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@edscoble
Today is one of those day that people who work in the bike industry get to check out and ride new product, so I get to ride this Cannondale Slate.
It was pretty awesome, especially how light and agile it immediately felt after jumping on it, it's very likely given my history of riding on 650b tyres that I felt quite at home on the Slate.
The Lefty impress me greatly, it work so well, that I was happy to leave it unlock while riding on the road, it doesn't felt like a normal suspension, just a little amount of travel to take up the small imperfection that the Schwable G-One tyres didn't managed to, bit like @Smallfurry's Lefty on his fat bike, I'd says it's very much akin to a road version of a fat bike.
Off roading is equally impressive, while the grip on the 40mm G-One is lacking (probably the tiny tiny knob doesn't do much in muddy and rough environment), it climb and descend steep singletrack very well (the trade show is in Cannock Chase that have ample opportunity to try out several type of bicycles), and while doesn't feel as confident as a proper MTB, it felt much easier to ride than a cyclocross bike.
The 10-42 is perfect off road, on-road however is fine, but the lack of small jump can be off putting, especially the drastic jump to 10t that felt like going from 15t to 12t in one shift with a 52t chainring in comparison, felt very disconcerting and remind me of the old 5 speed touring freewheels.
Really enjoyed the SRAM braking and shifting, prefer it over the Shimano actually.
IMHO, Cannondale nailed it with the Slate, it's exactly what an adventure bike should be like, my only criticism is that the rear tyres clearance is surprisingly small and does not allow much room for mud to go through with the 40mmG-One.
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