Cannondale Bicycle Corporation

The company was founded in 1971 ^{[1] by} Joseph Montgomery ^[2] , Jim Catrambon and Ron Davis. Initially, the company produced backpacks and clothes for cyclists, and later began to manufacture a trailer for tourist bicycles, designed to transport children ^{[3] [4]} . This trailer called Bugger (can be translated as "wretch", "sly") was very popular ^[4] . In 1983, the company began production of road and touring, and a year later, mountain bicycles .

In the late 1990s , Cannondale presented a line of ATVs and motorbikes for motocross ^[5] . However, this almost led the company to collapse ^[6] . As director of the company Tom Armstrong pointed out in his interview: “We could not reduce the cost of our products quickly enough, and although sales were increasing, the company was losing money on every motorcycle sold.” In 2003, the current situation forced the company to seek protection against bankruptcy through the sale of the motor-building department ^[5] .

Today Cannondale produces various types of bicycles, including high-end ones. The company specializes in the production of frames from aluminum alloys , as well as from carbon fiber (carbon), in the manufacturing technologies of which they are pioneers ^[2] . The frames were originally manufactured at the factory in Bedford , PA ^[7] , but in 2010 all capacities were transferred to Taichung , Taiwan ^[3] . Some non-manufacturing processes, such as the assembly and test shops, remained in Bedford, and were finally postponed only in 2015 .

The company got its name from the Cannondale station located in Wilton the Metro-North Railroad railway network ^[4] .

Cannondale, being initially private, became public in 1995 , and after an initial public offering was valued at $ 22 million. The company remained public until it declared bankrupt on January 29, 2003 . The full assets were acquired by Pegasus Capital Advisors ^[6] . Motorcycle manufacturing equipment was soon sold out, and the company again focused on the production of bicycles. In February 2008, Dorel Industries acquired Cannondale for approximately $ 200 million ^{[8] [9]} . Dorel, as well as a subsidiary of Pacific Cycle , which is also a distributor of the bicycle brands Schwinn , Mongoose , Roadmaster and GT , are moving production to the People's Republic of China and Taiwan .

The company produces more than 80 models of bicycles, including walking, city, children’s, highway, mountain, specialized (in particular, bicycles for the police), etc., as well as clothes and shoes for cycling, suspension forks, spare parts and accessories for bicycles ^{[ 9]} .

CAAD Technology

The first aluminum road bike frame was released by Cannondale in 1983 ^[10] . Its cost was $ 350, a plug was also included in the kit. The fork was metal and had stiffening ribs, as well as a thread. The frame was distinguished by a wider lower and steering pipes. The seatpost frame and feathers of the rear triangle had an oval and curved shape for better cushioning. Unlike steel frames, the aluminum frame did not have adapter pipes. Her pipes were welded to each other through a wide weld , and then subjected to heat treatment. The first frames were available in two colors: red and white, and were painted with DuPont Imron paint. Cannondale becomes the first mass manufacturer of aluminum alloy frames.

In 1992, Cannondale launched the "2.8" series frame, made using CAD (computer aided design - computer aided design) , which allowed the release of a frame weighing 2.8 pounds , or 1.27 kg. In the same year, an all-aluminum 1.25-inch standard plug was manufactured. The company marks CAAD (Cannondale Advanced Aluminum Design) aluminum bicycles from the series released a little later. In 1997, the CAAD3 was released, which was an advanced 2.8-series bike. The CAAD4 model was distinguished by S-shaped upper feathers, which made the bike more comfortable.

Currently ( 2018 ), the Cannondale CAAD12 is available. The weight of the frame is 1100 grams ^[11] .

Carbon Frames

The Six13 model ( Carboneum [carbon] - the 6th [Sixth] element in the periodic table , Aluminum [aluminum] - the 13th element, hence the name) was introduced in 2004 ; the front triangle of the frame was made of carbon fiber, and the rear one was made of aluminum alloy ^{[12] [13]} . This arrangement was contrary to the practice of bicycle construction, where the rear triangle was usually carbon, and the front triangle was aluminum. It should also be noted that the International Cyclists Union ( UCI ) has set a lower limit for bike weight at 6.8 kg (14.97 pounds ) ^[14] . Cannondale used this restriction in their advertising campaign: riders rode in a uniform resembling a prison robe, with the slogan: “Legalize my Cannondale”, as some models weighed less than the established limit ^[14] . Later, the layout technology of the aluminum and carbon frames was applied when releasing the bike for separate start and triathlon .

In 2005, Cannondale announced the first all-carbon Synapse bike.

The Cannondale SystemSix, which debuted in 2007 , was essentially an advanced version of the Six13 bike. The entire front triangle, including the enlarged and asymmetric steering column, was made of carbon fiber. At the same time, the Pennsylvania plant had to be suspended in order to train employees and set up new equipment for the complex process of manufacturing carbon frames. Also, new equipment allowed to create a fully carbon frame, which was presented in the SuperSix model.

For 2008, Cannondale produced SystemSix and Six13 models with a rear aluminum and front carbon triangle. SuperSix and Synapse are the first American-made all-carbon road bikes.

In tests conducted and published by the Giant bicycle company in 2012 , Cannondale SuperSix took first place for the greatest stiffness of the carriage assembly when pedaling, as well as second place in the absolute torsional stiffness indicator ^[15] .

From 2011 to 2015 , the SuperSix EVO was the world's lightest mass production frame. Her weight was 695 grams ^[16] .

To date, Cannondale offers many models with a full carbon frame - both among road and mountain bikes. Among them: SuperSix, Synapse, SuperX, Slice, Habit, Scalpel, F-Si, Trigger, Jekyll, Quick.

Depreciation

Cannondale also develops shock absorbing forks. In 1992, the company introduced a fork of an unusual design called Fatty (“Fatty”; the name is explained by the fact that an extended steering cup is required to install this fork) ^{[13] [17]} . While manufacturers of shock absorbing forks made every effort to achieve greater torsional rigidity from the traditional design with sliding bearings in each of the two “legs”, the developers of Cannondale created a fork with a shock absorber inside the steering glass of the frame. A design called HeadShok (translated as “shock absorber in the steering wheel”) included needle bearings, which reduced friction and increased the smoothness of the shock absorber. Due to the fact that the legs of the forks did not have moving parts, Fatty became one of the toughest to twist shock absorbing forks ^[18] .

The desire and need to increase the stroke of the front shock absorber led to the fact that it had to be removed from the steering tube of the frame ^[18] . So in 1996 a prototype Lefty fork (“Left-handed”) appeared, which was distinguished by the presence of only one leg (left). However, the lack of good disc brakes forced the company to postpone the production of Lefty.

In 1999, the Lefty fork was re-introduced, and in 2000 the first bicycles equipped with a one-leg cushioned fork were released ^[18] ; The advantages of the one-legged design include lower weight - due to fewer parts - and an increased mud gap. Lefty's overall stiffness is also higher than other forks of the same class; this is due to the inverted device — a pipe of a larger diameter is located in the zone of greater deformation — and also with a two-crown structure ^[19] .

In 2013, Lefty was updated: part of the needle bearings (in the lower part of the fork) was replaced by a plain bearing ^[19] . The model was called Lefty Hybrid. A shift axle appeared on some forks, which varied from 50 to 60 mm in 5 mm increments, depending on the model of bike on which the Lefty was mounted. The distance between the mounting clamps (fork crowns) can also vary: it can be 97, 110, 120, 134 and 163 mm, depending on the type and size of the frame. The principle of development and adaptation of several components at once, in this case, frames and forks, is called Si (System Integration) ^[20] .

In 2018, the fork design underwent major changes again: the fork became single-sided, winning in weight but losing in rigidity. Also now it does not require a special steering glass. The model is called Lefty Ocho ("Ocho" in Spanish - "eight"; this is the eighth generation of Lefty) ^{[21] [22] [23]} .

The Lefty range includes the following forks:

• Lefty Hybrid 2.0 Carbon, 29 "/27.5", 100mm, XLR Isolated Damper Technology, XC + tune, X-Loc / X-Loc Full Sprint remote, 50 / 55mm offset;
• Lefty Hybrid 2.0 OPI, 29 "/27.5", 100mm, PBR Isolated Damper Technology, XC + tune, 50 / 55mm offset;
• Lefty Hybrid 2.0 Carbon, 120mm, XLR Isolated Damper Technology, Trail + tune, X-Loc Full Sprint remote, 50 / 55mm offset;
• Lefty Hybrid 2.0 OPI, 120 / 130mm, PBR Isolated Damper Technology, Trail + tune, 50 / 55mm offset;
• Lefty SuperMax 2.0 27.5 ", PBR Isolated Damper Technology, Enduro + tune, 50 mm ofsett 140/160 mm travel;
• Lefty Oliver Carbon w / PBR, 30mm Travel, 45mm off-set (for Slate model);
• Lefty Olaf, 100mm, PBR Isolated Damper Technology with Enduro + tune and updated controls, 60mm offset (Fat CAAD 1)
• Lefty Ocho: 100mm, an updated model, presented in 2018. ^{[21] [22]} .

The Lefty fork is mounted on middle and high class bikes. From the factory, it is equipped only for Cannondale bicycles, however, there are adapters for installation on frames of other manufacturers ^[24] . The exception is Lefty Ocho - it will be sold separately, and adapters are not required for its installation ^[23] .

Cannondale claims that the Lefty Hybrid 2.0 fork and Lefty SuperMax 2.0 are at least 6% ahead of competitors in both absolute terms of total stiffness (torsional stiffness + longitudinal stiffness + stiffness under lateral load) and weight-to-stiffness ratios ^[25] .

Other components

In 1992, bicycles equipped with a Fatty fork used an increased standard for the steering tube (1.5 inch diameter). Only in 2001, the standard of 1.5 inches was widespread among other manufacturers. ^[26]

In 1994, Cannondale launched a connecting rod called CODA MAGIC CRANK. These were the first hollow connecting rods in the world. The carriage shaft was enlarged, and the carriage itself consisted of two remote cups with bearings. After almost 10 years, Shimano also began to manufacture hollow connecting rods and use remote bearings in the carriage; this type of connecting rod is called Hollowtech / Hollowtech II. Later, other manufacturers began to manufacture hollow connecting rods. The weight of the road kit (56/44, 175 mm) of the CODA MAGIC CRANK was 527 grams, excluding the carriage weight ^[27] , which is 106 grams lighter than the 2013 Shimano Dura Ace 9000 (52/39, 172.5 mm) model, without carriage accounting ^[28] .

In 2000, Cannondale introduced the new Si Hollowgram connecting rods, which were developed in conjunction with the BB30 ^{[29] [30]} standard carriage assembly and CAAD6 frame.

The BB30 carriage standard was provided free of charge for use by other manufacturers. Today, this standard is supported by many bicycle manufacturers. The number 30 means the diameter of the inner part of the bearing and shaft in millimeters. Due to the large diameter of the shaft, it became possible to use aluminum as a material, which makes the structure harder and lighter. Also, the BB30 standard assumes the absence of cups, which also positively affects weight savings. Initially, carbon and aluminum versions of the Hollowgram connecting rods were made. To date, the weight of the Hollowgram SiSL2 kit (50/34, 172.5 mm) is 484 grams without taking into account the weight of the bearings ^[31] , which makes these rods one of the lightest in the world. Multiple tests show that, despite their low weight, these connecting rods also have some of the largest stiffness ratios ^[32] .

Cannondale's sponsorship of the top road cycling division began with a contract with the Saeco team in the late 1990s; Team racer Mario Cipollini scored 4 victories in the Tour de France in 1999. The team won a total of 5 times the Giro d'Italia : in 1997 - with Ivan Gotti, in 2003 - with Gilberto Simoni , in 2004 - with Damiano Kunogo . In 2005, the Saeco team broke off sponsorship agreements with Cannondale and was renamed Lampre-Caffita. In 2007, the company became the sponsor of the Liquigas team, which won the Giro d'Italia with Danilo Di Luca in 2007 and with Ivan Basso in 2010. In 2011, the team acquired the name Liquigas-Cannondale. In parallel, the company sponsors the Barloworld team at the Tour de France in 2007 and the Bahati Foundation team in 2010.

In the mountain bike, Cannondale sponsored the team Cannondale-Vredestein (Formerly Volvo / Cannondale), Bear Naked / Cannondale (formerly SoBe / Cannondale) and numerous individual riders, including US champion Tinky Juarez. Many eminent riders have competed in teams sponsored by Cannondale, including world champions Ann-Carolyn Chausson and Mellis Jive, Olympic silver medalist and world champion Alison Sidar, bronze medalist Christoph Sauser, Brian Lopez, Kadel Evans , Martin Ashton, Aedon Chadon, Aedon Chadon, Aedon Chadron Garcia, Roel Paulisen, Manuel Fumik, Frederic Kesyakof, Marco Fontana and the 2013 world champion in the Enduro series Jerome Clementz ^[33] .

In the triathlon for Cannondale, Faris Al-Sultan ( Faris Al-Sultan ), who won the World Cup in 2005 and the champion of Croatia Dejan Patrčević ( Dejan Patrčević ). Also at Cannondale were Chrissie Wellington and Sarah Reinertsen, who had won the Ironman World Champion three times.

At the time of January 1, 2016, Cannondale is the sponsor of the following teams and racers:

• Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (Road Cycling, Professional Team)
• TEAM 3M (Road Cycling, Continental Team)
• Cannondale Factory Racing ( Mountain Bike )
• Stans No Tubes ( Mountain Bike , Women)
• Sho-Air Cannondale (Mountain Bike)
• Cannondale OverMountain (Enduro)
• Cannondale p / b CyclecrossWorld ( Velocross )
• MICHELLE VESTERBY, ANDI DREITZ, VICTOR DEL CORRAL ( Triathlon )

Cannondale is a numerous winner in various competitions in the categories: design, innovation, technology and the best bike of the year.

Among other victories:

• Innovation Publisher's Award for Innovation by Bicycling Magazine;
• “Technological Development of the Year Award” from VeloNews magazine;
• "Best of New"; "Best Of What's New" from Popular Science ;
• "Best New Products of the Year Award" from Business Week ;
• “Design Recognition Award” from ID magazine;
• “Computer-Aided Design Award” from Design News;
• “Design and Engineering Award” from Popular Mechanics ;
• Gold medal in the nomination "Best Bike of the Year" in the "road bikes" category at EuroBike 2011. Model SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD. ^[34]
• Gold medal in the nomination "Best Bike of the Year" in the "road bikes" category at EuroBike 2012. Model SuperSix EVO NANO. ^[35]
• “Best Bike” at Eurobike 2014, in the category “City Bike”, model Contro 1. ^[36]
• Gold medal in the nomination "Best Bike of the Year" at the Eurobike 2015 exhibition, in the "Road bike" category. Model Slate CX1. ^[37]
• "Bicycle of the year" (March 11, 2014) according to the online publisher BikeRadar , model Cannondale Synapse 5. ^[38]
• "Interbike Bicycle of the Year" (September 21, 2015) at Inerbike . Model SuperSix Evo Force Racing Edition. ^[39]
• "TOP BIKE" 2016 according to the online publisher Bikeexchange in the "Highway" category. Model Cannondale Supersix Evo Black Inc. ^[40]
• "The best road bike of the year", 2015, model SuperSix Evo HM according to Velonews magazine. ^[41]
• Winner in the nomination "Climbing the mountain. The lightest bike of 2016 ”according to the Cycleweekly columnist. Model Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod. ^[42]
• "TOP BIKE" 2016 according to the online publisher Bikeexchange in the "Hardtail" category. Model Cannondale F-Si29 Black Inc. ^[43]
• "Best Bicycle" in the " Mountain Bike " category at BikeMotion 2014. Cannondale F-Si29. ^[44]
• "Bike of the Year 2014/2015" according to the Road.cc weblog . Model Synapse Ultegra Disc. ^[45]

Cannondale Mountain Biking has won 11 World Championships, 17 World Cups, 16 National Championships and two Olympic Gold Medals. In road cycling, Cannondale riders won more than 10 stages of the Tour de France , more than 30 stages in the Giro d'Italia , scored 5 victories in the Giro d'Italia in the overall standings, including the World Championship among Professionals.

• Cannondale site
• BB30 standart site
• The official importer of Cannondale bicycles in Minsk, Belarus
• Cannondale website in Russian