New Bike- Cannondale Trigger 29- 2

With my Ibis Mojo SL approaching 5 years in age, I started looking at different trail bikes to replace it and at the same time compliment my other bikes: a Salsa Spearfish (all-day endurance bike) and a Kona Raijin (singlespeed).  I was thinking about something a little more burly, only because the Spearfish does okay as a trailbike if needed, at least for the trails I most often ride, and actually so does the Raijin for that matter! Why have something that overlapped?  I was intrigued by 27.5 inch wheel models such as the Turner Burner and Banshee Spitfire, but didn't want to spend that much, because I likely wouldn't be riding this bike as often as the others.  I even thought about buying a Heckler when I saw frames on sale for $500.  About that time, Neil at The Path posted on STR about a Path/Cannondale test program.  Sponsored rider level discount, and they just wanted feedback and to help out on some shop rides in return.  I was intrigued.  I never really looked at Cannondales, but started researching the bikes offered and became even more interested.  I narrowed it down to the Jekyll EX and the Trigger 29, and finally decided on the Trigger after corresponding with Neil.  Here's a pic fresh from the shop:

First Impressions:  

-Burly looking (more so than I expected)

-Really solid feeling (even just tooling around the parking lot)

-Good looking color scheme

-Geometry felt comfortable right away, medium is good fit (I'm 5'9")

Standout components:

-Fox 34 CTD 130mm fork with 1.5 steerer- solid 

-Fox Dyad Dual shock- 130/80 mm- will be interested to see/feel this in action

-Hans Dampf Tubeless ready tires good spec, beefy

-Also excited about X9 type 2 rear derailleur

-Good to see 36/22 chainring setup in front for this bike

Weighed when I got home out of box w/o pedals- 32.4

Adjustments:

-Went tubeless on both tires- nice that rims were taped already, tubeless setup was really easy

-Slapped on Rockshox Reverb (nice that I already had a 31.6)!- I like the cable routing on the top tube for the dropper post

-Put on Shimano XT Trail pedals

-Installed bottle cage- was glad to have the ability to carry a bottle on the frame for energy drinks on longer rides

-Checked shock pressure- I noticed there is a fairly large discrepancy from the Owners manual supplement to the Cannondale iPhone 'Tune Your Ride'App, by > 50lbs. After reading some feedback from another Trigger owner on the forums, I went with lighter of the two(owners manual)

The final weight- 32.3 (going tubeless pretty much canceled out the additional weight of the Reverb)

The Rides:

I’ve ridden 1) Blackstar Motorway Maple Springs, and 2) San Juan with the back loop and Viejo Tie.

Climbing:

This bike climbs way better than I thought it would at over 32 pounds. I definitely feel the added weight (+6 pounds vs. my Spearfish), but the pedaling feels very efficient, especially with the suspension firmed up and set to 80mm.  On the steeper climbs of the Main Divide, the front didn’t wander, and traction was good.  It was nice, however to have a 22 small chain ring up front and be able to spin a lower gear when the grade approached 15-20%.  On San Juan, it was no trouble negotiating the switchbacks, and the bike got up and over some of the rock gardens on the back loop nicely.  I feel like I can climb nearly as fast, which is a surprise, but I do feel like the weight catches up eventually in terms of sapping my energy.

Here's a pic at the top of Motorway:

Descending:

This is the burliest bike I’ve ridden, and I definitely noticed a big difference in stiffness/stability on high speed, bumpy descents.  I plowed through the roughest sections of the Motorway like I never have before, and did a PR despite bobbling a few turns.  The bike did feel big, a bit heavy, and I felt I had to be more aggressive to move it around turns, but I think I also just need to get used to it.  It already felt better on the second ride down San Juan.  The bike was confidence inspiring on some of the steeper technical areas, and with the seatpost dropped, I never felt in danger of going over the bars.

Surprise component: the Magura MT2 brakes feel smooth and powerful.  I know these are lower end Maguras, but I’m impressed.

Cons:

The Trigger climbs very well for its weight, but it’s still a 32 pound bike.  The wheels feel solid, but I know Formula hubs are a little heavy, so a wheel upgrade might be in order.  The bike also requires more effort to maneuver, loft the front wheel over rocks, etc.

Will definitely have a great deal of fun continuing to see what this bike can do.  Can't wait for Summer and Fall to try Mammoth and Kernville!  

Funny story: a hiker on the back loop of San Juan thought the Dyad shock was a built in radio for the bike.  Here's a pic.  It is kinda crazy looking but seems to work!