Submitted by
oregon111
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, usa
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2010
Strengths: light
Weaknesses: coda brakes, seat not adjustable enough, not enough room for really big tires
Bottom Line:
my first and last cannondale, its a great x-country ride as I have it set up, coda brakes are CRAP - and cannondale makes you replace them with no help on cost
I only ride about 15-20 days a year, but is always on trails and I had to replace a lot of parts
My lefty lock-out broke and my rear shock has no lockout - so I ride with both pumped full of air - good enough for smoothing out small stuff, not a big hit machine
Bike Setup: gears: 20/30/chain guard : highest rear is a 32 or 34?
use a gravity dropper
tires 55/60 - largest that fit on that bike
flat pedals
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Submitted by
Larry
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004
Strengths: Great looks, light for a long-travel frame, handles well
Weaknesses: CODA components - C-Dale should spec higher for the price
Bottom Line:
A great bike that can take it-I'm 205 lbs and beat it like a rented mule. From Durango to AZ Rim country it rocks. The Lefty is the bomb-ZERO problems over 4 yrs-don't let anyone tell you different. I'd prefer a lockable rear shock. Replaced CODA brakes with MAGURA Julies, which seem stronger, though adjustability of CODAs was nice. I did bend the CODA rims and replaced with Mavics. CODA parts are the weak spot-their equivalent of mid-level Shimano-upgrade them as they wear out. Frame does resonate brake noise, but it's a rolling work of art that works. Great for heavy XC or moderate DH riders looking for a unique, long-travel setup w/o the weight. Excels on rough descents and rocky terrain. Tough to beat one with the right component setup. Now that they're appearing in the used classifieds it should make it an affordable deal for those in the market. Cannondale should have kept making the Raven as a frameset at least.
Similar Products Used: Delta-V 2000, Super-V 900, Pro-Flex K2, Kona Kula, Litespeed, Fisher Montare, F1000 Headshock
Bike Setup: Lefty, w/stock spec'd parts initially
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Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate, NY
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002
Strengths: Can take anything I dish out. I am an agressive rider of about 250 lbs., and I can fly down any hill I have the desire to try. It just won't break. The suspension is so sweet!
Weaknesses: Takes getting used to the hollow frame noise. Surface chips if you do a lot of fast downhill in rocky terrain. Should come with an adapter to allow it to be easily attached to full standing bike racks. Lose the CODA pedals for a pair of Shimano 747 or equiv.
Bottom Line:
Bike is light, good looking and the most fun I've ever had on two wheels. For the money I paid, I'd never want to ride anything else. It's forgiving nature has made me a more agressive, confident rider.
Bike Setup: Lefty, Coda disks, Coda pedals, XT derailers.
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Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Carmel, NY USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Strengths: Lightweight, incredibly low-stiction fork, super stiff, and a coolness-factor of 11.
Weaknesses: The frame has had recalls on it, requiring time in the shop and more weight added to fix the problem. The frame reverbs sound such as gear-changes and wheel movement (a soft hum from the rotation.)
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike that inspires you to do more. The climbs are faster, and the downhills are more confident. While not a free-riding machine or the lightest XC racer, this bike is worthy. Worthy of your local trail or the race line. Besides, how often do you get to ride a peice of modern art?
Purchased At: local shop (bought frame only at a discount--employee)
Similar Products Used: Not much of anything else. Previous bike a K2 Attack 3.0
Bike Setup: Sram 9.0 drivetrain, avid vee brakes, Bontrager ASYM rear wheel (ceramic) on XT hub, radial bontrager front wheel. Truvativ Cranks.
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Submitted by
Jeff Halter
a Cross Country Rider
from The Dalles, OR USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001
Strengths: Stiff frame/bottom bracket. Lefty gives sharp steering, lock out is easy to reach. "Y" carbon frame looks cool, plenty of stand over clearance.
Weaknesses: Coda rear hub had the bike in the shop about 3 times (finally got a freehub that held up).
Coda disks seem to become contaminated and squeal in the middle of a ride (trail dust?) and have little power when compared to other disks. Eventually switched to sintered metal pads, which have great power and are less prone to squealing. Only disadvantage to sintered metal- they pump up to the point to where they drag on long downhills (a squirt of water from the camel back helps cool them faster).
Bottom Line:
Reasonably light weight, flex free FUN bike to ride. The sound and feedback of the hollow carbon frame take a bit of getting used to. The feedback is there, just more muted, and drive train noises seem somehow louder (echo?).
If I had it to do over again, I would pick a higher model that doesn't have Coda hubs, brakes or chain rings. Get a rear lockout shock if you stand when you sprint or climb.
The frame is great. The Lefty is good. Too bad Cannondale stopped building the frame.
Bike Setup: Stock except seat, different chain rings (solved chain suck problem), and rear rim (smashed it, my fault).
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Submitted by
chris stoddart
a Cross Country Rider
from cleveland England
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Strengths: Stiffness, lightweight, downhill ability and singletrack ability. The bike is also comfortable for full day rides. Adjustibilty of lefty, lightweight cadd4 swinger helps you jump backend around stumps etc. Great bike for xc and downhill use where the travel is ample for British use. Bike feels very balanced.
Weaknesses: Frame amplifies transmission noises when transmission is full of British mud, coda brakes very poor, changed mine for hope xc4's. Expensive for single linkage design.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, best fork ever used, had Bomber Z1 on both prior Can of Ale's. A great allrounder, Westbrook and Cannondale are also great for after sales help. As the bike is light with a lockout fork it climbs well on flat surface when needed, just keep your pedalling smooth. Very stiff frame while turning through rutted lines. A very competant all rounder
Similar Products Used: Raleigh Mirage, Kona Koa, Super v800sl, super v1000disc and F900sx
Bike Setup: Standard apart from disc's, seat (XLITE) great british product and Easton Monkey EA70 bars
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE.
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001
Strengths: Functions well in all types of weather and terrain.
Weaknesses: Little expensive, but well worth it.
Bottom Line:
Cannondale makes a great bike, but their parts selection sucks! I have been on C-dales for years, and I've always wondered why they keep putting Coda crap on them. When you buy one, just pay the extra money to rid the bike of ALL Coda parts, and you will not go wrong. This bike would cost over $4000 to replicate, but I believe it is the best $4000 spent on anything out there. This chassis is the real deal. I have used this bike in CO. and was amazed at how well it worked.
Submitted by
Colin
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Strengths: Superlight and oh, so plush ride. Climbs hills like you wouldn't believe. Real fast. Soaks up the big hits and the small stuff just perfect. Love the Lefty. Huge coolness factor is the way the bike looks - Tons of attention.
Weaknesses: Breaks are a little mushey. Had to replace the front break due to leakage. Weak rims. I'd recommend replacing with a stronger set. Tough bike to transport without a sparetire bike rack.
Bottom Line:
Bike kicks ass. Just read the strenths and weaknesses of the bike and you'll get a real feel for what you're dealing with. Climbs and decends like a dream.
Bike Setup: Stock except for new Magura front break and new Rhino Lites.
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Submitted by
Bryce Hale
a Cross Country Rider
from Tallahassee
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000
Strengths: Best damn bike I have ever owned. light, fast, soaks up bumbs like a champ. Everyone wants it.
Weaknesses: chain slapping on the chainstay. Everyone wants it. Go buy a Kyrponite NewYork lock and lock this sucker up even in your house....
Bottom Line:
I've owned dozens of bikes. Other cannondales. this bike is amazing, it's light, quick. It's a Caddiliac on the trail, it just soaks up so many bumps it's a amazing. Evyerone stops and stares at it. co-workers can believe how much I paid for it but it's worth every penny. Email me if you have questions... www.brycehale.com
Similar Products Used: GT RTS2, Proflex757, Cannondale F1000, Trek 8000,
Bike Setup: Stock for now, it will be loosing weight somehow.
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Submitted by
adam boynton
a Weekend Warrior
from grand rapids, michigan
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000
Strengths: Great shock, great frame, rear travel is amazing
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Forget all of the bs that everyone says about this bike! This bike is sweet and there are no two ways about it! The suspension is so nice and the thing is like a ferri on the trails. So what they had recalls big deal, Cannondale is a great company and they take care of their customers!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Jekell II 900 SL, K2 Flying monkey
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Submitted by
craig
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, ga
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000
Strengths: Maintenance free, great brakes, great suspension, stiff frame
Weaknesses: Could use more front end travel.
Bottom Line:
I rode this bike for the first time on the Holy trails of Tsali and went back to the shop to buy one the same day. It was that simple. When I could sit in the saddle and power over anything in my way and fly down hills with the utmost of control, I knew I couldn't go wrong. I have ridden the Head shock for a year with no maintenance required and the rear pivot has needed only a squirt of lube once every 10 rides or so. I strongly recommend this bike to the rider who really likes to ride hard and have fun, but not quite into the race scene. The bike is also very kind on the lower back.
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2000
Strengths: LOOKS! Plush ride, very quick and responsive, can take the big hits in stride, great disc brakes, VERY responsive dealer and manuf.
Weaknesses: There is some chain-suck, everybody stopping you to ask: "So, how's it ride? Does that thing really work?"
Bottom Line:
When I got this bike, I had already heard and read all the horror stories about how it's not gonna work and that C'dale is just a big corp that puts out junk. Funny how none of those people have EVER owned a C'dale bike, let alone THIS one. From the moment I started riding, I had a smile on my face. The active suspension is awsome. It's like riding a Caddy in the woods, but it's as quick as a Porsche when you turn it. All the previous smack-talk was silenced as everyone in my riding pack were trying to get close to watch this machine work. All that day and every day since, whoever I'm riding with ends up with their jaws dropped in awe at how smooth this bike moves. Now, I love climbing. With 5 inches of rear travel, I was worried that it might be like a wet sponge if I pushed it. Not at all, it climbs as well as any stiffy I've been on. In fact I think it climbs better because you can stay in the saddle and push it hard because that rear wheel will be in contact with the dirt ALL THE TIME. Sure, there's been some recalls. What do you expect when you've got state of the art machine? There are going to be some MINOR bugs, all of which have been taken care of QUICKLY by C'dale and my dealer. It sucks that a couple of people who've written have gotten a bum deal from their shop. All I can say is move on to a better one. I'm dealing with Conte's here in Richmond. They know their stuff and get the job done right and quick.
I've read so many people claim that "the load from the front tire will deflect the front off center". Bulls#t! Besides their lack of Engineering expertise, the bottom line is if you closed your eyes, you would NEVER know the difference in steering.
Sure the price is steep, but as with most things in life, the best stuff that's going to last is gonna cost ya.
I can't be happier with this bike. Forget the talk and ride one yourself, you'll be happy you did.
Submitted by
Mark Swarthout
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester New York
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000
Strengths: Handles like a dream, brakes are awesome!
Weaknesses: Recalls/ This bike is a result of my recalled 700, Thank you Cannondale!
Bottom Line:
Great Bike, wonderfull on downhills and I don't bother locking out the suspension on climbs. Works especially well in inclement weather. 9 speed seems a little succeptable to poor shifting when dirty. Looks way cool.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR, C-Dale Super V
Bike Setup: Fatty Ultra Fork, Coda 3 ring, 9 spd xt, Specialized team control/master, riser bar. Coda expert disc brakes
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Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Westfield, NJ
Date Reviewed: December 15, 1999
Strengths: Rear Suspension performance and plushness will surprise you. This bike is light. Coda expert disc brakes are much better than I expected since I was using Hayes. Once you see how easy they are to adjust, you'll want to stay with them over the Hayes since they stop you almost as well as Hayes though I do prefer the Hayes levers over Coda.
Weaknesses: Coda Cranks and Rings should be replaced. The lefty works well, but is too hard to put on bike carrier or in back of the car - I'm going to a Marzocchi Z1 x.fly.
Bottom Line:
I've ridden the 900SX for 6 months (a demo bike) and finally decided I liked it enough to order a 4000SL which I'll modify for long travel. The 900SX has held up very well despite year round riding in all conditions. Rear susp is much better than I expected. The Raven frame is very stiff. I think the issues others have had were early production problems that have been solved now. This is a fantastic riding bike backed by a solid company.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn 4-banger, Rocky Mountain, Moots Mootaineer
Bike Setup: Stock except for repl seat w/Specialized
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Submitted by
UGLY
a Cross-Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: November 22, 1999
Strengths: It looks great anyway
Weaknesses: Fatty DL in and out of shop. Oh yeah, the seat post SNAPPED from the frame while going over a simple log. I wasn't even on the seat.
Bottom Line:
Fortunately, my dealer is great. So far, Cannondale has been very responsive in rectifying the situation. I'll let you know how it turns out. Unless Cannondale can convince me this defect has been addressed and not simply replace the frame, I'm out. Return-A-Rama! And I'll stick with the CAAD4 or CAAD5.
