Cannondale Trail SL 1

The 2024 Cannondale Trail SL 1 is a high-quality mountain bike, available at a price of 1,799 EUR. The bike’s frame is made from the new Smartform C2 Alloy and features SAVE-dropped seat stays, a tapered head tube and a post-mount disc brake mount. Internal cable routing is provided by the StraightShot system, ensuring a clean, tidy look.

For the braking system, Cannondale has opted for Shimano hydraulic disc brakes (MT400) with 160 mm RT30 rotors at the front and rear. The brake levers are also from Shimano and deliver reliable braking performance in a wide range of conditions. The groupset is from SRAM and is the 12-speed NX Eagle model. The shifter is also the SRAM NX Eagle, enabling precise and rapid gear changes.

The suspension fork is a RockShox Reba RL with 100 mm of travel, Solo Air technology and a 15x110 mm thru-axle system. It also features a remote lockout and a tapered steerer tube with a 51 mm offset. The bottom bracket is a Truvativ Power Spline, whilst the crankset is a SRAM SX Eagle with 30 teeth. The cassette is also from SRAM (SX Eagle) and offers a range of 11–50 teeth.

The handlebars are FSA Alloy Riser, 760 mm wide with a 15 mm rise, providing a comfortable and controlled riding position. The grips are Cannondale Locking Grips, which provide extra grip. The stem is a Cannondale 3 with Intellimount functionality and a 31.8 mm clamp. The headset consists of integrated, sealed bearings and is tapered.

The rims are WTB STX i23 TCS, tubeless-compatible and fitted with 32 spokes. The tyres are Schwalbe Rocket Rick in size 29x2.25" with K-Guard technology, which ensures good grip and puncture protection. The hubs are Shimano MT400 models with thru-axles (15x110 mm at the front and 12x148 mm at the rear), and the spokes are made of 14g stainless steel.

The saddle is a Cannondale Ergo XC, which offers comfort on long rides. The seatpost is a Cannondale 3 made from 6061 aluminium, measuring 31.6x350 mm for size SM and 31.6x400 mm for sizes MD to XL.

Overall, the Cannondale Trail SL 1 offers a balanced combination of high-quality components and well-thought-out design, making it an excellent choice for ambitious mountain bikers.