The Lefty Ocho fork is compatible with 32"

The emergence of 32-inch wheels in modern XCO is opening up a new technical and aesthetic landscape. But amidst this revolution, there are components that do not need to be reinvented to continue leading the way. The Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon is one of them. And it has just starred in one of the most striking combinations we have seen to date.

The Lefty continues to set the trend, also in 32"

More than 20 years after its inception, the Lefty remains a rarity in the best sense of the word. Its single-arm design, rigidity, and above all, its feel continue to be a point of consensus even among mechanics and riders who work with other brands.

At a time when electronics and smart suspensions are making headlines, the Lefty maintains its status purely through performance. It has not adapted to trends; for now, it simply continues to perform better than many alternatives when it comes to feel and precision in the front end, and Bike Ahead has just taken its 32” concept a step further with this fork.

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If there was a brand willing to explore this terrain, it was Bike Ahead. The Germans were pioneers in developing 32” wheels for XC, then they took the leap with their own frame and later with a complete bike that we have analyzed in depth for its advantages over the 29” standard.

After an initial version with a 100 mm Intend Samurai XC fork, they have taken a step further by adapting a 90 mm Lefty Ocho Carbon to their rigid frame THE FRAME HT. The result is one of those bikes that breaks any common visual reference, with clean lines, total integration, and an aesthetic that blends minimalism with pure engineering.

The setup is completed with top-level components, such as the Bike Ahead BITURBO RSX 32” wheels with a 6-spoke design, integrated bike ahead cockpit, wireless SRAM Eagle AXS electronic transmission, and selected components in an ultra-light and exclusive key.

Beyond the visual aspect, this setup once again highlights the real potential of 32” wheels with greater rolling capacity, better obstacle clearance, and an efficiency that, according to the brand's own tests, begins to show clear differences compared to 29” wheels.

This setup is not a commercial bike as such, but a demonstration of how far the Bike Ahead platform can go. First it was the Intend, now the Lefty, and all signs point to us seeing more configurations in this line.

Specifications of the setup

• Frame: Bike Ahead THE FRAME HT (965 g in size M, with carbon laminated dropouts)
• Fork: Cannondale Lefty Ocho Carbon, 90 mm (adapted to 32”)
• Wheels: Bike Ahead BITURBO RSX 32” (6 spokes)
• Tires: Maxxis Aspen 32x2.4
• Brakes: Intend BC Trinity TR
• Crankset: SRAM XX SL with Wolf Tooth chainring
• Pedals: Wolf Tooth CTRL Trail (328 g)
• Rear derailleur: SRAM XX SL with Hopp Carbon cage
• Shifter: Zirbel Twister AXS
• Saddle: Bike Ahead THE HYPERSADDLE