Sit on it and feel good: On no other bike in the test field was the feel-good factor as high as on the Flash from the very first few metres. The light-footed carbon wheels from Edge, the wide 70 mm handlebars and the balanced geometry all contribute to this. The steep 71.8 degree head angle is hardly noticeable, and the wide cockpit and 2.25 mm tyres make you feel safe and never at the limit on the descents. At the front, the 85 millimetre 1329 gram Lefty does an inconspicuous job and can be perfectly stiffened with Rock Shox's hydraulic lockout. The in-house seatpost also contributes to the successful overall appearance of the Flash, which provides a little comfort in contrast to the hard Fizik carbon saddle. However, one detail of the Flash does not fit into the image of the all-round carefree bike: the poorly spoked Edge carbon wheels. If you push the wheels to the side when stationary, the rim moves a few centimetres off centre - as soft as butter. Fortunately, this spongy feeling is not noticeable when riding. Thanks to the system integration of the stem and bottom bracket, Cannondale has reduced the weight to under 9 kilos.
ConclusionThe racing machine with a feel-good guarantee: apart from the Edge wheels and carbon saddle, the Flash is similar to the standard model with top equipment, but the riding characteristics are excellent.
Web: www.cannondale.com
