Submitted by
gazz
a Weekend Warrior
from united kingdom
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2011
Strengths: great spec, fox shock+forks, dt swiss wheels,carbon frame, ultra light, fast, and look great BARGAIN@£1899
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
Bargain off the internet reduced from £3000, to £1899, carbon frame fox bits and dt swiss rims+hubs, climbs better as my scott genius, faster on the flat and flyes down hills,put off the zesty by its shimano wheels and its £2800. price tag, I would not recommend a hub which does not take normal cartridge bearings, GET YOURSELF A BARGAIN WHILE WESTBROOKS STILL HAVE 2010 STOCK
Similar Products Used: lapierre zesty 514, SCOTT GENIUS
Bike Setup: avid brakes, dt swiss wheels, fox forks,slx, xt running gear.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
The Grimmer
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2011
Strengths: I have the RZ 140 6, which is very similar to the specs of this (but for some reason they don't have a review for it?) Descends extremely well, easily controllable on technical parts. Also pretty good on the climbs.
Shock and forks are both very adjustable and plush (FLOAT RP2 and FLOAT RL FIT)
Brakes VERY responsive (Avid Elixir R 185mm) Nobby Nics are a very good tyre, and the gears and shifters are smooth. A very good performing, light all mountain bike.
Weaknesses: Replaced grips as soon as i got it. Apart from that nothing to complain about. Rims could be better for the price, but holding up well so far (Mavic XM317 Disc)
Float forks shipped with not much oil, but easily fixable.
Bottom Line:
A very very good overall performer. All weaknesses are just picking on small things that are easily fixable/replaceable. Would not trade it for another bike in the world (In the same price range) It also rides better, and better components that much more expensive bikes.
If you want a bike that is stable when bombing downhill, and good for the climbs, this is your man.
Bike Setup: Frame:RZ 140mm travel, carbon seatstays, with BB30 BackBone, staged travel, with 1.5" HeadShock head tubeRear
Shock:Fox RP2
Fork:Fox 32 Float RL FIT 140mm travel with custom 1.5" steerer
Front Derailleur:Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur:Shimano XT Shadow long cage
Shifters:Shimano SLX
Chainset:Shimano SLX
Chainrings:44/32/22 tooth chainrings
Bottom Bracket:included with crank
Cassette:Shimano HG61 11-32 tooth
Chain:Shimano HG53
Pedals:Crank Brothers Candy
Front Brake:Avid Elixir R with 185mm rotor
Rear Brake:Avid Elixir R with 185mm rotor
Brake Levers:Avid Elixir R
Handlebars:FSA XC 282 31.8mm with 18mm rise
Stem:Cannondale XC3 1.5" 31.8mm
Headset:Cane Creek 1.5" integrated
Grips:Cannondale Morse
Rims:Mavic XM317 Disc
Front Hub:DT Swiss 370 thru15
Rear Hub:DT Swiss 370
Spokes:DT Swiss Competition with brass nipples
Front Tyre:Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25" EVO triple nano
Rear Tyre:Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25" EVO triple nano
Saddle:Cannondale Stage with cromo rails
Seatpost:FSA FR 270 31.6mm
Weight:27.55lbs (12.5kg) Approx.
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Submitted by
TwoHeadsBrewing
a Cross Country Rider
from Chico, CA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2011
Strengths: 140mm travel Fox fork, RP2 rear shock, SLX/XT drive train, tight and rigid feel, but soaks up the hits.
Weaknesses: Deore front derailler? (works fine but kind of low end). Carbon seat stays get nicked up easily, so get some protective clear tape or wrap them up.
Bottom Line:
First off, mine is a 2009 "Rize 4", but it's the same bike just a different name. The main difference is that they've fixed all the major gripes I have about the 2009 model: better tires and full rear derailler housing. Fantastic bike all around, it's a great climber with or without the Pro-pedal on. Pointed downhill it also does very well with the 140mm travel up front, but obviously not quite as stable as a true "All Mountain" bike. I think this bike fits my riding style perfectly, since 2/3 of my time is spent climbing up hills and 1/3 going down them.
With the pro-pedal off and standing up to climb, you'll notice some pedal bob but it's not horrific. With it on, no noticeable bob at all. With it off the bike sags a bit more in the back as well, which is great for descending but makes very steep climbs tough as the front end wants to lift off the ground. Flipping it on will stiffen up the rear end and put you in a better position for climbing.
Submitted by
d2bodily
a Cross Country Rider
from Cove, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2010
Strengths: Rides so smooth, Spent a day doing some very aggressive downhill riding at Snowbird ski resort in Utah. It was a blast. Bike took on everything I found. Did a great job.
Weaknesses: Needed a bit heavier brake. Upgraded mine to Avid Elixir 5.
Bottom Line:
Great Value, Bike handles everything I have found so far. It also is rated for riders and equipment up to 300lbs. Extremely fun for someone who is just getting into trail and cross country and is mixing it up with downhill. It does a good job on all types of terrain.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 6.0, Giant Trance X2
Bike Setup: Came with Hayes Ryde disc brakes, SLX rapid fire shifters, Deore front derailer, and XT rear derailer. Also, Fox Float 32 front and RP2 rear suspension (140mm travel).
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Submitted by
Schmiddy Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2010
Strengths: Fox Shocks, USA Frame
Weaknesses: Hayes Stroker Brakes, Wheels
Bottom Line:
Takes the punishement I hand out (200 pound rider), heavish on climbs, but makes up for it with how sure footed it is on downhills and fast trails. No huge fan of the shifters, they are like the brakes adequate, but not great, I prefer my mates Elixers (although I would never admit it to him).
Having paid BIG dollars for the bike in Australia, cannot even get Cannondale to return my email re registering the bike and exchanging the rear shock swing arm (mine came with a white piece when it should be black - looks like Cannondale went through the spare parts bin to put the bike together?).
Hand on heart, you will get better value from a Specialized stumpy pro (better brakes - and the after sales service could not be any worse).
Similar Products Used: First Dualing Banjo Ive owned
Bike Setup: Standatd
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Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirkland, WA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2010
Strengths: Nice frame, good design Built in the USA. It's not very American to have your bikes made in china/Taiwan. Nice fox shock front and rear, good wheels and parts. Great tires scwable cost sep $75 each yikes
Weaknesses: Shimano Deora cranks, I'm sure they work good, but I'm a little on the snobby side when it comes to parts.
Bottom Line:
after my trip to AZ 6 days of riding in a row my bike needs a little repair,so I was looking. My usa made trek frame is still in good shape. So I'll fix it up freehub/new brakes, my avids suck.
Maybe in a year or two I'll be looking for a made in USA frame/bike and this Cannondale is in the running. I road it hard and it passed w flying colors. Good parts and a solid feel.