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Cannondale
2001 Super V Raven 4000SX
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Submitted by
Justin Chang
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fast and not too tech. | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | It's MADE by Cannondale and has a really really nice unique carbon fibre look. The Lefty gives the bike a real kick and so does the Fox RC Air Float shock. ABSOLUTE eye candy. | | Weaknesses: | Where do I start???
1. Frame is way too heavy although it is a freeride bike.
2. Rear Swingarm gives significant amount of flex, which cannot be eliminated.
3. Frame bobs too much and your pedaling power is lost too significantly in this process.
4. The Lefty with the ELO is nice, but maintence is a pain, with ALL Headshok products!
5. The Coda components MUST be replaced as they are fairly cheaply made components from either China or Taiwan. Cranks, Seatpost, handlebar, BB, Headset, and brakes. All these components should be replaced by the following list for the price you pay for this bike:
Race Face (Next LP cranks, Air Alloy Risers, Seatpost, and DH BB)
Hayes Full Hydrolic brakes F/R (Replacing the Coda ones, which don't even feel as if you have brakes on the bike at all, and the bike I rode had the brakes broken in already).
6. Maintenece (ALL Cannondale bikes have a problem with having to be pochie clean in order to perform to anywhere close to it's full potential).
7. PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE PRICE | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale (F500, F700, KV900, Super V500, Super V700sx, Super V2000, Jekyll 3000, Raven 2000, Raven 4000sx), Trek (Brusier, VRX 300, VRX 400), Kona (Stuff), Santa Cruz (Bullit), Giant (ATX-1, ATX-980), and a heap more... | | Bike Setup: | Trek VRX frame
Maz Z2
Fox Vanilla R
XTR thoughtout
Sella Italia Flite Geniune Gel
Sun Mammoth rims
IRC Tires/Tubes | | Bottom Line: | STEER CLEAR OF THIS BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It will not only burn the biggest hole in your pocket, it is also the biggest DISAPPOINTMENT you'll ever buy!!!!!!! Get other products at less then half the price, DECENT components, at a REASONABLE price. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Davide Gai
a Weekend Warrior
from Lugano, TI, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Passo dell'Uomo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$5500.00 | | Purchased At: | Alberto Bike Store, Rivera, Switzerland | | Strengths: | A lot of technology, lefty fork | | Weaknesses: | heavy for the price (11,8 kg.) No triple. Cannot lower thea seat. Not rigid at all. Too forward sitting position. Too high center of gravity. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek pro 9.9, Trek STP 400 | | Bike Setup: | factory, plus XTR triple and Hayes Disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | What a disappointment. I have been dreaming about the most advanced bike and what I got after shelling 9’700 francs (about 5’500 US$) + modifications was a heavy, bobbing pig.
1) too heavy (11,8 kg) of course, Cannondale assumes people ride without pedals, and that such a bike is used on flat terrain only, therefore one can spare himself the weight of the triple.
2) Not rigid at all: during climbs it bobs and wastes a lot of energy.
3) Too high center of gravity. That combined with the impossibility to quicky lower the saddle, results in a dangerous bike during descent and in single tracks. So what is the point in having a double suspension?
4) Some components are really cheap, like the stem and the seatpost.
5) Poor craftsmanship: the frame is composed of carbon foils glued on top of a magnesium skeleton. It sounds fancy, right? Too bad that too much glue was used, which spilled and remain visible.
On the positive side, the Carbon Lefty fork with ELO (Electronic Lock Out) is amazing. Very light and stiff, it is rigid during climbs (it is the only part of the bike being so ) and absorbs shocks with ease.
Final verdict: and excellent fork, in an overpriced, heavy and bobbing bike. If you really want the fork get a Jackyll, or even better, wait for the Scalpel, otherwise look elsewere.
PS:
Apparently Cannondale is discontinuing this bike for the 2002 model year, which starts in July 2001. That is one more reason for NOT buying a Raven.
What have I decided to do?
1) I have ordered a Lighspeed Tanasi at www.jensonusa.com. That will keep me happy for the summer (and for longer than that, as a matter of fact!.
2) I will try the Scalpel once it gets there. If I like it I will buy it. If not I will get an other super light full Suspension, like the Scott Zero, or the Trek Fuel.
One Chli for the price, and two Chili (the second one courtesy of the Lefty fork).
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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