Strengths: Very light for how much travel it has. Short chainstay good for jumping and turning.
Weaknesses: Not the greatest for pedaling up steep technical climbs. DHX air shock isnt the best. reccomend you put atleast 60% more air than what they reccomend, i havent gone out on a ride yet where i havent used almost all of the rear travel.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the downhiller that wants a xc bike to go pretty much anywhere. Especially for under 2000$, this bike was a steal. Have done lots of jumping, climbing, downhill/freeride stuff, without hesitation. Have gone really fast down semi-technical terrain with out any problems.
Similar Products Used: Had a 2008 demo 7, and have a 2006 stumpjumper FSR. This bike is exactly in between the two. although it can handle pretty much anything both those two could, except massive drops and really fast rock DHs (like the demo 7) or really steep technical climbs (like the FSR). which is as expected
Bike Setup: RockShox Lyric fork, fox dhx 4 air shock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2009
Strengths: The Moto 4 is extremely stable and well balanced, with the CG dead center of the front triangle. Many XC riders accustomed to their "flickable" lightweight rigs will at first find the Moto rather "inert." But this stable quality is a strength in a 160mm travel bike. Speaking of strength, the alloy Moto (all models are almost half alu. anywho)seems well-nigh indestructible. I collided with a Prius at the trailhead the other day and totaled the Toyota but the Moto came out fine. (Had I hit head on, the Moto would have simply surmounted the car and dropped harmlessly off the hatch.) Speaking of hatches, the "Hatchet Drive" in back provides the smoothest travel I can imagine in what is essentially a single-pivot design.
Weaknesses: Cushy but cheap Cannondale saddle (switched to my trusty Fizik Arione); Crank Bros Smarty pedals are not really a good spec for the Moto; FSA alloy XC handlebar is about six feet wide (switched to Answer Carbon Pro Taper); Cannondale Grind grips are cheap and actually harder than the FSA alloy bar underneath; Moto 4 is not a svelte rig (when facing a long climb, just sit down and allow erosion to do her work).
Bottom Line:
A tremendously fun, confidence-inspiring all-mountain/free-ride bike. And made in the USA (the last of so many, I'm afraid).
Similar Products Used: I demo'ed a Kona Stinky that weighed as much as my old Crown Victoria, same appliance-white color, too.
Bike Setup: Stock (except see above).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Downtoob
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2009
Strengths: Extremely well built. Good geometry for aggressive cross country into downhill.
Weaknesses: 5 or 7 lbs heavier than your buddie's bike, so get in better shape.
Bottom Line:
This is a beefy bike, likely to last forever. It's extremely well made for the price paid. I've ridden it hard for almost a year now and have had no trouble with anything (short of a bashed front derailleur at northstar, easily fixed). The Moto 4 has good geometry for downhill, much better than comparable XC's or All Mtn's from Intense, Specialized or Santa Cruz. You feel much less trapped in a "cockpit". When things are moving fast and getting ugly, it's easy to get out over the back like a downhill bike. It climbs well, but does have some extra weight to it. However, I'm happy to roll a few extra pounds uphill - the only reason I climb is to fly down, and this bike is very fast. The fork and shock are well balanced, the Hayes hydraulic brakes have been great (though noisy at low speeds), drive train is super precise and smooth. The only changes I made from stock were to a more aggro front tire and to cut the handle bars narrower (1.5" total).
This is a killer all-around rig for aggressive cross country riders. It has plenty of suspension for rock gardens, drops and nasty root sections. It is very responsive and agile for its size, and so a total blast on single track. Your buddies may move faster up steep hills, but you'll pass them with ease heading down. Avoid this bike if you're timid, out of shape, or don't ride much - it's more than you need. But if you play hard and want a bike that can take it, you have to check this out.
I'm looking at a cannondale moto 4 at the LBS for 1599.00. seems like a good bike for the money but I can't find much info. on it. Anybody have experiance with it? Current bike is Read More »
Got a friend interested in Moto 4, 2009 model available at O2Gear. Is this a good deal or not for the money?
Link is here:
[url]http://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/product_info.p Read More »
[I]Kona Dawg Deluxe Full Suspension Bike 2009...$1,300usd
Cannondale Moto 4 Bike - 2010..$1,450usd
Rocky Mountain Element Lo Womens Suspension Bike 2010 | 16.5"..$1,100usd
2010 Read More »
There are two LBS's up here that have good sales going on. One has the Reign 2 on sale for 2k, and the other has a Moto 4 on sale for the same price. The Moto has the Giant beat on Read More »
