Bike Setup: carbon seat post, hayes nine brakes, panaracer 2.1 tyres
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Submitted by
Aaron
a Weekend Warrior
from Ellicott City, MD
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003
Strengths: Frames great, and the lockout is perfect for the variety of riding i do (an hour road ride to get to where hit the trails).
Weaknesses: Limited suspension travel, and the stock 2x9 gearing was anoyying.
Bottom Line:
An ideal mountain bike for folks like me who need to take the roads to get to the trails. If you can find it for the the price I got it at, by all means go for it. $1600 new is a bit steep, though. (my value rating is based on my price)
Strengths: Potential to be a very light racing bike. Loved the frame and the lockout suspension.
Weaknesses: orange, funny color. coda components. my crank became squeaky after riding 2 months or so. the seat post and handlebars are as heavy as steel.
Bottom Line:
Rides well and comfortable bike. faster than my old bikes. Components for a bike with $1600 msrp should have xtr or more xt. the coda parts are like walmart bikes. after im done with my upgrades, the bike should weigh under 21lbs.
Strengths: Caad5 frame, awesome climbing ability, frame finish, and Cannondale's support of the product (in spite of their chapter 11 filing, they should still back the frames for a while)
Weaknesses: Headshock, inabibility to easily change the headset and stem, coda hydraulic brakes, Deore shifters, seat and crankset.
Bottom Line:
I got the bike because of the great price. I essentially got it for half of its original price and, according to Supergo, below their dealer cost. As users, critics, and pros can attest, the frame is one of the best hardtails out in the market. Get it if you want a frame that you want to build upon and if you can get a sweet deal on it.
Bike Setup: Stock, but planning to upgrade almost all components.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Modesto, California, USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002
Strengths: Stiff, fast and light. Great paint. Lock-out fork. It's a Cannondale.
Weaknesses: Cheap parts, but they can be upgraded. It just seems like when you drop $1,600 on a bike, it shouldn't say 'Deore' ANYWHERE ON THE BIKE!!!! Continental Explorer tires suck- I've NEVER had a pinch flat in 15 years of MTBing, I've had two in six months with these. No center pull brake mounts (why not put both on the bike?)
Bottom Line:
Cannondale backs their goods:
I broke my '89 after 12 years of abuse (this in itself is amazing given the stupid hucking I used to do on that thing). I called my LBS, the called Cannondale. Cannondale gave me $500.00 towards a new bike. I paid $500.00 dollars for the bike in '89! I basically rode for 12 years free!
Anyone that loves efficient climbing will live this bike. If you want to fly on DH, then get a Jeykl.
I have to mention too, the paint is amazing- I had it standing up in the back of my truck, it fell all the way over and hit the side of my bed really hard. I picked it up to see the expected chip, but I couldn't even find where it hit!
So the bottom line: There may be better components on other $1,500+ XC bikes out there, but if you're a recreational MTBer, Cannondale can't be beat. Great customer service, beatiful frame and the smartest fork designs in the business.
Bike Setup: as stock except for flite trans am saddle.coda aint so bad
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Submitted by
rob ferguson
a Weekend Warrior
from glasgow
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002
Strengths: its a cannondale.your not just buying a bike your getting a lifetime frame of the highest quality and probably the strongest mtb brand in the world.
Weaknesses: poor spec components compared to brands in a similar price range.but this allows upgrade and customisation to create a monster!
Bottom Line:
frame is spectacular and ready to be a 20 Ilb racer. finish and weight is exceptional - even for the money.the fork is easy, reliable and efficient. handling is superb. im totally in love with it and wont hear a bad word said against it.its not a bike its art.if your really a pro hacker you can change the spec but your always safe with that beast of a frame.a great and exclusive bike.
Similar Products Used: i used to have a steel rockhopper '01.
Bike Setup: stock.
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Submitted by
Henrik Ludvigsson
a Cross Country Rider
from Gothenburg, Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002
Strengths: "Climbability", weight and suspension performance
Weaknesses: As many others have written, CODA parts... BUT!! They are easy to change to better stuff, so why complain? I have only the crank set left that is no good...
Bottom Line:
This bike is d#mn good for this price, please start supporting your local bike store instead of buying via mail order (YES lower price but no service)...
What I mean is that I think it is stupid to by this kind of bike without personalizing the equipment at all. Don't complain about loose spokes os sh#t like that, these are things that have nothing to do with the bike - only the level of professionalism of your dealer... CODA brakes etc are crap, my dealer for example, does not at all sell this bike without changing brakes first!
The thing that surprised me, even compared to my old Kona Kula which I really loved riding, was the liveliness and the great performance when climbing steep ascents. The bike is a dream on technical trails, but with the fork locked out the road riding is a piece of cake as well.
The bike is great for cross-country racing and recreational riding, both endurance races and the usual sprint-like get-togethers. Buy it if you have physique enough to let your legs act as rear suspensioning!
The CAAD5 mountain frame in conjunction with the Super Fatty Ultra DL HeadShok offers a very, very plush ride; I have two CADD2 framed bikes and there is a night and day difference. The front shock lock out feature is great for climbing and smooth surfaces. This bike is very light for having both front suspension and disc brakes.
My LBS swapped out the stock pedals, rims, shifters, and tires for components of my choice at no additional charge. I got the exact bike I wanted for the cost of a stock F900SL. The bike would have been way overpriced if not for the customer focused attitude of my LBS.
This is a great bike for XC riding. Downhillers would not be satisfied with the lightweight frame and short travel suspension.
Check out the reviews for Coda disc brakes before you make your final buy decision.
Strengths: Very light, very fast, Awsome front shock. Good rear and front deralure(?Sp?). Good cornering , excelent climbing ability. Breaks well - not hydrolic. Ok on down hills.
Weaknesses: Coda stinks. Coda stinks.Coda stinks. The spokes on wheels loosened on my first ride. Swich the coda components to something better. Especialy the seat- murder on your but in long bike races.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, but when you buy this bike buy it for the frame and put all Xt components on it. This is the best bike i have ever ridden and is great for racing.
Submitted by
Keith
a Racer
from Tallahassee FL Leon
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2002
Strengths: Yes this bike retails for the high 1,ooo's. I paid 1175 off ebay and have been happy ever since. Check out everyone else view about the components. The drivetrain and shifters are fine. All their in-house manufactured items (Coda) is crap. I've never used worse brakes than these. I had the same problems as others with my wheels not having been tightened enough--take them to your local bike shop and save yourself a big headache of ruining a perfectly good wheel. This bike is an off the shelf racer. The coda items really are an eyesore on a bike this beautiful. I have a friend who purchased this as a frame only and bought an XT group. I highly recomend this bike as a frame only purchase. Mine is a '01--stay away from the '02 and their disk brakes. I heard the Coda's leak fluid. Another fine Coda product. Cannondale Pay Attention ** spend the exta couple of bucks and outsource some of your components to reputable part makers!
Weaknesses: COOODDADAAA SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS
Bottom Line:
BUY THIS WONDERFUL BIKE AS A FRAME SET ONLY...then rush out and purchase an XTR group and CrossMax wheels and be the envy of all your friends!
Similar Products Used: This bike was spec'd the way I needed for XC, and was priced in my ballpark.
Bike Setup: If it says CODA, i've either replaced it or it's on its way out the door!
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Submitted by
Lorcan Gavin
a Weekend Warrior
from Stafford, Uk.
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002
Strengths: FOLLOW UP
Weaknesses: Tyres. Puncture on first 20 minute ride round the woods. Utter rubbish.
Bottom Line:
I've had time to wear this bike in now and having seen the review above this one I cant believe how much I paid for it.
Why oh why are we Europeans charged more than DOUBLE what Americans pay for the same bikes? I'll never buy one here again.
The bike ...
Its light. Its firm. The tyres are rubbish and whoever did the rims wants shooting. My spokes werent even tightenend enough to prevent deformation on the second ride. Some service at Samways. Sheesh. Not to worry tho, they'll be getting it back in 3 weeks and they'll be fixing it for free or they can have the fscking thing back.
For £1300 dont buy this. Its just not worth it. If you can get it for about £800 next year - bargain.
My revised review is a hard as nails 1 chili for value. Overall 3.
Submitted by
Lorcan Gavin
a Weekend Warrior
from Staffordshire, England.
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002
Strengths: Very, very light frame. Probably the best you can get in alu. The butting is right on the edge.
Weaknesses: Hard on your butt. Its a firm ride. The stock saddle is EVIL get rid of it before you leave the shop. Continental tyres are a bit rubish too. Havent really given the CODA disk brakes a tough run yet but they look simple enough - lightweight, fragile etc.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line? This bike is disgustingly over-priced for what you actually get. When I inquired after this model the good people in Samways told me point blank I could expect to pay a lot over the odds for anything Cannondale. I asked why. They said: 'All your money goes into the frame really.' That at the time satisfied me, and the frame certainly is a masterpiece of welding to be so incredibly light and still be tough. HOWEVER - come on people. For £1000 (pounds) you can buy a titanium allow frame and put cheap rubbish Deore and LX parts on it for about what this bike costs off the rack.
If you are looking for a weekend warrior bike, this is too fragile and unforgiving: I suggest you spend approximately 50% less money on a Scott Comp Racer Pro. If however you want a cross country race bike and money is no limit, this is easily the best out there.
The bottom line: Only SERIOUS fitness fanatics should be looking into these. And they probably have sponsorship.
Bike Setup: Stock: Cannondale Expert Hubs, Crank, Front Mech, CODA Disk, Headset, Super Fatty Ultra etc. XT rear mech. Mavic 223 disk rims Deore rapid fire shifters.
hi together,
i own a F900sl from 2001. I bought this bike last year from am friend, and i love it. :)
the only thing is, that there is an Fatty Ultra on the bike, with just 6 Read More »
:thumbsup: I have a chance to buy a Cannondale F900 SL w/ CAAD 4 Disc brakes, FSA XC-300 Disc wheelset, SRAM X-9 Drive train, Truvative Firex crankset (Mega Exo BB), Hayes (FX) 7 C Read More »
