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Per subject, and my thread history here, I'm not the world's best bike mechanic, although relatively comfortable with most basic bike service/replacement including headsests/BBs. Hydraulics do tend to challenge me.
So - my Lefty Ocho is reaching point (time-wise) where it should probably get a service. I've watched this video:
Lefty Ocho Lower Leg Service - How to 50hr service your Cannondale Lefty Ocho Fork
And it does seem fairly daunting, but not downright impossible. I have all the required tools except I think the 39mm socket, and I'm always up for an excuse to buy some new tools.
So, forum experiences? Can a numpty do this, or should I post off to TF Tuned/etc?
Bumping. Plus #edit - if not recommended for DIY service, who does servicing in Scotland (bike was purchased down South)? My usual fork go-to, TF Tuned don't seem to list Ocho as one of the forks they service.
If there are no special (expensive) tools and the process is well documented then I'd crack on.
Watch the video lots of times so you become really familiar with the internals.
Then watch the video a few more times so when you shut your eyes you can picture yourself servicing the fork.
Make sure your work area is clean and all the tools are to hand.
Allow 3 times the time you think it'll take you to complete the job.
That's what I'd do. 👍😃
Short answer. No. I'd happily work on any other fork as a fairly competent mechanic, but I know better than to mess with my Hybrid Lefty. Maybe these later Ocho's are easier to work on than the Hybrid, but I doubt it. The Lefty version of a lower leg flush is all I'd attempt, but even that is of limited value without a full proper strip down. The issue with the Hybrid's as far as I know, is that Cannondale purposefully made it incredibly hard to purchase the required tools, even previously specialist service centres stopped working on them, and one is pushed towards using the few that are authorised. Without the required specialist tools you'll get nowhere in taking it apart. I'm guessing here but I reckon this is because they can be so problematic to work on that they want to keep it in house. Unfortunately part of any Lefty ownership that should be discussed by the seller to be fully upfront about the ownership experience, is that you will have to budget for the high servicing cost to keep it running. Ignore it and you'll destroy the lower leg. Mines on its 4th after only 7000 miles, when it needs that leg replacing it's a £400 service, even after religiously keeping to service intervals with the already inflated service cost, so I'll let you do the math. Assume you'll need a new lower leg every 3 services and you won't be far wrong if the Ocho's are anything like the Hybrids, and I assume they are. Mine costs about the same to keep running as servicing a car, and my cars a P.I.T.A.
Good luck.
I just watched the video for poos and giggles and it looks pretty straight forward. certainly easier than the old ones.
I had a bit of a 'LOL' at the guy saying that after cleaning with that wonder-kit, the damper would fall back down under it's own weight....and clearly it didn't. He had to pull it down from under the bench..... Sound like it's probably brake cleaner and then maybe 10ml of 2.5wt suspension oil as the oil is being cycled through moving parts?
You need the damper removal tool, cannondale are really good at using tool configurations nobody else uses, so as stated previously, expensive to buy, and if you try a fudge, a slip is very costly.
Tools are not only expensive, but finding a UK supplier who has them available will be a challenge..if not impossible. Cannondale.parts.de (germany, aka Dr Cannondale) used to be good but last time I checked I couldn't get them to ship to UK post B'Exit. I needed a cannondale propriety part recently and nowhere in the Uk had it...I used Leornardi Racing who will ship direct off their website from Spain, they specialise in third party 'dale specific parts and it looks like they do an Ocho tool kit among many other tasty things. I was really impressed with the quality of the part I needed and would recommend them...though the cost of shipping to UK for a £40 part made it £80, as yr 2nd B word dividend of the day, Which may also explain why the excellent Uk based Qwerty Cycles 'dale specialist is also out of stock of many such useful things...
Yeah, I loved the lefty but servicing and costs were just getting a bit too hard, and their support network was shrinking as well, plus I always forgot about the hazard of trying no handied with a lefty when switching between bikes 😂
Yeah, mine's definitely on its last leg.
Would the Stirling bike doctor do it. I've use him before.
Jamie