Bike Check – Will’s Cannondale Jekyll 27.5

The Cannondale Jekyll 2 27.5 is a lightweight enduro mountain bike with some of the most advanced components in MTB. This full suspension mountain bike is designed as an all mountain bike that is plenty of fun on the trails. The front triangle is made from BallisTec carbon. The rear triangle is SmartForm C1 complete with Fox Float Performance Elite components and SRAM’s 12 speed Eagle X01 Drive train.

This bike was designed to handle anything that your throw at it.

The result of a collaboration between Fox Racing Shocks and Cannondale. The Gemini rear shock adds extra adjustability and performance to the Fox Float shock.

It comes with a thumb lever on the handle bar allowing you to essentially add an additional token to the shock when you need to climb or sprint.

• BallisTec carbon fibre front triangle, SmartForm C1 alloy swingarm, carbon shock link
• Fox Float 36 Performance Elite fork with 170mm travel and FIT4 adjustable damping
• Fox Float Performance Elite rear shock with EVOL canister & Gemini switchable 135-160mm travel
• SRAM X01 Eagle 1×12 speed drivetrain delivering a huge 500% gear range
• SRAM Guide RS hydraulic disc brakes with 200/180mm rotors give incredible power with precise control
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X Large

I was lucky enough to get hold of this bike as part of the Cannondale UK Ambassador program. I’ve been a part of the program as long as I have had the bike which is roughly 1.5 years. The program has been incredible letting my try Cannondale products and go on trips and races with other Cannodale MTB Ambassadors.

My review of the bike will however be unbiased as I want to share my honest thoughts and opinions.

So I’ve had this bike for about a year and half now. It’s a Medium and it’s the 2017 Jekyll 2. I’ve really gotten to the know the bike riding it multiple times a week across all terrains and types of riding from epic adventures, to bike park and downhill.

Firstly the bike looks great. The frame looks really premium and is pared with some really decent components from SRAM and Fox Suspension. If I’m honest I’m not a fan of the colour scheme as I like stealthier looking bikes and this is very in your face day-glow however, I quickly got over it when I rode it for the first time.

The bike feels very in control and you feel confident riding the gnarliest of trails at the highest of speeds even though this model is 27.5.

So how do I feel now that I’ve had the bike for close to two years? Well I’m still riding it and I’m still in love with it. The bike has held up really well to all the punishment I’ve given it, riding it in all weather multiple times a week. The bike still feels as good as ever and I’ve only had to replace the usual components that you would in a standard service. Well that’s not strictly true as I’ve broken multiple rims and mechs but it’s only fair to blame that on my riding than on the bike itself.

I’ve since ridden some 29r bikes of a similar calibre and I have to be perfectly honest and say that 27.5 is dead. I love this frame but it needs to be on 29 inch wheels. The 29r version of this bike feels way more stable and it just flies down trails. I am looking to get hold of a 29r, will it be another Cannondale Jekyll? Only time will tell but it’s definitely top of my list