Simon Lessing’s 1996 Cannondale

In TSP18 I spoke about the 1980s tri-bike that I’ll be racing on this year. It’s roughly based on Mike Pigg’s 1987 Basso. IMO, technological advancements could have stopped right there.

Since I started triathloning in 1989, I’ve never really been seduced by bike-tech or convinced of it’s impact on your performance.

My priortity is always to have something solid and easy to maintain. I then use what I’ve got to juggle the comfort, power and aero equation.

Image: 220 (UK) April 1996

But here’s a more modern bike that I do really like. It’s Simon Lessing’s Cannondale from the 1996 season. I got to see a lot of it in transition areas as 1996 was my first full-season in France.

What do I like? I love the suspension idea. That could be locked out. I guess it could be useful on some bumpy road courses. Like in the UK! Although Leonard Zinn (below) wasn’t a fan. Too much power loss.

There’s also the drop-bars, clip-ons and Mavic Comete disc wheel vibe. Lessing was racing draft-free and draft-legal at the time. So he could mix and match wheel and cockpit set-ups as needed.

Image: Inside Triathlon (USA) November 1996.