Submitted by
cannondale
a Weekend Warrior
from United States of America
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2011
Strengths: Climbs like a beast for what it is.. smoothest 5-6" travel bike downhill.. great for if cross country because you are keeping up with everyone climbing and downhill your gone!
Weaknesses: crapy stock rear shock on older models
Bottom Line:
amazing all around bike.. don't hesitate on buying one amazing all around bike!
Similar Products Used: specialized stumpjumper but it feels a lot more roomy and lower center of gravity
Bike Setup: stock 2005
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Submitted by
Shay Raveh
a Weekend Warrior
from Rehovot, Israel
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2009
Strengths: Very solid, climb well, great for technical rides. Aggressive riding position.
Weaknesses: A bit on the heavy side, but that's the price you pay for a solid bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is aimed to the all-arounder cyclist, a true all mountain bike. Gives you great confidence in all cycling terrain, from rock gardens to fast slopy trails. Behaves superbly under any condition but requires the rider to know what he's doing. Not a cross country bike, can go for the longer rides but not exactly built to shine in these routes.
Bike Setup: Front shock - Fox Talas 100-140, rear shock Fox DHX 3.0, 58 cm handlebar (much narrower than the original one)
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Submitted by
Jethro
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009
Strengths: Versatility, value for money, handling (especially downhill)
Weaknesses: None really. A bit heavy but this is not a XC racer.
Bottom Line:
I have used this bike all year round, for everything - from local trails and UK trail centres through to a holiday in Whistler (including the Bike Park) - and it has never let me down. The handling is impeccable even with low rent shock and forks (Manitou Radium and Marzocchi AM3 - both due for an upgrade), and it gives me complete confidence and masses of fun whenever the trail points downhill. Great on technical climbs too.
Easily the most fun I have had on a bike and it is still going strong. 2009 Prophets have an amazing spec for the money - DO NOT HESITATE - GET ONE!
Favorite Trail: Spruce Lake BC/Crank it up Whistler
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: Leisure Lakes
Similar Products Used: Tested Trek Fuel, Kona Dawg, Giant Reign
Bike Setup: Stock except shorter stem,60mm, and replaced wheels with Mavic XM317 with Hope Pro2 hubs + Maxxis High Rollers.
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Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, United States
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008
Strengths: long, smooth travel, great downhiller, good on climbs, great deal
Weaknesses: broke the frame (replaced by Cannondale), a little on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
An amazing bike for the money. Looked at the HiFi but liked the longer travel of the Cannondale. Climbs well for a long travel bike and still has plenty of cush for the big hits and drops. The frame cracked (keep an eye on the back of the upper shock mount) but Cannondale replaced the frame with an '08 in a couple of weeks. Great bike.
Submitted by
Jude
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokosuka, Japan
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2007
Strengths: 1. Adjustable frame geometry for different riding styles. 2. Single-pivot swing arm suspension system. 3. Tough aluminum frame construction, specifically the rear swing arm. 4. Larger top tube footprint for extra durability and strength. 5. Superb climbing abilities.
Weaknesses: 1. Rear configuration may seem "flexy" at times.
Bottom Line:
The Cannondale Prophet 400 is a superb bicycle. The amount of uses are endless as it is extremely versatile. From the cross country rider to a downhill rider, the Prophet can do it, with the right components, obviously.
Though it is a great all-around bicycle, one major irritant may be the amount of chain slap this bicycle sustains. A quick application of a chain slap protector, whether it be sticker type or reusable wrap-around type, the problem is basically solved.
Unless you are a dedicated cross country rider or if you like more control over steering, the bicycle rides better when the rear shock is set in the freeride position. The frame geometry changes to allow the bicycle to attack bumps more better without sacrificing much steering control.
I strongly recommend this bicycle for anyone who does a little bit of every style of riding.
Similar Products Used: giant warp, but i seems thar you are driving a lincoln
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Submitted by
D. S.
a Cross Country Rider
from East Burke, VT
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2007
Strengths: Finally made the switch to Full Suspension and love it. So far the weight has been a non-issue. The bike has more clearance than my hardtail. Handles great and a plush ride. I tried the Rush (I have raced some XC) and the Prophet and could immediately tell a difference. The Prophet was more comfortable.
Weaknesses: The bike has been great BUT the saddle kept coming loose and I had to end up replacing the seatpost. But that is it. I am 6'3" and 205 lbs. and treat the bike none too gently and it keeps going (except the seatpost thing).
Bottom Line:
I love this bike but I would probably say that about anything coming from a hardtail. If you are considering a switch- DO IT. The only recommendation I would make is go ahead and get the best bike you can instead of planning on upgrading later. I held out wondering if the bike would be too difficult climbing etc. and kept my hardtail. After a season of using the Prophet I got back on my Giant one time-- and then gave it away. It would be 5 stars if not for the seatpost but at $1200 it is a great value.
I bought the 800 model last year but decided the medium frame was too large for me and never really got used to the lefty. People seem to love it but I just tought it was ok but felt the front end was almost too light climbing steep inclines. I sold it and got the 400 and did some nice upgrades to the cranks, brakes, grips and seat. The tires need to be swapped out for something lighter and eventually replace the fork woth a Fox. I really did my homework and nearly bought a Trance instead but this one just had a better pedigree framewise and the stock components are not high end but proven to work well. You can't go wrong buying this bike.
Submitted by
Gabriel Cruz
a Weekend Warrior
from Doral,FL,USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2007
Strengths: Well built, strong frame, great looks, good components for the money.
Weaknesses: Weight
Bottom Line:
Great bike, looks really good,components have worked well so far, it is on the heavy side though, may upgrade the fork for something lighter in the future eventhough the Marzokee AMIII (5 lbs.) has worked well.SRAM X7 shifters work well. Overall, this bike is just a good deal.
Bike Setup: Stock cannondale 400, Changed pedals though.
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Submitted by
Andy Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Madeira Beach, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2007
Strengths: Solid Bike all around
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
This bike has been a great bike for the abuse that I have given it. I’ve looked at upgrading the components on the bike but just can’t justify it due to how good the bike works. I’ve had some Trek & Gary Fisher full suspensions, but this bike out handles and climbs all. Go get one.
Submitted by
Matt Hamilton
a Weekend Warrior
from West Hartford
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006
Strengths: Frame, design, peddling
Weaknesses: Alittle haeavy, some of the components
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for the frame and put almost every part on it from my old bike. As an xc/all mountain bike this thing rocks - granted it's not really at 400 level anymore but even B4 i did the build this thing was great as an all around (only 1 bike budget) bike. I highly recomend this bike (except for the fork if your going to use it for downhill occasionally). Good climber, good rear shock (surprised me as it is not a high end shock). GREAT FRAME and an amazingly good pedling bike - Pretty good a MT Snow except for the fork - I could not get it to not pack-up without being so soft I bottomed all the time. I have since put a Fox fork (which I had planned on anyway) and have not had it on a real downhill run since. But true to fox - the front end is now stiff, plush and smooth. I actually sold my Santa cruz bullitt and my fisher sugar 3+ (parts donor) and am very happy with only this rig. Buy One you'll like it.
Similar Products Used: Fisher Sugar+ / Santa Cruz Heckler & bullit / Giant (????) / Klien hardtail (years ago!!!!)
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain / Firex Cranks / Spinergy Wheels/ Conti Tires / Salsa post and clamp / fox Vanilla RLC fork /EB Candy SL's / Thompsen stem / Race face bars / Lock-ons BB7 BRakes
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Submitted by
yannick bisson
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006
Strengths: Plush suspension, stable at speed and solid
Weaknesses: Chain slap (easy fix), weak seat clamp(dukes replaced no charge!) and that is it!
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as an "entry level" AM bike but quickly found that it is very capable and can take averything I throw at it; Jumps, drops/hits and climbs. I thought the fork would be weak and planned to trade up but it is very tough and I'm glad I didn't go for the Lefty. I've given this thing lots of abuse to be sure that any weaknesses would be sorted out under warranty and so far just a bad seat clamp. For the money I laid out on this bike and the riding I'm getting in return...full chilis
Weaknesses: Chain Slap, for what the bike is built for, i'm suppresed it doesnt have a chain guide from keeping it from flying off on jumps and rocky terraine.
Bottom Line:
Nice bike, handles good. The 150mm forks take a little bit of getting used to. The price is a little steep for having the low end SRAM shifters/rear derailuer, but still Good Buy.
Bike Setup: All stock, execpt for pedals. Using Shimano Clipless
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bridgewater, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006
Strengths: Solid, well built. The frame can handle just about anything. Brakes are powerful and reliable. The Marzocchi AM III is tough and soakes up anything and everything. I've nosedived on a couple of drops and rode away fine, where as with my old bike I definatly would have flipped. The Radium is great, also very tough and can handle almost anything.
Weaknesses: The rear brakes squeak periodically but it doesn't affect the preformance
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike for a first full suspension. I'll probably have the frame forever and just swap out old components for new ones if needed. bottom line, if you wanna have a great ride, get this bike!
Submitted by
Chip
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2006
Strengths: the frame is amazing! incredibly strong and very light the front fork i expected to be crappy but is actually very nice and im very impressed. the radium is really smooth and strong im a pretty light guy at 165 but its handleing the 5 and 6 foot drops great. the disk brakes are great once u get them broken in which doesnt take long just a hard stop every now and again for the first few days brakes them in nicely
Weaknesses: the only problem is my chain has a stiff spot in it that jumps on the smaller cogs (higher gears) because it wont bend around the smaller diameter
Bottom Line:
great bike for a great price drive train a little weak but thats upgradable
