This review is for a 2010 F5. Per the usual Cannondale tradition, you get a nice frame worthy of upgrading the components hanging on it, and that will also beg for you to upgrade those components. I've met several people who have bought Cannondale's, and the seat is a common complaint. This bike would be better off if Cannondale saved the $4 it took to produce that seat and take $4 off the price and sell the bike without a seat. It's useless. The grips are almost equally as useless as they nubbins started coming off only after a few rides. When a new rider replaces those two items, they'll have a very capable, but rather heavy do it all machine that didn't break the bank.
Upgrading the wheelset and fork will transform this bike from an okay ride into an almost twitchy feeling machine great at fast and tight corners that climbs like a prison escapee. The wheelset and fork leave a lot to be desired, but on entry level bikes, such as the F5, those two items are going to be heavy and flexy on every bike in that price range. The fork leaves a lot to be desired as I've dealt with malfunctions and am on my second one (warranty replacement not a problem), but this one, while the knobs work, as opposed to the old one, is incredibly more flexy than the old one...
In over 3,000 miles, the bike was managed well in holding up to a good beating. Normal wear and tear brought about cassette and chain replacements. The fork did not take to my beating and needed a replacement (under warranty), and my other changes were strictly for upgrade purposes. While the crankset/bottom bracket leaves a lot to be desired in feel and stiffness, it's seen some water and I would have expected it to be destroyed by now, but it chugs along taking what I throw at it, including some big hits on that outer chain ring.
All in all, a good machine for doing it all and getting into the sport of mountain biking. An experienced rider would feel some serious flaws with the fork and wheelset, but for a beginning rider looking to see if they would enjoy trail riding, this is a good purchase because it's a worthy enough frame to add a better fork and wheels to as well as other components with the frame weighing in at 3.7 pounds and being strong and stiff. If a rider didn't like the trail riding as much and wanted to put slicks on this bike, it would be easy and fun to convert for use as a do it all touring bike as well so it's a good way to go.
Bike Setup: Cannondale F5
Sun Ringle Charger Comp AM wheelset
Race Face Turbine Handle Bar
Oury Lock on Grips
WTB Pure V saddle
Continental Trail Kings
Shimano SPD M520 pedals
Everything else is stock
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Submitted by
stabemann
a Downhiller
from brewster, ny, united states
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2011
Strengths: light weight, very sensitive brakes, smooth gear change, all around good bike
Weaknesses: heavy on uphill roads due to tires
Bottom Line:
good bike for the pirce, nice for getting into the sport
Submitted by
stangbang
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2010
Strengths: Bang for the Buck. The RST fork is really great and the sram x5 components work really smooth. Tires are awesome also.
Weaknesses: bb5 brakes are a bit weak, but work. The saddle is a real taint buster.
Bottom Line:
I was really hesitant to buy this bike due to all the negative rst talk, but I'm really glad I did. The rst fork works amazing. This bike looks the part and walks the walk. I wish cdale would have used some juicy's or at least bb7's, and would learn how to make a saddle. Other that, this bike rocks.
Submitted by
axekid423
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkridge, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2010
Strengths: very light, stiff, nice graphics
Weaknesses: i prefer full suspension
Bottom Line:
very light, stiff frame thats dependable. be careful for rubbing cables (as with any other frame) because they will rub down your frame. i recently found some and put on frame patches and have had no other problems.
Bike Setup: 2010 f5 w/ rockshox tora 302 coil u-turn for, all components are aftermarket
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Submitted by
joshuabickert
a Weekend Warrior
from Point Pleasant NJ USA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2010
Strengths: Amazing Frame, smooth shifting, good components for the $
Weaknesses: Seats a little stiff, but nothing a pair of padded riding shorts can't fix
Bottom Line:
Theres a reason this bike is Cannondales best seller, this thing gives you incredible bang for your buck. And when your ready to upgrade parts and components you have an amazing frame to start at!!!! I do primarily street/sidwalk riding but wanted to be able to go anywhere and hit a light trail from time to time. So the tires are very aggresive may have to change out in a month or 2 but I can't fault the manufacturer for that of course!
Similar Products Used: 1997 Specialized Ground Control
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
gillyboyny
a Weekend Warrior
from new hyde park, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2010
Strengths: Great looking bike, very responsive, the forks are good for being stock, still using them. I'll probably be using them until I have to upgrade. Not too heavy.
Weaknesses: Cranks and front chainrings, chain suck, gone now with new cranks. Stock saddle was terrible, could barely last 15 minutes on it. Rear derailleur bent from a stump. Wrist pain from grips, changed to Ergon GX2 no more pain.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price, excellent for getting into the sport. It's flexible enough to be able to introduce you to what you really like. It climbs well, descends well, jumps ok. I feel I am more of an All Mountain rider, so my next bike will reflect that. Looking intently on the Titus El Guapo. But I'm enjoying this Cannondale very much. The only thing i'd change immediately is the drive train. The bike shop was great, when the chainsuck problem kept on happening they upgraded the front drive train, since I already upgraded the rear.
Bike Setup: SRAM X9 upgrade: rear deraileur, front derailuer Crank change Truvativ Isoflow, added Salsa bashguard. Upgraded to Ergon GX2 grips. Upgrade to Twenty6 50mm stem to huck better.
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Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Pen Argyl PA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2010
Strengths: sweet frame, stiff, light and pretty good looking. Geometry is great, somehow even standing on pedals, climbing steep single track, I seldom spin out. Bike climbs like a mountain goat.
•RST Deuce 100mm fork amazing. I love it, it has saved my skin I'm really hard on it, and there is no sign of change at all.
although the brakes are not hydraulic, I really like them. They seem to do fine, and I haven't had any stopping problems. (braking with 2 fingers)
Maddux Rims holding up great, im a big guy, and smash into all sorts of stuff.
Love the stock tires! I think they're kenda... they really hook up well straight down, but grappling trail/rocks on the edges of the tires, I tend to slip a bit more than my previous bike tires.
Weaknesses: bottom bracket creaking, feeling slight "click" vibration.. Took back to shop, they said its in spec. I will totally disassemble and re-pack. (bike was in streams/mud day 3 so it could be my abuse.)Searching net, I found that cannondale in general have bottom bracket issues.
Back disk brake mount is impossible to tighten without chipping frame paint. I noticed my bracket was loose, and when I tightened correctly paint came off. (who cares, frame is aluminum)
Bottom Line:
One of the best bikes for the money.
fairly light, really stiff, amazing energy to tire transfer. sram x5 doing good job (no complaints)
Cannondale frame worth the price of bike.
I would buy again, and recommend.
consider Cannondale 29er if you can afford it.
I may have to change out bottom bracket sometime.
I would recommend this bike for someone who is looking to take on some semi techinical trails without spending huge money. I'm 38 and have gotten back into biking with avid interest after this purchase.
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Leeds, UK
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2010
Strengths: Very lightweight bike but built very strong. The bike is so light that you have no problem on long rides but the bike always holds strong when I take it off road.
Bottom Line:
Fully enjoyed ownership of this bike. Very reliable and looks good.
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Upland, California
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2010
Strengths: Good components for the price. On the trail the bike handles everything as well as I can, rocks, roots, and drops, this bike doesn't stop. It also looks beautiful and I was surprised how much more I enjoy riding this bike, then comparable Specialized bikes.
Weaknesses: Slightly heavy.
Bottom Line:
For the price, its hard to find a better mix of frame and components. As a beginning rider, I found no better bang for the buck that performed as nice as this F5. Would recommend.
Submitted by
Damo
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2010
Strengths: Very stiff frame, responsive and fast especially uphill.
Weaknesses: Stock seat
Bottom Line:
This bike is the dogs bollocks. Great control and acceleration. Going uphill feels so easy. A great bike, I used to be a GF piranha fan but this easily pushes that into second place. The forks are proving to be better than I was expecting and can match everything I've done on them so far. Only thing, that stock seat is not comfortable at all. Feels like something trying to chew your gonads off without knowing how to do it. Quickly changed to my Fizik Aliante and my balls are feelimg much better now thank you very much. A fantastic frame which is really where your money goes into. I've had no issues with the components yet but on their current performance I am quite satisfied and won't be looking to upgrade too soon. The frame in itself is worth the cash in itself. I've always sold on or given away my old bicycles after a while but I think I'll be sticking to this puppy for a few years yet, probably a keeper.
Similar Products Used: Trek 6300, GF piranha, Giant XTC
Bike Setup: Stock except change to Fizik Aliante gamma XL seat
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Submitted by
bharriman
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN USA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2010
Strengths: Good components for the price. Good looks. Good fit for me.
Weaknesses: Crankset is junk. I bent all three chainrings in about 6 months of light riding, no rocks, only roots and dirt. The rear hub went out on me after about 8 months. Both of these problems lead to chainsuck, which scarred the right, chainstay and eventually cracked the chainstay.
Bottom Line:
See above regarding crankset and rear hub. To add insult to injury, the Cannondale rep said that chainsuck was not their problem and that they wouldn't honor the warranty on the frame. When I asked for the VP of sales or the President of Cannondale, he finally started to look at the situation a little bit more seriously and ended up giving me a new frame under warranty. Overall, I was very disappointed with Cannondale and how they handled this problem. Ultimately they came through, but the sour taste in my mouth had come to stay.
Submitted by
tryathlete
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2009
Strengths: Seems to be a good value. Good first mountain bike.
Weaknesses: The chain and real derailleur broke on the very first ride around the neighborhood. The X5 rear derailleur looks like it's made of pot metal. Worthless.
Bottom Line:
This bike was highly recommended based on value for the money. Have yet to see how it holds up on the trail. I bought the bike, started out on a ride around the 'hood just to get a feel for it and the chain broke, which in turn broke off the X5 rear derailleur, which looks to be made of cast pot metal. Nicked the frame in the process. Cannondale did the right thing and replaced the bike. I upgraded to an X9 rear derailleur, which I would recommend doing before getting on the bike. Also, upgrade the chain. Hate to think what would have happened if I had been out on a trail.
Strengths: The Frame.. its ridiculously stiff, light and responsive. I still can't figure out how i blown the stanchions apart? believe me.. its not for the lack of trying! i want to put my rebas on! but i said id destroy the dart 3s first.
Weaknesses: Pedals.. made out of spit and tin foil.
Crank.. managed to snap it in two weeks.
Grips.. just buy some lock ons!
Bottom Line:
Out of the this, the Trek 6000, GT Avanlance and the Marin Madrone Trail, I chose the F5 because the frame is simply astounding.. it is primarily a XC bike, but i smash the granny out of this 3 times a week. we average 20-30 mile XC, and we always end up at the local dirt jump and 4X trails. I don't want to push it to far as i'm not sure how much of a hard landing i should be expecting the F5 to handle, but so far, it's taken 4-5ft flat landings on both wheels and just laughed at them. its an epic bike, and not just for the money. My friends ride Cove stiffee, sanderson and cotic frames, and even they admit that the F5 is a serious contender.
my advice.. dont worry about the components that come on the bike.. smash your way through them and upgrade, components arent supposed to last anyway! The way i ride, i should have split this thing in two.. but it loves it.. all of it! i can't stress enough how EPIC this bike is
Similar Products Used: GT Avalanche 1.0.. she died.. she never held a candle to the F5 though.
Bike Setup: Standard, except - replaced the crank set and rear cassette to have a full SLX drivechain (why bother with XT?) M770 spds and Odi Rogues Lock ons
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Submitted by
Peter Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009
Strengths: It's light and fast, climbs hills like snot and very maneuverable. Bike weighs 31 lbs, I bought the 2010 model.
Weaknesses: Bottom bracket cracks now and again and it skips in 17th and 18th gear.
Bottom Line:
It's a sexy looking bike and turns alot of heads (watch out for thieves!)
I use it to commute, Olympic city or not, Vancouver's streets can be rough and those forks are freaking awesome!!!
Similar Products Used: I had a couple of Infinities which are a joke anyhow, a Giant Sedona hybrid which I tricked out to trail ride with, but nothing compares to this puppy!
Bike Setup: Stock. Has those new duel RST forks which I can switch to a hard fork or suspension at the flick of a switch.
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Submitted by
Jeff Rains
a Cross Country Rider
from Bryn Mawr, PA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2009
Strengths: Great frame, sharp looking ride, handles well but the more serious the riding the more the bike's parts need upgrading.
Weaknesses: Derailleurs are a little shoddy, seat is uncomfortable.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. Have always had a fancy for cannondales and this was the last year (2007) that the F5 was built in the USA. Rides and brakes smoothly and is definitely a sharp looking ride. Purchased the red model and like the contrast between the red frame and all black parts. If you ride rocky, rooty trails, the stock dart2 or 3 is in definite need of an upgrade.
Similar Products Used: None. First real mountain bike. Rode a Fuji Monterey Hybrid for about a year but got into mountain biking back in May 2009. Haven't looked back.
Bike Setup: Mostly stock. Upgraded fork to a 2008 fox f-100 which lightened up the bike by about 2 lbs and gives 20 extra mm of plusher, adjustable travel. Changed out the seat for a bianchi model, swapped the tires for wtb vulpine racers. Put on a set of ergon grips, Looking to possibly upgrade the front and rear derailleurs and possibly the shifters at some point.
