Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Mansfield,CT, USA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001
Strengths: The lefty front shock is awesome. Too bad they didn't have the electric lockout that they offered the following year. Every review I've read loves the lefty shock, it just sucks up the rocks. The frame is great if you like dual suspensions. Personally I think they are over rated. They all add a lot of weight and price that you only need if you downhill race. Of course it is more comfortable to ride. The rear shock is nice in that you can screw it in or out, which changes the angle of the frame and lowers or raises the seat, to the level you want. Though this system has drawbacks eg. when you lower the frame (ie. screw the shok in) the bottom bracket lowers and you slam a lot of rocks, also your chain rubs the chain stay in the lower gears. You have to play with it to fit you and avoid some of these probs. The disc brakes are awesome.I will never go back.I don't understand the crap I've been reading about people's complaints. I Think people are just not familiar with them. They are so cool coming down a hill or in bad weather. You need to adjust them so you don't have too much play in the brake levers and this is the easiest thing in the world.You need to lubricate with a liquid, not a spray, so you don't get lub on the discs. The handelbars are wider which gives you more control, but makes it a little bit harder to get through tight places,but you get used to it.
Weaknesses: You need a roof rack with a claw arm, because you can't take the front wheel off, and even this takes a little work to get the claw on the down tube, especially if you install a water bottle holder on the under side of this tube. I think you don't need a dual suspension. It makes this bike heavy (though lighter than most dualies). Another problem is when you screw in the rear shock it becomes hard to reach it's lockout, which discourages you from using it. The sizing on the bike really ticked me off. Those con-artists at cannondale size the bikes small medium large and extra large. They don't tell you outright that the large is a 19in. bike, and the extra large-21in. I ride a 20in.bike. I bought the large but didn't fit on it (the EL was too big). I finally called cannondale tech support,they were very helpful, and got a set back seat post (it is made by the same co. as the one on the bike) and the bike fits like a glove.
Bottom Line:
I've ridden this bike hard 3X per week, 2&1/2 hrs each, on very technical trails, for 3 mos., and I love it. But if I could, I would get the exact same bike with only a front shock. My friend convinced me to get a dual susp. and I'm sorry. The price on the bike is rediculous, though they did drop the price significantly on the newer models. I bought mine through the paper from a guy who literally put it in his garrage for one year and never rode it.The list back them was $3450. The bike needs electric lockouts on both the front and rear shocks, so that you just hit a botton on the handelbars. So far the bike is awesome--BUY IT---but used.(too pricy). I think it is a great bike for anyone at any level to buy if you have the money.
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Corona
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001
Strengths: Lefty is SUPER stiff and plush as any marzocci. Not to mention it starts a conversation at every trail head. The frame is flawless in design and construction. Climbs great(even with out locking out) and desends like a champ.
Weaknesses: Coda disc brakes are a joke!! Cannondale has warrantied the levers twice (the levers fell off on a downhill run!!) in a year and now the calipers are shot. P.O.S.!!! Stock tires were a little sketchy, replaced them after the first ride.
Bottom Line:
Canondale makes GREAT quality bikes, my CAD3 HT is the best HT ive ever ridden. My Jekyll frame and fork are of the same quality.
Its too bad they spec there bikes with shotty componants and wheels and still charge out the nose for the bikes. (I bent and split my fron rim in the weld seam on a little endo) And they dont stand behind their product. They will no longer warranty my Coda discs. They tell me I have to but new Maguras or Shimano...another &300 to &400.
Cannondales are great when there working, but as soon as something goes wrong, good luck getting them to stand behind their product. I will not buy another Cannondale product.
Similar Products Used: FSR Pro, Trek Fuel. (set up for long travel xc)
Bike Setup: XT, XTR and Coda crap
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Submitted by
abcde johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from santa fe, nm
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2001
Strengths: The bike is awesome! having ridden a hardtail Merlin w/ a seat post shock & SID XL up front, I thought I had class until I rode the Cannondale. Amazing climbing & technical abilities. I love how you can aim it at the big rocks & just plow thru & how well it climbs.
Weaknesses: I do find it hard to push the big front wheel/tire combo uphill on the roads, compared w/lighter bikes, but the downhill is worth it, the rockier the better.
Bottom Line:
FUN, Fun, fun!!! I'm willing to get stronger pedalling it uphill so I can enjoy the descents!!! And it climbs really well, w/ none of the front end sketchiness I felt on the Merlin. Just point & pedal & up (or Down!) you go!!!!
Strengths: Plush fully active suspension. Super stiff frame and rear swing arm. The best thing about this bike is the rear suspension. No pedal feed back at all. I have to look down to make sure I haven't locked out the rear shock. The bike floats over all types of terrian. Small bumps and huge hits, it sucks them all up. The lefty fork is awesome. The first time I saw it I swore it wouldn't work. I was wrong, the thing rules. No flex or binding up on off camber hits. It's smooth and the travel is quality. The whole bike is adjustable. BB hight, seat angle, head tube angle, wheel base and front and rear preload and dampning. This is the bike for you if you like bikes that do everything.
Weaknesses: The rear hub is cheezie. I think the hub shell is fine but the free hub body is weak. I haven't thrashed one yet but it's making a funny noise back there. There is good news. A replacement free hub is only $20.00. It can be replaced in a flash with a big allen wrench and a friend. When My wallet recovers from the price I paid for the bike I'll buy a Chris King Discotech hub. ( I can't find many four bolt rear hubs that accept six bolt rotars. The King takes both.)The only other problem I had was the CODA brakes. The factory up-graded me to the new shoes and expansion chamber and they work all most as good as Hayse, allmost!
Bottom Line:
If you can afford a good, light weight, full suspension bike this may be the one you are looking for. Any quirk can be tuned out in minutes. The thing climbs like tom cat on methamphetamine and decends like Walker Evans' new truck in the Baja 1000. I believe there are several bikes on the market today that preform well in a variety of conditions. The Jekyll does it at a resonable price and has a factory that will stand behind it. Remember, this is a hand built aluminium frame made in the USA. It's worth a little extra money when you consider the R&D that went into it.
Similar Products Used: This is my third full suspension Cannondale. I have been happy with all of them. This bike kicks all the others asses. I liked the bike so much I helped purchase 8 of them for our Police Department. We ride Jekyll 1000 at work without flaw.
Bike Setup: 1999 Jekyll frame. The good CODA TX 2X9 cranks with an XTR bottom bracket. Thompson Seat post and Monkey Light bars. Sram shifting with an XT up front. CODA hubs and Mavic 223 rims. CODA brakes and rotors. ( up-graded) Lefty front strut with cromolly spindle.( The ti one flexes a little.) XTR 9 speed rear cogs and KCAB Country tires.
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Submitted by
vinny yannitelli
a Weekend Warrior
from garrison, NY
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001
Strengths: Infinitely adjustable suspension lefty front fork with electronic lock-out climbing ability
Weaknesses: coda brakes
Bottom Line:
If you have a couple of grand burning a hole in your pocket, buy this bike... you won't be sorry. However, you will need to read up on engineering terms in order to be able to explain the lefty fork to everyone. My only complaint was the brakes, they should be called speed modulators instead of brakes..they just don't stop all that well. If you want to go that extra mile and remedy the problem, buy the hope dh4"s. Hope has overkilled the design on these babies, they will drag you down from speed any speed instantly and without fuss. They may be more money and add a litle weight but they out perform every brake on the market. Other than the brakes the bike is absolutely without flaw.
Similar Products Used: various hard tails and full suspension bikes
Bike Setup: monkey lite riser bar easton carbon post sella italia revolution carbon seat hope 04 downhill calipers and 8 inch rotors chris king discgotech rear hub revolution spokes mavic x317 disc rims citron color!! conti tires maxxis flyweight tubes 1.5-1.75 inch... 78 grams each grip shift xtr front and rear shimano 747's with action tech titanium spindles ride on gore cables every bolt switched to titanium.... waht a time consumer!!!
Strengths: Adjustability on this bike rocks. After a few rides you will find the geometry that fits your terrain and riding style and make few changes. Brakes are great!
Weaknesses: None to date!
Bottom Line:
This bike flat out rocks. I have been riding full suspension bikes for over 7 years and have seen many come and go. This is and has been the best ride I have owned to date. It climbs like a scared cat, descends like and avalanche. The lefty fork tracks like a train and gives you tons of adjustment options. The only fitting replacement or improvement for this bike would be another. The technology that Cannondale has put into this bike makes the price well worth while.
I am hooked!
Look for further technical reviews as I log more miles. I only have 3 months and about 300 off road miles on it to date and look forward to spring and summmers non snowborne riding.
Similar Products Used: Giant XTC DS1 and 2, Specialized FSR, and many hardtails.
Bike Setup: 2001 Jekyll 2000, Hayes disc brakes, race face xy post, Azonics bar, WTB saddle, Conti tires, and Ame tristars.
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Submitted by
Bruce Edge
a Cross Country Rider
from Calabasas, CA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001
Strengths: Lefty fork is very rigid, with lots of adjustability. Bike seems very stiff, no noticeable flex anywhere, I'm 200 lbs, so flex is usually an issue. Tons of adjustments to fiddle with. Gobs of suspension, sucks up huge hits.
Weaknesses: Coda brakes aren't the best, they require more finger pressure than I would like. Guess that's why Cannondale dropped them for 2000. Front and rear hub bearings failed pretty rapidly. Kinda noisy in the rough stuff and under heavy load up hill, ticks, clicks, pops, etc. Price, new.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It's light enough to climb with the hardtails, and they fade off in the distance once you hit a bumpy downhill. Get one used, they're a great deal. Then, go buy pads, because you'll be going a lot faster. This was my 1st FS bike. I would recommend it to any intermediate hardtail owner considering FS. Only 3 chillis for the outrageous price new.
Bike Setup: Jekyll 3000sx, race face cranks, velociraptors front and back, Time ATAC pedals.
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Submitted by
Bert Tompkins
a Racer
from Wingdale,NY USA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000
Strengths: Deep woods technical,downhills and racing.Forgives dumb mistakes.Freaks out non bike riders when they see old left-o-matic fr shock. OH...did I mention clear coat imron FLAME job paint???
Weaknesses: Short top tube w stock stem. Lack of XTR fr crank esp 46 teeth. Weak rear spokes.Coda pedals and seat did not survive race endo.
Bottom Line:
Was top 50% racer,NOW top 5 or placing in all races this year. Its like too much good beer.Makes one very brave(almost scared)when crashing downhill. Those who ride my wheel comment on the rear suspension as they fade away. Coda cranks OK but wish it was full XTR groupo. Brakes are easier to maintain than V brakes and adjustments/bleeding make for modulation changes. Conti rear tire works better for roots than IRC.I am totally pleased a year later and have endo'd a few times and bike gets right back up.Drop offs are great. YOU FEEL LIKE JEFF LENOWSKI on this bike!!!Then the rear spokes go boooing.
Bike Setup: CT2 carbon bar/Flite trans am seat/Ritchey pedals/Conti super cross/baha rear tire/ seat post QR/
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Saint Louis
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000
Strengths: This is the second full suspension bicycle that I have owned, the first being a Cannondale Super V Freeride 1000. The Jekyll has the same amount of travel, but thanks to the newly designed frame and lefty fork, the Jekyll is about 5 to 6 pounds lighter, and the frame is adjustable to me and the trail!! Also, a full complement of XTR and Coda components, makes this a durable and fun bike to ride.
Weaknesses: Like most full suspension bikes that are light, it is expensive. I found a great deal on a used one on MTBR.COM for only 2 grand...I saved about 1500 dollars. Other than that, the bike rocks!! The Shimano 9-speed is taking a bit to get used to...needs a bit of adjustment from time to time, more so than the eight speed set up on my other C-Dale...
Bottom Line:
The Cannondale full suspension frame design is tried and true. Although the appearance of the Jekyll is different from the previously produced Super V, the pivot placement and geometry are the same. And that is a good thing, because the Cannondale dualies utilize a single, beefy pivot that will not loosen over time and track well over the 'worst' (read:funnest) terrain. The Lefty, like all other Headshok products, is engineered very well and obviously rides well. The Headshok products, in my opinion are superior to any other fork available because they contain needle bearings to facilitate movement and thereby allow the fork to smooth out your ride!! Makes sense...and it works...less maintenance since plastic bushings dont exist (and thereby need to be replaced every 6 months) in the design. This is a great bike, and as such it deserves five flamin' mice!!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Super V Freeride 1000 (98).
Bike Setup: Stock with Time pedals and a Salsa Zona Tres saddle. Stock on this bike is XTR, so no need to upgrade...
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Submitted by
Aaron Grisham
a Cross Country Rider
from Waldorf,MD,20603
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Strengths: Plush but Active, simple suspension design, Lefty DLR is a great fork and even better conversation piece. Lightweight aluminum frame and swing arm, Brakes offer great modulation and are simple to dial in and maintain. Great rider position for freeriding. Adjustable bottom bracket height and head tube angle make the bike much more customizable than any other design.
Splined Bottom bracket and Crank arms make it a breeze to clean the bike.
Weaknesses: I live on the East coast, mud bogs, creek crossings and general grit seem to make 9 speed cry in sorrow, The engineers at Shimano need to make a stronger more compacted B-tension spring and casing for the XTR derailleurs ( I have two other fellow Jekyll owners as well as myself who have unseated the B-tension spring...We didnt break the retention plate as many people do when they break a derailleur but actually unloaded the spring internally) Shimano needs to address these issues because of the increased loads placed on those springs on full suspension bikes, I would be curious to hear of anyone else who has had similar problems.
Next issue is the sizing, I did a standover test and fitted for a medium, But the medium isnt long enough for me with the shortie stem that came equipped so I have to trade out the stem for a longer one. The medium frame inside the triangle is too cramped for anything accept a small water bottle. and the bushings on the suspension pivots creak occassionaly, even after cleaning.
And last but not least, Cannondale needs to pull their heads out of their asses... If you are going to charge this much for an F'ing bike do not put your crappy, flimsy, no better than Wal-Mart special, Coda Cranks on this bike, Please put XT Hollowtech or XTR on this bike.
Stock Tires are a joke
The 9 speed system is great but if you live east of the Mighty mississippi then invest in a sealed derailleur cable system otherwise you will have to flush your cables after every ride.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike, even despite some of the poor component choices by the manufacturer, the suspension performance alone makes it worthwhile.
Bike Setup: Jekyll 3000sx Lefty DLR Shimano Ultegra bottom bracket Coda EX3 crankset..... crap, crap, crap XTR der's Easton Monkey lite 175 gm bar Coda discs XTR 9x rapid fires Ritchey Clipless Thompson seatpost Coda Saddle Fox float RC rear shok, Coda Expert hubs with 32, three-cross sun DS1-xc rims Michelin Wildgripper Lite S tires
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Submitted by
John Herod
a Cross Country Rider
from morgantown wv
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2000
Strengths: the whole bike.the lefty is too strong.
Weaknesses: the coda disc brakes.they were perfect for a long time and then one day the rear brake decided to not lock-up any more.
Bottom Line:
in wv you need this bike, roots,rocks, and the occasional 3 or 4'drop. perfect for eastcoast riding.i raced this bike this year and was in first place in the points series for the fisrt 5 races,but a wicked crash put me out for a while. this bike ads a new element of fear on steep decents b/c it goes to fast.but once your over that its killer.i have also done drops up to 7' the only thing to even whimper was my twisted bottom bracket(shimano).race this bike and win.
Similar Products Used: i ride a first generation raven and a caad 4 hardtail.
Bike Setup: upgraded to all xtr and magura clara disc brakes.
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Submitted by
Mike Strope
a Downhiller
from Austin, TX. USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000
Strengths: In the seven months it has been overall a good bicycle The adjustable frame works well for more than hills where I ride there are a lot of large rocks this has come in handy to clear them With the lefty front suspension it makes repairing a front flat real easy
Weaknesses: Lock out for the front shock is in a poor location when standing you can hit your knee on the lock out lever Rear break line has warn the paint off the frame and slaps the frame when riding
Bottom Line:
I would recommend this bike it is holding up and I'm hard on it Both front and rear suspensions work very well you can adjust the ride for your weight to a point where the bicycle has very nice travel in the suspension I have gone off some six to seven foot drops with good performance from the suspension The hydraulic breaks have been quite with a good stopping power I have not got them wet so far so I don't know how well they hold up in the wet
Similar Products Used: My first full suspension bike I had a Klein attitude it was stolen this is what I chose to replace it
Bike Setup: Stock I have added a first aid kit, tire pump, tool pouch, two water bottles and carry two extra tubes
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Submitted by
Troy Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, VA US
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000
Strengths: This bike rocks - I've owned Trek, GT, Giant, Specialized, Lite Speed and 3 others not worth mentioning. This bike is handles like no other. Cannondale is in a class of its own and the suspension is simply has the best response and out performs all others. Anyone who says otherwise either has not riden one, don't know how to adjust the shock for the type rider he/she is, or has been riding a slow responsive shock for so long he/she just that a top of the line shock just don't feel right. Anyone who gives themselves enough time to adjust to the quick responsiveness of the headshock will be leaving their friends in the dust.
Weaknesses: You can't work on your own Headshock unless you buy Cannondale's special tools.
Bottom Line:
You can't go wrong with this bike.
Who Its for: Anyone who is looking for high performance cross country bike.
Similar Products Used: Trek, GT, Giant, Specialized, Lite Speed
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Submitted by
Pedal Boy
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
Strengths: Frame Geometry, Adjustable shocks and Construction
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
The Cannondale Jekyll is an overall excellent bike. There is nothing that this bike can do. My only concern was the price $$$ as well as some of the components equipped with this bike. From commuting in downtown Chicago and then hitting the trails on weekends, the Cannondale Jekyll is a PERFECT machine. Lifetime warranty, Made in the USA, great frame design. If you want a full suspension bike....this is it.
