NormanF

Any standard rigid 20" fork would track much better. If you run Big Apples or the Greenspeed Scorcher, a suspension fork is completely unnecessary. The tires will soak road chatter and bumps well.

ShinyBiker

NormanF,
If you are riding your bike for long distances on pavement, BigAs or Scorchers would be adequate in dampening the road grooves and minibumps of the asphalt. However, if you plan to drop some curbs or slight offroading, a suspension fork is a must, IMO.

Abneycat

Axle to crown on the rigid lefty is approximately 400mm. This is roughly 35-40mm shorter than an average 26", 80mm travel suspension fork (counting pre-compression of 15-25% of travel for XC riding conditions.)

Rake is 45mm. Suspension forks typically range between 40-45mm.

Steerer tube length is approximately 275mm.

Overall, I believe that you could replace the rigid lefty with a short travel fork if you wanted to, although it would modify the geometry of the bicycle by a small amount, raising the front end a little and changing the head tube angle from 70 to approximately 68 degrees. This is going to slow the handling on the bike a little, and it may feel a little less like an XC MTN bike and a bit more like an enduro or shore MTN bike.

Personally i'd find that great if you were using the bike for play riding and off-roading, primarily. It wouldn't be that beneficial if you were using the bike as an urban street machine and were relying on it to weave through traffic though, but I can't see it absolutely killing the ability of the bicycle in that field either.

In short, I personally believe that a short travel (60-80mm) suspension fork would work very well on the Hooligan. I have currently got no plans to do this, i'm rather fond of the little rigid lefty, but it seems very feasible. Of course, you should double check that the fork you're interested in is somewhere around these lines of compatibility. The Hooligan would end up too popped up with a bigger fork.

NormanF

I think it could handle a suspension corrected fork. But with big tires, I don't find it necessary in the 20" wheel size. The tire already provides all the suspension.

Dguy

I agree with this statement. I originally thought about getting a front suspension fork after a particularly grueling ride on over-inflated stock tires, but once I switched to 20X2's I changed my mind. I went on a 30 mile ride this weekend over some pot-hole filled dirt roads, but at no point was I sore the way I would be on a typical city bike. The tires make a huge difference. The ride can be bouncy, but that's more a function of the short wheel base than the lack of suspension, and switching from the stock 1.5" to 2.0" tires makes the ride alot more secure. You should definitely play around with some new tires first before you sink any money into a suspension fork you may not need.

irn_bru_ce

glad to see so many hooligan owners in one place , please visit https://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/...d=146088275355 and share some information , theres about 55 other hooligan people there

fopianki

Hey Abneycat, thanks for the review and photos...I just rode my brand new Hooligan 8 to work for the first time today...21 degrees and I grinned all the way! Could you tell me what brand rack and front fender you installed on your bike? thanks Frank

NormanF

The BD Windsor Shetland mini velo is all the rage on the Commuting and Singlespeed Forums.

vik 

I noticed you bought a Globe city bike. Did you keep the mini-velo as well or did it get cut from the team?

Abneycat

Vik, since I own a Dahon Mu already a friend of mine who was in need of a more compact bike fell in love with it, and so I let it go to him.

I'm visiting Oregon in March for some bicycle frame building classes though, my class project is to be a mini velo

Planned out in 4130 steel with discs, an eccentric bottom bracket, no proprietary parts at all. Going to check with them on whether or not I can do it as belt drive or not, too. It's going to be taller and a bit more traditionally designed than the Hooligan, though it will feature a slightly dropped top tube (ala an XC MTB)

I'm also thinking about picking up one of those Hooligan 8's at REI in the U.S. while there, they're $600, and definitely worth that much for their fun potential

Abneycat

Hello fopianki! The front fender is an SKS shockboard. I think most of the plug in MTB fenders should work on this bike, but can only confirm that the shockboard will work at this point in time.

The rear rack is an Axiom phoenix LE rear rack. But any normal-esque rear rack will work on this bicycle, and it does not have to be disc specific thanks to the chainstay mounted disc brakes. In these photos I was using P-clips to secure the top stays of the rack but shortly after, purchased one of these:

https://axiomgear.com/products/gear/r...k-seat-collar/

In 34.9

Which fits the frame on the Cannondale, holds that huge seatpost in place quite nicely, and provides a real place for the rack to bolt onto. I found it much better than the P-clips, and if you can find a similar product for yourself, I would recommend it.

folder fanatic

They might be available in your own region or country. They encourage you to contact the dealer first (taken from their own Website):
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
"....Because our Cannondale Retailer Shops are all independently owned and operated, prices and availability will vary from Dealer to Dealer, from State to State, from Province to Province and from Country to Country. We highly encourage you to contact your local Cannondale retailer to test ride your bikes of choice and inquire about their pricing and availability..."

https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Recreation-Urban/Urban/Details/2533-0HL3BBQ-Hooligan-3

https://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Recreation-Urban/Urban/Details/2535-0HL8WHT-Hooligan-8

From Their Spec: Frame: 6061 alloy, 20" wheel

For me, that nullify it comparison to the Raleigh Twenty. Even though my ancient sometimes klutzy not sexy Twenty is heavy, cumbersome fold, and has that 70s timewarp look, it is still a better bike as I know it has a beautiful "steel feel" to it plus it will probably bury me. No matter all the hoopla surrounding it, will this newcomer stand the test of time (or rider's interest)? I have my doubts.

Hmmmm.....un-huh.

Foldable Two

I have seen one in person, and I think it will be an interesting bike 10 yrs from now due to it's differences from conventional bikes - the 20" wheels, muscular frame and the mono-fork.

Not sure how suitable it is for someone my size - 6'3" with a 39" seat-to-pedal measurement. There aren't too many folders or mini-velos that are designed for trail use.

Lou

Abneycat

We went over this already, if you'd read the rest of the thread

I did end up getting the bike in the end. And it kicks ass. I handed it off to a friend who also thinks it kicks, and i'm probably getting a second one.

It is seriously tough. I'd do stuff on it without batting my eyelashes that I would never do on a 20. Durability over my lifetime? I don't think you read the review, that's not what the buzz is about.

This isn't a bike to grow old with, classic for the times. If it lasted 10 years, it would be wicked. This is a bike to rip around on, jump on, skid on, and then maybe commute on. That pretty much nullifies its comparison with the R20 right away

I think the steel feel and classic looks of the R20 are quite fine too. I've had 3 of them, and enjoyed them all! But there's no need to get sarcastic about a different bike either, you're not comparing an aluminum touring bike with a steel classic, you're comparing two completely different rides to begin with.

vik 

Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?...

I don't particularly care for R20's myself, but I don't spend my time telling folks their bikes suck.

There is no reason someone out there won't be still riding their Hooligan in 20 years... the AL frame isn't going to rust or snap in half...

If I had a choice between a R20 or a 15yr old Cannondale MTB I'd take the classic mountain bike or a brand new Hooligan for that matter.

badrad

i have been seriously considering the hooligan, and i managed to test ride both the 8 and the 3 over at pacific sports. although not a folder, i really could picture myself riding this for my daily commute and then hop curbs downtown on weekends.
as for riding it 20 years from now, i doubt if the locals want to see a 70 year old doing bunny hops in the downtown core, but i think my grandkids might enjoy the bike then.

vik 

You don't have to do bunny hops at 70....simple wheelies and manuals would be rad enough...

folder fanatic

Not enough room for doubts here? I simply have them and express them when I do. Does it mean sarcasm? Not necessary. I simply readopted my rather frugal upbringing which borders on conservatism-and lots of thinking and asking questions before plucking down a large investment of money or time in either selecting, using, or maintaining any given bike, not necessary the Hooligan. As for the lifespan of anything that crosses my path, I do try to get a good idea of it before I integrate it into my life. I know most things have planned or built in obsolescence in this society-i.e. this computer I an tying on right now 2-4 years only. I am also aware of it as this long term recession continues in my region and the more empty both large big box and little guy stores creating even longer lines of the under and unemployed does that to a person. So a little research online verifies my suspicion about aluminum frames-https://www.shopwiki.com/wiki/Road+Bicycle+Frames.

The choice is strictly yours in whatever you do in your life. I would not want to take away freedom from anyone that can-and able to-exercise it still. I do wish I did get up on the wrong side of the bed and this cautionary bad feeling I have been experiencing for the past several years is only a bad dream threatening to be a nightmare. Yes, I actually like to check out the official Website, then go see for myself (trip to a dealer in this case Cannondale) if I have the time, the dealer is close enough to visit and form my own opinions. I can honestly say for sure right now that the Hooligan is a perfect bike for the younger set-or with a younger view- with ample financial freedom and loves to do trick riding. I know young people around here would give their right arm for one. I was young like that once (although minus the trick riding). But growing up poor and falling out of the middle class and returning to the same muck seems to change me into what my family-of-origin tried to keep me from-depression era style frugality. So...that means conservatism in buying and using steel bikes only with a given track record for now (well, until the good times return, then we will see....).

But sincere best wishes in the enjoyment of your new bike.

Langelier III

Ive owned a hooligan 8 for over a year, living downtown San Diego, CA. Ive eleminated the need for a car.. but also developed a skill being an extreme urban street rider. making it a game only a hooligan can do. with its quick turns an high speeds! Im looking to meet other hooligan owners with the developed skill to fast urban drift. calculating opticals.. turns to make with precision drifting! I see one thinks hooligans is a bad life style of a chose. To everyone thats thought about buying one. its worth the cost.. it is a lifestyle as I have 2 now. And it takes certain people to appreciate such a well made bike with the best of both world in the bike world. Road speed & BMX... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoolig...5337285?ref=ts Check out my FB page. Lets get together to start something everyone will enjoy. Paul Langelier III

irn_bru_ce

Well had my hooligan 1 for almost 3 years now , best thing i love about the bike is the fact i can dismantle it and fit it into an ice hockey bag , they fly round the world with it and not pay a penny extra to the airlines. when its packed the bike plus padding plus tools & spares weighs 20kg , so i just take everything else i need in my big back pack and carry it on

I have the version with the Alfine 8 hub , absolutely love it , i upgraded the cranks set to shimano HT2 road cranks, and a 56t DH chainring (took 2 years to find a new one) i have also changed the discs to XTR centre locks as its much easier to take them on/off when traveling, that ment i had to upgrade the front hub to XT with splines, and for security i upgraded the XT front hub to a solid axle with 10mm track nuts to fix it to the fork. the front has a 203mm rotor, with the back downsized to 140mm. Ive changed my tyres and tubes also, fitted a set of KHE Mac1 300g tyres , super light, 20x1.5", they are filled with Schwalbe SV6a tubes , 60g , so rotational mass is less than half, acceleration from red lights is phenomenal now

I've seen a few posts talking about fitting big apple 2.35 tyres , that is only possible with the frames built in 2007/2008, after that the chainstay tyre clearance was narrowed by 10mm. this spring i also dismantled the alfine8 and added some gear oil, it leaves japan with grease lube, so with the mileage i'm doing i thought i better change to oil. initially i had a small ammount of oil escape from the brake side with killed a set of brake pads , but that was because i always laid my bike left side down in the back of my car, i now just keep it drive side down and not spilt a drop since. i use my bike for park & ride, i drive to the edges of towns of the city and ride in the rest, my car is only small (Citroen Saxo 3dr) but i fit the hooligan in without having to adjust the seat or take a wheel off

there are almost 250 members now of the Cannondale Hooligan group https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=146088275355 , a few guys have some very interesting mods, including a rohloff + schumpff equipped hooligan, theres a girl with a suspension fork, theres a pic of a liquigas painted bike with drop bars a 2x10 gearing. even see a pic of an extracycle fitted. like andrew from poleriders said when he first got his bike , the hooligan is like the beetle of bikes , everybody is customising it to meet there own requirments

and for all the IGH doubters , i am at 1 with my alfine, if i ever ride a derailer bike in a city now i hate it, i save them for the forests & hills only now

slolane

Just got my Hooligan 8 and love it. I picked it up as an all-arounder to play on and mix in some commuting. It's a nice fun addition to my bike stable and I look forward to many miles/adventures on it.

cbr9927

I ordered one a few days ago and the dealer said it should be ready to be picked up in March. I tired a REI brand folding 20 bike and loved it and hoping this will be faster and sturdier. I am not a big fan of the 14 color scheme, I like the white and black or red and black but what can I do, I want the bike now and do not want to wait for a better color scheme.

P7HVN

[QUOTE=cbr9927;16356004]I ordered one a few days ago and the dealer said it should be ready to be picked up in March. I tired a REI brand folding 20 bike and loved it and hoping this will be faster and sturdier. I am not a big fan of the 14 color scheme, I like the white and black or red and black but what can I do, I want the bike now and do not want to wait for a better color scheme.

That's awesome. Congratulations! That's one of my favorite bikes on the market, and have considered buying one several times over the last few years. Unfortunately I've never actually found one at a shop & didn't want to order one without seeing it in person. I've since made my own, full-suspension version, but may yet get a Hooligan in the future. Just got a set of Loopwheels and would love to find a used Hooligan to put them on....

cbr9927

How is the geometry on this bike? I am going to return a my 2013 Cannondale Quick SL 3 in size Large. Its just too small in feel and opposite the feel of my Giant Escape bike. I love how the small bike feels with the 20 tires but don't want a 1 hr fun ride and than feel so crunched that it gets to be no fun after that. I am 5 6 30 inseam btw.

dynaryder

I'm 6' and it fits ok after playing with the stem setup. But I'm pretty much at the top of the range for mini velos.

You're 5'6" and think the Large Quick is too small? Geo's only a touch smaller than my Large BBU which fits me perfect.