The Rize is the Swiss Army knife of the trail bike world. It's a bike that brings all-new metalforming technology to the industry, and combines it with carbon-fiber fabrication techniques. It uses a dreamy-riding multi-pivot suspension with 130mm of balanced travel. The means that riders can use it as a do-it-all rig, whether you're riding notoriously gnarly rock gardens in the Northeast or the gently rolling foothills of the inter-mountain West.
Submitted by
292beach
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN,USA Date Reviewed: September 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
lebanon Hills
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Eriks
Strengths:
Strong frame(made in USA), good to OK components at a good price. I've been riding it 2-3 times a week and haven't had any problems.
Weaknesses:
I got rid of the seat and pedals right away.
Similar Products Used:
Test rode a bunch... This was the best for the price.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for seat and pedals. I thought about upgrading the rear shock to a RP23 but the R with the propedal works fine for me(170) unless I stand up on a climb.
Bottom Line:
A great entry all-mountain bike for the price. I ride it as a XC bike but like the 5" of travel of the XX or expert trails. If I did it all over again I would get the Rize 4. I think you can get the Rize 5 at Eriks for $1500 now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kenscannon
a Weekend Warrior
from farmington,ohio,us Date Reviewed: September 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
west branch state park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
eddys bike shop
Strengths:
Light weight,great components,great shock and fork for a heavy rider
Weaknesses:
Pedals and tires, should come with better trail tires unless you ride on pavment more the real mountain bike trails.Pedals look like something off a walmart bike not an top of the line mountain bike
Similar Products Used:
Cheap walmart NEXT mountain bike and a diamondback coil from dickssportinggoods
Bike Setup:
Allstock except tires, put Kenda Kinetic ust foildable tires
Bottom Line:
Don't waste any money on a starter bike from walmart or dicksportinggoods or any chain store, go right to a real bike shop and buy a cannondale rize5 you will not regret it one bit. I would recommend this bike to anyone from a new rider to a seasoned vet
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sausagedog
a Cross Country Rider
from york uk Date Reviewed: August 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
yorkshire
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
uk
Strengths:
ive had a few bikes shall we say,but never had a test ride on a cannondale(ive had 4) the feel is soo right.could have done with better spec but its not bought for that its the quality frame u buy.saying that the wheel set is strong ive abused it somewhat round the city of york if set up right its very good for street riding takes stairs with ease dropoffs etc.
Weaknesses:
main isue was the bottom braket was too short when i got it so couldnt get small ring so got new crank n bb sent out free as they hadput wrong one on.
i think its the spec that need changing.and rear lock out only slows down the rebound on the fox rear
shocks could be a bit longer travel why fit a 130mm fork when its got the 100mm set up on it.
rear lock out needed
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher sugar 4 not even in the same class
tryed marin but still didnt feel right
Bike Setup:
hope m4 tech2 front disc
everything else is stock
need to lighten it now
Bottom Line:
bottom line is buy it,it climbs soo good and goes down even better.
next up for me is rear hope new wheels and a few more tweeks
carbon as much as i can.
ive had the raven x2 and v1000`s but this feels right everyone on here said ride it 1st but i took a chance like all the other dale`s ive had and it pulled off
i also tryed the moto to see what that was like and yes its the same feeling its like a glove fits just right.
iam 6ft1 and a large is just right with seat post quite high,dont look at a medium that will be far to small.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hard Driver
a Weekend Warrior
from Hollis, NH Date Reviewed: July 15, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
Great balance between plush suspension and efficiency.
Weaknesses:
Didn't like original tires. I like a shorter stem.
Great Bike, Good value. This bike climbs as well as my old NRS, which was a good climbing bike. Yet the additional suspension makes the rock gardens much smoother. Nice blend between a light efficient cross country bike with a 5" suspension and 68 degree head angle all-mountain bike for handling bombing down the serious trails. I am not reviewing the bike as a downhill bike, but as a trail bike, and as a trail bike, it hits the nail on the head. I am giving it 4 chilis, because I think the Rize 4 with the upgraded fork and rear shock would be better, so I have to leave a chili for the componants being slightly on the value side of the equation. But the bike then gets 5 chilis for value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eneed
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, SC Date Reviewed: November 28, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Plenty of smooth travel for most riding conditions. Efficient suspension and nice price point for a made in USA bike.
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy, though for the price it is comparable or lighter than other bikes. The Tora fork is good but would be better with a detented rebound adjustment so it wouldn't drift while riding. The Monorail tires from Maxxis are good for hardpack but sketchy in loose.
Similar Products Used:
07 Stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
This would be a great first full suspension and is good enough to upgrade later. It gobbled up rough sections better than a Stumpjumper and is similar in efficiency. Overall very comfortable to ride all day and very good overall performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ccphares
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: October 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tiger Mountain
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
REI Seattle
Strengths:
Light, nice frame design, generally good components. Made and backed by a solid, US company.
Weaknesses:
No rear shock lock-out. Would like to have 185mm discs, rather than 160mm. Would be nice to have through-axle front hub/fork. Carbon fiber piece for rear suspension seems like a bad (weak) idea. Too many decals, which can't be removed. An $1800 bike should come with a set of SPD pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Rode a Giant Trance in Moab, which had the larger brakes, rear lock-out, and through-axle hub.
Bike Setup:
Mainly stock with SPDs.
Bottom Line:
Probably will suit my needs for now. Should be a good platform for future upgrades.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
