Cannondale Jekyll 4 Tested May 28, 2012 Add to my Favorites Ken Wood launches the Cannondale Jekyll 4 over the rocks at the top of Ted WiIliams. The 150-millimeter all-mountain chassis proved itself at the Southern California DH training ground. Ian Hylands photo Cannondales single-pivot suspension and big-tube aluminum chassis has been around for a long time, but just when the industry is ready to declare it dead, the engineers there seem to be able to squeeze more performance from the design. The 2012 Jekyll, which has been competing successfully on the European Enduro circuit, bears witness to Cannondales magic. In this feature, we test the remarkably affordable Jekyll 4. The $3000 All-mountain/trailbike bristles with features, like the remote-actuated Fox-made twin-chamber Dyad RT2 pull-shock and a travel-adjustable RockShox Sektor TK fork that give the bike gravity-bike plushness on the downhills and XC freshness for climbing. Stripped to its elements, the Jekyll 4 provides a cash-strapped enthusiast with a modest, but very capable component selection, showcased by a beautifully-executed 150-millimeter travel frame that is worthy of expensive upgrades in the future. The Jekyll 4 is available in small, medium, large and X-large sizes. The weight (sans pedals) for our medium-sized test bike was 31 pounds even (14.09 kilos). Cannondale Jekyll 4 Highlights:-Frame: Manipulated aluminum frame tubes, 150mm travel, 1.5 head tube, Syntace X 12 thru-axle, ISCG-05 chainguide tabs-Fork:150/120mm stroke, RockShox Sektor TK Dual-Travel, 15QR through-axle-Shock: Cannondale/Fox Dyad RT2-SRAM X.7 three by ten drivetrain-Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large-Weight: 30.1 pounds (med)-MSRP: $3000 USDIan Hylands photoConstruction HighlightsCannondales Jekyll chassis sports a huge-diameter down tube that widens to three inches at the midpoint to support the pull-shock rocker linkage. The hollow rocker link is welded from two halves to boost stiffness and it clamps 15-millimeter tubular pivot axles designed to provide over-the-top torsional rigidity to the rear suspension. A pair of sealed ball bearings at each dropout pivot location ensure that the Jekylls rigid suspension will not be defeated by bearing slop. The rear dropouts are also welded box-sections that feature a Syntace X-12 through-axle and a beefy derailleur hanger. A forked top tube keeps the bikes stand-over clearance to a manageable height and its underside has screw-in housing guides for a dropper seat post. Down low, Cannondale uses an oversized-axle BB30 bottom bracket that incorporates an ISCG-05 chainguide flange. Finally, the direct-mount front derailleur is mounted to the swingarm so that the cage follows the chain as the suspension cycles to ensure optimum shifting in the rough. Aside from its full-length housing and hoses, the Jekylls frame is remarkably free from clutter an evolved and purposeful looking design.Cannondale Jekyll 4 GeometryAbout That SuspensionCannondale teamed up with Fox Racing Shox to produce the Dyad RT2 shock, which looks farm more complicated than it is in actuality. The pull-shock has three chambers. Two of the chambers are air springs with floating pistons. The center chamber (the pull shock part) pumps fluid into one or both of the air springs, depending upon where you set the handlebar remote lever. When both chambers are open, the Dyad RT2 shock