Cannondale Taurine Bikes

The frame is very stiff and Light, it is a good climber but also very good for descents. The first thing everyone notices about the bike is the single fork..The Lefty. This fork design not only saves weight but gives the bike very precise handling just what I want on UCI rounds. The Lefty fork looks crazy but is incredibly stiff, with undeniably accurate tracking.

To talk techie for a minute the front end is heavily oversized for maximum stiffness, the rear triangle consists of shaped chain-stays and skinny seat-stays, to offer some comfort when in the saddle. Although whilst racing comfort isn't something that you think much about.

The groupset is SRAM XO system which as you would expect is reliable with smooth, consistent changes.

I run Mavic Crossmax SLR wheels with Schwalbe Ralph tubeless tyres. The set up is light and robust. The tyres are very good on dry fast terrain.

Mud clearance is ample with the stays bending around the Schwalbe tyres. Heel clearance was good too. Cable routing has all cables routing underneath the top tube and there are two bottle cage mounts. All the tube interfaces are very smooth.

This year I shall be running Hygia Usagi Hydraulic Brakes. These are new brakes to me but look rather cool being white in colour. My team mates have been testing them over the winter and tell me they are very good.

I am really looking forward to this season starting in late Feb in Cyprus. Keep up to date with the teams progress this year at Orange Monkey Racing Team

Living the Dream - Chris.