Submitted by
DEVIN
a Cross Country Rider
from TEXADA ISL.B.C [CANADA[ Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
THE BIKE SHOP
Strengths:
PRETTY MUTCH EVERY THING
Weaknesses:
THE STOCK BRAKES
Bike Setup:
EVERY THING STOCK,BUT UP GRATTED THE BRAKES TO MAGURA,TOMACK HYDROLIC CANTILEVERS
Bottom Line:
I REALLY ENJOY RIDING THIS BIKE.I'M 250LBS AND AN AGGRESSIVE RIDER,NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS.I HAVE 5 POSITION DAMP ON MY SUPPER FATTY D,NICE FEATURE.THE CHANGE IN BRAKES WAS A MUST.I NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM BRAKING,NO MATTER WHAT THE RIDDING CONDITIONS ARE.HAPPY TO HAVE BOUGHT THIS BIKE,NICE COLOR SCHEME,REAL HEAD TURNER.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jovan
a Cross Country Rider
from Philippines Date Reviewed: May 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
technical trails.
Weaknesses:
Weight. suspension eats up your power.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 2000 z.2 atom 80 fork. Sachs twist shifters. Shimano XT drivetrain including disc brakes and hubs. kore stem. easton handlebar with onza bar ends. Fox Vanilla RC
Bottom Line:
It weighs heavy based from today's standard of full-suspension bikes. Switched the stock headshock with a plusher Marzocchi. Coda brakes suck.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Olav van Doorn
a Cross Country Rider
from Huizen, The Netherlands Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Awesome strong and durable bike. Very, very fast on difficult bumpy tracks. Great lockout function for the headshok suspension. To much chain-suck, I changed the complete drive-train setup without results. Overall a great full suspension for worry free hardcore biking. 4 Chilis because of the chain suck, otherwise 5 Chilis.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tweet
a Cross Country Rider
from Cowlumbus, Ohio Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Strengths:
Rock Solid Frame! Very durable paint job. Magura Louise discs holdin' up fine.
Weaknesses:
Headshok Sucks - no travel (80mm yea right), blows out. Like most bikes, there are few stock parts left, esp. coda. (except the crank)
Similar Products Used:
1st suspended mtb
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Jr. T replaced the headshok and there is no comparison here in the bike's performance. Why are they still putting that headshok on thier bikes? The Magura Louise discs have settled in and I'm still on my second set of pads.
Bottom Line:
My SuperV has seen a lot of trails in the 2 full years i've had it and I have no complants about it once the Marzocchi Jr. T found it's way onto the front. This is one sweet ride!
I was not prepared for the amount of attention the bike would and still does get. Time tested design, turns heads.
I guess it's the last call for the SuperV. There's only the 800 left on the 2001 c-dale lineup. I'm reveiwing now it encase someone's still looking into one. I would not buy another bike with a Headshok but would buy a SuperV again in an instant with a Marzocchi up front!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TOM (BO BROS.)
a Weekend Warrior
from PITTSBURGH PA., Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
HARTWOOD ACRES
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
GATTOS
Strengths:
the frame is very strong, very strong !!
Weaknesses:
magura brakes could be better but very easy to adjust..not the best climber but ok.
I'm 240 lbs and beat the tar out of my bike. I've been riding a super v for 5 years now and love it. the bike can take all that i give it. There is no coda parts on the bike and if you are buying one I can only reccommend you do the same.on my first s.v. the only trouble I had was with coda parts.If I changed any more parts now , the magura's would go and hayes would come..just to expensive to do without reason! maguras are ok ..just hayes are the best. if you want a great bike that can jump logs, eat rocks & protects your butt, buy a cannondale super v...you won't be sorry
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome Cros
a Weekend Warrior
from New York Date Reviewed: October 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
French Alps
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
-Frame:*Bombproof. I rode mine since 1994 at least 2 months a year in the french Alps. I changed everything on it except the frame!!!! *Super rigid for a FS bike. A real pleasure to ride on forest trails.
Weaknesses:
Front suspension. I guess the new ones are better but back then they sucked!
Similar Products Used:
Sbike FS DH (does someone remember??)
Bottom Line:
This bike has an incredible look (do not say you don't care!!!) even five year after!!! It's the most polyvalent bike I ever rode. You can ride hard with it in the worst downhills (if you had changed the fromt suspension and the brake system (otherwise you are already dead and you can't read this review!!)) and being extremely happy in the technical XC. Everything will die onit but you can keep the frame your life time!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G
a Cross Country Rider
from British Columbia Date Reviewed: March 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Academy Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I think anyone looking for a strong, stiff and reliable rear suspension design should take a ride on a Super V. Absolutely no flex, and bulletproof reliability from the swingarm. I can't say enough about the brakes. Not only do you get consistent powerful braking, the adjustments are a snap, and I never have to worry about going through a set of pads on a long winter ride. I've also had good treatment from Cannondale when I e-mailed their product support dept. I've ridden the bike in Moab, all over California and British Columbia, and have had very few problems. I think the geometry is just about perfect for someone who with my skills (rather puny) and the bike fit is spot-on (XL frame, 6'2" rider)
Weaknesses:
I have two real complaints about the bike, the headshock and the weight. I realize that to get that incredible tracking, you need the headshock, but frankly, I'm thinking about switching to a Bomber. This is not to say that the headshock's a bad product, but with over 5 inches of travel out back and 3 up front, I find the bike a little unbalanced, and I feel like the front end is holding things up on fast descents. I did blow up my first headshock, but it was replaced with no problems, and the new one is fine. I would argue a five inch travel rear needs at least 4 inches of travel up front (Hey Cannondale, how about a deal on a Lefty?). Weight is the other issue. Dead stock, the bike was 32 lbs on the scale at the shop. With a Kujo up front, an ElGato out back, Shimano DH pedals and a Race Face riser, it's almost 38. A lot of that is tires, granted, but the bike begs for aggressive rubber, and around here, you need something wide. At that kinda heft, I want a super plush, long travel front end, and I'm not getting it. To be fair, that weight provides incredible strength, and the bike has NEVER creaked, groaned or flexed.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR Big Hit, Specialized FSR XC, Specialized FSR.
Bike Setup:
Shimano DH pedals, Kujo/ElGato tires, Raceface riser bar, Oury Grips (Hey, don't laugh, they make a difference, at least to a hacker like me)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, but I wish it had a little more travel up front. The rear suspension is the way to go if you don't want your bike in the shop every few weeks. I rode the specialized designs, and sure they work great, but I didn't want the hassle of bushing replacements and constant maintenance. I've never felt the swingarm design was a liability, and I'm stoked that after one year with some pretty good rides on it, it's never been apart. Race bike? Nope, too heavy with too much travel out back. Downhill bike? Nope, not enough travel in the headshok. Go anywhere, ride-all-day, comfortable, reliable, 4 seasons bike? You bet. The more I ride the bike, the more I appreciate it. There are certainly more advanced designs out there, but if love to ride, want a fair price on a good bike and don't want to worry about the frame breaking, get on a Cannondale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from MA Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Lightweight, Disc Brakes, Paint, Shocks, Wheel Set
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Trek 7000, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
What more could you ask for. I was torn between Hardtail and full suspension but after pricing and component comparisons i saved the extra money and went for the SuperV900. Best move i ever made, i will not have to upgrade components ever. Spend now and save later. Race Ready. One of the other guys said that he weighed his and it was 29 pounds but i had mine on a digital scale yesterday and totally stock weighed in at a mere 27.5 lbs. Maybe Cannondale is right. Frame weight does vary depending on who hand made it at the factory. This thing rocks. Solid and Lightweight. The specialized FSR sucked, it was to spongy, ugly, and cheap. My Cannondale often gives me the impression of a hardtail. I dont think i will ever own another hardtail. V900 Suspension is solid for 200lbs. Took it off some nice dropoffs and i felt like i was on my Yamaha YZ250. Smooth landing with no bottoming out. Cant wait to ride some more this weekend and thrash.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dean Morgan
a Cross Country Rider
from Tasmania Date Reviewed: January 29, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
handling, Magura Disks, overall quality of bike
Weaknesses:
Front air shock adjustment need special pump Std rear shock (Fox Vanilla)
Similar Products Used:
Avanti Nitro, FSr Extreme
Bike Setup:
Std, with Tioga seat, EBC disk pads, upgraded front forks with adjustable damping, RST rear shock with adjustable compression & rebound damping
Bottom Line:
Brilliant bike. The more I ride it, the more impressed I am. I upgraded the front & rear shocks to have adjustable damping and It makes a huge difference to the handling once you get it set right. After the magura pads wore out, I replaced them with EBC aftermarket ones, and they improved the braking & feel from brilliant to just stunning. I ride lots of thick mud, and there is also no sign of disk wear at all.
A brilliant bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vincent Pegg
a Racer
from England Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cannock
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
This Bike is the pouse, it is amazingly stiff and you can chuck around and have a wicked time, wether im dropping off my dads transit van or going outr training it is great. Shock is great and headshox rule.
Weaknesses:
There are none
Similar Products Used:
Trek, marin, fluffy gingers stink.
Bike Setup:
Fox air n oil, headshox, gonzzalia 3" tires, Hope four pot discs.
Bottom Line:
Its f**kin wicked
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Sherman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boulder, Colorado Date Reviewed: November 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
switzerland trail in colorado
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame, it is really durable and can with stand anything. Head shok cuts out the small bumps that just vibrat your bike.
Weaknesses:
Head shok can be a hassle sometimes but only if you use it every day and make it work it's @$$ off!
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX 980, Specialized FSR, GT(They can't beat the quality of cannondale)
Bike Setup:
Stock but with 2.35' wheels
Bottom Line:
This bike was worth every penny a thirteen year old can save up. I thoguht it was worth it to work and save up some money and IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY. I love the bike it is responsive and has great traction and control and it isnt as heavy as the other dual suspentions.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rodney
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Canada Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Any trail I can ride
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The rear shock, frame is good and strong brakes stop right now
Weaknesses:
The head shock is junk the pads on the brakes on my secound set 60$ cdn grip shift is not the best
Similar Products Used:
first bike that is not a hardtail
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
The head shock sucks no one likes the dam thing mine makes a grinding noise the shop took in apart and re greased it still make nosie they told me their must be water in it. The grip shifts don't work if it gets mud on the cables or cable housing. I'am 200 pound I use a set of pads after 2 months of hard riding one day at a ski hiil used 30% of the pads. I wish Dale would make a better shock up front or not use their stuff. It realy hurts the bike to put the bad head shock on it. Change the grip to rapid fire. It would make the bike hole lot better. Email me what you think of the head shock I would like to see if iam the only one with this problem. Change the head shock and the grip shifts this bike would get a 5 for the price its a ok bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross-Country Rider
from Henniker, NH Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
A light design and construction. Rear swingarm attachment is way better than other brands I have checked out. Very sturdy construction.
Weaknesses:
I bought a demo bike..dealer claims it was only taken out 6 times. But I have since blown out the head shock and the Magura discs have to be bled. Well, it's the end of the season, and I did have an awesome time with it. Time to tune it up. Would rather see more options for front ends than just Cannondaler stuff.
Similar Products Used:
None really. My last was a Cannondale hardtail.
Bike Setup:
Stock everything. The specs are at C-dale's web site.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I got a good deal buying used. Would never have paid the retail $2100 or whatever. Just be sure you want to go to a soft-tail and know what you are getting into. ask around to people who have used them. I ride everywhere and this bike is perfect for all-around use. PS. Had I know what was coming out around the corner, I would have bought a Raven!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad The Geezer
a Downhiller
from Suffolk England Date Reviewed: November 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
PORC
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
MMMM... Can not really think of any. I suppose a good paintwork.
Weaknesses:
Rear swing arm, is prone to snapping, when jumping of your garage!
Similar Products Used:
Trek VRX, Marin DH, ATX1, More or less everything!
Bike Setup:
Stock.........apart from at 19 inch Motorcross shock to give me 45 inches travel, wahaay baby!
Bottom Line:
Well I am on my 5th frame! The f***ing thing keeps snapping. One day I will be able to get off of the garage roof without it breaking! My mates VRX, can drop of everything! Even our Garage! Twice even and it still has not snapped apart from a big crack down the main frame and seatpost. Buy a VRX, I am going to get my money back from Dale and buy one. P.S. Hope 4 pot Discs are rubbish. Buy V brakes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Henry
a Cross-Country Rider
from newark,DE Date Reviewed: October 19, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Single pivot swingarm Disc Brakes
Weaknesses:
Brakes Squeel
Similar Products Used:
SuperV700,Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
It's a great bike.The discs squeel but work well with NO drag. Cannondale also has the best paint. A really nice ride and i'd buy another one.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MikeT
a Cross-Country Rider
from Columbus, Ohio Date Reviewed: September 20, 1999
I bought the 1999 SV900 (red) six months ago and have thrashed it on every type of trail in my area. this bike taken all the abuse i could give it. here's the scoop: HITS: magura disc brakes squeel but stop the bike when my friends are complaining about thier wet v-brakes; the fox vanalla shock really soaks up the rocks & roots on the trail; climbs great with the headshok locked out (no rear bob); excellent frame. MISSES: the headshok blew out in three months & my lbs replaced it in a day under warranty but it does not seem to have the travel that it did before; cheap-ass bottem bracket; rock hard seat (get a clue c-dale from specialized body comp); useless clipless pedals; short flat handlebar with treehooks. SWAPPED OUT: seat, handelbars, pedals, grips, tires. OVERALL: this has been a solid ride and i would buy it again. see ya on the trail...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rudy
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawton, MI Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Dr. Lawless Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Rigid frame and fork good balance of front and rear suspension Magura Louise disc brakes front suspension lock-out IRC tires 2 water bottle holders
Weaknesses:
no QD seat clamp some pedal bob Coda grips hurt hands without gloves. Little circle markes hurt. I am going to replace with the woven pattern no rear shock lock-out need special pump to accurately adjust front suspension no dampening adustment in rear
Similar Products Used:
Only URT bikes tested in and around parking lots--just could not get used to losing rear suspension when I stood up--carry over habit from dirt bike days--so the fully active rear and great Cannondale reputation sold me.
Bike Setup:
Stock. Rear shock is stock Fox coil over oil/gas--no adjustments other than preload. A bike this nice deserves a better shock with compression, rebound and lockout adjustments. Dealer set the breaks and they worked fine from start.
Bottom Line:
I would not pay retail for this bike and got lucky and got the last 1999 my dealer had (Viper Red). The bike in the catalog is spec'd with rapid fire shifters and Coda discs. I would have liked the former but not the latter. Mine came with grip shifts. Not bad. I never used them before but my kids like them. Simple to maintain. The Magura Louise disc breaks sold me. I had Magura controls on an old Penton/KTM and Husqvarna dirt bikes and they were top shelf items. The brakes on the SV900 are sweet. Very easy to adjust, maintain and clean (have not yet though). I first road the bike on my trails early in the morning with all the dew on the ground. My land is very sandy. No affect on the disc brakes. Smoothest and most predicable I have ever used, dirt bikes included. I am a Clydesdale and at first set the front air to 200lbs. Too stiff. Now at 175 or so and it feels pretty good--now get to use about all 80mm travel up front, tho I am not jumping big air (yet). Manual recommends about 1/16 to 1/8 sag up front. I have about 1/4 when in riding posistion and someone is holding the bike. Works better for me that the factory rec. Rear had heavier spring put on and preload set so I get about 1/4 to 5/16 sag when seated. Beautiful. The coda 500 pedals are ok. I have Nashbar cleats on my Nashbar shoes (great deal they were with the Nashbar pedals) and one side of one pedal is hard to clip in. It may be the pedal. I have another set of coda 500 pedals from my wife's Cannondale F500 (we got it a week later) and have to try that pedal. This is my first full suspension bike. I had been riding an unsuspended hard tail for the last 12 years and my back started to bother me. I bit the bullet, spent the bucks, put 25 miles on the bike off and on road over the weeked and woke up Monday for work with no back pain. 6 miles on the old steel bike would have done me in. I liked the Raven, but the plastic feels kinda cheap for the money you are spending--and at the price I paid for what I got--I could not pass this bike up! To get a Raven spec'd out like this I would have paid $1000.00 more! I bought my son a little Yamaha PW80 instead!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rodney
a Cross-Country Rider
from Calgary Alberta Date Reviewed: August 29, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The name and the frame
Weaknesses:
the brakes are the shits so is the 27spd drive train the head shock is nothing great
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
The bike was great to start but I get chain stuck all the time the thing shifts are the worst have hand it at the shop 10 times for shifting problems now the head shock is making a bad noise whish I never bought the bike!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Puzman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT Date Reviewed: August 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ain't tellin'
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Nice Fork Standover height plush ride
Weaknesses:
weight bobs when pedaling
Similar Products Used:
Klein Mantra GF Joshua Diamondback FS
Bottom Line:
Rented a SV-900 at Brian Head the other day. (i think it may have been a '98- had V-brakes). It is a pretty sweet ride- the headshock works well, gives good steering control and a plush feel. mine was set up with not enough rebound damping and topped out noisily, but that could be adjusted. The rear suspension is plush, but definitely bobs while pedaling (i'm comparing this to my Mantra, which has very little pedal-induced feedback). You feel the weight when climbing, but has a very stable, plush feel in single track.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MJ
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Jones Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
cannondale name, color
Weaknesses:
cheap disc brakes, coda products
Similar Products Used:
Voodoo Canzo, way better product
Bike Setup:
stocker, with little fox rear shock, and cheap Magura disc brakes
Bottom Line:
Is I love this bike, and love my other cannondale, but magura disc brakes are not good like a sorority bimbo when the keg is dry. If these brakes aren't squelling, there freezin' up. They have been nothing but the bane of my bike rides/races. Cannondale customers services has been no help, they won't even return my email or calls. A sidebar, I also broke a coda crank, but I wont take any chillis away for that. Great bike with cheap brakes, three for the bike alone. Magura is the product of Yuppie capitalists out to pave all singletrack.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob C.
a Weekend Warrior
from Sultan, WA Date Reviewed: July 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tree Farm
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great handling, solid frame, excellent brakes.
Weaknesses:
Kind of heavy, brakes take a while to get dialed in.
Similar Products Used:
FSR XC Pro, LTS, DBR V-Link, Raven
Bike Setup:
XT Rapid Fire, 1050 rear spring, XT 34t Cassette.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike!! Took some time to get used to riding because the Bottom Bracket is alot higher than I was used to. The lock-out is great for climbing but you have to remember to turn it off when the descent starts. Had to fool with the brakes quite a bit to dial in but once they were they are the best thing since peanut butter and bagels. If you over 200lbs be sure to get the 1050 spring so that the preload isn't cranked all the way. Great Bike I'll give it 5 screaming jalapeno turds.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from connecticut Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
arcadia rode island
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
front end,powerfull brakes,stable steering,frame
Weaknesses:
disk brakes are moody,irc tires could be better in new englund
Similar Products Used:
gt lts,856 pro flex,m400 ridged,m2 stump jumper,fsr spec
Bike Setup:
race face cranks,thompson seat post,serfas saddle,race face bottom bracket,speedplays,race face bars
Bottom Line:
got the bike down to 27.5lbs.its a blast to ride in this new england terrain,ive had some problems with sqeeling from the disk brakes,but im working out the bugs.front and rear shocks are well balanced and for a 27.5 lb bike it climbs great and decends with confidence.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch Small
a Weekend Warrior
from Jersey City, NJ Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Round Valley, NJ
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very stiff frame, excellent control on downhills, excellent tracking on uphills. Headshock lockout is awesome for climbing. Disc Brakes are too cool!!! SRAM grip shifts work perfectly (I was a little skeptical at first comming from rapid fire but I've come to love SRAM grip shifts.) Awesome mono pivot full suspension design -- probably the best pivot in the industry -- no flex, no squeeks, maintenance free! (I dont have to constantly lube pivots like those Specialized, and other 4 bar likage bike owners do...) Plenty of great suspension even out of the saddle!! Looks cool too!
Weaknesses:
Break in period for Magura Louise discs but after thats over its cool. A slight noise of air being compressed can be heard when the headshock takes a big hit but it doesn't bother me, after all its an air shock.
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh full suspension. -- Sucks compared to Cannondale!
Bottom Line:
An awesome bike and very competively priced at around $1900 or so. I wouldn't buy any other full suspension bike. A great ride with little maintance.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Racer
from Collins Date Reviewed: April 23, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
NOthing, it is all a piece of crap
Weaknesses:
Everything....DONT BUY it....the frame is weak...all the compnents are crap..
Similar Products Used:
GT LOBO TREK Y33
Bike Setup:
stock components
Bottom Line:
DONT WASTER YOUR MONEY....buy a freeride 2000!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Lofthouse
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hong Kong Date Reviewed: April 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Kai Tam
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
I only bought the frameset, but still..: The strength of the frame - most excellent! The reactivness of the rear, not too bouncy when powered at off the saddle ( although i have lockout on my helix pro) The Viper red looks stunning..! Reasonably light, doesn't climb like at 26 pounder.. more like my old 22 pound hardtail. The fact that it's made in the good ol USA.. and it's handcrafted! :)
Weaknesses:
absolutely nothing wrong with the frame.. oh except if you have the bottle cage at the rear of the bike it your bottle can get caught if you wear baggies..
Similar Products Used:
Trek VRX 200 Giant ATX 1000 GT LTS 2000
Bike Setup:
Judy 100's (i know i know they were on my old bike..), Stratos helix pro rear, 517 rims with LX hubs, 8.0 attack shifters, full XT drivetrain + brakes
Bottom Line:
This bike is just awesome.. cannondale rulez the world, it's extremely responsive to all kinds of terrain, and the rear is constantly active. I loveit.. i made the switch from a hardtail to the cannondale, and a FS is WAAYYY better than my old hardtail.. better for tricks, jumping, and having fun.. i even plan to race XC with this bike.. all you hardtail freaks out there just get a bike with lockout on the rear, and voila problem solved. Well done cannondale!!!! 5 hot turds BTW.. has anyone noticed all the new frame designs from trek etc look like the Super V's..? hmmmmmmm
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff J.
a Weekend Warrior
from Castaic, CA Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Strong, no lateral flex. No harsh bottoming out. Headshock Super Fatty carves like a knife. If you like the idea of one finger, stopping on a dime braking, Magura disc brakes are for real. The tires and terrain are your only limitations when it comes time to stop or slow.
Weaknesses:
Weighs more than 21 lbs., but so do 99.9% of mountain bikes on the planet.
Bike Setup:
I weigh 245 lbs., so I put on the 1.60 x 1050 rear shock spring to get the preload right.
Bottom Line:
For the trail rider, this bike is awesome. Climbs great for a full suspension. Very little bob and no feedback. The IRC Mythos tires are OK, but I put one of my old VelociRaptors on the front for a little more holding power in turns at speed. The brakes are great, but I find I dont need them nearly as much, just get my butt off the rear of the seat and let 'er fly. I don't really miss my XT RapidFire shifters like I thought I would either. I can't make too much of an arguement for trail riding with a hardtail any longer. Some what faster up the hill and smokin' down the hill!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rodney
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Canada Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
This bike is so sweat, 29 lbs had it on the scale at the bike shop. The disc brakes are great love the 27 speed. Wil never go back to a hardtail.
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks love it. A great 29 lbs 27 speed disc brakes. For less then 3000.00 The bike is 1lb less then my hardtail.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a
from Whistler BC, Canada Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
I rode the 99 version last week in Vancouver on the North Shore. It is a great bike. I raced motorcross for several years and competed in m/c trials as well many years ago. A single pivot is the best solution for suspension but a URT like a fisher is not. All m/c are single pivot,,,why? because it is the most reliable and provides the greatest stiffness that is needed to prevent loss of energy. The Headshok I was sceptical about, but it is plush, takes big hits and has almost no flex. When you are over in a corner over rough roots and ruts there is totally straight and true tracking. You could never get that performance with a dual slider fork. All in all, I think Cannondale has got it figured very well. URT's make no sense at all and are fatally flawed in their design. Multi links work well but there is no way you will get the longevity of performance and stiffness you will get with a single pivot. Try one of the Cannondales...they impress! Me, I am waiting for a V2000 because in our weather discs rule.
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Submitted by
Charlie
a downhiller
from san antonio texas Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998
Bottom Line:
This bike was awesome and i think that pablo is really bad.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pablo
a racer
from San antonio Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
I hated it, I wanted to try a mountain bike instead of bmx and it really bad, I recomened to not buy it it sucks unbelivabley bad so don't buy it if you are looking at it stick to bmx.
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Submitted by
Cdale rules
a cross-country rider
from ME Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998
Bottom Line:
This is to Pablo: This site is for mountain bikers. If you don't like mountain biking, why the hell did you submit a review. How the hell would you even know if a mountain bike was good, you are a loser BMX rider. For everyone else: I recently rode the super v 900 at my local bike shop. I thought that the ride was incredibly plush. The single pivot rear suspension provides zero lateral movement. The rear end bobbed pretty bad when sprinting out of the saddle, but hey, that is one of the costs of rising a full suspension, there probably isn't a full suspension bike that will not do this. I thought that the bike climbed extremely well, and after catchin about 5 ft. of air, i realized that i could have all the fun i wanted with this bike. I would give it a four and a half, but i will give it a 5 since Pablo the prick screwed the stats.
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Submitted by
Dino Rick
a weekend warrior
from Kent, Wa. Date Reviewed: November 30, 1998
Bottom Line:
After 7 years of self inflicted pain & suffering on a variety of hardtails; I am now enjoying the comfort & control benefits of FS, both on the trail & after! I'm a midpack cruiser, so I chose the C'dale for its husky one pivot simplicity; K.I.S.S. It's a fairly heavy 28 lbs, but tracks like it's on rails and climbs better, too. I upgraded to the SL 5 position Headshock, Fox Vanilla Float R air shock, & Time pedals. I don't have to pick easy lines anymore...it's plush XC and mild DH. I ride typical Northwest technical singletrack...wet & muddy this time of year; and the Magura Louise disc brakes are one finger awesome. Don't drag, easy to adjust (use a dab of silicone on the spoke side adjuster nut), and are there when you need them. A little noisey when wet, but constant stopping power. I've only got 3 nasty weather rides at this date, but I'm convinced that I made the right choice. Discs are a must here. See Dave at Center Cycle for a killer deal...and ride with Single Track Mind Cycling Club and you will see it and other brands in action. About half of our active riders are on FS.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: November 11, 1998
Bottom Line:
Wow, no other reviews for this bike posted yet so l'll get right to it. After waiting 2 months for this bike to arrive all I can say is awesome! This is my first full suspension bike and I can't believe what a difference suspension makes even with my 260 lb. butt on it. The Fox shock has the 900 spring on it and it seems just fine. No trouble with the front Headshok either I just tried a few different air pressure settings until it felt right. The brakes are Magura Louise disks and they are equally awesome. There is no drag, they are easily adjusted and you pull on them and the bike hunkers down and stops quickly. They do grind a bit when first new until the pads get worn a bit. 27 gears for my riding seems a bit much I would rather have a few more higher gears than lower but this bike was built for off road so I keep that in mind when trying to keep up with my buds on their road bikes. At least I can take short cuts through the desert. Wrap up: Awesome bike and components and great looks. Find a good bike shop also. I visited a few before finding Southwest Bicycle and they took good care of me. 5 out of 5 from me.
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