Strengths: good all around bike does what i need it to do.
Weaknesses: the frame set up is witch craft everything that goes on it is custom made for the bike so watch when you buy upgrades or replacment parts and flat handel bars but a very good bike when not broke.
Bottom Line:
very good bike would buy anthor in a heart beat and would recomend it to anyone one. just watch when you go to upgrade so you get the right parts
Bike Setup: Manitou Black Elite front fork, Fox float RL propedel, hayes hydralic brakes.
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Submitted by
Phastey
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008
Strengths: Great handling, great climber, I wouldn't call it a free ride bike but it can handle some pretty sizeable drops and keep on going.
Weaknesses: Cable rub, stock v-brakes work but bike is much better with discs. Seat clamp is garbage, stock post won't stay put. HeadShok wasn't very durable.
Bottom Line:
I really enjoy riding this bike. I got all the suspension Push'd and the really helped reduce some of the bob experienced with out-of-the-saddle torquing. I can outclimb all my friends and this bike just absorbs downhills like they are nothing (a lot of this has to do with the upgraded suspension). The stock HeadShoks 80mm worth of travel just didn't do it ... it bottomed out a lot and was super noisy.
Bike Setup: Replaced the HeadShok with a Fox Float RL 100. Brakes are now Avid Juicy 5 Discs. DH riser bar
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Submitted by
John Maresq
a Cross Country Rider
from Vienna
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003
Strengths: Good geometry, lock out system, handling, build quality.
Weaknesses: No seat post quick release, cable routing.
Bottom Line:
A great all round bike, but you need at least 80mm front suspension for any serious downhilling, unless you like the pneumatic effect. Very good handling, responsive and precise. Better uphill than the Jekyll 800, Lefty not so good. Have tried.
More suited to XC than Freeride, as stated in many european advertisments. But a great purchase anyway.
Do not buy a bike from Cyclopia Vienna. No idea about service in any respect...
Weaknesses: Everything. Rear shock is terrible. Everything CODA is horrible. Specific sizes for Cannondale is hard to deal with.
Bottom Line:
It holds true to the Cannonfail title. or would you could use Crapnfail. Cannondale makes you get their stupid sizes for everything and you cant get any good products such as stems and forks. The screws are hard to get to because the geometry is horrible. The rear shock gave out and is crappy. You can only get a few kinds of rear shocks because of the way they mount into the frame. My headshok broke 3 times. This bike is perfect for people who get mad and throw things off big clifs. Dont get a Cannondale. Trust me, they are way over priced and you have to deal with Cannondale EVERYTHING. You cant get anything good. You will be much better off getting a Santa Cruz, Gary Fisher, DEAN, Tomac, Intense, Merlin, or Yeti. Save yourself the trouble, money, and wasted effort.
Bike Setup: Superfatty headshok, panaracer, time, coda, coda, coda, and more coda crap.
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Submitted by
John_juan
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver,B.C.,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002
Strengths: light(for a FS) Lock-out Fork
Weaknesses: Very poor cable routing --- wore hole thru down-tube in less than 3 months!!! I shouldn't have to tape the frame!!!! Suspension Squeak Brake-jack
Bottom Line:
One sweet agile bike.....climbs beautifully Bit-o-flex, but could be the rims On some start-offs suspension gives the feeling that someone is holding the rear end and then lets go...single Pivot? 'Cept for the cable routing(dumb dangerous design flaw) I'd have to give it 3-4 flamers
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002
Strengths: Full lockable suspension, headshock, responsiveness, adjustable frame positioning, price
Weaknesses: brakes, front derailluer doesn't seem to fully engage
Bottom Line:
This bike is perfect for a weekend rider who is looking for a quality bike at a reasonable price. The ability to lock out the entire suspension allows for better climbing and downhill. Would recommend putting disk brakes on the bike. Nothing can touch its responsiveness in the price range. The headshock creates a more responsive and true feel compared to other bikes I have ridden.
Similar Products Used: Giant Warp, GT something or another
Bike Setup: stock, Hayes disk brakes
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Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from siloam springs, ar, usa
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Strengths: The most obvious strength is the ability to lock the enitire thing out. Its nice to be able to save that little bit of energy on the hills. It also has almost zero pedal deflection when the rear shock is active. Great ride.
Weaknesses: The only hting so far is the weight. Im replaceing the handlebars, stem, and seat post with carbon fiber to save a little weight. The rear bottle cage is useless.
Bottom Line:
Great bike but might want to spend a little extra cash and get the 700 or the 900sl.
Bike Setup: stock right now, but soon will be as custom and as light as possible.
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Submitted by
David Law
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Qld Australia
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: Great steering thanks to ButtHead suspension good clearance on front cranks Adjustable set up for testing riding styles
Weaknesses: Brakes are only average Rear shock has given me grief
Bottom Line:
Well designed, smart light weight bike that will tackle most things thrown at it. Doesn't like big drops but will answer the call if it has too. The brakes are not good for the price of bike but they work. Loves speedy single tracks and small jumps. The adjustable attitude is good but is not as smart as it sounds – throws the derailers out. But a big yes to the entry level cannondale range. It has convinced me dual is the only way to ride anything!! Great Cross country bike.
Bike Setup: Out of the box package except for the lockout rear suspension
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Submitted by
Eric Nelson
a Weekend Warrior
from Prescott AZ Yavapai
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002
Strengths: Adjustability Great descender Stability Durability
Weaknesses: High center of gravity Not as nimble as I like
Bottom Line:
I have been very pleased with the bike overall. I miss the quick handling of my Hardtail, but I think that has more to do with this bikes high (up to 13") Bottom bracket height, rather than the dual suspension. I would definitly not call this a nimble bike. It is competent in the curves, but not a great corner cutter, especially in low speed technical stuff. As the speed increases, however, the Jeckyl starts to come into its element. You must take the time to tune the suspension and geometry, but when you get it right, it is very sweet. This bike has proved durable over two years except for the rear wheel which needed replacement after some hits.
If you want to cut tight, midwest type, cross country curves, look elsewhere. If you want a bike that can adapt to nearly anything ands that descends very nicely, This is the place.
Similar Products Used: Tried Sugar, Klein Adept Pro once each.
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
stefano bor
a Cross Country Rider
from aosta italy
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002
Strengths: geometry, affordable,
Weaknesses: high bottom bracket in 71° position
Bottom Line:
good for cross country riding, only a bit heawier. If you need a good, not very expensive Jekyll, with its changing geometry and with no disk brakes, it's the bike for you !
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