So, the headshok on my F3 has blown up again. I had about ~100 hours of moderate XC riding on the bike, and decided to stop into the shop to ask them if they recommended that I had it serviced. They told me to use until something doesn't work, and have it serviced annually.

With this advice, I just keep riding it. 1 week later, I am cruising on my favorite trail, up and over logs, through the rocks, etc. I suddenly notice that rebound damping isn't working right. On the way home, the fork starts puking oil out of the top just like it did during the first failure. Uh-oh.

I bring it in, and they take it apart. Everything is mint inside, no wet weather riding, no broken parts, just a damping cylinder with no fluid in it. The damping cylinder looked brand new - no scuffs on the piston rod, air shock seals are perfect, etc. Apparently the damper seals went.... why? Is this a defective design?

I am tired of this whole business, and am hoping to do a warranty upgrade to a Lefty Carbon Fox RLC. It is a coil spring fork with a Fox (read = GOOD) damper, and by all accounts is much more durable. Hopefully the dealer will come through on this ....

That's a side-grade...upgrade to a Fox f120

chevy still hasnt got back to me on my warranty request for a corvette engine in my aveo.....

Welcome to the exploding headshox (lefty DLR2 owner here) club. The first step is admitting you have a problem. The second step is giving up and buying a Fox. I'm still working on that step. Fox stuff is ****ing expensive as is a new front wheel, headset, etc, etc...

Factory rebuild under warranty if you can. Odds you'll need to take it in the rear and pay for shipping and the rebuild, though. Ask me how I know.

im 4 years with my Ultra DL, only had it serviced once and its still going great...

I've had my Headshok since '01 and it's going strong. Don't ride it much anymore though. So far, it's been a good one.

This is one reason I don't like Cannondale. Too much proprietary BS for me. Oh... Rock Shox all the way.

other than the shock/headtube, what is there?

crack and fail = cannondale
when will people learn

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah...

Why limit yourself to Fox?

Well, for all of you cannondale naysayers, the bike is great beyond the headshok problems. The frame is really light for an XL, paint/build quality is awesome, it is comfy frame. And it is made in USA. The frame is certainly worth the upgrade!!!

I also purchased the bike originally since I got a screamin' deal on it, it was last year's model, and a weird size. So I haven't done too bad.

The original damper was warrantied, no questions asked. So C-dale has followed through.

I don't believe the Fox lefty will be a side grade. It is a Ti coil spring fork, not an air spring unit like the SL's. The damper is also a Fox unit, unlike the SL or DLR unit. Much more adjustable as well. C-dale markets this fork as the "trail-rider's" fork, to be much more durable and maintainence-free.

You don't hear much about the Fox lefty because it is $$$ and doesn't come on hardly any of their bikes. For the price I am getting the warranty upgrade, it isn't any more than getting a conventional fox and the reducer headset. YEAH!!!!

Carbon = death