Submitted by
Jeff Mortimer
a Cross Country Rider
from Nampa, Id 83686
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2005
Strengths: Bike has been steady. No problems to keep me off the trails. Climbs like a goat. Light weight.
Weaknesses: Short travel up front.
Bottom Line:
Bike rocks! Performs well. Does not break down. I have more than a 600 miles on mine and I have only had to replace the chain, and the original Magura brakes. A good buyer for this bike would be a weekend warrior up to a CC racer on a budget. This bike both climbs and descends very well.
Bike Setup: Stock except: Hayes Hydro Brakes, Panaracer Fire XC PRO tires, NEW SEAT.
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Submitted by
Tom Sitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004
Strengths: Nice Yellow paint job. Love the front fork. Decent brakes. Good riding position. Good handling and nice to have options with adj geometry.
Weaknesses: Rear swingarm came apart while riding at pivot. It was repaired under warranty. Paint bubbling at dropouts. Will be resolved under warranty.
Bottom Line:
A really decent bike that despite the swingarm and paint issues... I still feel that this bike is a high quality product. I also had shifting issues with the front derailler that have been addressed by the bike store.
Submitted by
N Mackie
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003
Strengths: A bike that will truly make you push yourself to your limits! Very lightweight, comfy and reliable.
Weaknesses: Slightly less stiff than I'd like for out-of-saddle climbs/bursts. But then, I weight 14 stone, and the stiffness is entirely acceptable. I kinda wish Cannondale had routed the rear break and gear cables differently, as the naked wire on the dirty-side of the down tube mean regular cleaning.
Bottom Line:
This bike cost significantly more money to buy than any bike I bought before it. I use the bike most weekends and one or two nights through the week, and it's simply wonderful fun. I got ace value from my Jekyll. I'd certainly look to Cannondale when I decide to renew, but I can't see that happening in the near future.
Bike Setup: As it came from the bike shop, except Wildgripper tyres.
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Submitted by
Joel White
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa,OK
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002
Strengths: Good suspension balance, blast to ride on the downhills, good component spec (except for the Coda brakes), great agressive looks, plush ride and front shock lock out.
Weaknesses: A little heavy to be a XC racer, more chain slap than my old hard tail, CODA brakes, not as good of a climber as Trek Fuel.
Bottom Line:
This bike falls between a XC racing full suspension bike and a downhill bike. While it is a little heavier than the XC racer, it has more suspension, but not quite as much as a downhiller. The added suspension comes in handy for lightning quick descents.
Bike climbs well, but probably not as good as a hardtail or Trek Fuel. I don't experience any pogoing, and the instant lockout on the front comes in very handy.
While the adjustable geometry is a nice touch, I'd rather have a set geometry with an upgradeable shock. I've left the geometry in the full XC (high bottom bracket, shorter wheelbase) mode the entire time I've had it. I got a great deal on a 2001 closeout, 1/2 price so it was a much better buy than a 2002 Trek Fuel for the same price. With the exception of the CODA VBrakes, everything has worked incredibly well.
Had this bike not been 1/2 off, I would have gone with the Trek Fuel. But when you consider the under $1000 price tag, it was a great buy. This bike is a blast for me to ride, and having a new bike has me on the trails much more than in the past. Great all around mountain bike, and with some lighter components could be a viable XC racer for a beginner or intermediate rider.
I must admit i don't have a 2001, my bike is a 2000
For my first bike it is awesome. I love the way it rides and feels. Cannondale stands behind their products and make quality stuff, not to mention made right here in the US, not in Korea or China or something. I love the Jekyll frame but would have loved to have gotten the Lefty fork in stead of the Headshock super-fatty. The value is awesome because i bought it two years old.
Submitted by
Mark Beattie
a Weekend Warrior
from Olympia, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002
Strengths: Great rear suspension design; a very good climber. Lock-outs are nice. Good shifting for deore/xt mix.
Weaknesses: Front suspension is weak. 80mm travel is not enough. The front end feels twitchy with the head-shock; not user serviceable. Brakes/wheels are cheap; tires are narrow.
Bottom Line:
Good entry level dual/XC bike; could be a race bike with XTR/light weight wheels/parts.
Weaknesses: Coda crank (I'm waiting for my new crank to arive)!! Fatty fork (not as plush as my X-vert). No disc hubs (frame is disc...why not the hubs for easy upgrade), and Notos tires (no grip).
Bottom Line:
Great bike with a few minor upgrades. Joy to ride.
Similar Products Used: Sugar, Kona Manomano, Trek Y, Rocky Mtn FS
Bike Setup: Stock except for: Race Face XY post (for longer top tube), XT cog (got it on sale), Icon riser bar, and Panaracer tires.
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Submitted by
ak
a Weekend Warrior
from miami, fl,usa
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2001
Strengths: everything. tuneability of rear shock and nice active suspension. I have rode the bike a lot and have yet to hear any rattling or odd noises coming from the suspension.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
bike is fast. changing the settings on the rear shock makes a world of difference. you just have to play aroundd with it to get it set up the way you want I personaly like the slacker geometry. great bike for the money whether your experienced or just starting out.
Bike Setup: stock, with monkeylight risers, avid arch 50's, sellee italia seat. xtr rear derailer
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Submitted by
Sue
a Weekend Warrior
from Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2001
Strengths: Great travel in rear shock - excellent for geriatrics such as my self with back injuries. Nice and light - won't do in the back next time lifting bike over fences.
Weaknesses: New to mountain biking so therefore still a novice at discerning any problems. No weaknesses other than maybe the seat - which I have changed to softer ladies style.
Bottom Line:
This bike is just fantastic for anyone who has fallen in love with off road biking at a later age. Comfortable and it actually sings to you when riding - truly. I thought I would never be able to ride, particularly off road, with years of accummulated and degenerative back problems and after alot of investigation came up with the Jekyll as the best option. I love my new bike.
Bike Setup: brakes had to be hydraulic so i put on some magura quicksilvers
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Submitted by
Zach H
a Cross Country Rider
from Trout Creek, Montana, US
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001
Strengths: I love this bike. It is the nicest, smoothest ride I have ever gotten from a mtn bike. The frame is sweet and suspension very adjustable. It is very strong and light. The gearing is fantastic, I use it for everything from steep climbs, crazy downhills, and commuting to work.
Weaknesses: I replaced the saddle after my first ride, you will do the same unless you thrive on pain. I have problems with the adjustment of the front derailer sometimes not wanting to shift easily.
Bottom Line:
Any bike with a Jekyll frame will rock. This is a great bike and I am very happy with it in general. I would suggest getting this one if money is a factor. If money isn't a huge concern then go with a higher model to get nicer components.
Strengths: This bike is a very good bargain because you get full lockout. With most other companies you would have to spend a lot of money for a float rc rear shock. case and point being the trek fuel 100, which at spokes retails around $2,800. This bike also has a nice set of tires and looks good too.
Weaknesses: They have skimped on the componants here. I pretty much despise CODA and their "cheepo" parts. The frame is fairly nice and has very nice welds as do all connondale bikes. The highlight of the bike is the rear shock and price.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great bike for someone that wants a cannondale full suspension set-up that can climb like a mountain goat and won't break the back for its target market. Stop by Spokes Etc in oakton and ask for Mike if you would like to take a test ride or even buy one :)
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90, specialized enduro FSR
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Troy B.
a Weekend Warrior
from Springfeild, IL USA
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001
Strengths: Frame,headshock,Fox RC
Weaknesses: Brakes,wheelset,handle bars,levers
Bottom Line:
Well as I have said in the pass Cannondale says it all, like the word timex takes a beating and keeps ticking. The bike is at a nice price and can be upgrade to make it a super bike. Nice job Cannondale!!!!
Weaknesses: brakes (CODA with Tektro levers), saddle
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike for a good price. Excellent for XC riding, climbs up the hills like a rocket. The rebound adjustment of the rear shock is very helpful in this respect. The brakes are probably the only weak components, but what are you expecting for that price - XTR's? Good brake systems like Avid or SRAM 9.0 are not that expensive - so it's easily upgradable. The saddle is no problem, as I exchange the seatpost and saddle of my old F1000 between the two bikes, as I can only ride with one at a time. The front shock does an excellent job, much better than my older Fatty D. As a conclusion, this is the perfect XC bike for riders who don't want to spend $4000, but still get an excellent value.
Bike Setup: nothing changed yet, but next month I will replace the brakes
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Submitted by
Jake Sailer
a Downhiller
from lodi CA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Strengths: 4.5 rear travel and attitude adjustable.nice main frame and new swing arm,cannondale fixed every thing free and upgraded
Weaknesses: the head shok blows out every week.the original swing arm broke,deore shifters stoped working, coda sucks, if u want to use a different fork u have to have reducers and all that junk,I'm all ways needing an adapter for some thing
Bottom Line:
After I replaced every thing and cannondale put the new upgraded swing arm on for free, this bikes TIGHT,Cool no more problems.Handles great love my new sram 9.0sl parts and XT that was a 2000 model Great for xc and I love it for free rideing climbs very well with that lock out in the rear and and if you put a 5 inch travel fork on the front then your suspion is balanced good and comes down fast.
Similar Products Used: cannondale super v another gret bike
Bike Setup: Now after all new parts even swing arm, sram 9.0sl Hane Brink fork spinergy rev x roks wheels and a set of disc brakes and wheels.XT hollow tech crank set
