2014 Cannondale F29 Carbon 3 // My new race bike

Getting a new bike is always very exciting. Getting something that I have been dreaming about since I started mountain biking is a whole new level. I am a very big fan of Cannondale bikes for a long time and finally the time has come for me to get my hands on one of their race hardtails, the F29 Carbon 3.

I was thinking about getting a 29er for a good while. Even though I was on a 27,5" bike for the last 6 months, but I made my decision and went for the big wheels.

The size small F29

This model is the first in Cannondale's Flash range that comes with a carbon fibre frame. I've had a carbon MTB before so I knew what to expect. Light, stiff, comfortable and not to forget the stunning design. 

The frame is a Ballestic carbon frame with Cannondale's own Speed Save design for increased comfort, with BB30 bottom bracket and 1,5" SI headtube for maximum handling precision. The cables aren't internal but that's ok with me, I prefer to have them nice and straight forward when it comes to maintenance.  

Great looking design

Now, that is a straight line!

Direct mount front mech design

Slim rear triangle for maximum comfort

The bike comes with a Lefty PBR fork that has 90 mm travel and was built with Hybrid Needle Bearing Technology. As we all know the Lefty fork is one of those things that create a huge difference of opinion between riders. Although it is out for 13 years and have had many generations over the years, riders still looking at it with a funny eye. Some riders just don't like it and some others (like myself) are do. They are light, stiff, smooth and look brilliantly unique. What's not to like? :) 

The Lefty PBR with the new plastic protector plate (nice touch Cannondale!)

The front wheel's soul is the Lefty specific hub that is being fitted to the fork with a single bolt

Rebound adjuster & lock-out on the top of the Lefty + the neath looking OPI stem

The specifacion of the bike really suits my taste since I'm a Sram guy myself. The X.7 shifters and X.9 derailleurs creating a good system with the PG 1030 10 speed casette (11-32T) and with the KMC X10 chain. It does what it's ment to be doing: works without hassle.

The Magura MT2 W/BAT brakes are great choice too. They are light and very powerful brakes with lever adjustibility. The bike comes with 160mm rotor on the back and 180mm on the front.

The tubeless ready wheels with ZTR Rapid 29er rims and X.9 rear and Lefty SL front hubs are built with 32 DT SWISS Competition spokes and got fitted with Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo 29x2.1 tyres. They are still running tubes but will be converted to tubeless asap. 

The final touches are the Cannondale C2 flat handlebar (700mm wide) and the C2 27.2mm x 400mm seatpost with my own Fi'zi:k Tundra saddle.

So, this is my new machine that I'll be riding from now on. Can't waith to ride this savage bike and I'm sure I will have countless hours of fun in the saddle. The funny thing is that I got back to my roots, I'm back on the hardtail again. Old habits die hard as they say! :)