Cannondale Taurine Bikes

Here's some information about the Cannondale Taurine, which can obviously be equipped in different ways. As you can see this one has some changes over what you would find as standard in the shops.

My name is Chris Andrews and I have ridden in the Elite MTB Cross Country class for just over one year. I had a very good first year in Elite and so this winter has seen me take on the gym, loose a few pounds, and work on core fitness so that I can hit the ground running this spring. This year sees my first attack at the UCI rounds in Cyprus, Britain and Belgium (and Germany) as well as all the National series in the UK. My aim is to get into the top 10 on National rounds and pick up UCI points on International rounds.

I ride a Cannondale Taurine for the Orange Monkey Racing Team. It is a Carbon no-frills, race ready 20lb high speed hard tail, the Taurine is built for the pursuit of speed.

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.