Cannondale Mountain Hardtail Thru Axle User manual

Mountain Hardtail
Thru Axle
Quick Start Guide
Applies to: Trail, Cujo, Fat CAAD

Welcome to the Cannondale family.
WARNING
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
This is a Quick Start Guide, not an
Owner’s manual.
Bicycling is an active sport with
inherent risk. A wide range of injuries
are possible. Due to the nature of
bicycle riding, the situations you
encounter while riding, you will be
exposed to the risk of serious injury,
paralysis or death. This risk cannot
be eliminated. You can minimize the
risk in many ways. Begin by reading
the complete Cannondale Bicycle
Owner’s manual accompanying
this bike and available online at
www.cannondale.com, particularly
section “IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION”.
First up, thank you for buying a new Cannondale bike – we’re excited to
have you on board and to get you out riding as soon as possible. Our new
assembly process is easy-to-follow – using methods outlined in this guide
to assemble your new Cannondale at home, plus it’s even easier to do so
with a friend. Our guide will take you through the simple steps from start
to nish – you can also follow along with a how-to video, as you build your
bike, just visit: [email protected]
If you still have any questions, then our Cannondale rider support sta are
ready to help you. Feel free to give us a call at
Also, when your new bike is all assembled and ready to ride, we’d love to
check it out – please don’t forget to tag #ridecannondale in your social
media. Enjoy the ride!

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

1.
Install your
handlebars

Install your
front wheel

Install your
pedals

Set your
saddle height



This video applies to one Cannondale Platform:
• Trail, Cujo, Fat CAAD
Tools Needed:
• Flat-Head Screwdriver
• Phillips-Head Screwdriver
• Box Cutter
• Scissors
Tools Included:
• Torque Wrench
• Allen Keys
• Pedal Wrench
Gently lift your bike out of the box and set
it on top of the box. Make sure the attached
wheel is facing upwards
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
Inside the box, you’ll nd a smaller box of parts, necessary tools,
documentation and manuals. Once the bike is assembled, but
before you ride, please read the owner’s manual.
First, locate the staples on the top of the box and carefully remove
them with a screwdriver. Use caution: the staples are sharp.
Push the hand aps from the inside to the outside of the box. This
will make removing the bike easier.
Carefully lift the bike out of the box and set it onto the top of the box.
Remove the front wheel from the bike by carefully removing the zip
ties or Velcro. Then, remove all packaging from the wheel and set it
aside.
Remove all additional packaging from the bike, letting the handlebar
gently hang from the frame.
Carefully lift and rotate the bike, lowering it gently back into the box
with the fork overhanging the box side. The stem should be pointing
forward and the disc brake caliper should be on the left (non-
drivetrain) side of the bike.
A.

C.
D.

F.
C

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Using anAllenwrench, loosen and removethefourbolts andfaceplate
from the stem. The stem connects the handlebar to the fork. Set the
bolts and faceplate aside together, so you don’t lose anything.
Insert the handlebar into the stem and verify the hoses and cables
wrap around the frame cleanly, without kinks to any of the lines.
Loosely reattach the faceplate to the stem. Take care to not tighten
one bolt more than another. Your goal is a consistent gap between
the stem and faceplate from top to bottom.
Center the handlebar in the stem using the markings on the bar, then
roll it back into a comfortable position. Hand-tighten the stem bolts
using the Allen key, ensuring there’s an even gap between the stem
and faceplate. You will fully tighten these later.
A.

C.
D.
A
B
C
D

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Unthread and remove the thru-axle from the fork and place it on a
clean surface.
Remove the front brake pad spacer from the brake caliper. Take care
not to pull the front brake lever without the pad spacer or brake rotor
present in the brake caliper.
Carefully lift the bike out of the box and gently lower the fork onto the
ground.
A thru-axle is basically a bolt that secures your wheel to the bike. To
tighten, simply insert the hex wrench and rotate clockwise, or “righty
tighty”.
A.

C.
D.
A
B
C
D

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Identify the disc brake rotor side of the front wheel. Orient the wheel
so the disc brake rotor is on the left side – the same side as the front
brake caliper on the fork.
Gently lift the front of the bike and roll the front wheel back into the
fork dropouts, taking care to guide the disc brake rotor into the brake
caliper.
Insert the thru-axle from the right/drivetrain side of the fork.
Use a 6mm hex wrench to rmly tighten the thru-axle. When properly
tightened, the wrench should leave a mark on your hand.
Remove any remaining packaging from the bike.

F.
G.
H.
I.
E
F
G
H

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK

Install your chosen pedals byturning the pedal spindle in the direction
of the front wheel.
Insert the right pedal (marked with R on the spindle) into the crank
and tighten with your ngers.
Repeat with the left pedal (with an L on it).
Tighten both pedals down very rmly using the provided pedal
wrench.
A.

C.
D.
A
B
C
D


To set saddle height, rst verify the dropper seatpost is fully extended.
Loosen the seat collar and pull the seatpost out to expose the
minimum insertion line. The seatpost needs to be inserted into the
frame beyond this line.
Raise the saddle to roughly the point of your hip.
To tighten the seatpost quick release, tighten the adjusting nut until
the lever is hard enough to close that it leaves a mark, or imprint on
the palm of your hand.
When riding, you should have a slight bend in your knee when the
pedal is at the bottom of its rotation.
A.

C.
D.

SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
A
B
D
E


  Select the correct bit and install it into the torque
wrench.
Look for torque specication markings on the front and back of the
stem. If these markings are absent, torque all bolts to 7 Nm.
Torque the stem faceplate bolts in an “X” pattern, ensuring the gap
between the stem body and faceplate is consistent at the top and
bottom.
Once you’ve found your correct dropper seatpost height, you may
have some excess cable slack. Gentlypull the dropperpost cable from
the handlebar toward the front of the bike to take out the additional
slack.
A.

C.
D.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
A
B
C
D

G

 Ensure the rear reector is pointing straight back, and
the front reector points straight ahead, perpendicular to the ground.
Tighten both reectors with a screwdriver.
Gently pull the wheel reectors toward the rim to ensure they are
braced by the spokes.
Conrm the front and rear brakes engage when the
levers are squeezed.
The brake lever and handlebar should not come into contact with the
brakes fully engaged.

F.
G.
H.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
E
F
G
H


Secure the front wheel between your legs and turn
the handlebar. If the handlebar and wheel move independently, the
stem bolts are not tight enough. Use the torque wrench and correct
bit to properly torque the bolts.
Attempt to rotate the handlebar forward and backward in the stem. If
it moves, the stem faceplate bolts are not tight enough. Use thetorque
wrench and correct bit to torque the faceplate bolts to specication,
using the same “X” pattern as before.
Grab the front and back of the seat and attempt to tilt it on the
seatpost head. It should not move.
 Before you ride, tighten the front and rear thru-
axles until the wrench leaves a mark, or imprint on your hand.
I.
J.

L.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
A
B
C
D

G

Tire Pressure. Inate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended
tire pressure, marked on the tire sidewall.
  Review all suspension and dropper post
documentation prior to riding to ensure the setup is correct.
M.
N.
SET-UP STEP 2STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 4 PRE-RIDE CHECK
E
F

Welcome to the family.
@ridecannondale