Cannondale have released more information about their new gravel road bike, which will be called the Slate and boasts the brand’s innovative Lefty suspension fork.

Based on what is said to be one of the stiffest suspension forks in the mountain bike market, the Lefty Oliver road suspension is the product of confidential testing according to the video and offers 30mm of travel.

It uses a unique thru-axle design and the minimalist single-leg design ensures it is lighter too.

Though the full details of the new bike are still being kept under wraps, thanks to the video we also know the bike will be fitted with 650b mountain-bike wheels wrapped in 42mm tyres (the same outer diameter as 700c run with 22m tyres).

So with no penalty in the effective wheel size, riders of the aluminium-tubed Slate will benefit from increased tyre volume for better puncture protection and enhanced comfort, making it suitable for trails and off-road riding.

Disc brakes are also included, as expected – with one hydraulic and one mechanical SRAM system shown in the video, while the bike appears to boast a similar tubing profile to the American brand’s CAAD10.

There is no word yet on whether the launch range will also include carbon fibre framesets, but the aluminium profiles of the bikes in the video suggest alloy will be the dominant material.

On the new machine, Cannondale product manager David Devine says in the video the inspiration came from wanting to build a bike which doesn’t confine the rider to racing or long endurance rides and ‘made people feel youthful’.

Internal cable routing can also be seen in the video, but it’s likely we’ll have to wait until the official launch for the full low-down on the new bike. Watch this space!