forks (dont get me started on ur original fox vanilla..whole other can of worms) :evil:

Heath Sherratt · Dec 22, 2004

Yeah, whatever Mike. How did you find this thread anyway? I had four fox vanilla rlc's in 4 months. That's including down time. I have had a marzocchi Z1 that I really liked and rode for a full year. I had a rock shox psylo sl and a race for a season also. I have had just as much if not more time on "regular" forks as i have a lefty. I am sponsored by them because I love their stuff-you know this. It wasn't a hey ride for me thing it was a can i please ride for you?...please? because I believe in their wares. Keep it real.

When are you going to get a trail bike anyway man?

TheMontashu · Dec 22, 2004

sanjuro said:
The only fork out of that list with a 20mm is the Z1 (which you liked).

And Mikey rides Planet X. He can ride it in the woods too!

NO STEEYV they dont make a Z1 in 20mm its a DJ1 with forged Z1 stickers

TheMontashu · Dec 22, 2004

sanjuro said:
Your DJ1 worked so well you got a Super T to replace it. At least MY Z1 FR is still going after 4 years...

seeyv that was a dj2 that came off my bighit and it worked fine i jest wanted a better fork

Zman · Dec 22, 2004

the lefty is stiffer. period. i have ridden marz z1 qr20 freerides, both 03 and 00. as well as a fox vanilla rlc, a boxxer, and a lefty, and in my opinion the lefty is stiffer than anything else out there. even stiffer than the boxxer, barely but i do think it is stiffer. as for the comment about more dish than a regular wheel, you are wrong. if you actually use the correct tool that c-dale has to build the wheels you will notice there is no extra dish, considering i ha ve put that wheel in a normal fork with the adaptor and it sits perfectly centered in a standard fork. as for tire rub, yeah i have had that, when i killed a wheel. cause it was a 24 spoke wheel and i weigh 225. so in my opinion the lefty is stiffer than anything else. and i can say i didn;t used to be a fan of them until i rode one. was always scared of working on them and hated them caus of that. now i am used to them no problem. and they are stiffer.

Rik · Dec 22, 2004

OGRipper said:
I'm still trying to figure out what we should call the Lefty: fork or forks?

Knife, or chopstick.

Heath Sherratt · Dec 22, 2004

exactly-vely funny.

Benton · Dec 22, 2004

I've ridden an '01 lefty with 110mm of travel, an 03 Rock Shox Psylo with Tulio through axel, and an 03 Manitou Sherman Breakout with through axel.

The Psylo was the least stiff, I'm not sure whether then breakout is stiffer than the lefty or not. I think they're comparable in terms of stiffness. Overall though the breakout is a better fork. No surprise since it's much newer.

So, I'd say yes the lefty is as stiff as some through axel forks.

leprechaun · Dec 22, 2004

On the wheel dish thing-correct me if i am wrong,doed the rim sit MUCH closer to the disk side flange,and very far from the non disk flange causing very uneven tension?
Yes the rim is centered when mounted with the truing tool,but i am talking about dish between the flanges.
I'm not trying to be a jerk about it but a 24 spoke front wheel with as much dish as a 9sp rear wheel is a bit sketchy to me.20x110 front wheels usually can be built with the same length spokes and dished about 1 full turn to be evenly centered.
Last i remember the Lefty wheel used 3 mm shorter spokes on the disc side.

Jeremy R · Dec 22, 2004

OGRipper said:
I'm still trying to figure out what we should call the Lefty:
.

Retarded looking is a good start.

OGRipper · Dec 22, 2004

Jeremy R said:
Retarded looking is a good start.

That is a really poor way to describe something. Not to be the PC police or anything but come on. That's about as good as saying it looks "gay."

:stosh:

Zman · Dec 22, 2004

leprechaun said:
On the wheel dish thing-correct me if i am wrong,doed the rim sit MUCH closer to the disk side flange,and very far from the non disk flange causing very uneven tension?
Yes the rim is centered when mounted with the truing tool,but i am talking about dish between the flanges.
I'm not trying to be a jerk about it but a 24 spoke front wheel with as much dish as a 9sp rear wheel is a bit sketchy to me.20x110 front wheels usually can be built with the same length spokes and dished about 1 full turn to be evenly centered.
Last i remember the Lefty wheel used 3 mm shorter spokes on the disc side.

all disc wheels i have ever bult have had the same dish as a rear wheel. usually 2mm difference in spoke length and the lefty is no differnet. so you are running the same as any disc wheel out there. same as with a 20mm huib. the little spacers are the only differenece in the width. so no, there is no difference in the wheel

Heath Sherratt · Dec 22, 2004

Also, you can run 32h rims if you want. They have several hubs and woodman makes a nice aftermarket lefty hub but it's not as light as c-dales.

Rik · Dec 24, 2004

OGRipper said:
That is a really poor way to describe something

But it only has one leg, so it does look like its growth has been impeded. And my trials bike looks gay, what with the bright yellow and lime green components. Both usages are within the definitions of the words.
Sorry, just being a little bitch, as usual... ignore me.

Jeremy R · Dec 24, 2004

Rik said:
But it only has one leg, so it does look like its growth has been impeded. And my trials bike looks gay, what with the bright yellow and lime green components. Both usages are within the definitions of the words.
Sorry, just being a little bitch, as usual... ignore me.

Ha, I actually thought of the impede thing when I typed it, but retarded is alot funnier. As in, the Lefty would impede my ability to ride fast, because I would look down and notice it only has one leg.
But, oh well, who I am to get in the way of the great PC torch once it has been raised. Even if we were talking about a pile of metal and not even a real person, the PC torch still flies high. And oh yeah, its ghey not gay.
You don't want to feel the wrath so close to Christmas do ya?

Rik · Dec 24, 2004

No, we don't want to go making baby jesus cry now, do we.
They may or may not be stiff, but I've seen a lefty get beaten about a fair bit (8-10 foot stairgaps nosedived to flat) and it lasted at least 6 months of constant abuse. The internals died a few times over, until the TPC was installed, and then it kept on running sweet. That sure impressed me, but I can't help wonder, why go out of the way to make a single leg fork, when dual legs do the job right? Same with single swingarm rear ends on motorised bikes, why oh why, when it'd be simpler and easier to stick with the norm?

Zman · Dec 24, 2004

sanjuro said:
I had wanted to avoid this discussion, which is justifying the Lefty in the first place:

1. The top end Lefty Carbon Max w/Ti Springs: 140mm - 3.8 lbs. The regular aluminum: 4.1 lbs. BTW, Cedric is running the Carbon Max during a 4X race in my photo
2. By using one single leg, they can balloon the width, increasing the stiffness without taking a weight penalty similar to the concept of the onepointfive steerer tube which they also use.

On the other hand, sticking to the norm is what I like to go for in general...

also it is because of the old headshocks. there was a limited amount of travel you could put into one of those. so slide it outside of teh haedtube on the side you can extend teh travel, and you only need one leg, so why use two?

as for the 1.5. the headtube is the same, but the steerer is different. it is actually 1.56 so you can use a 1.5 fork in there but would need to use a different headset and stem. but otherwise it will work

Cannondale Lefty vs. any SC 20mm fork

Tube Smuggler

Monkey

Pourly Tatteued Jeu

Mushhead

Turbo Monkey

Tube Smuggler

Mushhead

Mushhead

back alley ripper

crappy

Turbo Monkey

Rusty Trombone

back alley ripper

Turbo Monkey

Turbo Monkey

Monkey

Turbo Monkey

Tube Smuggler

Pourly Tatteued Jeu

Tube Smuggler

Pourly Tatteued Jeu

Oink!

Turbo Monkey

Turbo Monkey

Monkey

Turbo Monkey

<b>x</b>

back alley ripper

Oink!

Turbo Monkey

Turbo Monkey

<b>x</b>

Turbo Monkey

Tube Smuggler

Oink!