This fork is insane… a leaf spring “lefty” with mind-blowing performance (it’s super sensitive)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2024
  • Let's examine four new suspension innovations for bicycles (Cannondale Lefty, Motion La City, Lauf Grit & HiRide Sterra). 📘 The Bikepacking Bike Buyer's Guide: www.cyclingabout.com/bikepack...
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    0:00 - Intro
    1:29 - Why should a bike use suspension?
    3:20 - Cannondale Lefty
    7:12 - Motion La City
    9:23 - Lauf Grit SL
    11:36 - Hiride Sterra
    14:15 - Summary
  • วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี

ความคิดเห็น • 250

  • @Cyclingabout
    @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +72

    When people ask you why you bought a Lefty, you should just tell them there was a sale, and it was half-off! 🥁😅
    Add your best Lefty joke below ⬇⬇⬇

    • @StanEby1
      @StanEby1 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Lol. Brilliant.

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      with a lefty, nobody will steal your bike.

    • @amitkumar-wj8gn
      @amitkumar-wj8gn 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

      Someone asked me how communist I was. I told them even my fork is "Lef-T"

    • @jamescourier1545
      @jamescourier1545 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I always ask "dude, what happened to your fork?!?! 😁

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      The V brake for lefty is also half the price

  • @AluinKali
    @AluinKali 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +174

    As a previous owner of a lefty personally I can’t recommend it. While it is a really fun and responsive fork the big caveat is that it’s a proprietary product that is incompatible with loads if standardised bike parts. I sold mine because there was absolutely no way to have my lefty fork serviced where I live which makes it pretty much unusable in the long term. It’s a great piece of technology but it’s proprietary nature makes the fork a big liability in my point of view.

    • @SurpriseMeJT
      @SurpriseMeJT 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +33

      Bingo. If I cannot fix it myself, I won't buy it unless it's cheap and easy to replace. I do agree that they feel awesome however.

    • @randallgd
      @randallgd 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      Agreed so many reasons why they are not the way to go

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

      The servicing issue certainly confines the Cannondale Lefty to a limited audience. I'm quite excited about the new Motion suspension strut (and similar designs that come from it) due to the lack of servicing.

    • @thenormalberries6767
      @thenormalberries6767 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

      There are multiple places all over the country where they can be sent in and rebuilt ❤

    • @danwebber9494
      @danwebber9494 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Owning a Cannondale is like owning a Volvo. Great when it’s new, sell it before it’s 2 years old and you have to do significant maintenance

  • @Zyzzyx42
    @Zyzzyx42 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +20

    Thank you for giving the Lauf a bit of coverage. Have had one on my gravel bike for ~6 months now, love it. Certainly does not handle big hits on the singletrack but rocky roads at speed, does great. Have it paired with an eesilk+ seatpost. Sometimes I think its not doing too much then I go ride my previous, full rigid gravel bike. Ouch, yeah... I'll keep the Lauf.

  • @michaelskinner3067
    @michaelskinner3067 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    As always Mr CyclingAbout, this video presented the information in a way that was a pleasure to learn. Excellent.

  • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
    @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    the big problem with the lefty is that you have to take off the brake to take off the wheel.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      The latest Leftys use new "StopLock" brake mounts that lets you remove the entire caliper by turning a 5mm hex bolt 180-degrees. It provides perfect alignment when you reinstall the mount. 👍🏻

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Cyclingabout ok but it's not as simple as a 2 legs fork. Complicated system bring complicated mechanics. Try riding a bike with one arm and you'll understand why the Lefty isn't as good as a normal fork.

  • @StanEby1
    @StanEby1 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

    With each new video, I'm always fascinated to find out what has been on your exhaustive mind since the last. I'm old and slow to catch on. So I'm still exploring head tube suspension. But you've given me some new and fascinating things to mull. Thanks, and all the best.

  • @tsipfi
    @tsipfi 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very interesting topic with excellent analysis Solved many queries for me. Excellent job

  • @charlesblithfield6182
    @charlesblithfield6182 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    The HiRide fork reminds me of my 2004 Ultra Fatty HeadShok on my 2004 Bad Boy Gargoyle edition. I ride it almost exclusively on gravel trails and the ride is harsh [aluminium frame] when locked out but smooth as anything when open. The shock is at the junction of the head tube with a flexible collar. I lubricate the needle bearings and just pump it up in spring going on 19 years. I put 650b wheels and 2.3 inch tires on it, stock wheels are ridiculously thin 700C with 25mm tires.

  • @sisaktamas
    @sisaktamas 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I’ve long been fascinated by lefty, it’s just the kind of technological innovation we’d need more around the bikes. Having said that if I’d ever have a mtb again, it’d be a Cannondale with headshok and the blue Volvo paintjob for aesthetics.

  • @lepsielogo2733
    @lepsielogo2733 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I adore my Lefty Oliver on the Slate, the very same model you rode in your video. I got a cobblestone street right where I live - with the Slate, I can virtually fly over it. And I share your thoughts on the Lefty being just as stiff as a normal fork on tarmac. I just leave it open 95% of my rides., regardless of the terrain.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      The Slate was so ahead of its time. I rode it in fast bunch rides and then went out and completed multiple 1000km long off-road trails on it - the Oliver made all the difference. If the XL wasn't a bit too small for me, I would've kept it.

    • @avinalarff
      @avinalarff 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Got a Slate too, great bike. I was lucky perhaps to get mine after Cannondale had worked out what to do with it. Gone was the 2-by at the front, the 2019 model had a single at the front and a cassette with a good range. Perfect for gravel.

  • @djl1228
    @djl1228 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Excellent video! Super informative. I found your comparison of different technology especially helpful. I was quite surprised by your comparison of the open rigid fork with the Lauf. I ride an open wide so glad to hear I have such a compliant fork.

  • @manu.yt25
    @manu.yt25 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Great video. Unfortunately, as long as these design won't be copied by larger scale manufacturers into cheaper consumer products, I doubt they will leave their niche market anytime soon.

  • @user-do5hd7zb4x
    @user-do5hd7zb4x 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you! Most greatful!

  • @bushflyr7335
    @bushflyr7335 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Nice little mention of the Motion fork. As an owner of 2 Motion E18's I have to say they're absolutely incredible. My only gripe is that that they're not in production anymore and I can't get stiffer leafs to better suit my fat ass. :)

  • @pyzik200
    @pyzik200 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I saw something the other day that looked like the Lauf. I'd never seen anything like it before and crazy that this video was just recommended to me by TH-cam!

  • @christill
    @christill 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I’ve always been fascinated by it as well, and never understood why it didn’t catch on.

    • @stephenturcot
      @stephenturcot 18 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      The number of people that assumed mine was somehow unsafe, was wild. I think it's just too different for people unfortunately. I loved mine and was shocked at how normal forks bind under load after using a Lefty.

  • @carnicer78
    @carnicer78 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    amazing, super informative video - a must-see

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Glad you think so!

  • @Guesswhokk
    @Guesswhokk 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Headshok, Lefty, Futureshock, Pacific Reach mini Trailing Link, Lauf fork, Motion France, Pantour Hub, Stem Suspension, loopwheels. All uses small travel, light weight and design to take out vibration / bumps when tyres could not.
    But never heard of "Hiride Sterra"

  • @wtell4436
    @wtell4436 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I wonder if the air suspension seals' friction issue can be solved by using am airtight rubber bellow and eliminating the seals altogether? That's how lorry suspensions do it.

  • @Rides_of_the_BumbleBee
    @Rides_of_the_BumbleBee 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My Topstone Lefty 100% agrees with the content of this video.❤

  • @popejbryant
    @popejbryant 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    My Slate is my forever bike. Love that lefty

  • @paul5683
    @paul5683 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Cannondale made that Stera design fork already, they called it the headshock . It came on a road bike and some city bikes too. Another Cannondale product that didn't catch on or maybe Cannondale gave up on it too soon. I think they were trying to make a motorcycle at the same time.

  • @kevinburke6743
    @kevinburke6743 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I was giving directions to Traveller! I said "straight over roundabout! Oh, & take the right fork!

  • @muzzarobbo
    @muzzarobbo 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Always love your vids!
    Would be cool to also include longer travel linkage front suspension like that from Structure Cycleworks.
    Im going to build a frame that has mode decoupled suspension where one shock is for pitch and the other for heave, i already designed and built a system for a university team car that was based on cane creek air shocks.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I've been keeping a close eye on Structure Cycleworks, as I think they are really onto something. Keep me in the loop about your frame/suspension system!

  • @MrMartinSchou
    @MrMartinSchou 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    First time I saw this it made me wonder if you could do similar for the rear wheel. That could get rid of the issue that belt drives have where you currently have to have a specific frame for it.

    • @teabagNBG
      @teabagNBG 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      some 90s mtbs had suspension in the seat and chain stays...

  • @ashpunting
    @ashpunting 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I've just bought the Evisid shock observing handlebar stem witch comes with 4 interchangeable shock springs from soft to head and to my surprise work really well on roads and gravel to go on my BMX Electric Zooz bike 👏🏽👍🏼😊

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I'd really like to try the Evosid stem! It looks like it'd do very well in the CyclingAbout Comfort Lab tests. 😎

  • @arfarzam
    @arfarzam 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Very well done as always. Bushings on suspension forks are so stupid when we can have needle bearings.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Suspension forks use bushings for a reason! Achieving a tight tolerance and mirror finish on two shafts (and a few sets of bushings) is relatively easy and cheap too.
      In comparison, it's very challenging (or rather cost-prohibitive) to run sets of needle bearings on two keyed stanchions. This is due to the alignment between both legs which needs to be near-perfect in multiple axes, with very tight manufacturing tolerance. If the manufacturer doesn't get this right, the product can end up with additional friction and potential binding.
      I can't imagine we'll ditch bushings in suspension forks anytime soon.

    • @mikekrasovec6390
      @mikekrasovec6390 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Cyclingabout agreed. I'd also add that a standard suspension fork with bushings is considerably cheaper and easier to service. Cannondale came out with the headshock (which was arguably copied from the action-tec proshock released in 1991) released in 1992. The fact is that bushings work good enough for pros to win in the most extreme races in the world under every weather condition. Reliably. They can also be easily serviced at anywhere that works on bike suspension. Most businesses which service mtb suspension can't or don't want to service a lefty (or headshock). Think of all of the little parts to fall and roll into hidden crevices on the other side of the shop under furniture - or with 2 fork legs you can use bushings and it'll work great and avoid the headaches. Also if you really want a super supple suspension air is not what you want - coil is the answer.

  • @ericpmoss
    @ericpmoss 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    For mediocre roads (but not rough gravel), you might enjoy riding a Moulton NS. It uses rubber in torsion to provde ~30mm travel with zero stiction, and excellent high frequency damping (at least, by my wrists' estimation). It also is basically maintenance-free aside from wipe-downs and keeping bolts torqued (LocTite red fixes that). The one trouble you'll have is finding one to try that is set up for a very tall person.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I would love to try a Moulton NS! I had a very close look at the NS Safari at Eurobike... fingers crossed I can test one soon.

  • @CT37BN
    @CT37BN 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I'd rather have a slightly heavy bike with a suspension fork and seatpost at least than a full rigid bicycle.
    Great video presentation.🚴So very informative👌

  • @Tom-ol9em
    @Tom-ol9em 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Love the technical breakdown of your bike science videos & confirming my 2018 Specialized Diverge with a future shock!!! 😎 I've learned tons from you over the years. Always informative and interesting bike videos!!

  • @brainthesizeofplanet
    @brainthesizeofplanet 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    When will the lefty patent end?
    I once a had HeadShock which also had roller bearing and it was way more responsive than any other fork

  • @sueneilson896
    @sueneilson896 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    You made no mention of Cannondales use of headtube mounted shock forks way back at the start in the pre-lefty 90s. A sound idea ready to be rediscovered.

  • @diyathomevn
    @diyathomevn 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great. .Add your best jokes about being left-handed below, So cool, I want to buy one to try, 👏 👏 👏

  • @EvdL3101
    @EvdL3101 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It is noted that car wheels are also suspended from one side only
    However, the second "fork" arm on a bike is very easy to make, with a superb addition to the stiffness of the axle. Any design for a lefty one arm fork can easily be improved by a second arm on the other side, with a gain in weight as a result.
    It looks cool though.

  • @bikemattic
    @bikemattic 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cannondale's Headshock and the Action-Tec suspension - inside the headtube designs from the early 1990s - both worked very well.

  • @AFV85
    @AFV85 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just really the same as what cannon had years ago be interested to try that central fork susp to my old xc cannondale with it!

  • @downallyourstreets
    @downallyourstreets 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My Lefty is the best, I have the the tools, the know how to maintain them and extra dampers which I still haven’t needed. 1150 grams for unmatched stiffness and 110mm travel. These forks are bombproof up to about 2012. When they went hybrid the game was over. Headshoks are killer too!

  • @drill_fiend1097
    @drill_fiend1097 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The problem is proprietary parts. That kills it.

  • @christopherviers8302
    @christopherviers8302 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I am not an engineer, but it seems that the 'lefty' would put an uneven loading weight/ pressure on the hub's bearings versus a normal pair of forks...? Also, I noticed that none of the lefties I viewed had a rack available for a pair of front panniers... That is a deal-breaker for me, personally...

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      The inner and outer bearings are different sizes to compensate for the uneven loading.

    • @christopherviers8302
      @christopherviers8302 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for the reply - much appreciated...!!!@@Cyclingabout

  • @liamredmill9134
    @liamredmill9134 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing fork design's,would be interesting to see this on a super light /springy titanium hardtail with belt drive.this theoretically offer's storage functionality possibilities ,,with folding bike concept's ,,going further than folding handle bar's,with the wheel off someone could invent foldable versions of this style of forks

  • @fademasterfade227
    @fademasterfade227 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just touring in remote parts of Africa - no problem I'll research and create this crazy informative video...

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I've been given way too much time to think... 😅

  • @stephenturcot
    @stephenturcot 18 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Love the lefty coverage and would like to hear your take on long travel lefties. I had one on my old XC bike (80mm) and having moved to Fox 34 Factory I miss it. It was the better fork by fork by far in my opinion. Although, I never maintained it so I cannot speak about maintenance. If I bought the Ocho I would make sure to buy tools and servicing items for the life of the fork up front. Servicing doesn't look like it's very difficult outside of some specialized tools. Cannondale frames are built terribly, they really have earned the "Crack-&-Fail" dig, but I have to say, the lefty is the exception.

  • @robertokeefe101
    @robertokeefe101 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Excellent video, well researched and one to watch again. I ❤ the lefty but I can’t bring myself to buy something that’s so difficult to have serviced. The Lauf is an interesting proposition, near zero maintenance and lightweight for a bouncy fork. Does anyone have experience living with a Lauf?

    • @cccpkingu
      @cccpkingu 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Laufs are great. I also have a lefty, and it isn't all rosy.

    • @mikekrasovec6390
      @mikekrasovec6390 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Lauf forks are great for trail buzz and being lightweight. When pushing the bike on rough terrain it's noodly. For my 175lb/80kg weight it didn't feel good cornering in a paved parking lot. Also no lockout. I'd choose a bigger tire on a rigid fork or a more conventional suspension fork for the greater rigidity.

  • @stanislauyan3204
    @stanislauyan3204 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    With the car u have 2 wheels on both sides. And they are sitting on the axis that is horizontal, not vertical. Totally different design and approach. This suspension works because the bicycle is not so heavy

    • @pbandjosh
      @pbandjosh 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yeah the car analogy was very disingenuous. You have a lever arm that pivots 30-40-50cms from the suspension attachment point which is in turn some distance from the wheel. The front suspension linkage of a bike is perhaps twice as tall as a car and perhaps 10% as wide or less. Really really different design criteria.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ​@@pbandjosh My point is that it's not that weird to attach a wheel by one side.

    • @stanislauyan3204
      @stanislauyan3204 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Cyclingabout the analogy is not quite good, but I think you are totally correct when assume that there is more than one possible design. This suspension will suffer from rotational forces and that is why it is more precise product, than simple fork. I think people should stop afraid of something that doesn’t look usual. It is totally normal to try different approaches. Especially in the mechanical engineering.

    • @FedorAntony
      @FedorAntony 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      A more fitting analogy can be found in Vespa scooter suspensions and the WW2 era airplane front wheel suspensions they were inspired by.

    • @stanislauyan3204
      @stanislauyan3204 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@FedorAntony sure. I think there is nothing wrong with such design. The symmetry in the fork design is needed to make it simpler and avoid dealing with consequences with rotational moment with shifting mass center and so on. If you can design in such way that you deal with all consequences and might be add a new features - that is great! The wheel suspension on some motorcycle are also not symmetrical and it works fine. The engineers account all of the consequences and come with a solution.

  • @fubiao9149
    @fubiao9149 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    4:47 epic demonstration😂

  • @Nithael_
    @Nithael_ 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I still have an old Cannondale Prophet from 2006 with a Lefty. I never had a problem with the fork. I road that bike down plenty of black and double black diamond terrain for nearly 15 years. There is a professional shock service center near where I live where I was able to have it serviced. However I switched to an Ibis Ripmo 3 years ago and now the old Prophet bike with the 140 Lefty is only a backup / extra bike for me. I would say the Lefty can be a reliable high performer but it definitely isn't as good as my modern Fox setup. But maybe a modern lefty could compete? I never see the fork being used any more.

  • @benboo6351
    @benboo6351 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Bought a 9yo XC race bike with a lefty for the 11yo child, who LOVES it! Which is good cos the service is half a grand including shipping, and takes two weeks

  • @AFV85
    @AFV85 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I remember fitting a lefty DLR 110 to my ATX at the time had to get new wheel and few other things for it to fit! Couldn't just throw anywheel on it like you could throw this newer fork on anybike I only sold it 2 years ago sat in the lockup for year's since 2011ish

  • @jimjigga
    @jimjigga 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice video, @7:30 i see a nice front mudguard. Where can i get one for my left Oliver? TIA

  • @richardharker2775
    @richardharker2775 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great depth in your content as usual Alee and well worth listening to.
    Unlike a car the lefty is not connected by three angular points for stability. A few years ago I asked a Cannondale dealer if they service the Lefty and was told only one official business in Australia services them. A deal breaker for me.
    On another note If you're not racing, from my experiences, a undamped spring system works well with sensible tyres on most roads and trails.
    Thank you again.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Thanks! Only one business now?! That's crazy... definitely a deal breaker. Although I like the Oliver so much I think I'd just buy all the tools and do it myself. 😅

  • @GeekonaBike
    @GeekonaBike 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Do you know of any Dynao Hubs that will work or can be modified to work with a lefty?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      There are none that I’m aware of. But you can get dynamo hubs for trikes that attach on one side…

  • @PRH123
    @PRH123 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Leaf spring mini swingarm front suspensions have been in use for some ~120 years already... just saying.... :)
    RST offer a head tube suspension fork for 26” and 700c gravel bikes, called the “single shock”

  • @claudiusraphael9423
    @claudiusraphael9423 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    More Lefty's would open up accessibility due to spread and may spike the tricycle and quad piee of the pie, pushing DIY and customized bikes for less (children on board/disabled) and sure everywhere where weight-reduction is of use, whereas the Sterra-principle if it was taken on by the competitors would be perfect for city to gravel, especially due to the lack of "shuddering" (fork moving parallel to the ground forth/back) a regular suspension fork would offer and the lower threshold to go into suspension and the quicker response is also helpful on gravel as well as asphalt or slick stone when turning from 25km/h up.

  • @Art-zs6sl
    @Art-zs6sl 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    At 4:45 I know you love the shock but LOL!

  • @mwest3583
    @mwest3583 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Can we talk abou the "stiffness" demonstration starting at 4:46?

  • @bimble7240
    @bimble7240 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    IIRC Giant were offerering a cheapish gravel bike with a lefty fork circa 2019. Was this fork based on the Caannondale design? It couldn't have been expensive on a bike of that price. Anybody know more?

  • @floris2872
    @floris2872 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have a 140 mm travel lefty on my trail bike, but not by choice.

  • @and30ers
    @and30ers 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    SID is not 1537 g as per video @ 3:36.
    SID SL (32 mm) at 110 mm travel is more like 1350 g, SID (35 mm) at 120 mm travel 1480 g. Rudy Ultimate gravel fork sub 1300 g.

  • @parasharkchari
    @parasharkchari 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hiride Sterra sounds a lot like a more adjustable version of Cannondale's old Headshok setups.

  • @leftaroundabout
    @leftaroundabout 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    It's a misconception that a suspension fork needs damping. For high-frequency vibrations (above the resonance frequency of the oscillator made up of the spring and bike/rider mass), the best isolation is achieved when the spring can move _uninhibited_ by any damping. Motion seems to exploit that very well. It is only at or around the resonance frequency that damping is useful, but for small amplitudes at the front this isn't really necessary either because (unlike in a car or motorbike) the arms can easily take the role of the damper in that regime.
    Only for severe, high-speed off-roading is damping needed, and even then it's mostly important on the rear to avoid that bounces buck the bike forwards and possibly cause an OTB. Some bouncing on the front is harmless as long as the rider can anticipate it and doesn't need every bit of traction for winning a downhill race.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I totally agree, and have an anecdote that backs up some of your comments. My friend worked as a suspension technician at a bike park and said the number of people riding on forks with blown dampers was staggering. They would come in for repair days or weeks after their fork had stopped working properly. But when the rear shock was gone, the same people were in the shop immediately!

  • @RodZamora_is_the_best
    @RodZamora_is_the_best 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good video!!

  • @nicholaswong3250
    @nicholaswong3250 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Car suspension is not the best comparison, as the lateral loads do not run through the strut- macpherson strut suspension has a lower control arm that handles cornering and braking/acceleration forces. That doesn't mean it can't work on a bicycle, but the only real world comparison that makes sense at the moment is light aircraft nose gear. Still not a perfect comparison as most of the weight at rest is supported by the main gear, as are the braking forces for aircraft small enough to not need thrust reversers.

  • @Paksusuoli95
    @Paksusuoli95 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    Unless I can buy one for 30€ like a normal fork, no. Serviceability and affordability is a big advantage of bicycles over other modes of transportation. Expensive parts are missing the point of bicycles.

    • @thenormalberries6767
      @thenormalberries6767 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      30€? No. No, there was never a rule that bikes should only cater to lower class utilitarian needs.

    • @256shadesofgrey
      @256shadesofgrey 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Good luck finding a suspension fork for 30€. The only ones I've seen were used trash forks removed from budget bikes that the previous owner replaced with a proper fork. And if you're buying new, even those trash forks cost 120-150 at least.

    • @Paksusuoli95
      @Paksusuoli95 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Sneed

    • @256shadesofgrey
      @256shadesofgrey 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@Paksusuoli95 Formerly Chuck's.

    • @thenormalberries6767
      @thenormalberries6767 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Paksusuoli95 Nah, dude. Stop being a europoor 😂

  • @N0Xa880iUL
    @N0Xa880iUL 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I thought this was going to be gimmicky but was rather super interesting.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I'm glad you found it interesting! 🎉

  • @Grimmance
    @Grimmance 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A lot of motor cycles only connect on one side (drivetrain) for the rear wheel, the torque poses no problem there either.

  • @cypvh74
    @cypvh74 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Is that tube mounted shock system compatible with many frames?

  • @MooD-ff5yc
    @MooD-ff5yc 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Might be a dumb question, but why left and not right? Genuinely curious

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Disc brake calipers have been designed to mount on the left side of a bike due to the drivetrain occupying the right side.

    • @MooD-ff5yc
      @MooD-ff5yc 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Cyclingabout thank you so much, satisfied the itchy part of my brain 😂

  • @pixel5m908
    @pixel5m908 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    a bycicle was suposed to be a simple mobility solutin that can be easy to self repair..
    now, it is so rare to find ultra simple bycicle with simple smart design.

  • @dilmurodavalbaev1392
    @dilmurodavalbaev1392 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Advantages of Lefty are mostly due to the design of its internals, not due to it being one legged, right? This means it could potentially have the same benefits and be cheaper with two legs. Am I missing something?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It's actually very challenging (or rather cost-prohibitive) to run sets of needle bearings on two keyed stanchions. This is due to the alignment between both legs which needs to be near-perfect in multiple axes, with very tight manufacturing tolerance. If the manufacturer doesn't get this right, the product can end up with additional friction and potential binding.
      Achieving a tight tolerance and mirror finish on two shafts and a few sets of bushings is much easier, and significantly cheaper!

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Cyclingabout yes but it's the same with the hubs bearing. The tolerances are tight and it must be fine tune.

    • @mikekrasovec6390
      @mikekrasovec6390 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@user-xm8xz3sq3j it's a more expensive process to machine the required stuff to make a suspension fork run on needle bearings than a cup on a loose ball hub or to take a pressed in cartridge bearing. Considerably so. In addition making aluminum hard enough to withstand the stresses of a rolling bearing - even a roller is challenging. Aluminum is a great material useful for many tasks across a wide variety of applications. Aluminum is a less than ideal material for rolling a bearing on. Try getting some bearing races, cups or cones for a hub, pedal, bottom bracket or headset and let us know how long it lasts. A bushing has it's drawbacks but it does a great job of cost effectively distributing the load over a large area so that aluminum is able to perform reliably.

  • @icas80
    @icas80 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The Future? Been around for 30 years now. And that's about how long it takes to get parts for one. LOL
    The roller system is cool and all but ti's hands down the most unreliable fork on teh market. It'll spend more time in the shop than being ridden

  • @Solutionist1
    @Solutionist1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Really like the Hiride Sierra, looked up the price and thinking it's not for me 😅

  • @paulpiegsa6747
    @paulpiegsa6747 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    "simple and elegant design?" at 8:29
    okay then :D

  • @arnicus208
    @arnicus208 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The Lefty, while supported similar to a car; bikes don’t have 4 points of contact and so much weight of the whole vehicle over a single axle. And, metal fatigue is a very real thing in something so small, sprung off-axis, with as much force being exerted on it.

  • @devincook3278
    @devincook3278 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    If youre handy enought- teach yourself how to service your own lefty fork. Then you have the biggest drawback of owning a lefty nipped in the butt. If youve ever ridden a lefty you'd likely agree that they are unreal forks.

  • @NonEuclideanTacoCannon
    @NonEuclideanTacoCannon 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I see a lot of complicated new bike tech, and I always wonder: is it actually noticeably better, or just more expensive and complicated?

  • @xtianeskay5166
    @xtianeskay5166 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Shocking video

    • @stevie-ray2020
      @stevie-ray2020 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Forking hilarious!

  • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
    @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've never seen a Lefty on a DH bike or a dirt jump bike.
    Why ?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      A 200mm travel Lefty is simply too difficult in terms of packaging the internal components into one strut.
      I have fond memories of watching Cedric Gracia ride dirt jumps using Leftys! I even went out and bought the same helmet and sunglasses as Cedric when I was 14 or 15… 😅

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Cyclingabout No problem of packaging the internal components into one strut.
      The diameter is just bigger.
      But you only think with the technology of oil suspensions.
      Imagine a electromagnetic suspension, no need a lot of space.
      The main problem is the rigidity and solidity of a one strut, especially at each braking.
      Cédric GRACIA crash with the lefty in 2004 (Back Flip de Cédric GRACIA aux Mondiaux VTT 2004 aux Gets).
      And today Cedric don't use the Lefty...

  • @KoroWerks
    @KoroWerks 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    My issue with the Lefty is that there are no improvements that it has that can't be implimented on a standard fork. You can reverse your stanchions, you can use needle bearings, you can make all of these machining improvements etc with a dual strut fork. You can even do that with a "Double shoulder/triple tree" extra stiff headtube design, though that adds weight and reduces how far you can turn the bars.
    You even see some of these implemented on higher end downhill forks.
    Edit: the steerer fork is just a gravel/road bike cannondale centershock, isnt it? Similar to what you've talked about with the redshift stems and the older ones they made for MTB back in the day.

  • @bmwofboganville456
    @bmwofboganville456 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Could vibration be reduced by using a suspension fork with the Redshift stem?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes definitely. Your tyres are another great way to reduce vibration (pressure, compound, sidewall thickness, width).

    • @Zyzzyx42
      @Zyzzyx42 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I did something like that in the very early days of mt bike suspension. Had an original RS-1 RockShox fork, it managed big hits ok but had nothing for small stuff. I ran a Proflex/Girvin Flexstem with its elastomer bumper which handled all the small stuff. For its time, I'd say it was a great combo.

  • @marnig9185
    @marnig9185 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Front suspension and a by.schulz,makes me drive a bike,after an crash,nearly all of my rips are broke,and a rigide bike is not driveble for me.I Stil ❤cycling

  • @toyotaprius79
    @toyotaprius79 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

    I thought this was gonna be political 😅

    • @siffoine
      @siffoine 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      It is.

  • @nickexarheas2880
    @nickexarheas2880 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    How about the added weight?

  • @jamesrowlands8971
    @jamesrowlands8971 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What's the bike at 15:09?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      M55 Terminus

  • @philip_fletcher
    @philip_fletcher 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Having ridden Hossack style motorcycles (and BMW telelever) along with an AMP Research MTB fork, I am continually disappointed we continue to plough R&D into telescopics. The control of the wheel trajectory on compression ('J' shaped on the AMP), anti-dive characteristics, pivots vs stiction sliders and tight integration with rear suspension are all huge opportunities lost. Yes, we had a couple of attempts back in the 90s but frame geometry has changed dramatically since then. Highly evolved they may be, but telescopics are still the 'wrong' technology for suspension (unless you're a Morgan or an aircraft).

  • @Durwood71
    @Durwood71 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Of the products discussed, it looks like Cannondale's Lefty is the only one suited for mountain biking. Too bad half a fork isn't half the price!

  • @mattschwarz3553
    @mattschwarz3553 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Yes compare the wheel suspension of a car with that of a bicycle ?! as long as that makes sense to you

  • @Dellvmnyam
    @Dellvmnyam 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I wonder why there are so little bikes with single sided rear stays, either rigid or suspended.

  • @joeuser2360
    @joeuser2360 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    140% less friction? It sounds like Cannondale's marketing folks don't understand math...or they do and are being intentionally deceptive.

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That seems to be either a misquote or a mistake (I should've picked up on it, oops!). It makes more sense that there is ~140% more static friction on a typical suspension fork.

  • @pbandjosh
    @pbandjosh 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    The Lefty is sort of neat engineering but ultimately it's more of a show of engineering prowess than practicality. It solves a bunch of problems that kind of don't exist yet costs an arm and a leg and isn't compatible with anything.

    • @polendri4812
      @polendri4812 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah it's absurd to call something "the future" with only a passive mention of cost. Things that are dramatically more expensive, for only marginal gains at best, will never be "the future" unless there's some reason to believe that the costs will come down over time. Which isn't the case here, as a Lefty design is inherently a greater engineering challenge.
      If anything looks promising for the future IMO, it's that short-travel option where the suspension is inside the head tube. THAT seems innovative, and not something which will inherently always be more expensive than alternatives.

    • @pbandjosh
      @pbandjosh 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@polendri4812 Indeed, in the head tube suspension is much more likely to become widespread. The world is full of "inferior technology" that is much much cheaper/easier to produce and which gets the job done because it is worlds more practical and every bit as functional for the end user.

    • @mikekrasovec6390
      @mikekrasovec6390 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@pbandjosh there are plenty of other options for bike suspension other than needle bearing equipped lefty's which perform good enough to win world championships in enduro, slalom, 4x, xc... under the most adverse conditions. Top of the line suspension forks from rockshox, fox, ohlins... aren't exactly cheap either but cheaper than a lefty - especially when you consider the price of servicing one.

  • @mattsmith8160
    @mattsmith8160 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    @1:37 "why should a bike use suspension?"
    Because a lot of city roads are not well maintained at all. Sounds like a dumb question to me. lol

  • @50centHotDog
    @50centHotDog 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It sounds like most of the benefits of the lefty fork don’t come from it being lefty. I wonder if a regular upside down fork with roller bearings would be even better?

  • @Brauljo
    @Brauljo 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    11:20 ¿What's splay?

    • @Cyclingabout
      @Cyclingabout  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Go back to 10:29

    • @Brauljo
      @Brauljo 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@Cyclingabout Oh lol, thanks.

  • @user-od8wp4xr1w
    @user-od8wp4xr1w 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i'd like to see a righty

  • @robinrai4973
    @robinrai4973 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    We've come full circle to the Cannondale fatty ha!

  • @AFV85
    @AFV85 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    La city Caliper right on the bottom though that's an expensive accident waiting to happen! Slipping down a kurb for example that would smash off the edge ohh I don't think that's a good design maybe enough clearance with a 29er but 27.5 that calliper is in for a bad day anyday just not sure on that design think that would be enough to put me off this ebike

  • @jowjor
    @jowjor 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The lefty isn't stiffer than a fox34 or SID...

  • @puntoycoma47
    @puntoycoma47 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Vespa did it 60 years ago.

  • @Timberbeartrail
    @Timberbeartrail 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    But on your automobile as you put it, you have a rectangular frame, and the sharks don’t have sharks aren’t in the center of that frame so to speak

    • @user-xm8xz3sq3j
      @user-xm8xz3sq3j 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      exactly.
      and why the rigid fork are not single leg if it's so good ?

  • @ryanhegarty8524
    @ryanhegarty8524 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Why not have the strut on the right? Stupid question?

    • @jwnomad
      @jwnomad 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Because disc brakes are on the left due to derailleurs being on the right. Yes, they could all be swapped around, but it's more efficient to stick to a single standard configuration. Like homochirality in nature

  • @zoladkow
    @zoladkow 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Good thing competition can start making "righties"
    But my gripe is that there should be rear one-sided "forks" too for comletness 😁