2010 Cannondale Flash Carbon 16.6 lb. Hardtail

It’s that time of year. We’re all reveling in the mid-season singletrack stoke with our shiny new 2009 mountain bikes underfoot when all of the sudden, the bike companies start flashing next year’s wares. What!?!? My new bike is outdated already? Yes, my friend… sad but true.

The latest news comes from the Cannondale crew with the introduction of the Cannondale Flash carbon-fiber XC racing machine which tips the scales at an absolutely featherweight 16.56 lbs!

Coming to showrooms later this Fall, the Cannondale Flash is built with many of the same high-modulus carbon fiber as their high-end road racing frames. To achieve such a light weight, some unique techniques were also employed to unify the toptube/seatstay junction and improve lateral stiffness at the same time.

All models will sport the Cannondale Lefty fork with 110mm travel. No doubt the frame is a beauty and will be available in three trim levels:

Flash Carbon 2

• Lefty Speed Carbon DLR 110
• DT Swiss XCR 1.5 wheelset
• FSA V-Drive BB30 44/32/22 crankset
• SRAM X-7 shifters, X-9 rear derailleur
• Avid Elixir R disc brakes
• Price: US $3,749

Flash Carbon 1

• Lefty Speed Carbon SL 110
• Shimano XTR wheelset
• FSA K-Force Light BB30 44/32/22 crankset
• Shimano XTR shifters/derailleurs
• Shimano XTR disc brakes
• Price: US $6,399

Flash Carbon Ultimate

• Lefty Speed Carbon SL 110
• DT Swiss XCR 1.2 carbon wheelset
• Schwalbe Furious Fred 26 x 2.1 EVO folding tyres
• Cannondale Hollowgram SL BB30 42/28-tooth crankset w/ custom spider for SRAM XX
• SRAM XX groupset
• Fizik Antares carbon-rail saddle
• Price: US $9,599

Also introduced is the Flash Carbon 29er with 80mm front-travel delivered via the venerable Lefty fork in two trim levels:

Flash Carbon 29er 2

• Lefty 29er Carbon DLR 80
• DT Swiss X470 29er rims
• FSA V-Drive BB30 44/32/22 crankset
• SRAM X-7 shifters, X-9 rear derailleur
• Avid Elixir R disc brakes
• Price: TBD

Flash Carbon 29er 1

• Lefty 29er Carbon SL 80
• Stan’s ZTR Arch 29er rims and DT Swiss 240S rear hub
• FSA Afterburner BB30 44/32/22 crankset w/ carbon spider
• SRAM X-0 shifters, X-0 rear derailleur
• Avid Elixir CR carbon disc brakes
• Price: TBD

My Thoughts on the Cannondale Flash

Well, for starters, this bike looks amazing. The subtle lines throughout make this bike stand out compared to other carbon hardtails on the market–especially the cheese-grater Delta 7 Arantix hardtail (which costs oodles more than the Flash). For the money, the Flash looks to be the lightest and most reasonably-priced carbon hardtail on the market.

Download Full PDF of the Flash Lineup

Hopefully I can get a look at these bikes this Fall while at Interbike… maybe even swing a leg over one.

More Info: Visit Cannondale.com

Images: Gary Boulanger from BikeRadar.com