By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BeFirsTrankBeFirsTrank
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Reading: Cannondale Slate review : first ride
Share
Aa
Aa
BeFirsTrankBeFirsTrank
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Search
  • Home
  • Car Reviews
  • Auto Shows
  • Bike Reviews
  • Future
  • New Car
  • Used Car
  • Contact Us !
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2023 BeFirsTrank News Network
Bike Reviews

Cannondale Slate review : first ride

anik
Last updated: 2016/01/24 at 3:19 PM
By anik 3 Min Read
Share
SHARE

Cannondale Slate review

So, my much-anticipated first few rides aboard Cannondale’s latest creation are under my belt, but what to make of a bike that has no clear identity? It’s the question I was asked most of all: what is it? Mostly followed by: is it a cyclo-cross bike? Or is that one of those ‘gravel bikes’? Cannondale’s answer to both would be, no. So what exactly is the Slate then?

First off, don’t be fooled by those tiny looking wheels shod with bulbous tyres. The 27.5inch wheel size (termed 650b) with the additional circumference added by the 42mm treads you’re losing nothing at all in terms of overall wheel size compared to a 700x23c. So once you’re up to speed you’ll feel like your zipping along just the same, although that said expect to expend a little more effort to get there and to maintain the speeds your used to as it’s no lightweight (our size large weighed in at 9.6kg).

I found to my further surprise that I was able to ride for the vast majority of the time with the front suspension setting ‘active’ as the Lefty fork did not wallow badly, even riding out of the saddle, and didn’t dive under braking either. When you do go off the beaten track or strike an unexpected pothole it comes into its own and you can really sense it working.

A bigger concern for me was that on more than one occasion whilst standing to tackle a steep gradient I clipped my knee on the back of the top mount of the Lefty, with enough force to nudge the steering and swerve a little. Worthy of mention, but hardly a deal breaker.

So the Slate is capable as a road machine, and although I have not yet ventured beyond just gravel paths and some of the rougher rural lanes that deepest Dorset has to offer, I’m keen to test its mettle in a more severe off road setting. The initial indications suggest it’s going to cope just fine. We don’t have the huge expanses of gravel roads to enjoy that they have in the US but nonetheless the Slate has got heaps of potential to be a great deal of fun. Which kind of brings us back full circle to that question over ‘what’s it for’ again?

I would say if you’re of the mindset to pigeonhole bikes into specific sectors then it’s hard to do that with the Slate. Better to forget all that and just think about the reasons why we love to ride bikes in the first instance – that very visceral enjoyment of being out into the great outdoors and riding a bike anywhere, just because you can. Like riding down stairs.

[“source-cyclist”]

You Might Also Like

Motor SRC 500 Review: A Powerful Cruiser

Super Power Dollar 70 vs Honda CD70 | Local vs. Japanese

Himiway A7 Ace Metropolitan Suburbanite e-bicycle survey

‘New’ Honda Disc 70 Dream 2025 – A Survey

1O Fascinating TRICYCLE Realities TO Knock YOUR Socks off!!

TAGGED: Cannondale Slate review, first ride
anik January 24, 2016
Share
Previous Article Best entry-level road bikes under $1000
Next Article Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 (2016) review

Calendar

June 2025
MTWTFSS
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30 
« May    

Latest Trending News

  • AI on Board: Your New Partner in Risk Reduction June 4, 2025
  • How the future will be altered by artificial intelligence May 27, 2025
  • Cybersecurity audit: what it is and why you need one? May 19, 2025
  • Over the Next Ten Years, the Used Car Industry May 8, 2025
  • Beyond the Map: What Modern Vehicle Tracking Can Do for Your Business May 3, 2025
  • What Should My Video Game Room Have? April 28, 2025
  • Personalized advertising fuels growth and drives competitiveness for European businesses April 28, 2025

© 2023 Befirstrank News Network. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?