The 2010 Cannondale Rize Carbon 1, Dream Bike

The Cannondale Rize Carbon 1, it's light, responsive, slim and just as effective, and fun, on the 60-minute trail-ride as it is on a 6-hour country and hillside exploring. The Cannondale Rize Carbon 1 is a mountain bike that impresses all riders.

Cannondale has the Rize available in five models, two carbon framed, but Cannondale also sells it as a frame/shock combo so you can become your own product manager. And built your ultimate bike.

The Cannondale Rize Carbon 1 we had our hands on tipped the scale just over 11 kilograms complete with Crankbrothers Smarty pedals, Cannondale Hollowgram BB30 SL Crank, 130mm Lefty Max Carbon w/PBR front fork, FOX Float RP23 rear shock, Mavic Crossmax ST UST rims and hubs, Maxxis Rendez, 26 x 2.1" UST tires, Shimano XT front derailleur and Shimano XTR rear derailleur, Shimano 9-speed chain, FSA Carbon K-Force handlebars with 25mm rise, 31.8mm Cannondale XC3 stem, Cannondale HeadShok Si headset, Shimano XTR brake set with 160mm front and rear discs, Thomson Elite seat post, and a nice Fi'zi:k Gobi XM w/Kium rails saddle.

Riding the Cannondale Rize Carbon 1 takes getting used to. A rider had to treat it like the precision instrument that it is. That means deliberate, controlled brake application. IT means that rider position has a bigger influence on cornering, braking, climbing and jumping than on a heavier bike. IT means gear selection makes a giant difference in forward momentum. The Cannondale Rize Carbon 1 is a hypersensitive trailbike, and that's why we love it.

The Lefty Fork on the Cannondale Rize Carbon 1 has features that we all have been begging for. The fork's lockout now offers a blow-off circuit, so if you hit something hard while locked out, the fork will move into its travel and save you from a sizable jolt to the upper body.