Cannondale Jekyll 2022: The Shocking Truth

Having trouble with harshness on the rear of your new Jekyll?
This might help explain a few things.

[@johnnnewmex]

The X2 is an awesome shock but I agree many people struggle to get it tuned in part because of its adjustability. And shocks like the super deluxe or dpx2 are just easier to get dialed quickly.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Definitely, as a shock for the racer I think it is pretty much unbeatable, for the average Joe not so great unless you like messing. I think it becomes even more complicated on this bike because of the shock location, it makes it so much more tedious to do anything with it.

[@MTBzine]

I have a XL and the rear is so harsh. I ordered a coil to replace the X2, but I read this on Cannondale's site about the Jekyll. The larger the frame the more progressive it is before the sag point. So its a bit opposite of what you said, but I would've thought the same thing as you. "The rate of progressivity increases in the larger frame sizes, with most of the difference focused before the sag point". This explains why the top end feels so stiff on my XL

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Well from my experience the large frame was definitely more supple off the top because of the longer stay, I tried both bikes with the exact same shock and the large was definitely plusher. Cannondale also said that you needed to run the shock at 25% to be more dynamic, something that every owner that I have spoken to disagree with saying it is way to harsh at 25% unless you have a softer tune applied to the shock. I was even concidering swapping the stays from the large to the medium to see the difference but just couldn't face the hassle of taking the shock out again 😭

[@MTBzine]

@@PedalhoundsTV I have friends on Mediums and they don't have the same experience as me, they find the top end compliant, but my XL is un-rideable. My feet blow off the pedals on brake bumps and consecutive trail chatter regardless of HSR and LSR settings, its horrible no matter how I setup the X2 and I messed with it so much. I'm running it at 30% sag, 25% sag just made it worst, lol... I have a friend at Avalanche Suspension that basically said the Jekyll, in the larger sizes especially, should never have been spec'd with a air shock especially one with a higher compression tune because it already has a Progressive Linear suspension. It's a prime candidate for a coil shock. Here's the full explanation if anyone is interested: "Each size has slightly different linkage kinematics to help assure that different-sized riders have a similar experience. The rate of progressivity increases in the larger frame sizes, with most of the difference focused before the sag point. The idea is to help smaller-sized riders get into the travel more easily and give larger-sized riders more support. Of course, different sized riders will run different preload settings, but Proportional Response takes into account the riders’ center of mass. Not only do taller riders tend to be heavier, their weight will tend to be higher above (or behind or in front of) the neutral position where we set our sag, and will exert proportionately greater force on the shock. So, up until the sag point, the larger size Jekylls will increase their leverage rate more rapidly than will smaller-sized Jekylls. Similarly, larger-sized frames have slightly higher anti-squat values, naturally making it easier for taller riders to counteract the proportionally greater force their weight will be having on the suspension."

[@rickywoods3101]

My came with the cheap float x performance (the one with only rebound damping ) . Im about 215 with gear and I hate the rear shock. I'm thinking about getting rockshox ultimate coil . I love it one my e-mtb.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Unfortunately the new ultimate coil won't fit, I've tried, but the older version does. I ended up fitting an ohlins ttx22m.2, it made a massive difference.

[@rickywoods3101]

@@PedalhoundsTV That's sucks, where is the issue on the ultimate coil? I guess I'm going to go with ohlins then ..

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@rickywoods3101 the low speed and lock out lever hits the frame and won't allow the shock to be bolted in , it's a bit of a shame because the RS Ultimate coil is a realy good shock.

[@pbls43]

You should try the DVO Topaz ,the plusher air shock on the market (I've heard the 2022 version it's better ,as if a air shock could be plusher) ,from my experience and for what I've seen on the internet (not paid reviews :Do )

[@fredboudreaux9663]

Great review. Your math on the size difference makes sense. I’ll pass on this bike

[@PedalhoundsTV]

I tried everything on that bike to get it how I wanted it to feel but just couldn't get it to happen. I've now got the new Giant Reign Advanced pro 1 and it is unreal, best bike I have ridden in nearly 10 years.

[@66wassa]

Has anyone tried a coil or the fox float x ? I could only get the base model and it had a fox dpx2 . Suggestions on upgrade

[@PedalhoundsTV]

My partner has the dpx2 on hers and it feels unreal, tempted to steal it 😂. Ella Connolly and team are all running the coil Superdeluxe. I opted to stay with air because my weight is constantly up and down due to me being a lazy bastard on times 😂

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Finally added a Ohlins ttx to the Jekyll, massive improvement

[@pietrotorres8498]

@@PedalhoundsTV how did you work out your spring rate, I'm having a lot of issues as different websites give me different spring rates. specially fox and TF Tuned. I have a medium size with a DHX2 2022, my weight is 69kg and I think 71kg approx with all my gear. cheers! and thanks for the reviews!

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@pietrotorres8498 I use the TF tuned site, but ohlins have their own. For example for me rockshox on tf is 433lb so I use a 450.

[@andreeabata9492]

hello , Its consistent with a coil shox? thanks

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Yes way way better, I am running an ohlins coil now and It feels great. Rockshox have also have just released a dedicated Superdeluxe air shock which has a linear tune, I have one ordered and it is due in December. They finally admitted without admitting the tune was complete wrong in the first place.

[@notkvnchn]

Would a decently light 5’7 rider be alright on a medium?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Sizing will be good for you but you will probably find the shock a bit harsh. I would defo recommend getting it tuned for your weight etc.

[@notkvnchn]

@@PedalhoundsTV hey thanks for the reply. Overall, do you think that bikes good for a lotta bike parks but still do a trail every once in a while?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@notkvnchn yes definitely, it's a serious bike when you get it set up correctly, admittedly it's a small bit hard on the uphills but nothing major, I've raced dh on mine and pedalled 60k fun spins, I love it.

[@notkvnchn]

@@PedalhoundsTV alright, I’m definitely gonna see if I can get my hands on one. Thanks!

[@notkvnchn]

@@PedalhoundsTV hey sorry to bother, but I just got one last question. I read somewhere that the wheel has some kinda offset, what’s that about?

[@geargirlstravelingadventure]

So I’m I’ve been riding an out dated 2009 specialized stump jumper and I’m looking at maybe buying the Jekyll.. I weigh 145 pounds what size bike would you recommend?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

How tall are you?

[@geargirlstravelingadventure]

5’4” but i think my upper torso and arms are longer. But how do you tell her measure for that?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@geargirlstravelingadventure I would go for a medium for sure. At 5ft 8in i felt a little cramped on the seated pedaling but not bad when standing. The small would be to small.

[@geargirlstravelingadventure]

Thanks!

[@ONEWAYAUTHENTIC]

Hello i am 5‘10“ (1,77cm) which size are Good for me???Medium or Large please help me Thanks 😊

[@timjauch9531]

How big are you?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

I'm 5ft 9in

[@timjauch9531]

@@PedalhoundsTV thanks, bought myself a L too, perfect size then

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@timjauch9531 great stuff, I just found the medium to compact whilst seated, very difficult climbing, the large feels perfect all round. It's a beast of a bike, enjoy 👌😊

[@ONEWAYAUTHENTIC]

@@timjauch9531re you 5“9“ and have you the Large Frame size???is it Good???or to big???please help

[@timjauch9531]

@@ONEWAYAUTHENTIC Now I'm about 5"10 but i liked it since day one. If you like it more Playfull a Medium is probably better but i like the large quite good.

[@asifitmatters1]

Some random rant…