Cannondale Bad Boy Review

Cannondale made the Bad Boy with one purpose in mind: to make commuting fun. And it’s built with smart features all over to make it a superbly practical bike too. All models get the same SmartForm C2 Alloy frame, which is lightweight and robust thanks to the double-pass welded joints. Heat treatment after welding increases the strength without adding any weight. The range-topping Bad Boy 1 gets sliding dropouts to accommodate the belt-driven drivetrain, while the other models get the standard vertical dropouts for rear derailleurs. A belt is used instead of a chain to reduce maintenance and helps keep your trousers free of chain grease.

Along the sides of the top tube, a reflective rubber bumper is built into the frame. This gives some peace of mind when parking the bike, but also adds visibility to other road users, so you can ride safe in the knowledge that you can be seen. The standout part of the Bad Boy is the Lefty ‘fork’, which gives stiff and direct steering. The styling may not be to everyone’s taste, though, and it also makes for a fairly tall front end, but there’s no doubting the strength of the one-sided fork. On the Bad Boy 1 and 2, the fork comes with an integrated Supernova LED light strip, as well as matching red LED’s in the seatpost, for even greater road safety.

Between the four models in the Bad Boy range, you have a wide range of options of Shimano groupsets. The Bad Boy 3 and 4 both get Shimano 3x9 speed drivetrains, providing a huge range of gear options. The 4 gets a predominately Altus groupset, while the 3 gets the next step Alivio and Acera components. The greater difference between the two bikes is that the 4 has mechanical Promax disc brakes, while the 3 has stronger and more reliable Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.

With the two top models, it’s down to personal preference rather than better quality spec. The Bad Boy 2 gets Shimano’s new urban Metrea 11 speed groupset combined with Cannondale’s Si chainset, for a 1x11 speed drivetrain. This single shifter setup gives a range that suits city cycling as well as light countryside riding, while simplifying the shifting system. The Bad Boy 1 goes in a different direction, focusing on ease of use and a pure commuting lifestyle. It uses a Shimano Alfine 8 speed internal geared hub and is driven by a Gates carbon belt. The belt is longer lasting and much cleaner than a chain, while the internal geared hub makes maintenance a breeze, perfect for the everyday commuter. It doesn’t quite have the gear range of the other models though, making not as ideal for hilly commuting. Both the Bad Boy 1 and 2 get powerful Magura MT2 hydraulic disc brakes.

Cannondale decided to build the Bad Boy around 27.5” (650b) wheels, usually reserved for mountain bikes. This gives the Bad Boy a much more nimble feel, allowing quick changes of direction in tight city street situations. All models get the one-sided Lefty hub in front, which makes fixing a flat super easy, as you don’t have to take the wheel off!

Rims are Cannondale C2 for the Bad Boy 3 and 4, while the 1 and 2 get Cannondale C1 rims. They are nice and wide to give the tyres extra support, aiding the handling of the bike at speed. Similarly, the Bad Boy 3 and 4 get different tyres from the 1 and 2 models. Schwalbe Kojak Performance tyres adorn the wheels of the lower two models in 35c size, while the 1 and 2 get bigger 40c Schwalbe G-One Performance tyres. These larger tyres, even on the 3 and 4, give more comfort than skinnier road tyres, taking on rougher roads. They also allow for more confident steering.