Cannondale AI. I was looking at the new Cannondale SuperX range of cyclocross bikes and noticed the 2017 Super X were specified with Ai. Reading on I discovered Ai stood for Asymmetric Integration and meant the rear wheel had to be dished 6mm. Along with the 12mm thru axles front and rear this was big news if you wanted to use last year’s wheels on your new race bike as the rear won’t fit the 2017 range. As experienced wheel builders, as long as we know your new bike is specced with Cannondale Ai we can adjust a stock build or hand build from scratch to make sure they fit.
Q: what is Ai and what does it do – read on after the photo of the new SuperX WOW from Cannondale.
Cannondale cyclocross bike 2017
Cannondale say: we introduce to SuperX range the all-new, Ai, asymmetrically offset rear triangle and drivetrain. The offset shifts the rear hub and drivetrain 6mm to the right, delivering super short chainstays without any of the usual compromises and a rear wheel that is dramatically stiffer and stronger because the spoke tension and angles are equal on both sides.
We then integrate this with our new Cannondale Ai HollowGram spider, which moves the chainrings an equal 6mm to the right, balancing the system and maintaining perfect chain-line, shifting performance and Q-factor. This elegantly simple approach – Ai – enables us to have our cake and eat it too. The extra space created by shifting the drivetrain outboard enables us to have:
- The shortest chainstays on the market, for incredible traction.
- Stiffness and agility.
- Up to 60% increase in rear wheel stiffness.
- Dual chainring compatibility with super short stays.
- Tons of mud clearance.
- Ample tyre clearance with the chain and front derailleur.
Note how the dotted line runs down the centre of the hub showing the centrally dished rear wheel in the illustration below.
Cannondale AI tech drawing
Cannondale actually moved its entire right drive-side outboard by 6mm. Calling this its Asymmetric Integration (Ai) drivetrain, the chainstays are asymmetrical to increase tyre clearance, fitting 40c tyres easily. This move requires a standard 142x12mm rear wheel to be redished 6mm to the left. The upside of this change is an evenly dished rear wheel for a stronger wheel less likely to flex. Even so, they are still really heavy and we have better options for racers available in tubeless clincher and tubular.
The downside of course is that off-the-shelf wheels or those from last season are not usable on this bike without being redished. So contact Strada on 01903 214956 to order a pair of cyclocross wheels or choose a pair from our in stock range and we can redish them accordingly.
