Submitted by
psp2008psp
a Downhiller
from Bronx, Brooklyn Manhattan
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2010
Strengths: Great Frame can handle heavy weight. Low V shaped great when you miss. This bike is worth about $1,800 brand new + tax but I've paid $500 so its a Great Deal. Best Bike I've have so far. I've got this with a a triple crown front suspension which makes this bike looks like a Monster. I am scared to take it out sometimes. This bike is still worth about $900 as of now.
Weaknesses: The front shocks will need to be replaced if you really do Downhill but not necessary if you are just doing light trails. This bike is heavy for me since I am only 125lbs but great for someone bigger, stronger, and heavier. I've got my pedals used with no grip and shaped at a 45 degree angle which took a small chunk of my skin off. It needs disc brakes cuz I came down braking downhill on mud and slammed onto my friend. Bam.
Bottom Line:
People stare at my bike too much. It looks like a monster. You must try to get his bike if you can pay about $500.
Similar Products Used: Please try the Bells Gel Seat with 2 white gel air bubbles for $30. It's the best seat ever for long rides. Bounce on air gel bubbles.
Bike Setup: I love this bike because it looks cool with front suspension and fenders. I am trying to get another one only because of the V shaped frame.
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Submitted by
NTKREW
a Weekend Warrior
from NEW YORK
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2009
Strengths: THE BEST BIKE I EVER HAD STOLEN IN MY LIFE !!
Submitted by
luke hlavenka
a Racer
from alliston, ontario
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007
Strengths: very light
Weaknesses: fork sucks, weird frame
Bottom Line:
i race xc, so its an ok bike even though its old. i got a good deal on it so i was like meh what the hell ill buy it. i dont really need the rear suspension, and the fork is a piece of crap. my bike is only 28 pounds so im happy with it but i wouldn't buy it full price not worth it at all.
Weaknesses: Pedal Bob noticeable on paved trails, not really off-road.
Bottom Line:
My old super V 700 developed a crack around the pivot point in May of 2003. With all the bankruptcy talk, I was concerned. Let me tell you...CANNONDALE IS BACK!!!! I don't know whether they are trying to counter-act all of the bad press, but they took care of me. I'll be posting the review of my new Jekyll frame soon enough. I have loved every moment on my Super V. It cut twisty single track like a knife, and inspired confidence on the trail, see that pretty yellow and lime paint job up above, that was my baby...moment of silence. I have buddies who've really abused their frames and never had a problem. I didn't abuse mine, she only had about 800 miles on her. Either way Cannondale took care of me. Bottom line if somebody out there is getting rid of a 'Dale on the cheap, because of all the hype, pick it up now. The deals will be over soon.
Looking forward to making new memories on my new bike.
Similar Products Used: Lots, I test ride at races and trail rides. It has been hard to justify buying a new ride when I get back on this one afterward. Always ride before you buy.
Bike Setup: Avid mech disc brakes, SRAM attack w/9.0 levers, Hayes/Mavic Wheelset, LX/XT Derailleurs, New XT drivetrain.
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Submitted by
Gary Lunsford
a Racer
from Batesville, IN
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001
Strengths: Rock solid handbuilt in the USA frame and fork.UPgrades only make it better!!! BTW, I am reviewing a 97' model that was bought dirt cheap when LBS lost its Cannondale Rep deal.
Weaknesses: In a size MED. it has a fairly short cockpit for a rider in the 5'10" range. This was corrected with a 150mm stem and a Thompson laidback post.
Bottom Line:
Changing the fork and rear shock made this bike a completely different animal. It is the perfect stable mate to my 01' C'dale F-900sl. I realize that it is not a fair comparision to a stock super-V, but I thought that people should see the potential the bike has. IT now weighs right at 24 pounds and is an unstoppable force on rough technical cross-country racing courses. By locking out both the front and rear for flat fast sections or long grueling climbs and unlocking when you get to the roughs and downhills, it leaves me less beat up than riding my hard tail and is almost as fast. Words cant describe the fun I have trail riding on this bike. There is zero flex, it goes exactly where I point it, not to mention it is vault solid, leaving me to concentrate on the ride and not the bike. The Fatty Ultra is perfectly matched to the Fox air shock in the rear. The stock rear coilover had a 6.5" c-c length. I am using a 7.0" c-c Float-RC. The slight extra length required a very slight modification to the swingarm, but I increased the rear travel to 110mm. I can now run a little extra sag and still get over 80mm of usable travel. This keeps the rear wheel glued to the ground even over the roughest of terrain. Yeah, I will continue to race the hardtail (for now) but for long all day trail rides or having fun riding the bumps and jumps of the motocross track....its the ticket. Working a a ski patroller during the winter I often mount panaracer Spike-R tires on it and make runs down our ski slopes on it. Light enough to lap load on a chairlift and carves like a knife on the snow!! Now that I no longer ride for a team, I can choose to ride whatever I want. I am now convinced that all of my bikes will be Cannondales!!
Favorite Trail: Hanging Rock, Ohio & Brums woods,Batesville, IN.
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At: Montgomery cyclery - Cincinnati(closeout sale of C'dales)
Similar Products Used: As a former (retired) factory rider, I have tested and rode about everything on the market....
Bike Setup: This is where I get carried away!Being used to haveing custom built bikes, I couldnt leave this stock! The only thing left stock is the frame and swingarm. Fork: fatty ultra, Rear shock: Fox float-RC, Azonic WF flat bar, SRAM esp 9.0 drivetrain and shifters,XTR cassette,all cables are gore-tex ride on, CODA 2001 splined cranket w/ultegra B/B and all alloy bolts for ring and cranks, thompson post, SDG Ti saddle, Avid Ti rear V brake and levers, Avid mech disk front, CODA/mavic x221 wheels.(stockers off of my 01'F-900sl), Switch between Kore GASS Ti & bmx platform pedals(for my wife), panaracer tubes and conti explorer pro kevlar tires, oury grips and Azonic barends.
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Submitted by
Samuel Walmsley
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001
Strengths: very strong frame to weight ratio, smooth riding (if you change the forks)
Weaknesses: everything else. I have had problem after problem with this bike i suggest that you do not purchase it!!
Bottom Line:
Unless your are going to pay under $800 australian, dont buy it. Spend your cash on some thing better. Cannondale make good top end bikes from my experance and the 700 is not an exampe of a top end bike.
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE(nebraska) USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2001
Strengths: Unbreakable, low maintenance, no flex, the huge down tube and killer paint make it look awesome, it really jams over anything.
Weaknesses: It doesn't corner well at speed going down and turning up, for example cornering at the bottom of a gully. It takes some body enlish, good thing that top tube Vees down.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line it rides great. There might be better designed suspensions, but few are as time-tested and bulletproof. I barely enjoy test riding the new models at the bike shops now that I've got this one. The low top tube lets you kick your way up through roots by pedaling and leaning all at the same time! It took about 100 offroad miles for the headshock to break in. Now it is fantastic. Make sure you flip the stem to a negative angle. The neg 5 degree stem climbs like a goat. At a positive 5 degree angle I couldn't keep the front wheel down, or get going on an uphill. I bent an axle on my front wheel, because the fork doesn't flex...This means it steers true and really transmits the feel of the trail. However, I don't know if it's the head angle changing due to the rear loading or what but when you try to turn out of a hard berm you have to push the bike over with a lot of leaning body english. I developed a squeek early on and thought the cranks were coming loose...it was the pivot. Tightened it up and haven't had a problem since. This bike has really grown on me. The suspension bobs a little, but I don't notice it on the trail. I would buy another one.
Similar Products Used: Klein (The old "power beam" not good), KHS FS nice ride, Kona stinky five with a big Marzocchi fork make me wish mine had a little more up front but used a lot of leg to get around.
Bike Setup: Cockpit was too small...Thompson Laid Back Seatpost made it just right. I'm just (15lbs.) over 200lbs and I swapped out the stock spring for a little beefier model...cut out the pedal bob and gave me back about an inch of travel. I pressed up the fork to about 180psi this took away the sinking feeling up front. Shimano 636 pedals. XT/Bontrager Wheelset.
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Submitted by
Matt Daniels
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO, USA
I am 260 lbs, and I ride hard. I have beat the hell out of this bike. In the five years I've had it I've ridden in Moab, Vail, the Badlands, Yellowstone, S. Carolina, Kentucky, Southeastern Illinois, as well as all of Missouri, and it has never given me any trouble. I bought it in South Dakota after I broke a Diamond Back Topanga. The Super V is my first full suspension, and I will continue to buy Cannondales from now on. This bike has made me a believer. This bike rocks! Even the chameleon paint is awesome. If you are big, or if you are small, this bike is for you. If you want to ride some flatter trails, buy a cyclocross. If you dig the beefy drop-offs, and like riding down wild trails, this is your bike. It's very responsive, and pretty fast to boot.
Similar Products Used: Trek OCLV, Diamond Back Topanga, Specialized FS, GT FS
Bike Setup: Shimano STX all around, Titec Hellbent handlebars, Shimano PD-M324 pedals, Alivio cranks, Altus brakes and Dia-comp pads.
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Submitted by
Matt Frederick
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest of Dean, England
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001
Strengths: Pedals well with very little bob. Unusual looks. With a bit of component swapping you can use the frame for anything from XC to DS or even freeride trails.
Weaknesses: Fork travel is too short. Top tube is too short, ride is a little too upright. Componentry doesn't match up to the standard of the frame. SRAM brake levers are brittle and downright dangerous. Low BB height.
Bottom Line:
This is a truely great frame. You can use it for almost any kind of riding. Mine started as a XC setup and gradually has got heavier and stronger as I've replaced the components. BUT...Californians don't seem to understand the concepts of rain and mud. In Britain you have to ride in the rain for about 70% of the year which means that your chainrings, mechs, brake blocks, rims etc. wear out really quickly. Hence the discs and Race Face kit, It may be expensive but at least it lasts! The SRAM composite brake levers are brittle and after I went over the bars one one of the levers snapped leaving a jagged edge which tore a hole in my thigh several inches deep, leaving me in intensive care having a lot of blood tranfused and unable to ride for about 4 months after!
Bike Setup: Mavic 519 rims, Hope Hubs, Hope C2 discs, Race Face chainrings, BB, seatpost, Coda cranks, Titec Saddle, Hutchinson Alligator Tyres, DMR V8 copy pedals, Icon riser bars. XT shifters and rear mech, STX front mech.
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Submitted by
Wayne Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Strengths: Looks, frame build quality
Weaknesses: Top tube length
Bottom Line:
As you can see I suffer from upgrade madness. Apart from trying to get the weight down (just nudging 27lb - will go lower with air shock), I like quality components. Also race this bike in Masters (45+), and surprisingly have a couple of podium finishes. I love it - ride it everywhere. Can't climb with riser bar, so flat bar is my choice, still a tough haul to get up a hill, but once there you can sit and get your energy back while pumping along. Paint work is as tough as nails, some big off's have left bike in better shape than me! Thanks for the advice on cable/paint work problems - I've places cool fox stickers in strategic places to alleviate problem. I'll buy another Dale when I get sick of this.
Similar Products Used: Hard tail convert: Kona Muni-Mula, Dale 99' F1000
Bike Setup: XT Shifter combo, XT front Dr, XTR rear Rd, XT 11-34 cog, Mavic 517 on Coda Expert Hubs, EA70 flat bar & seat post, SDG Satelite saddle. Avid 50 V. Explorer Pro Front, Hutch Python rear.
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Submitted by
Alberto Anzola
a Weekend Warrior
from Lodi, Italy
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Strengths: Flex-Free , front wheel tracking
Weaknesses: Weight, rear brake cable routing, front shock (for free-ride)
Bottom Line:
Sweet! I've had a '97 SV700 since sept. '96, and i love it! Awesome frame, very stiff, very good fork for XC (tracking, it gives you confidence in off cambers and loose corners - you feel every little front wheel quirk), very quick geometry (steers with a flick of an eye - good for twisty singletrack), comfy rear end (even if mine has only 3.5", i can set it up stiff for aggressive XC riding or w/lot of sag for plushness), lovely welds, nice color.... This bike has made me fall in love with C'Dale and I would recommend it for all-around riding, from XC to light Freeriding. I would be curious to test a newer SX Sv- with the lonfer travel it could be the definitive FR machine. BTW, - in 5 years never needed to rebuild anything on the frame, rear susp still tight and no noises at all.
Bike Setup: Mostly stock, only rims (MAvic), rear hub (formula)
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Submitted by
Peter Bowyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia.
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000
Strengths: build and ride quality. componentry all works very well.I think its incredibly light weight for a full suspension bike. I like the way it handles tight forest tracks.
Weaknesses: cable location on frame. climbing is unusual but ok, stay seated!
Bottom Line:
My first full suspension bike. I'm pretty new to Mountain Biking and am loving it thanks to this bike. This bike makes me want to ride all day. I bought it from a friend for a really good price. My aim is to wear the parts out then up spec the componentry to XT and a better front shock. Maybe a Fatty Ultra, we'll see. I would reccomend this bike to anyone.
Similar Products Used: Moongoose full suspension, no comparison!
Bike Setup: pretty much stock.Will fit riser bar and ergo seat to protect from numb nuts.
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Submitted by
Chris corbran
a Weekend Warrior
from gettysburg, pa, usa
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000
Strengths: Low maintenance, just about the right amnt of travel, can race XC pretty well, most of the stuff works, can do the big drop-offs and jumps pretty well
Weaknesses: fork sucks, always loses air, blew seal out, the paint comes off really easily, coda saddles bend easy, have bent too already,
Bottom Line:
i love everything about this bike, except the fork. if you like to jump, and ride a little dh get a size smaller. the redwall tires are weak, and dont grip in wet weather. dont be afraid to do everything with it, it should hold up. this is a great fs for racing or freeriding, but get a new fork as soon as you can. Anyone can get used to it quickly
Bike Setup: velox rim strips, bontrager xxx dh bar, flat pedals, selle italia saddle, oury grips
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Submitted by
Adriano Coutinho
a Weekend Warrior
from Macaé, RJ, Brasil
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000
Bottom Line:
Gosto muito desta bicicleta. As suspensões tanto a da frente ( Super Fatty SL ) quanto a trazeira ( Vanilla Fox )funcionam muito bem. Embora eu faça também bastante Donwhill com ela, eu a considero ideal para a prática do cross-country. A relação da minha super V700 é XT atrás e STX-RC na frente, os cubos também são STX-RC, acho a traseira um pouco pesada com relação a frente. Mas no geral é uma excelente bicicleta. Tem uma resistência muito bom e grande durabilidade.......
Submitted by
Evan Laudon
a Downhiller
from dartmouth, MA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Bottom Line:
in adition to my review below i bought a Stratos Heix pro with a lock-out and it turned my bike into a bad ass hardtail too! the lock-out is great for climbing or geting to trails on the road. if you are smart you will get rid of the fox crap because the nitrogen chamber doesn't last to long and makes some funky squishy-squirty noises. my bike is both a light hardtail and one mean freeride bike
PS buy a long travel fork for maximum fun and plushness
