The Jekyll is a 29er-only, 165mm gravity-inspired machine that Alexander has raced and won Downhill and Enduro events on.
Alexander started riding when he was ‘very young’ — his first race was around five years back.
Pop along to any gravity race in South Africa, and you’ll likely bump into 17-year-old Alexander Jonker. From George in the Western Cape, he’s a frequent campaigner at the country’s major Enduro and Downhill events. Nicknamed Skapie, the affable youngster is pretty quick on a bike and has two National Championships to show for it. One in Downhill and one in Enduro – both of which he won on the same bike, a Cannondale Jekyll. We recently caught up with him to take a closer look at his high-pivot, race-winning machine.
The Cannondale Jekyll is defined by the Four-bar suspension layout, with a high-pivot and idler pulley.Branding is understated, unlike the rather large reinforced head tube area. Alexander is 1.75m tall and rides a size medium Jekyll with a single 10mm space under the stem. The cockpit is stock standard. Alexander runs his bars at 780mm wide, they have a 30mm rise and he runs a 35mm long stem.Alexander runs 170mm FSA Comet cranks and a 30T front chainring.RBC suspension has custom-tuned the 170mm RockShox Zeb Select Plus fork. Alexander says he runs the rebound a little quicker, at times.The 165mm of rear travel is damped by a Fox Float X shock that Robbie Powell of RBC has also tuned specifically for Alexander. Alexander prefers ribbed Fabric grips that are ‘easier on the hands’ on longer descents. TRP Slate brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear. It’s a 150mm TranzX dropper post with WTB saddle. | *Click to enlargeAlexander runs the cSixx FOAMO inserts to protect rims and tyres and keeps his pressures ‘as soft as conditions allow for.’Tyre wise, Alexander prefers the Maxxis EXO+ casing in a DHF and DHR2 tread combination. | *Click to enlargeThe rear shock on the Jekyll is tucked into the frame and sits very low. The idea is to create a lighter ride-feel and more responsive bike.Alexander runs Crankbrothers Mallet pedals and enjoys the float and ease of entry.
It usually takes riders a season or so to settle into a new age category – follow Alexander on Instagram to see how he gets on as a first-year racer in the highly competitive Junior Men category, in 2024.
