7.54 kilograms for a hardtail is the undisputed record. The bike, created in collaboration with Peter Denk, is the starting signal for Cannondale to relaunch the brand after not being able to make much headway on the market in recent years. Cannondale has succeeded in minimizing the weight of the "Flash" with an ingeniously constructed carbon frame, the use of their own Lefty fork, the new Sram XX groupset and their in-house developed bottom bracket-crank combination. The bike could be even lighter, but the full tuning potential has not yet been exhausted. As light as the weight is, the price is high: Cannondale specifies a recommended retail price of 8,000 euros for the "Flash".

Not only does Cannondale set a new record for weight with the "Flash", but also for the so-called "stiffness-to-weight" value, which is the ratio of the weight to the stiffness of the frame. The "Flash" is the first bike to achieve a value in the three-digit range (102). Storck (97.3), Simplon (96.7) and Scott (83.8) are all well below the hundred mark.

An interesting detail can be discovered on the "Flash": The seat post is flattened in the middle and absorbs vibrations and small bumps. This should give the rider more comfort without sacrificing efficiency. This counters the trend towards continuous seat tubes. For Cannondale, the technology of seatposts integrated into the frame is too stiff and the direct transmission of all vibrations and impacts tires the rider too quickly.

Cannondale is streamlining its range of full-suspension models. The "Prophet" will no longer be available in the future, but the "Rize" will be repositioned. From next year, the bike will be called the "RZ 20" with 120 millimetres of suspension travel for marathon use and the "RZ 40" with 140 millimetres for all-mountain use. With the "RZ 40" in particular, the company is making a comeback at the top of the lightweight bike segment, with the top model weighing less than ten kilograms. That is also a record value.

Lefty now also for bikes from other manufacturers
Cannondale has also made a U-turn with its "Lefty" suspension fork. The single-spar fork with travel lengths of 110, 120 or 140 millimetres is still considered the most sensitive and stiffest suspension fork. Until now, Cannondale has refused to release the fork for other bikes. Now they are taking a new approach and want to see their own Lefty on competitors' models in the future. To this end, they are offering a kit that allows the fork to be fitted to frames from other manufacturers.

The Judge, Perp and Chase models will fall victim to Cannondale's new start. The company no longer wants to position itself in the gravity sector (freeride, downhill, dirt jump) and is dropping the models without replacement. This has historical significance in that Cannondale was one of the most important manufacturers in the early years of downhill racing and was a leader in frame and suspension technology.