CANNONDALE WARRANTY

CANNONDALE® SUPER V TM AND SUPER V RAVENTM OWNER’S MANUAL

Your Cannondale Super V or Super V Raven frame is warrantied against
manufacturing defects in materials and/or workmanship for the lifetime of
the original owner. Under this warranty we will repair any defective frame,
or at our discretion, we will replace a defective frame with the same or com-
parable model (due to product evolution.) See the standard Cannondale Congratulations and thanks for purchasing the world’s most innovative and
Owner’s Manual for more details. best performing full suspension design, the Cannondale Super V. Please take
a moment to read this supplement and the other literature included with the
bike, including the Cannondale Bicycle Owner’s Manual and the HeadShok®
specific supplement to familiarize yourself with the information they contain.
All other components, including HeadShok forks, suspension parts, frame These will provide important safety warnings and performance tips which will
fixtures and finishes (paint and decals) are warrantied against manufactur- make for many miles of safe, high output riding pleasure. If you have any
ing defects in materials and/or workmanship for a period of one year from questions about your frame or the contents of this manual, don’t hesitate
the date of purchase. to contact us. See the back page for phone numbers and E-mail contacts.

Your Cannondale Super V or Raven should have also included the standard
For complete information regarding your Cannondale Limited Warranty, owner’s manual and a front suspension specific manual. If you did not
please refer to your Cannondale Bicycle Owner’s Manual. receive both the Cannondale Bicycle Owner’s Manual and the HeadShok
owner’s manual, please download and print them from the Cannondale web-
site Tech Center or call our customer service line at 1-800-BIKE-USA in
the U.S. or Canada to have one sent to you.
GETTING IN TOUCH WITH CANNONDALE

For warranty related questions or for more information on this or any Please note that this manual is meant to supplement, not to replace, the
Cannondale product, please feel free to contact us. Cannondale Bicycle Owner’s Manual. The owner’s manual contains valuable
information regarding safe operation, adjustment, and maintenance of your
bicycle, as well as more complete warranty information. Please read the
USA and Canada: (800) BIKE-USA Cannondale Bicycle Owner’s Manual thoroughly before riding your bicycle,
Europe (EC): (31) 5415-89898 and keep it and this booklet for future reference.
Japan: (81) 722-99-9399
Australia: (612) 9979-5851 Because the Super V bicycles are so unique, there are some important facts
http://www.cannondale.com and warnings of which you need to be aware. The warnings are written as
custserv@cannondale.com appropriate throughout this manual, and also at the end of the text. Please
read and heed all warnings, the information is here for your benefit.

MAINTAINING THE APPEARANCE OF YOUR SUPER V FRAME

To keep your Super V frame looking its best, we recommend cleaning it regu-
larly with mild soap and water. Regular cleaning will minimize the chances
of corrosion. Do not use abrasive cleansers or solvents. Aluminum Super V
and most Raven frames have a thin coating of clear paint over the whole
frame (including the decals.) A coating of wax can be applied if desired.

JCH/PCA #108401 042699 ©Cannondale Corp. 1999, 16 Trowbridge Dr., Bethel, CT

COMPONENT COMPATIBILITY AND PRECAUTIONS FOR ALL SUPER V
AND RAVEN MODELS
FORKS

The new Super V Raven frame is only compatible with in-headtube type
HeadShok forks (such as the Fatty®, Fatty Ultra®, and Super Fatty®) and the
new LeftyTM fork. The new Raven frame is not compatible with any kind of
double crown triple clamp fork. It is not be used with a Moto Freeride or
Moto 120 fork.

WARNING: New Raven frames (2000 model year) were not designed to 1mm
use triple clamp forks. If you do so you may break, damage, or shorten the
life of the Cannondale frame, with resulting risk of injury or death to the
rider. If you do so you will also void your Cannondale frame’swarranty.

Aluminum Super V frames are compatible with Cannondale’s double crown Fig.1 ▲
triple clamp forks such as the Moto Freeride and the Moto 120. See the note
below about the use of HeadShok headset adapter cups with the 1 1/8”
steerer tube on the Moto forks. Aluminum Super Vs are also compatible with
all other HeadShok forks, including the new Lefty.

CAUTION: DO NOT MACHINE (OR “FACE”) EITHER THE HEADTUBE OR THE BOTTOM
HEADSET BRACKET SHELL. THESE SURFACES ARE ACCURATELY FACED AT THE FACTORY SO THIS
TRADITIONAL FRAME PREPARATION STEP IS NOT NECESSARY, AND COULD DAMAGE
The Super V frame’s head tube is designed to accept HeadShok forks and THE FRAME.
HeadShok headset cups only. The frame will accept a fork with a 1 1/8”
steerer tube with the use of CODA headset adapter cups. Only CODA /
HeadShok bearings or adapter cups should be used. For more informa-
tion, contact a Cannondale or HeadShok Authorized Retailer. CHAINRING SIZE LIMITATIONS

The design of the Super V’s swingarms limit the maximum usable chainring
size to 46 teeth. Use of any larger chainring may damage the swingarm or
FRONT DERAILLEUR result in contact between the front derailleur cage and the large chainring.

All Super Vs require a standard “bottom-pull” type front derailleur with a

31.8mm clamp diameter. Because the front derailleur mounts to the rear
swingarm, and has a limited range of vertical adjustment, some derailleur
designs (e.g. Shimano “Top Swing” derailleurs) are not compatible. SHIFTING PRECAUTIONS / CHAIN LENGTH

The chain on a Super V must be kept long enough to prevent damage to the
rear derailleur when the rear suspension compresses to its full travel with the
FRONT DERAILLEUR ADJUSTMENT chain on the large chainring and one of the larger rear cogs. Remember that
on any bicycle, the gearing combinations of the smallest front chainring /
The Super V’s rear suspension design places the front derailleur on the rear smallest rear cog, and the largest chainring / largest rear cog should never
swingarm. This arrangement requires very precise adjustment of the front be used. These gear combinations (called “cross chaining”) place undue
derailleur. Adjust the front derailleur so that the derailleur cage is approxi- stress on the chain, chainrings, and rear cogs. Duplicate or similar gear
mately 1mm above the large chainring when there is no weight on the bike. ratios can be achieved in other combinations using the middle chainring.
The rear end of the derailleur cage will rock up and away from the chain-
rings as the suspension is compressed (see Fig.1.)
2. 3.
SWINGARM PROTECTOR CABLE ROUTING
The swingarm on your Super V is made of thin wall aluminum tubing and The cables on the Super V must be routed correctly to ensure proper opera-
some CNC-machined aluminum parts. To protect the CAAD 4 swingarm tion of the derailleurs and brakes, and to prevent the cable housing from
(found on some Raven models) from damage inflicted by the chain slapping being pinched when the rear suspension is compressed. Also, be sure to use
against the chainstay, we have supplied a self-adhesive vinyl protector for the lengths of cable housing which will not impede steering control and will not
swingarm. This protector should be applied to the top of the right (drive side) contact wheels or tires. Based upon the type of Super V you have purchased,
chainstay, near the chain. Please inspect this protector frequently. If the see the appropriate section below for cable installation instructions.
protector becomes damaged, abraded, or peels off, it should be replaced to
prevent damage to the swingarm. To obtain a new swingarm protector, see
an Authorized Cannondale Retailer. The elevated swingarm doesn’t have
a traditional “chainstay”, but the protector can be applied to the bottom of
the drive side to protect the paint from chain slap. ALUMINUM SUPER V CABLE ROUTING

FRONT BRAKE

ALTERNATIVE BRAKES Run cable housing or hydraulic

line directly from the front brake
Hydraulic brakes are a popular upgrade on many suspension bicycles. When lever to the front brake.
selecting a hydraulic brake system for your Super V, choose one that mounts Rear
to the frame using only the existing cantilever brake studs or disc brake cali- Derailleur
per mounts. Do not attempt to modify the existing cantilever brake studs REAR BRAKE
or to clamp, weld, or to in any other way add new or different mounts for a
Run cable housing from the rear
hydraulic brake or disc brake. Any attempt to modify the frame, swingarm,
brake lever to the lower slot in the
fork, or related components will void the warranty and may weaken or dam-
double housing stop on the left side
age the frame. For installation instructions and other warnings, refer to the
of the down tube (see Fig. 2.) Run
literature provided by the brake’s manufacturer. The mounts on the Super V’s
exposed brake cable to the housing
swingarm and fork are designed to fit a CODA Compact Disc Brake caliper.
stop on the downtube near the rear
Other brands of disc brakes which conform to the international mounting
shock mount. Run cable housing
standard may fit as well. Rear Brake
from this housing stop on the down-
tube to the rear brake. If using
hydraulic brakes, run hydraulic
WATER BOTTLE USE line directly from the rear brake
lever to the rear brake, securing
Do not use a large water bottle (taller than 8” [20cm]) in a water bottle cage the line to the frame with the hard- Fig.2 ▲
on the underside of the Super V Raven frame if you are also using the new ware supplied with the brake.
Lefty fork. With the fork fully compressed, a large bottle may interfere with
a front wheel mounted to the Lefty, with risk of losing control of the bicycle.
If you lose control of the bicycle you risk a serious crash and possible injury
or death. FRONT DERAILLEUR

Run cable housing from the front shifter to the housing stop on the right side
If in doubt about using a specific water bottle, perform the following test: of the downtube. Run exposed cable to the housing stop a the lower end of
First, remove all air from the air spring Schrader valve at the bottom of the the downtube. Run cable housing (approx. 38cm.) from this downtube stop,
fork leg. While keeping the Schrader valve depressed, fully compress the through the housing guide under the bottom bracket to the housing stop on
Lefty to the bottom of its travel. With the fork fully compressed, make sure the swingarm just behind the rear suspension pivot. Be sure to leave enough
that the water bottle and/or water bottle cage do not interfere with the front slack in this piece of housing to allow for the movement of the swingarm.
wheel. When done, re-inflate the air spring on the Lefty. It is easiest to first position the housing into the stop on the swingarm, and
then to run the cable through the housing and out the hole towards the front
derailleur.
4. 5.
REAR DERAILLEUR FRONT DERAILLEUR

Run cable housing from the rear shifter to the upper slot in the double hous- Run 4mm derailleur cable housing from the front shifter through the snap-in
ing stop on the left side of the downtube (see Fig.2.) Run exposed cable down cable housing guides on the right side of the downtube. Run the cable and
to the housing stop on the left side of the downtube near the rear shock ab- housing under the bottom bracket to the housing stop on the swingarm just
sorber mount. Run cable housing from this stop, under the seat area, across behind the rear suspension pivot. Be sure to leave enough slack in this piece
to the housing stop insert on the right side of the swingarm under the canti- of housing to allow for the movement of the swingarm. It is easiest to first
lever brake stud. Run bare cable to the housing stop lower on the right side position the housing into the stop on the swingarm, and then to run the
of the swingarm, and then run housing from this stop to the rear derailleur. cable through the housing and out the hole towards the front derailleur.

REAR DERAILLEUR

Run 4mm derailleur cable housing from the rear shifter through the top of
SUPER V RAVEN CABLE ROUTING the snap-in cable housing guides on the left side of the downtube (see Fig.3
on previous page.) Route the housing across the bike (under the seat area)
The Raven frame uses long, unbroken pieces of cable housing for the front to the housing stop on the right side of the swingarm. Run bare cable to the
and rear derailleurs, and for the rear brake. Note that the Raven uses 4mm rearward housing stop on the swingarm. Run cable housing from the rear
derailleur housing only. housing stop on the swingarm to the rear derailleur.

FRONT BRAKE
Fig.3 ▼ ALUMINUM SUPER V SEATPOST MOUNTING
Run cable housing or
hydraulic line directly The Super V will accept any 27.2mm diameter seatpost. The seatpost must
from the front brake be inserted all the way through and out the bottom end of the seatube (see
lever to the front brake. Rear Fig. 4.) Grease the seatpost clamp bolt threads and tighten it to 70-80 In-
derailleur
Lbs (8-9 Nm.)
REAR BRAKE

For rim brakes, run cable IMPORTANT: Make sure that the end of the Fig.4 ▼
housing or hydraulic line seatpost will not come into contact with the
from the rear brake lever rear shock and/or swingarm as the suspen-
sion is compressed. To do so, first adjust the Torque:
through the cable housing 70-80
guides on the left side of seatpost height for the bike’s intended rider.
in/lbs.
the downtube, ending at Then compress the rear suspension as far is
the rear brake (see Fig.3.) possible in order to bottom out the suspen-
The cable housing will
Rear brake sion travel. If necessary, cut the bottom
snap into the bottom of of the seatpost to provide at least 1/2” of
the cable guides on the clearance between it and the suspension
left side of the frame. parts when the suspension is fully com- Minimum
pressed. Repeat this check each time Insertion
the seat height is readjusted.
For disc brakes, run the cable housing or hydraulic line from the rear brake
lever through the cable housing guides on the left side of the downtube. Con-
tinue the housing or hydraulic line through the guides on the rear swingarm WARNING: Use only a 27.2mm diameter seatpost and be sure that
to the disc brake on the left drop-out. Because the cable housing will snap the seatpost is held securely by the seatpost collar. The seatpost collar
into the bottom of the cable guides on the left side of the frame, you won’t clamp bolt must be torqued to 70-80 In-Lbs (8-9 Nm.) Failure to proper-
need to cut the hydraulic line to route it through the guides. ly torque the collar could lead to slippage, loss of control and risk of
serious injury or death.
6. 7.
SUPER V RAVEN SEATPOST Fig.5 ▼ FOX FLOAT AIR / OIL SHOCKS
MOUNTING
The Fox FLOAT shocks use an air spring to adjust the stiffness of the rear
The Super V Raven will accept any suspension and oil to damp the suspension movement. Before adjusting air
27.2mm diameter seatpost. It is criti- Torque: 35 spring preload, clean any dirt from the area around the Schrader valve on
cal that the seatpost is inserted through in/lbs. the shock absorber.
both of the frame’s seatpost clamps, and
is clamped securely. Grease the threads
1. With rider off of the bike, attach a high pressure precision air pump with
on the frame’s seatpost clamp bolts and
gauge to the threads and add air pressure equal to the rider’s weight (in p.s.i.).
tighten both of the seatpost clamps to
Minimum Then compress the suspension once to charge the negative air spring. This in-
35 In-Lbs (4 Nm) (see Fig.5.)
Insertion flation is a good starting point, but can be fine tuned by following the remain-
ing steps.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the end of the seatpost will not come into con-
tact with the rear shock and/or swingarm as the suspension is compressed.
2. With rider off of the bike, measure distance between the centers of the bolts
To do so, first adjust the seatpost height for the bike’s intended rider. Then
at each end of the shock which anchor the shock to the bike and the swingarm.
compress the rear suspension as far is possible in order to bottom out the
suspension travel. If necessary, cut the bottom of the seatpost to provide at
least 1/2” of clearance between it and the suspension parts when the sus- 3. Have the rider sit on the bike in a normal, relaxed cycling position, with both
pension is fully compressed. Repeat this check each time the seat height feet on the pedals and weight on the seat. It may be easiest for the rider to lean
is readjusted. against a wall or post. It is important that the rider not bounce the bike.

WARNING: Use only a 27.2mm diameter seatpost and be sure that 4. Again measure the distance between the centers of the bolts at each end of
the seatpost is held in both seatpost clamps. Both clamp bolts must be the shock. The difference between this measurement and the uncompressed
torqued to 35 In-Lbs (4 Nm.) Failure to properly torque the clamps could measurement is the suspension “sag.”
lead to slippage, loss of control and risk of serious injury or death.

5. Most riders prefer to set the preload so that the bike’s rear shock compresses
about 1/4” when the rider is seated in a normal, relaxed riding position. Add or
release air pressure to the suspension, compress the shock once, and recheck
REAR SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT FOR ALL SUPER V MODELS your measurements to achieve the desired sag setting.

All Super V and Super V Raven models use Fox shock absorbers to provide
120mm of plush rear wheel travel, except for Raven SL models which use
shorter travel Fox shocks for 80mm of travel. The shorter travel is more ideal FOX VANILLA COIL SHOCKS
for lightweight cross country use, but the SL models can be upgraded to a
longer travel shock if desired. To get the best performance from the rear The Fox Vanilla shocks use a coil spring to adjust the stiffness of the rear sus-
suspension, the preload pressure in the rear shock should be adjusted to pension and oil to damp the suspension movement. Note that the spring rate
suit the rider’s weight. Based upon which type of shock you have on your (stiffness) of the coil spring is printed on the outside of the coil, and that coils
Super V, refer to the appropriate section below. of different spring rates are available from Fox.

NOTE: Rear suspension preload is a matter of personal preference. We 1. With rider off of the bike, measure distance between the centers of the bolts
encourage riders to experiment with different preload settings and find the at each end of the shock which anchor the shock to the bike and the swingarm.
setting that suits them best. If too much preload is set, the suspension will
be stiff and unresponsive over small bumps. Alternately, if the preload is 2. Have the rider sit on the bike in a normal, relaxed cycling position, with
too soft, the rider may feel some amount of “bouncing” while climbing or both feet on the pedals and weight on the seat. It may be easiest for the rider
sprinting, and may tend to bottom out the shock (compress it to the limit to lean against a wall or post. It is important that the rider not bounce the bike.
of its travel) on large bumps.
8. 9.
3. Again measure the distance between the centers of the bolts at each end of WARNINGS FOR ALL CANNONDALE FRAMES:
the shock. The difference between this measurement and the uncompressed
measurement is the suspension “sag.” WARNING: Inspect the frame carefully for damage after any crash,
drop, impact to the frame, or other harsh treatment. Riding a cracked
frame could lead to complete bicycle failure. Like other high-perfor-
4. Most riders prefer to set the preload so that the bike’s rear shock compres- mance structures, this frame should be inspected periodically for
ses about 1/4” when the rider is seated in a normal, relaxed riding position. cracks. DO NOT RIDE a bike with any crack, even a small one. See
With the rider off of the bike, turn the adjusting ring clockwise to compress your authorized Cannondale retailer or call 1-800-BIKE-USA. A crack
the coil (decreasing the amount of sag,) or counter-clockwise to increase the will weaken the frame and could lead to failure, with risk of serious
amount of sag compression. Recheck your measurements to achieve your injury or death to the rider.
desired sag setting. If more than 4-5 turns of preload are required to achieve
the correct amount of sag, it is recommended that the coil be replaced with
the next heavier spring rate. If the suspension is still too stiff with the adjust-
ing ring applying no pressure to the spring, it is recommended that the coil RAVEN SPECIFIC WARNINGS:
be replaced with the next lighter spring rate. WARNING: Do not ride your Super V Raven if you see any sign of
damage, such as broken, splintered, or delaminated thermoplastic
carbon fiber. A delamination or break in the adhesive bond between
the backbone and the thermoplastic carbon fiber may be present if
the seam has turned white. You should also periodically inspect the
REBOUND DAMPING ADJUSTER KNOB magnesium backbone for cracks. If you have any questions, contact
your Cannondale retailer, or contact Cannondale directly. Continuing
Rebound damping controls the speed at which the suspension returns to its ex- to ride a damaged frame increases the chances of frame failure, with
tended position after being compressed by a bump. The rebound damping on the possibility of injury or death of the rider.
some Fox rear shocks can be tuned by turning the red adjuster knob, located
on the shock body. To set the rebound damping to a heavier position (for slower WARNING: New Raven frames (2000 model year) were not designed
suspension return), turn the adjuster knob clockwise. Conversely, to set damp- to use triple clamp forks. If you do so you may break, damage, or
ing lighter (for quicker suspension return), turn the knob counter clockwise. shorten the life of the Cannondale frame, with resulting risk of injury
or death to the rider. If you do so you will also void your Cannondale
frame’s warranty.
Rebound should be as fast as possible without kicking back and pushing the
rider off the saddle when riding the bike in rough terrain. If the rebound is too
slow the suspension will not allow the wheel to follow the changing terrain. De-
CAUTION: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR SOME WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FRAME
termining the proper rebound setting may take a number of rides. During the
first few rides adjust the damping and note the different ride characteristics. WHEN THE BIKE IS RIDDEN IN WET CONDITIONS, CARRIED ON TOP OF A CAR IN
You may want to change your rebound setting for different riding conditions. THE RAIN, OR WASHED. THIS WATER MUST BE DRAINED OUT, PARTICULARLY IF
FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE POSSIBLE. KEEP THE DRAIN HOLE LOCATED ON
THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DOWNTUBE (NEAR THE BOTTOM BRACKET) OPEN.

CAUTION: DO NOT TRY TO SAND OR POLISH SCRATCHES FROM THE FINISH OF

THE RAVEN FRAME. SANDING WILL RESULT IN A FLAT, DULL FINISH. SIGNIFICANT
COMPRESSION DAMPING ADJUSTER
SANDING COULD THIN AND WEAKEN THE FRAME.
Some Fox rear shocks also have a compression adjuster which changes the rate
at which the shock compresses through the shock stroke, stiffening the shock CAUTION: DO NOT PAINT YOUR RAVEN FRAME. CANNONDALE CANNOT FORESEE
against small bumps. Determining the proper compression setting is a matter ALL POSSIBLE PAINT PREPARATION TECHNIQUES AND PAINTING SOLVENTS. TO
of personal preference. During the first few rides adjust the two position lever AVOID DAMAGE WE SIMPLY RECOMMEND AGAINST PAINTING THE RAVEN
to vary the compression characteristics. Note that different trail conditions FRAME. PAINTING THE FRAME COULD LEAD TO DEGRADATION OF THE
may favor different compression settings. THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL AND WILL VOID THE FRAME’S WARRANTY.

10. 11.