The heart of the "Jekyll", the "DYAD RT2" damper, was developed exclusively for Cannondale. The approach is similar to the shock used by Scott on their "Genius": two shocks in one. In contrast to Scott, however, Cannondale actually uses two shocks that are connected to each other via a complicated system, but function independently. Cannondale therefore has the option of using two different setups with different spring characteristics for both the ascent and the descent via a remote lever on the handlebars. This means different rebound and compression settings and a "Propedal" platform for each - in other words, all the options that a Fox damper otherwise offers individually.
The "DYAD RT2" allows either 90 millimetres for the ascent or 150 millimetres for the descent. In "Elevate Mode" (ascent), the kinematics have a steeper seat and steering angle as well as a slightly higher bottom bracket. If you switch to "Flow Mode" (downhill), you get the opposite - a lower bottom bracket and slacker seat and steering angle. At the front, a Fox "Talas 32" with a choice of 120 to 150 millimetres is used.

Rugged but light
The "Jekyll" is based on a multi-supported single pivot. For the top models, Cannondale uses several processes in the processing and combination of carbon and aluminum to achieve an optimal mix of lightness, stiffness and durability. They work with hollow forged aluminum parts such as the bottom bracket and dropouts, tube-to-tube connections such as the front frame triangle or carbon monocouq parts used on the rear triangle. With the "Jekyll", no compromises have been made in terms of stiffness and durability. The 1.5 inch head tube leads via a large down tube to a wide bottom bracket (73 millimeter bottom bracket). A massive and wide suspension linkage, the 15-millimeter hollow thru-axles that are used at all pivot points, a 12-millimeter thru-axle and the double bearings (2x2) on the rear triangle also make the "Jekyll" extremely stiff. With all these measures, the frame seems almost oversized and too heavy. The fact is, however, that according to Cannondale, the top model "Jekyll Ultimate" still only weighs 11.6 kilograms.

Agile and agile
Initial test rides confirm the high stiffness values. The bike is very powerful and precise to steer. Thanks to the central, low position of the 500 gram shock, the Americans achieve agile handling. The geometry change in "flow mode" makes the "Jekyll" smooth but not sluggish. Although the two dampers function independently, the downhill damper in "Flow Mode" uses the additional volume of the other. The result is a long linear spring characteristic curve which, with the support of the progressive kinematics, only rises progressively towards the end. The spring characteristics of the "Jekyll" are very similar to those of a downhiller with a coil shock.
By switching to uphill mode, the steep seat angle brings the body forward over the bottom bracket and thus relieves the lumbar region. The fork only needs to be lowered in very steep sections. Thanks to the firm kinematics, the bike climbs superbly and the light platform damping makes it resistant to drivetrain influences. The rear wheel hugs the ground incredibly well and gives the bike great traction.

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