Submitted by
cabbage chris
a Weekend Warrior
from blyth, newcastle, northumberland, uk Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
enywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1370.00
Purchased At:
evans cycles
Strengths:
everything, quite literally i find this bike amazing, i have owned loads of rides from sussers to hardtails and this is the dogs bo""ocks, though there are a few minor problems i have noticed and changed.
Weaknesses:
the bars and stem that come on the cannondale chase 2 (07 white model) are rather weak and let the bike down, the bars are rather flimsy and flex quite a bit and the stem just looks like crap.
also i found that it was a bit overcrowded with cables if that makes any sense, i removed the front shifter and front mech and it still look overcrowded also all of the cable are are too short including the hydraulics making life harder.
also i found the hayes hfx-9 dh 2 brakes on the bike to be useless in braking and went through many pads.
Similar Products Used:
saracen mantra 1
saracen raw 2
iron horse yakuza aniki
specialised big hit 1 02
cannondale chase 2 07 (white) currently
Bike Setup:
full stock other than brakes (hope mono m4`s), truvativ box guide, hope kit (spacers, rear qr, seat clamp) all blue.
Bottom Line:
a truly amazing bike and rides sweet, a few minor problems brakes being a main one but i have always wanted hopes so i would have changed them regardless, and an epic for looks and ride
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mitch Harper
a Downhiller
from st catharines, on, canada Date Reviewed: July 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:
alphies
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
-frame -wheelset -brakes -seat -reare derailer
Weaknesses:
-fork
Bike Setup:
dirtjump
Bottom Line:
great all around bike but needs a better fork the bike should be baoght byt the rider who loves dirjumps and light trail drops / down hill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spencer
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: May 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
grand ave
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
mountain view cycle
Strengths:
i really like the brakes and the fork on this bike. Also i really like the maxis holly rollers they put on it they are really smooth
Weaknesses:
.
Similar Products Used:
.
Bike Setup:
.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike if you are into dirt jumping skatepark riding and street riding
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joseph Bowman
a Weekend Warrior
from Cookeville Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lock 4 in Gallatin, TN
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1125.00
Purchased At:
Cookeville Bicycles
Strengths:
Strong Frame, wheels, pedals, handlebar, stem. Smooth shifting, rolling, pedaling. Great shock so far. Tires have very little rolling resistance(which is what they are known for). Great shock(dirt jumper 3). Give the disc pads a little while to break in and they will stop you very well.
Weaknesses:
Cannondale brake levers are a touch on the flimsy side. Better than the cheap avids though. Slightly on the heavy side but for a bike that is built to be as tough as this one, I can't complain! Seat is slightly uncomfortable but if you are using it like your supposed to, it won't matter.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized-Hardrock, Cannondale-F600-F1000-F3000sl, Haro-V2 that is tricked out and Raleigh-Mojaveh.
Bike Setup:
Stock 2007 model Chase 2 - except for ODI BMX grips which I would suggest to anyone if they can find them. Easiest grips on the hands that I have come across. They lock on too!
Bottom Line:
If you are used to riding regular frames, this will take you a while to get used to. Once you get used to the geometry, steering, pedaling, shifting(geared way different than an XC bike!!!), and get the seat and handlebars adjusted just right, it will be great for anyone wanting a beefed up mountain bike that will take jumps, handle well and look great! This bike is a great deal. I would suggest it to anyone! --By the way, the picture makes it look like a bmx bike which I was not wanting but it is definitely a mountain bike that has had a huge geometry face lift! I give this bike all the chilies. I think Cannondale finally got the bike right this year. I know others haven't been happy with years past.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jake
a Weekend Warrior
from newton MA USA Date Reviewed: November 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
fenway dirt jumps
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
belmont wheel works
Strengths:
just about every thing. The frame is amazing, The stock drive train is not that bad, wheels hold up, if you maintain them, brakes are good, head set is HUGE, manuels are simple, easy to tranfer your weight over dirt jumps and much more.
Weaknesses:
The forks were sh*t. so i got manitou gold label 2's. There good but have been havin probs with bein stiff but i like em. brakes need often adjustment
Similar Products Used:
Had a 2004 norco torrent (great bike for every thing but dirtjumps and park) specialized p3, p2 and about every thing else out there
Bike Setup:
2006 chase 2, 2007 manitou gold label 2 (lime green!) 2006 e 13 SRS and every thing else is stock
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS AWSOME!!!!! light but extremely stiff and strong. I can ride just about any types of DJ's and even BMX styled and i dont have any probs levelin out my wieght.
If this is one of your options for a dirt jumper buy it, if its not one of your options make it one and buy it anyways
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brent lawler
a
from calgary, alberta, canada Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
parksville skate park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1444.00
Purchased At:
mountain bike city
Strengths:
the frame is awsome, it feels like you are sitting right in the middle of the bike. i love the platform pedals they give you so much grip when standing on them
Weaknesses:
the fork is a peice of crap i bottom out going up curbes
Similar Products Used:
hyper urban impact
Bike Setup:
all the standard stuff but i threw on a truvativ box guide and manitou sherman breakout plus
Bottom Line:
its a really good bike. but id like to see cannondale put some better things on this bike for when they sell it but i guess thats what the chase 1 is for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spencer Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Superior, WI, 54880 Date Reviewed: May 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Local Downhill
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Superior Sports
Strengths:
Everything is just strong frame is stiff. The bike is set up perfectly for Dirt Jumping, Freeride, and Downhill if you put a bigger fork on the front end. Really fun bike.
Weaknesses:
Fork needed to be re-built after like a week of riding. The stance line doesn't work very good. I put a chainguide on the crank because the chain was falling of, now works awesome.
Similar Products Used:
I used a Fuji Panic Comp. The bike is strong for its price but you grow out of it.
Bike Setup:
Fork: Manitou Stance Blut 1.5 Steerer Frame: Extreemly Strong Cannondale Wheels: Dependable Sun Rims Single Track 20mm Thru in Front and QR in the rear. Crank: Truvative Hussefelt 2 ring Bash Brakes: Avid BB5 nice as BB7 if you know how to adjust them. Bars: Cannondale Freeride Nice and strong mine have taken a beating and are still good Stem: Sec 1.5 Seat:SDG big seat might look dumb but helps with tricks
Bottom Line:
The bottom line with this bike: It is so Strong nothing brakes Buy this bike Its extreemly flickable and stands up to punishment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
will
a Weekend Warrior
from uk Date Reviewed: May 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
fox jumps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
leisure lakes
Strengths:
Good frame and alrite wheels
Weaknesses:
forks need a upgrade other wise when they reach near bottom the fork hits the wheel. Brake hoses are exremely fragile
Similar Products Used:
chase 3
Bike Setup:
standard accept for some ridiculously soft forks i can bottom them by bouncing and im 4 11 and way about 7 stone.
Bottom Line:
A piece of rubbish. more trouble than its worth due to crappy componentry good frame and alrite spec wheels but a very dissapointing fork and brakes. Seems like agood price for what you get but it may aswell me a saracen with suntours in disguise. Piece of trash.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ollie lewis
a
from stonehouse,gloucester, england Date Reviewed: March 27, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1215.00
Purchased At:
leisue lakes
Strengths:
everything is wicked!
Weaknesses:
nothing i have picked up on as yet
Similar Products Used:
scott yz2 with mx comps mavix xm719 rims magura julie discs deore rear mech and other standard shimano drivetrain.
Bike Setup:
manitou stance blunt 100ml with 20ml thru-axel. mavic mx312 rims on cannondale hubs (i think, cant remeber what model.) hayes 9's. truvativ/sram x7 drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
this bike is so smooth compared to my old bike. its speed when not pedaling is amaizing in comparison. the holy roller tyres give amaizing on road grip and low rolling resitance. i have not managed to find the time to try them off road, yet. i havnt had chance yet to push my new chase to what i know it can do yet. but im very confidante that it will be brilliant. the colour is also nice, to me it seems to change in different lights. some times its a chocolate brown other times its black and on the odd occasion it has a tinge of green. by advise to u si to buy this bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scott
a Downhiller
from edmonton, alberta, canada Date Reviewed: March 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
a-line
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Revolution cycle
Strengths:
great urban bike frames amazing sweet components set up perfect weight
Weaknesses:
fork would have rather had a chain guide up front instead of the derailer has back pedaling problems
an amazing bike would recomend it to anyone that wants to get into urban or dirt jumping
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
julian Singelakis
a Racer
from Pasadena , California Date Reviewed: March 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
skate parks
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1250.00
Purchased At:
pasadena cycle
Strengths:
Very stable comfortable bike. Platform pedals and good disc brake stopping power is great.
Weaknesses:
Super soft fork springs
Similar Products Used:
BMX, specialized downhill
Bike Setup:
Bars are standard mountain bike height, this Tends to make the front end drop over jumps. (Dangerous)
Bottom Line:
I'm a 37 year old EX PRO BMX racer and bought a downhill bike to train for motocross. I rode this Chase hardtail and sold my downhiller the next day. The Chase Cannondale has been my favorite bike I've ever had. I mostly ride skateparks daily. I changed the handel bars to standard BMX cruser bars for more height and balance. This made a huge difference. Now everyone wants to ride my bike!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Glickman
a Weekend Warrior
from Sidney, B.C, Canada Date Reviewed: February 4, 2006
Favorite Trail:
V Dub
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
fort street cycle
Strengths:
this bike is fast, light and super smooth the frame is awsome
Weaknesses:
trying to put a singel speed kit on it is alot of work
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Chase 2
Bottom Line:
It is a awsome bike for the price and it shreds evrything
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a
from Brussels , Belgium Date Reviewed: January 20, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
-The looks -the ride -components -everything
Weaknesses:
not many really but it should have a chainguide instead of a front derrailleur
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
The chase is a brilliant bike for street and park . It is suited to anyone whether it be a beginner, intermediate or pro. Everything on the bike is perfect. It rides like a dream !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jack
a Weekend Warrior
from syracuse, NY, USA Date Reviewed: January 10, 2006
Favorite Trail:
anyplace
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
advance cyclery
Strengths:
rock solid frame, fork is pretty good after you switch out the spring for a much stiffer one. components are pretty good for a stock bike, headset rocks
Weaknesses:
NONE!
Bike Setup:
pretty much stock chase 2 with an e.13 security chainguide and very firm spring in the fork.
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS AMAZING. this is a follow up review from the one below. ive thrashed this bike on just about everything for the past 5 months almost every day. tearing up dirtjumps, alot of urban freerideing, even a little downhill and trail riding. this bike is rock solid, ive done 10ft.drops to flat, 25 ft. gaps, huge dirtjumps...just about everything. ive landed so hard on this bike that my helmet came off even whiplash. this bike has servived some pretty crazy crahes too. in fact, im writing this with my arm in a sling after dislocating it from a nasty wreck off of a 7 ft. ledge. but yeah, this bike is amazing, IT WILL NOT BREAK. manuals and wheelies are cake. i was doing stuff i never though id be able to do on a bike with the chase. its totaly worth every penny. it still looks great. ive done stuff on this bike my friends wouldnt do on thier softails. if you love dirtjumps are urban freerideing this is the bike for u. feel free to e-mail me with any questions
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jack
a
from syracuse, NY, USA Date Reviewed: July 2, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Advanced Cyclery
Strengths:
fast bike, rips up trails, park/dirtjumps and is pretty damn good at downhill. Burly frame, HUGE headset. Great at manuals and whellies.
Weaknesses:
havent really found any yet...ill post another review after i have broke it in better
Bike Setup:
stock..but im gonna get a stiffer spring(firm or extra firm-im only 155)OR, ill spring for a sherman flick
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE ROCKS! it is fast, stable at all speeds and its a very stiff frame. ive only had this bike a few days now but i allready love it. u have no idea what a difference u will experience when riding this bike. geometry is great. this bike is a GREAT climber. i have only hit a 5-6 foot drop with the stock spring and inthe bike was fine-as in f'in sweet. ride this bike and u WILL get it...i will post another review at the end of the season....I CAN NOT TELL U HOW MUCH THIS BIKE KICKS ASS. not top of the line my ass get it, u wont regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt hui
a
from canada Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
bike shop
Strengths:
pretty much every thing is pretty good except the forks
Weaknesses:
forks are crap
Similar Products Used:
STP0, P2, norco ryde
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is that the bike is AWESOME.... my one is a bit screwed cased it while FR...good to do DJ, but it whould rip if fork is changed... well this bike is a must buy, if not at least try it out!!! XD
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matosan aka Matt T.
a Weekend Warrior
from Ogden UTAH USA Date Reviewed: April 20, 2005
Favorite Trail:
The Slickrock Trail of course
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Shoppe Ogden UT
Strengths:
Great bike for former BMX'ers, you can thro the seat up for those nasty climbs. It downhills really nice, easy to jump and negotiate with. The seat is sweet and soft when your on it, the tires are fat, the axle thru front is sweet and strong, the bike is well balanced. I commanded the Slickrock Trail on my first ride. It is an eye grabber in the mocha brown, the dual chain rings are a must for taking this puppy up slickrock, up anything hehe.
Weaknesses:
The forks need more travel, the were recalled by the mfg. btw and are no longer made, and I sucked the chain up into the frame and granny gear changing to it going up hill... It needs an e-thirteen ISGC, gonna order that asap, they should add that in as well as change the fork. I bent the rim outta of true really easy.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized P-2(a baby sized bike I am 6'2", too small for big guys)
Bike Setup:
chase frame, SIC neck, FSA Orbit Xtreme Pro XL headset, Travativ Hussefelt cranks, Manitou Stance Blunt Forks Axle Thru(really tough), SDG I-Sky and I-Beam, Avid 5 disc brakes.
Bottom Line:
I took this bike to Moab Utah and broke it in on the famous Slickrock Trail, I also hit the a few other of the best trails in the world on it, it was superb, though a bit rough riding. I bent the rim slightly jumping, it can be trued out but seems like i will be truing them alot. It is an awesome jump/trick/freeride/anything bike and is great for former BMX'ers and road warriors. I put the seat up high for climbing hills and low for everything else. Easy to be an uber confident rider quickly. It is a great value when you look at the beefy components, the the 26/36 chainring setup is awesome and a must if you hit trails at all. Ride it, you will buy it, I did.. IT IS THE FUNNEST AND MOST VERSATILE BIKE I HAVE OWNED.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vi
a
from Oakland, CA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Alameda skatepark
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Strengths:
Great strong frame. It can take a beating. great wheels.
Weaknesses:
the fork is pathetic. Bottoms out off of everything i do. kinda pricey for a non top of the line hardtail.
Similar Products Used:
azonic steelhead
Bike Setup:
stock(going to throw a fox 36 RC2,saint cranks, and e.13 chainguide on it soon)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, You can throw down pretty fat drops on this thing and the bike would be fine. Easy to learn tricks on. I started out not knowing any tricks, now i can do no-footed cans. Maybe its just me, but i think the bike played a big roll in it. I'm totally confident in the bike and myself when riding the chase. Its a pretty decent trail bike, but i wouldn't recommend anyone buying this bike if their just going to ride trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Sturrock
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: February 24, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Components, Price, Wieght,
Weaknesses:
That I will have to replace the spring in the fork
Similar Products Used:
Norco Sasquatch, Brodie Bruzza, P2, Kona Scrap
Bottom Line:
The bike is light and smooth and I'm buying it tommorrow. Its components are awesome and I have got one with a six inch travel fork. Good looking frame and it seems really strong. Its lightness really helps on manuals and bunnyhops. Its definetly better than the others I tried. I will have to change the tires(free) and get a new spring when I buy it cause it goes down 5" out of 6 and I only wiegh 128 pounds so thats annoying but overall awesome value for price. This bike isn't for people who do only freeriding because of the frame and the way it is built. It should hold up to freeriding but thats not what it is meant for. If you dirt jump and do urban stuff this bike is perfect for you. If your a mix like me and do a bit of both (me its mainly urban and dirtjump) you will still love this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
elliott
a Downhiller
from reno nv usa Date Reviewed: February 15, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anywhere with dirt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
CANNONDALE
Strengths:
very stout, awesome graphics, looks custom. nice light weight, very light feeling in the air!
Weaknesses:
extremely soft fork spring for a dirt jumper, had to change out for stiffer spring. drive train is all shimano, but bike came stock with a sram chain, and it was not compatible!?
Similar Products Used:
ummmm...walmart schwinn, but seriously, kona scrap, santa cruz jackal
Bike Setup:
stock, with a sweet new shimano chain
Bottom Line:
sweet bike,but great bike if you don't want to build a custom jumper, nice light and strong. After a few minor fixes this bike rips!! and don't jump in the snow and break your bike, hehe!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$
Overall Rating:
