How can you improve a bike that has already confidently won the Enduro World Cup? Cannondale responds to this challenge with a completely redesigned Jekyll. The main differences of the new trail artist: 27.5-inch wheels, more travel at the rear, a Lefty fork that has been strengthened to 160 millimetres, revised geometry and a fluffier shock setup.
The result? Despite the increased suspension travel, Jérôme Clementz's new workhorse does not lose any of its all-round quality. Weighing just 12.35 kilos in the Team version and with a rear suspension that can be tightened using the remote lever, the drive-neutral Jekyll climbs as confidently as ever. Even in open damper mode, the rear suspension works powerfully without annoying pumping. At the front, the Lefty, which has grown to 160 millimetres for the first time (1938 g), ensures a noticeably high level of stiffness and is super precise to steer. Compared to the easily adjustable rear triangle with positive and negative chambers and other top forks on the market, however, the Lefty could react a little more actively to subtleties and be a little more solid in its travel. Compared to the general trend of increasingly slack head angles, Cannondale insists on a rather steep 67 degrees, emphasising the bike's touring genes.
If you're looking for maximum smoothness and super-smooth suspension, the Jekyll is not for you, even if there's no question that you can go extremely fast on this bike, both uphill and downhill.
Conclusion Sporty, lightweight enduro bike with a wide range of uses and full touring capability. More of an enduro all-rounder than a proven downhill specialist.
PLUS Light overall weight and lightweight frame (2286 g), high system rigidity, variable, drive-neutral rear triangle
MINUS Fork could be more sensitive and lively, relatively steep steering angle for a bike of this class
