To answer a readers question on the CFR XC prototype aero Reserve gravel wheels story Yes, that is a new prototype inverted Cannondale Lefty fork, that were going to call the Lefty Nueve. Details are officially non-existent at this point. But the Cannondale Factory team clearly has a new suspension fork at their disposal. And everyone is racing on it, suggesting this isnt just some one-off R&D prototype. So what makes it better than the Lefty Ocho?Cannondales prototype Lefty Nueve one-legged XC fork(All photos/Cory Benson)The 8th-generation Lefty Ocho has been around for a long time officially since 2018, so were not too surprised that it was bound for an update. And based on Cannondales previous Spanish naming scheme, were going to dub this one Lefty Nueve because I simply like how that sounds.The Lefty has always been divisive, but love it or hate it from a design (or servicing) perspective, this one-legged fork has delivered top-tier lightweight cross-country performance for decades. Just look at the Ocho. What other XC suspension fork has been raced at the World Cup level for 8 years, effectively unchanged?But it was time for an update. And it looks like Cannondale design engineers have found some tweaks.Whats new?Overall, Cannondales prototype Lefty Nueve looks a lot like the inverted Ocho fork. But there are plenty of subtle differences that hint at improvements.First up, theyve slimmed down the new upper. It is noticeably thinner just above the bulge for the lower bushing & seal. And then it features a smoother tapered transition up to its widest point at the top of the fork leg.There, it also transitions more smoothly through its one-sided crown up to the headtube. Before, there was about a ~2cm thick step where the steerer heads up into the frame, whereas now the crown looks to be as thin as ~5mm on the right side under the headset. There is also a new hole under the steerer tube. Maybe that could allow a high fender mount, or a light thru-bolt to tension the headset?New Chamber Damper controlsThe top of the leg also reveals some damper control updates. A new simplified top cap still allows for a cable-actuated remote lockout which the CFR team used to combine with some variation of a 2- or 3-cable Fox Twin Stick lockout that also operated a dropper post. But now it looks like several racers have opted for different setups to control fork & shock lockout, and CFRs mechanical Fox Transfer dropper posts.What has really changed here, though, is that compression damping adjustment is no longer tool-free on top of the fork. Now, theres a new rubber cover on the front of the fork leg, suggesting internal damping adjustment. Maybe youll get both HSC & LSC controls?More open stanchion guard & new StopLock brake mountThen, the upper brake line guide is slightly tweaked, with a continuous tube for the race team down to the brake line guide on the updated orange lower stanchion guard with a bigger window that the team straps its race transponder to. The new guard also appears to now be mounted only to the front & inside of the fork, not the outside of the fork leg.Cannondale also redesigned the Leftys StopLock brake mount with a new quick-release. Although its hard to know for sure what all has changed or why at this point. We can see they moved the mounting point for the adjustable brake caliper adapter, a bit back from the dropout, while the arm supporting the caliper moves up and closer to the stanchion. The redesign may make it easier to mount different rotor sizes, or it might just simplify disconnecting the caliper to remove the front wheel.Besides all that, the lower red rebound knob on the Cannondale teams Lefty prototypes is also a new smoother round shape vs. the existing ridged knob. That doesnt necessarily confirm any change, but maybe suggests more fine adjustment or greater rebound damping control?Coming soon?Does this Cannondale Lefty prototype suggest a new Lefty Nueve XC fork is just around the corner? Cannondale Factory Racing seem to have settled in on the new fork. And these forks look like production finishes, not working development prototypes. We wouldnt be surprised to see a new Lefty Nueve very soon.Cannondale.comThe post Yes, Thats A New Lefty Nueve. Cannondale Factory Racing is Racing Prototype MTB Fork. appeared first on Bikerumor.