With its balanced chassis and sporty riding position, the Cannondale "Rize Carbon 3" put a smile on the faces of the testers. It fits perfectly into this class. The Cannondale engineers have introduced a new bonding technique with this frame. In the main frame, an aluminium seat tube is bonded to the front frame triangle made of carbon. The materials are also combined on the rear triangle: The aluminium chainstay is supported by carbon struts on the damper linkage. The effect: on the scales, the "Rize" beats the competition by a long way. The stiffness-to-weight ratio is excellent and the bike leaves a thoroughly positive impression on the downhill. Thanks to the slack head angle, the short stem and the wide handlebars, the Cannondale follows every steering angle precisely.
The "Nobby Nic" tubeless tyres from Schwalbe certainly play a large part in this. The Fox fork harmonises perfectly with the sensitive chassis. There is little bobbing caused by chain tension. The drop on the fork is a great help on steep ramps. The design is individual and appealing. The white "Juicy 7" brakes are a real eye-catcher. A faux pas, however, is the lack of a quick-release saddle.
CONCLUSIONS: The "Rize Carbon 3" delivers a successful performance in terms of riding and looks. It fits perfectly into the all-mountain class. Due to a broken frame tube during the measurements, we award the BIKE judgement with reservations.
TUNING TIP: Always fit quick-release saddle clamps.
Homepage: www.cannondale.com
