Absolutely love mine. Fantastic for rail trails, and going on adventures. Way more comfortable than my road bike on long rides, which allows me to go further.
Great review. I love my Slate. It's such a versatile bike that grips the road or trail. I changed out my tires and replaced them with Schwalbe G-One Allround Evo, V-Guard, Folding and wow. So good. Riding on the city paths, then on trails and back to road makes for an awesome time with incredible stability and fun.
For all those folks saying they have tried it and it is slow, can you explain how come the winner of the Kanza 200 won on a slate? That's a 200 mile endurance race on a gravel road against every kind bike that anyone wanted to use. The fork enabled him to maintain an aero position relatively comfortably while he rode solo for 100 miles of that race Mind you, it's ugly and theres no way I would buy one. I will stick with my do it all bike, a cannondale superx
I bought the Slate with ultegra groupset and I love it. I almost bought the 105 one but it comes with a rigid single front fork which is really weird. Have ridden over 500km of gravel, single track , and a little road riding on it. From the trails, to urban assault around town this bike is fun and fast. I had a CAAD8 before this and think this bike with knobby tires is still just as fast or faster.
Thanks, I tested the bike, it's awesome! I would say it kind of floats over the things. Very smooth driving. The frame is long and I'm not sure which size would be for me. The M size was long but with the shorter stem it would be nice. The S size was maybe better. I'm not sure if the shorter stem fits the bike because the handling is not so stable on the road speed (>25km/h). My other bikes are the M size so this has to be smaller,,,
Saw this bike in a shop in Amsterdam last month. Am very interested. I'm a mountain biker so this would be ideal for mu commute as I either use my road bike (it doesn't like the off road bits) or my mountain bike (bit slow for the 10 mile ride). Thanks great video
Would like to get into road biking,but my hands aren't great having alot of pressure on them. My fat bike and mountain bike r decent. Would you think this bike with front suspension help compared to a true road bike?
I want a bike to go to college, and the streets are not all great. Does anyone know if this is a good option? (I ride a hard tail at the moment, but is a little slow, and I can’t keep up with traffic).
I tried it on the road - sluggish as shit compared to a real road bike... what is the largest 650B tire that will fit? What is the largest 700 tire that will fit? Does it have through axles?
Joe Wind lol yeah i had a go on one and it was slow as fuck and it didn't inspire the hardcore mtb whithin either.... i think this is a confused bike for confused people
If you are a roadie thinking about mountain why would you buy this? Your main road bike is probably much more competent on roads and an entry level mountain bike will be WAY better for trails at half the price. Seems like a master of none kind of scenario. And he acts like people are just dropping 3 grand all the time on bikes just to try something a little new. Is this real?
The point would be that you could do typical road ride for you, but then cut in and rip some singletrack to switch it up. Would you really want to ride an entry level mountain bike on the road for 20 miles, to rip a 3 mile singletrack section, then hop back on the road? Most roadies wouldn't. But they'd love ripping this thing across town, then use a trail to cut to the next fun road. Basically it's a road bike that opens up your opportunities even more. I have a couple "roadie" buddies that prefer riding drop bars in singletrack as well. (They basically mountain bike with CX bikes now.) They have said they can't wait to try this bike.
Except in acceleration where the wheels are a little slow to spin up, Slate is as capable as any roadbike. Geometry is that of an aggressive road bike and the tires are as fast as a 700c road tire.
With an 11-28 cassette and a 52-36 crank it seems they are targeting the road race crowd, not the adventure cyclist. This lack of low end gearing makes zero sense. Would not touch this because of that. The Ultegra model is the same BS. But the top model CX Force has a 10-42 cassette with a single 44 tooth crank - totally different. What is Cannondale thinking????
Recently bought a caadx and a caad 12 both 2nd hand I prefer the 46/ 36 gearing on the caadx even on the road compared to the 52/36 on the caad I'm considering changing the road bike gearing . Mind u after seeing this slate I could sell both and have great fun with one bike .
There's a rigid lefty fork version of this bike for $1K less. Other than the fork, it looks like the exact same bike with the exact same specs. Paying a pretty penny for that fork.
Its an interesting concept but the problem is the price. $2800 is a lot of cash for something that is a general purpose bike. I mean, really, anyone could build a very similar bikeminus the fork for a fraction of that price. Analloy frae and 105 components? That price is insane. How about this, buy a nice higher end 90s mtb and put slicks on it and customize some parts and you will have a bike just as flexible for a fraction of the cost. Why even bother with a suspension fork when you could have a very good compliant rigid that is lighter and,obviously, way way less expensive because that must be where that price is coming from.
Absolutely love mine. Fantastic for rail trails, and going on adventures. Way more comfortable than my road bike on long rides, which allows me to go further.
Great review. I love my Slate. It's such a versatile bike that grips the road or trail. I changed out my tires and replaced them with Schwalbe G-One Allround Evo, V-Guard, Folding and wow. So good. Riding on the city paths, then on trails and back to road makes for an awesome time with incredible stability and fun.
For all those folks saying they have tried it and it is slow, can you explain how come the winner of the Kanza 200 won on a slate? That's a 200 mile endurance race on a gravel road against every kind bike that anyone wanted to use. The fork enabled him to maintain an aero position relatively comfortably while he rode solo for 100 miles of that race
Mind you, it's ugly and theres no way I would buy one. I will stick with my do it all bike, a cannondale superx
Good point J B!
I bought the Slate with ultegra groupset and I love it. I almost bought the 105 one but it comes with a rigid single front fork which is really weird. Have ridden over 500km of gravel, single track , and a little road riding on it. From the trails, to urban assault around town this bike is fun and fast. I had a CAAD8 before this and think this bike with knobby tires is still just as fast or faster.
This bike is much so much different than other Gravel bikes. Aggressive feel, fast acceleration and precise cornering.
This bike was years ahead of its time. 3 years later and other companies are starting to bring out mild suspension on their gravel and cross bikes.
Slate is very interesting. I have to try it out. I'm searching for a replacement for my old Kona Jake.
Very well presented, thanks for posting.
Thanks @Rbasien! Glad you liked it! This was a fun review to do because I LOVED this rig so much.
Nice review, thank you!
I love mine too !
Thank you for the test !
I would like too change my wheels to 700, would you have a recommandation please ?
BEst regards
its a great Prototype, i work in my project, thnks best Video and explanation.
Thanks, I tested the bike, it's awesome! I would say it kind of floats over the things. Very smooth driving. The frame is long and I'm not sure which size would be for me. The M size was long but with the shorter stem it would be nice. The S size was maybe better. I'm not sure if the shorter stem fits the bike because the handling is not so stable on the road speed (>25km/h). My other bikes are the M size so this has to be smaller,,,
Glad you liked it! I thought it was pretty awesome too (if you couldn't already tell).
Saw this bike in a shop in Amsterdam last month. Am very interested. I'm a mountain biker so this would be ideal for mu commute as I either use my road bike (it doesn't like the off road bits) or my mountain bike (bit slow for the 10 mile ride). Thanks great video
This would be PERFECT for that!
he said it's as stiff as can be and feels great.
That’s what she said.
You cool very nice video thanks much greating from maryland .
hope to get a reply. how tall are you and what size you rideing??
Would like to get into road biking,but my hands aren't great having alot of pressure on them. My fat bike and mountain bike r decent. Would you think this bike with front suspension help compared to a true road bike?
How Tall are You ?
what your in Seam ?
what size bike ?
Have you seen the recall on the wheels?
Hi!, can do i do dawnhill with that bke?
mmmm not recommended. I mean, you could do it....but you might not get far.....
I want a bike to go to college, and the streets are not all great. Does anyone know if this is a good option? (I ride a hard tail at the moment, but is a little slow, and I can’t keep up with traffic).
I just found a 2018 Slate for 1K on ebay. The price is right, pull the trigger.
Goodluck with thieves if they see you locking this bike.
New standard for road bike.
that lefty should have the travel at least 6cm, locking 3cm of movement, funny :) But the bike is impressive, wish i have the money for it
Everybody else reports it bobs under hard pedaling uphill.
Suspension tends to do that. A lockout helps.
Or you could get a very nice dedicated road bike for $1400, and use the leftover $1400 to get a very nice dual suspension mountain bike.
And do what? Strap one to your back while you ride the other, then switch when you go from road to trail?
Well, maybe a hardtail but I agree. Its not worth it and will not be better than two bikes.
Strap a brompton to your back? You first. Post a video of it.
Angry Vegan Cyclist Possible, yes, a lot of things are possible. Practical or in the slightest bit comfortable? No.
Angry Vegan Cyclist Key words before that: Even though
I tried it on the road - sluggish as shit compared to a real road bike... what is the largest 650B tire that will fit? What is the largest 700 tire that will fit? Does it have through axles?
Joe Wind lol yeah i had a go on one and it was slow as fuck and it didn't inspire the hardcore mtb whithin either.... i think this is a confused bike for confused people
If you are a roadie thinking about mountain why would you buy this? Your main road bike is probably much more competent on roads and an entry level mountain bike will be WAY better for trails at half the price. Seems like a master of none kind of scenario. And he acts like people are just dropping 3 grand all the time on bikes just to try something a little new. Is this real?
The point would be that you could do typical road ride for you, but then cut in and rip some singletrack to switch it up. Would you really want to ride an entry level mountain bike on the road for 20 miles, to rip a 3 mile singletrack section, then hop back on the road? Most roadies wouldn't. But they'd love ripping this thing across town, then use a trail to cut to the next fun road. Basically it's a road bike that opens up your opportunities even more.
I have a couple "roadie" buddies that prefer riding drop bars in singletrack as well. (They basically mountain bike with CX bikes now.) They have said they can't wait to try this bike.
Except in acceleration where the wheels are a little slow to spin up, Slate is as capable as any roadbike. Geometry is that of an aggressive road bike and the tires are as fast as a 700c road tire.
Trevor Henderson lol this bike is garbage..... chuck it in the bin!!
With an 11-28 cassette and a 52-36 crank it seems they are targeting the road race crowd, not the adventure cyclist. This lack of low end gearing makes zero sense. Would not touch this because of that. The Ultegra model is the same BS. But the top model CX Force has a 10-42 cassette with a single 44 tooth crank - totally different. What is Cannondale thinking????
Recently bought a caadx and a caad 12 both 2nd hand
I prefer the 46/ 36 gearing on the caadx even on the road compared to the 52/36 on the caad
I'm considering changing the road bike gearing . Mind u after seeing this slate I could sell both and have great fun with one bike .
I'm too pooor to afford this!!!
There's a rigid lefty fork version of this bike for $1K less. Other than the fork, it looks like the exact same bike with the exact same specs. Paying a pretty penny for that fork.
Its an interesting concept but the problem is the price. $2800 is a lot of cash for something that is a general purpose bike.
I mean, really, anyone could build a very similar bikeminus the fork for a fraction of that price. Analloy frae and 105 components? That price is insane.
How about this, buy a nice higher end 90s mtb and put slicks on it and customize some parts and you will have a bike just as flexible for a fraction of the cost.
Why even bother with a suspension fork when you could have a very good compliant rigid that is lighter and,obviously, way way less expensive because that must be where that price is coming from.
It's a hardtail mtb with race bike bars and a shite colour scheme.
What is this horrendous music? Worst of the worst crap.