Submitted by
Crazy Cycylist
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002
Strengths: Light weight. Cool color. Stiff frame.
Weaknesses: Excuse me? What did you say?
Bottom Line:
This is a truely amazing bike. The frame is great, reliable, and super beautiful! Even I changed almost all parts since I bought, I have never thought buying new bike because beauty of the frame (frame, seat post, and headset are only parts I keep since I bought). They, Cannondale, make such a beautiful frame until today. It's like the art!! I'm sure if I buy a new bike, I'll choose one of Cannondale bikes. Riding cool bike make us feel cool, isn't it??
It's bit sad Cannondale no longer pruduce any regid bike. These days, it's getting hard to get a good regid bike like this. Maybe I was lucky when I met this bike...
Similar Products Used: My first Richie is nothing compare to my current.
Bike Setup: all parts set-up in "XTR"
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
railtrailbiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Bergen County, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Strengths: Design, craftsmanship, weight, appearance (paint and lettering), durability, ease of service, overall performance
Weaknesses: Selected components (rear derailleur)
Bottom Line:
As the owner of a rigid bike in a world seemingly being taken over by front and/or full suspension models, I often feel very out of place. However, I am very proud of my high gloss-black Cannondale M400. It has served me well for just over 2.5 years. Besides it's great performance, I didn't have to take out a second mortgage on my house to buy it.
The 1999 M400 is fast and predictable when ridden by an experienced rider. Whether cruising off road unpaved paths or riding local streets, I feel safe and in control. The bike climbs wonderfully. Lifting it onto my Thule roof rack is a breeze too.
Braking is fantasic and shifting is very good. Just infrequent problems downshifting; a better rear derailleur would solve this problem. But let's face it, how many friggin' times do you actually shift when out for a ride? Yes, it's a stiff ride but I feel in total control when I can feel the surface under me.
I am sorry that I didn't buy an extra 1999 model and put it into storage for future use. The 2001 M400 model uses far inferior components.
This bike was a great buy. It is indeed the Volkswagen of mountain bikes, but why by a Mercedes except to impress your neighbors and flush your money down the toilet.
Sometimes the best things in life don't cost a fortune.
Favorite Trail: Old North Jersey Rapid Transit ROW
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$475.00
Purchased At: Bikeworks, Rochelle Park, NJ
Bike Setup: Stock with the exception of an underseat bag, water cage, lock, and mini-pump
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2000
Strengths: The frame is truly a piece of art. The welds are incredible, it is light, super-stiff, and looks great. It has unlimited upgrade potential, and you don't need to use a headshock, WHICH I DESPISE.
Weaknesses: All the original components, Alivio/STX just aren't up to hardcore riding/racing.
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE RULES WHEN SET UP PROPERLY. The frame is really just amazing
Submitted by
Oh Bee
a Weekend Warrior
from Colgate University, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2000
Strengths: The frame on this thing's killer; it's the stiffest thing I've ever ridden, hands down. The frame's not that heavy either. I've always been a fan of the GripShift system, but others would probably disagree. But yes, it's the frame, frame, frame, frame!
Weaknesses: Just as everyone else says, it's the components. They're not that bad (everything's Shimano), but if you're gonna take it rough, an upgrade would be a good idea. The brakes are also a shade corny.
Bottom Line:
As I said before, the M400's CAAD2 frame is ultra-stiff, strong, and not too heavy. I think just the frame's worth the price. I'll be slowly upgrading the components. The Alivio/Deore LX combo doesn't do it for me, considering I used to ride on STX to XTC. I think I'll be ditchin' the brakes and rims as well. But for now, the bike's fine. If you're just cruisin', the setup shouldn't pose any problems. Damn, do I love the frame.
Similar Products Used: Specialized M2FS, Cannondale CAD2 w/Fatty HeadShock
Bike Setup: "townie", with Syncros seatpost, Topo h'bar, Profile Durango brushguard/barend combo, Zefal fenders, Performance cage/SPD pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Atkins
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000
Strengths: awesome bike, handles like a dream, best hardtail money can buy
Weaknesses: no suspension
Bottom Line:
its an awesome bike that can handle almost any terrain in the world! its the best hsndling bike I've ever riden great quality, all round an awesome bike!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Rocky mountain vapour, Cannondale m300
Bike Setup: normal, putting shocks on next year to eliminate only weakness + repair bag
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Toby
a Cross Country Rider
from Carroll Co. MD USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2000
Strengths: Great Frame, Color
Weaknesses: Grip Shifters, Brakes
Bottom Line:
Outstanding frame. Something you can build on. However, bike needs better components. Will eventually upgrade everything including adding front suspension. DID NOT WANT THE HEADSHOCK! Great value for the money!
Bike Setup: Serfas Ti Kevlar Seat, Clipless Pedals, Salsa brake booster (rear)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Itto
a Cross-Country Rider
from Reseda
Date Reviewed: November 25, 1999
Strengths: Frame
Weaknesses: Components Installed
Bottom Line:
Awesome Bike!!! This bike is solid in every aspect. You can't go wrong buying this bike. Cannondale has done a good job on the CAD 2 frame. GO CANNONDALE GO!!!!!!!!!! A TRUE CHAMPION!! I'M THE KING OF THE HILL!!!!
Weaknesses: Dropped the grip-shifters for RapidFire shifters, lost the chrome h-bar for a Coda Expert, will be loosing the crap brake set for an XTR brake set (or something similar).
Bottom Line:
Great bike, great price, and has room for growth (some of which is required to make this an outstanding bike). I just wish it came with a better brake set and RapidFire shifters standard. Ah well...
Bike Setup: As is (basically), for now. Looking for a new suspension fork, any sugestions...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Devon ,Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: September 7, 1999
Strengths: Frame and V-brakes
Weaknesses: gears, i don't like grip shift
Bottom Line:
Its a good bike for me to train for downhill and dual shalom riding. I know it seems strange for a downhiller to ride a x-country bike to dual shalom bike but for the money and my set-up it works well
Bike Setup: riding so i can cross train for downhill riding.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bunty
a Cross-Country Rider
from Saratoga Springs, NY
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999
Strengths: frame, price.
Weaknesses: components
Bottom Line:
great bike. not-so-great components, but not necessary to upgrade them. slap on a Marzocchi front suspension fork, and you've got a sweet ride (esp. for the price!).
Favorite Trail: behind Skidmore college riding stables
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Bike Setup: Marzocchi '99 Z.3 Light
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Schafler
a Cross-Country Rider
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999
Strengths: AWESOME FRAME
Weaknesses: Origanal Components (ALL OF THEM)
Bottom Line:
The CAAD 2 frame on this bike is an increadible value at $550. It's light, stiff, and fast. The components that come with the bike, however, (Alivio/STX) are really insufficient for hardcore riding. I replaced just about everything but the frame, and my M 400 now ROCKS. It rides better than my brother's F 600 with a Headshock. I hated the Headshock, and this bike avoided it well. I have invested about $1000 in the bike, and with the frame it has, it is well worth it.
Submitted by
Huecifer
a Cross-Country Rider
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Strengths: This bike has a good frame... It's good quality, good geometry, and good looking. It's also really light.
Weaknesses: It sucks on the road. It has mediocre components that seem to have problems aging.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great bike for people who ride trails a lot, but with a price. It's road manners are terrible (maybe it's the tires?) and it's kind of expensive considering the components. But, some may say the frame is really worth it, which it is. So, if you can overlook the components (which most people can), it's one hell of a bike.
