one of the greatest mtbs i have ever had. the shoks and the frame are the best. climbing was a great experience with this ultimate machine. i agree with the other users about the brakes, yes it is a weakness. but who did not modify his/her original machine until now? so it was not a burden for me to change them. it is the greatest of the greatest of all the f4000s with the fork angle also.
Submitted by
Chris Lovell
a Racer
from Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2004
Strengths: Frame and XTR components.
Weaknesses: Everything else. The CODA brakes were an absolute joke and bolt pattern of the crosslinks for disk brake rotar (4 bolt) made it vertually impossible the upgrade to a good brake system without spending types of cash. The fatty headshock worked correctly for about 2 days. Grip shift sucks a big one.
Bottom Line:
Cannondale makes two things well, frames and forks. Yes, the fatty that came on this bike was crap but 4 years later Cannondale warrantied it and I got the new Ultra for a song. That was cool. The frame is by far the best I have seen. This thing kicks! I have raced it for several years and won multiple XC titles with this frame and it still looks new. CODA = CRAP. I think over the years Cannondale has learned thier lesson as far as bike setup goes and soon I will be purchasing the Jekyll 3000. From everything I hear this bike is awsome. Buy American frames, they are far and away superior to Taiwanese products!
Similar Products Used: Nothing similar to this bike
Bike Setup: I have completely replaced everything on this bike. New ultra headshock (nice!), Everything is XTR with the exception of cranks (RaceFace Deus XC). Easton carbon fiber EC90 handlebar, Mavic x517 rims with XTR hubs and cassette, Avid Ti brakes and levers, shimano 959 pedals, Thomson seatpost, San Marco seat, XTR shifters and deraillers, Hutchinson tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
david reed
a Racer
from columbia tn usa
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Strengths: tracks true(headshock rules) stiff frame fast, light it is beautiful new pro coda disc brakes
Weaknesses: original coda disc brakes saddle
Bottom Line:
Firstly, yes, the disc brakes leaked and no LBS(Cannondale dealers) could fix it or admit that the unit leaked and should be replaced. After MONTHS of dealing with a worthless, squealing rear brake (front worked fine!?)and two pathetic fix attempts by different dealers- Finally Dave@bicyclewerks (Huntsville, AL) got Cannondale to warranty front and rear. Thanks Dave, thanks Cannondale. Since 4/00 they have performed. Note: Dialing in the brakes requires patience and the proper washers for mounting. Secondly, the front of the seat disintegrated. Maybe it was the several crashes, but my new seat is probably the best made. It has survived the same abuses and more. For xc racing or just flying through Middle Tennessee singletrack, this bike is nimble and fast. If you can't win or have fun on this thing, the problem is you. The Headshock/coda stem combo is bulletproof. Other fork/headset combos have felt sloppy by comparison. Unless I get to try a Moots/Litespeed/Merlin-(I know this one exists) with a Headshock that blows me away... My next upgrade will also be a Cannondale.
Bike Setup: Easton carbon post and bar stem a la Tinker (negative rise) Selle Italia Ti Flite Speedplay Frogs Michelin Wildgripper Comp S (when it's slippery) Mavic Crosslink Ritchey Speedmax XTR derailluer plasma Gripshift
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rafael
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, California, USA
Weaknesses: CODA Competition Brakes have undergone continous maintenance and warranty service over 12 month period. Unaware that the CODA Comp discs did not work properly from the beginning. Have replaced rotors, pads, and finally the rear drum was replaced because it was found leaking. Even after all the attention from my shop and Cannondale, these brakes still do not work as good as the Hayes discs on my other bike.
Bottom Line:
This hardtail climbs extremely extremely well but it is not forgiving on downhills. The bike is extremely surefooted with little room for error. My GREAT bike shop in NJ would probably have taken care of the brake problem but unfortunately there are no REALLY good authorized Cannondale dealers in South Orange County ==> have suffered as a result.
Bike Setup: XTR front and rear Mavic Cross Link Wheelset White Raceface NEXT LP crankset CODA Comp discs FATTY Headshock Hutchinson Pythons Gripshift CODA Comp components
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Tucker
a Cross-Country Rider
from Alpharetta, GA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1999
Strengths: Weight, Brakes, Fork
Weaknesses: TX2
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike. Stop whining about the brakes. If you can't set them up right find a dealer who can. I weigh 200lbs and ride fast and these stop well. The modulation is superb and there isn't any drag. Contrary to an earlier review I think this bike is a fantastic climber. I switched from Notos to Mythos on the rear which really helped.
Bike Setup: F5000 Team Replica, Crossmax Wheels, XTR shifters and deraileurs. TX2. 23lbs in Jumbo size
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred L Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Tx
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Strengths: Lefty front fork kicks butt on down hills. The disc brakes work nicely. With the disc brakes, and the lefty, there is no place for mudd to pack up and slow me down.
Weaknesses: Thermoplastic tubing's farrel popped out on me in a prerace ride. You need to keep extra tubing, farrels, and the brake line bleeding apparatus available.
Bottom Line:
At first, I did not really like the feel of the bike. The handlebar was changed to a straight bar, the frame was changed from a F9000 large to the F4000 extra large, the rock shock seat post and specialized seat were added. Now, whenever I think about riding, I get a feeling of exhilaration. The transition from full suspension to hard tail is a tough one, but my speed is geting better and better. The bike handles wonderfully on severe downhill sections, like were experienced at Fort Hood. I had a very nice feeling of being in control. I did not really like the fact that the bike looked so good, but it really is preforming well, the more I am getting used to it. It handles nicely with about 170 psi in the front fork. This bike requires more technique than my old Gary Fisher.
Favorite Trail: Memorial Park (before the trail closings)
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Similar Products Used: Stump jumper M4 specialized Big sur Klein hard tails
Bike Setup: front and rear derailers are XT Lefty front fork Rock shock seat post Straight, carbon fiber handlebar Specialized split seat Extra large frame Time Attac peddles , also use shimano. Cateye speedometer with the magnet mounted on the brake's disc (well hidden from impact)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
carter
a Cross-Country Rider
from sweden
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1999
Strengths: great climber, precision steering good suspension stiff frame good- very good brakes
Weaknesses: price to weight ratio not compatable
Bottom Line:
I really don't understand how this bike can get such shit ratings from some and excellant ratings from others. Its a fine machine that deserves att least a rating of 4+, but I'll give it a 5. I,ve had no problems (inspite of the fact I really abuse it) and find myself liking it more and more, as time goes on. This bike is basically a CADD 4 frame with XTR componants, powerfull disc brakes and a great suspension. What is there not to like.
Bike Setup: standard except tire change from semislicks to x-c and xtr shifters
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ANGLICA CHAVEZ
a Cross-Country Rider
from DANVILLE CA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1999
Strengths: THE BIKE CLIMBS NICE, IT'S LGHTER THEN MY OLD BIKE.
Weaknesses: THE DICS BRAKES. THEY SUCK. THE CODA COMP DICS BRAKES LEAK, SO THEY CHANGED THEM TO THE CODA ELITE DICS SETUP THAT WILL OUT IN 2000 BUT NOW THE BACK ONE DOS'NT STOP. THE REP JUST PICKED UP THE BIKE FROM MY HOUSE, AND TOOK TO A SHOP TO CHECK IT OUT.IT'S WATE AND SEE NOW.
After two years of succesful riding on the klein, I was talked into this cannondale at my local shop. I was told it would be a step up in performance. What a crock of horseshit!!! The klein was a much superior bike, and now I find myself with an overpriced, overly hyped pile of aluminum shit. Buy a specialized or a klein, not a cannondale.
True, the frame is stiff and excellent to ride, and the Fatty is impressive. But the brakes are really bad - they're hard to adjust, and even though I tried all possible adjustments, the rotor kept touching the brakepads, and the shopmechanic, which by the way owns a F4000 (though European), said that it wasn't more adjustable, and also that he had the same problem. So, bottomline is, I recommend all of the bike, except the discbrakes... In my opinion though, it's too costy in the standard edition, that's why I've given such a lousy score.
I bought the F4000 when it was first available. Unfortunately it had a road cassette on it which I quickly swapped. First impresssion: 1) Too heavy for a $3000 bike. Weighed in at the shop at 24 lbs. Not the end of the world however. 2) The frame is stiff as anything which I personally like for climbing and all around riding. 3) The Fatty SL is hands down the best fork I've ever used. My confidence bouncing off rocks, going downhill in rough terrain is at its highest on this bike. You get triple clamp stiffnes in a 3.1 lb package. And it is smooth as anything as well. 4) Grip Shift works great. 5)Crosslink wheelset are heavy which is basically what makes the bike too heavy. I've since swapped the Crosslink for Crossmax and put on a few other goodies and the bike is under 23 lbs with dual discs! 6)The dual discs are great. Admittedly I had problems with the front disc due to some manufacturing issues. (this was probably due to the fact that I purchased one of the first ones available) Since then the rotor has been warrantied and braking has never been better. No hassles, tune ups, etc. Just great stopping power. The way I have setup now I would say its easily the best bike I've ever owned.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jhon Holmes
a downhiller
from Thornton NH
Date Reviewed: February 24, 1999
Bottom Line:
This Bike cost me my left nut. I think that if the people at Cannondale want to impress me, they should lick my ass! The only thing this bike is good for is dead weight on a garbage barge headed for Jersey. Don't buy it, you're only wasting your time, money and reproductive organs!!!
True story. Took this out for my first ride. It loved to be thrown up the steepest stuff. It begged for me to upshift and stand in a climb. It steered and braked with great precision. When I got done, I examined the set up more closely because I needed to dial in my riding position, gearing, etc., and noticed that it was equipped with an Ultegra 12-27 rear cluster. I had been climbing for hours in a 22-27 combination when I was used to a 22-32, and had not even noticed a difference. Honest.
maybe a little to much coffee during that last remark. please read folow up letter in the f2000 section. c'dale made a gutsy call and a evil yet brilliant marketing move on this one
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Louis
a racer
from Cap-Rouge, Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 16, 1999
Bottom Line:
The frameset is amazing, the frame is pretty stiff and the front shock works better than anything else I tried before. However the vertical tube is too advanced for me. It forced me to buy a thudbuster seat post and cut the elastomer to move the saddle backer. Also, the air valve of the front shock is not accessible with every pumps, even the Cannondale pump is useless. I've also been disapointed to see that we can't lock the suspension as the previous models. The brakes just sucks. They works better than V-brakes only in the rain and still... They even started to loose oil. I you absoloutly want to have Disc Brakes, ask the bike shop to replace the coda's by the Hope, Hayes or even the new Maguras for X-C. The rest of the bike works great. I've benn specially surprised by the grip shifts witch new pad desing allow me to shift even with the glove filled with mud. However, if I could come back in time, I would take the F 3000 with a pair of crossmax wheels. Hoverall, the bike works great especially in rolling courses but is too heavy.
