Hit the Trail on a Cannondale Rigid Mountain Bike
The trail bike category is one of the most competitive on the market. With nearly every manufacturer producing a trail bike, it can be impossible to tell the difference between offerings from different manufacturers. Cannondale’s Trail and Trail SL models get their competitive edge from the wide number of ways they can be configured. By offering this bike in trim levels that are accessible to novices as well as dedicated backcountry specialists, Cannondale has maximized the appeal of this versatile model and passed the savings on to you.
The major differences between the Cannondale Trail and Cannondale Trail SL 29er are:
- Wheel size — Trail model bikes use a 27.5” wheel on size XS and S bikes, but transition to the larger 29” wheel for larger sizes. Trail SL 29er model bikes use 29” wheels in every size.
- Rigidity — Another major difference is the availability of a fully rigid version of the Trail SL, the Cannondale Trail SL 29er SS, one of the only Cannondale rigid mountain bikes available on BikeExchange.
- Upgraded equipment — While trail models are available at a slightly more affordable price point, Trail SL model bikes come with upgraded equipment and are more closely related to Cannondale’s race-specific models.
Cannondale Trail SL 29er
The beauty of bikes such as the Cannondale Trail SL 29er line is that they’ve been tastefully outfitted with durable, easy-to-service parts. This means that even though they may cost less than their upmarket cousins, you don’t have to worry about losing the ability to ride your new bike because of a mechanical failure.
For example, you’ll find Hayes hydraulic disc brakes on even the entry-level Cannondale Trail 5. This is a great example of the consideration that Cannondale put into these bikes. For a new rider, there’s nothing more confidence-inspiring than a capable set of stoppers. More premium versions of the bike like the Trail 1 feature Shimano Shadow-XT derailleurs and fast-rolling Sun wheels.
More seasoned riders will appreciate the Cannondale Trail SS 29er for its race-derived shape and more aggressive geometry. The SS version of this bike sacrifices the extra plushness of a suspension front-end for the ultra light weight of a composite front fork. It’s in an homage to the excellent line choice required for XC racing.
In fact, the Trail SL is over 200 grams lighter than the standard Cannondale Trail. Throw a leg over a Cannondale Trail SL 29er, and you’ll know it’s a special bike, with geared versions using crisp-shifting Shimano components. The uber-light SL sports a single-speed setup for ultimate gram savings. This is a competitive bike that you don’t have to use in a competition to enjoy.
Take a look around BikeExchange today to see this and more 29er trail bikes from Cannondale and other world-class manufacturers!