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Submitted by
carey
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego ca
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$8000.00 | | Purchased At: | pawn shop | | Bottom Line: | great bike
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Chilliwack, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Endowment Lands (UBC) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | PedalSport | | Strengths: | Frame, frame, frame. Fast, fast, fast. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes a bit cludgy to re-adjust each time I removed a wheel. I would have preferred a bigger big gear on the front. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | Non Suspension (Front or Rear). Aluminum Wellgo LU-982 pedals. I had them remove the grip shifts and replace the drive-train w/ Alivio @ N/C. AHEADSet SE-1. Hutchinson Mosquito Tires. | | Bottom Line: | Wicked fast. Durable city-centric (but happily off-roadish) bike that required a minimum of tweaking to enjoy. Mine didn't have shocks on the front, so the response when pedalling was immediate and exciting. Frame geometry doesn't lend itself to jumping (unless you'd like your headset in your teeth), but that is not to say it isn't an awesome, bitey, snappy little trail beast that corners as well as any bike I've ridden. It's not a downhiller per-se. I felt it was too light for that, but the frame stiffness lends itself to flat-land pwnership. And damn is it fast. Great frame with decently acceptable components at this price point. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastpointe
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Bald Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes, Blades, and Boards | | Strengths: | Great frame, some good components. Frame holds up well under a 200+ pound man. | | Weaknesses: | Some of the components ar not that great. The brakes and shifters stink. The shock is low end too. But, on the other hand, they all work for my style of riding. | | Similar Products Used: | None, this was my first suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock except for WTB Speed V saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This was an excellent entry level bike in its day for anyone who rides casually. Components can easily be upgraded as they fail, but none have on my F300 thus far. Not a good bike for someone in the intermediate or advanced stages of the sport, just beginners. Great value for the price, and the Handmade In America sticker is nice, too. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Baker
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastpointe, MI.
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Stony Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes, Blades, Boards | | Strengths: | Good price, nice frame. Made In USA. | | Weaknesses: | Have yet to break anything. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike in 2003, but only just recently (2007) have I started trail riding. I do some beginner trails near my home and have a blast with this bike. I read here the components are lacking in quality, but I have yet to break anything on this bike. The one complaint I do have is after trail riding a few times I feel like the stock seat is a little too big. Dont know why, I usually like a more comfortable seat. Anyway, good bike for the money, looks cool, too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig peet
a Weekend Warrior
from baltimore, md
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | patapsaco state | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | freinds house | | Strengths: | Wife liked it. it's hers. Nice gift.The paint seems to be very durable,stickers stay on very well. The tires are a very strong rubber. Reflectors are very shiny, make you wanna say " wow, there bright"! | | Weaknesses: | It could of been a little cheaper. I bought it from a friend. | | Similar Products Used: | cars, trucks, a plane ride. Basically anything that moves. | | Bike Setup: | Dual exhaust, turbo, tachometer, sometimes I run slicks. Seatbelt. | | Bottom Line: | I LIKE IT MUCHO | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Haroon Rashid
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Walnut Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Frame(geometry, comfort, strength), looks, weight for price | | Weaknesses: | Shifters, brake pads, not a 9 speed, fork | | Bottom Line: | Although the components are mediocre they work well for this bike at this price point. Overall a great long lasting serious entry level hardtail MTB with upgrade potential. I probably wont upgrade this one a whole lot as I am planning on upgrading to a whole new rig altogether (caffeine 3 possibly). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Troy Cregger
a Cross Country Rider
from Derry, NH
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Buchika's (Salem, NH) | | Strengths: | The frame, it's taken 2 years of my abuse and I'm over 200lbs. This frame is still as streight and rigid as new. Overall, good standard components. | | Weaknesses: | Forks are way too soft for my weight, the seat was replaced because it looked like something my Mom would want on er bike. Front derailer seems a bit flaky. | | Similar Products Used: | Iron Horse, forgot the model. Same style. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, save for the seat. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted something that was durable and that I could modify later so, when I was shopping, it was all about the frame. This frame rocks! For the $$ you can't beat this deal. I'm not sure what Cannondale is offering this year in the same price range but I think they hit on a winner with this type of price/frame/options combo. I'd have to say this is the perfect entry level bike that has the potential to grow with the rider. I don't anticipate buying another bike until I have the skills (and the loot) for a full suspention free rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robby
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bethel | | Strengths: | For the price, this bike is simply the best. All of the components plus the frame add up to make a great package. It is a great all - mountain bike. It is very light and comes with decent components. For V - Brakes, they are good. | | Weaknesses: | The AXEL fork neds more travel. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | I replaced the tires with Enduro Pro and also changed the seat. I put different pedals on it too. (Shimano platform) | | Bottom Line: | For 500 it is a good value and is great for people that are just starting out. I now own a Prophet 600 witch is amaaaazing!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcelo D Antona
a Weekend Warrior
from Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeTech | | Strengths: | Bought XL F300 frame only 2 years ago, paint scheme was volvo blue. Assembled on a Shimano XT group, a Rockshox Psylo XC fork, DT Swiss XC rims and voila, got a versatile bike I use for XC light trails and street use. Frame is very resistant, very versatile. | | Weaknesses: | XL size is still a bit on small side for anyone as tall as I am (6'3"). Frame is heavy but strong. | | Similar Products Used: | Aerotech (Taiwan ???) 21' mountain bike frame , Alfamec (brazilian maker) 21'Tirreno frame | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 2003 XT group, Rockshox 2003 Psylo XC fork, DT Swiss XC rims, FSA carbon rise bar, Maxxim Larsen TT 1.95 tires. | | Bottom Line: | Good frame for entry level riders. Good for a lifetime relationship in case main use is not racing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stacey Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis MN USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | That wonderful frame | | Weaknesses: | Rock Shox Judy TT fork | | Similar Products Used: | Bridgestone MB4, GT Karakorum | | Bike Setup: | straight stock except for bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I'm a bigger rider, and wanted an urban warrior. rather than a street bike I decided on the Cannondale after comparing it to comparable Gary Fisher Tassajara. For hard off road the fork is useless, but I threw some slicks on it and use it to bike commute along with nightly harder rides mostly on pavement. It is excellent for those who don't want a racer, and (let's face it) the frame and bike are visually stunning. Costly, and not for hardcore offroading, but fine fine bike for casual and commuting. Now I can convert the old Bridgestone into a single-speed bomber! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rick
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | bullfrog lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | get a grip | | Strengths: | name | | Weaknesses: | Front Derailleur weak for the price
fork | | Bike Setup: | Deore front derailleur,egg beaters, custom made spring for fork and everthing else is stock for now | | Bottom Line: | Not a bad bike for the price butt, needs a better shock
I’m only 145 lbs and I would bottom out on anything
Now with the new spring (that I made) not even if I was 300 lbs would that spring bottom out.
It's five flamin'chilis (for the price) with the upgrades
Overall the bike stock would be 3 1/2 maybe 4
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.M. Porson
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Silver Comet - Georgia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Roswell Bicycles | | Strengths: | Oustanding frame, light and strong. Best geometry and overall feel of all the bikes I rode in this price range. Good components for the $$ - I have just over 500 miles on the bike now and had zero problems with any component. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat was way too big - replaced immediately. Other than that, none. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Raleigh, Specialized, Marin | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent first bike, especially for the pricepoint. I bought it to see if I would enjoy riding and after 500 miles or so I'm addicted. Looking forward to upgrading components as needed, the frame seems like it will last forever. I'm comtemplating a road bike now and you can bet it'll be a Cannondale.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Poor Farm | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Contes | | Strengths: | Cannondale Frame | | Weaknesses: | Fork and seat | | Bottom Line: | Fork has very little pre-load adjustment and is quishy even with the firm ride spring kit (I'm 170). Seat is for Grandma - just get a new one. Free-hub froze after 6 months. All that said, component group is acceptable for this price-point. At this level I think it's about comfort and this bike works for me. The Cannondale frame allows you to upgrade components without guilt. I enjoy the bike...it has enabled me to pick up skills and get faster. Exactly what I wanted in an entry level bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Harrison
a Cross Country Rider
from Northampton MA USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Competetive edge | | Strengths: | Excellent frame quality. Good geometry and sturdy wheelset. | | Weaknesses: | Squishy and flexible fork. Saddle, seatpost, stem and brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Various steel rigid and front suspension bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Selle italia turbomatic 4 gel saddle, Bontrager seatpost, Nashbar 3D zero rise stem, ritchey clipless pedals and a Nashbar brake booster on the front. | | Bottom Line: | For the money it is a very good bike. Much better than my old steel Kona Explosif once you get rid of the saddle and do something about the brakes which are terrible. Fitting a brake booster on the front helped out both brakes and fork stiffness but new V's are a must when budget allows. The frame is excellent and well worth spending money on to improve as I have found out with my Cannondale road bike. Fork will have to go soon as will chainset but I am impressed with how much abuse the wheels have taken. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria BC
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Deep Woods, Metchosin, BC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$609.00 | | Purchased At: | Bow Cycle, Calgary, AB | | Strengths: | Good frame, Cannondale name, exceptional geometry, "Handmade in the USA". | | Weaknesses: | Soft fork, slightly weak components for price (ie. drivetrain and brakes). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock A1 Pro, Giant Iguana Disc, KHS Alite 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for wellgo clipless and SDG USA saddle. | | Bottom Line: | The Cannondale F300 is an excellent first (true) mountain bike for the cross country rider (no, it is not a freeride bike, and I pray for those who want it to be). I rode an old rigid Raleigh before this, and moving to the F300 was a dream. I had tried a few bikes before this, and the F300 had the best geometry of the main ones I test drove (Iguana and Hardrock). It definitely has a more aggressive stance than a lot of the other similarily price bikes. Not surprising considering the CAAD 2 frame used was on some of Cannondale's higher range bikes only 3 or 4 years ago (F1000 I believe).
Slightly disappointing is the Manitou Axel Comp fork which tends to be very soft and a pain to do a travel conversion with. I know this can be modified through a stiffer spring-set, but alas, as a poor student, I have been unable to purchase one. It does do a fine job though nonetheless. Just a bit too soft for personal preference (hey, coming from rigid, soft is cool). Some components are also slightly below the quality expected from Cannondale. The most concerning would be the brakes, which work sufficiently, but the cost to add, say, Avids to the bike would be minimal and worth the extra bit of money. the drivetrain is slightly below par but that is easily upgradeable. The stock saddle is somewhat ridiculous. I didn't even know the original was like what it was until I saw the specs on their website. Bow Cycle replaced it before the bike was sold to me (now with a much more suitable SDG saddle).
The bike though has performed excellently for me though, whether I am hitting some technical singletrack or the local roads, in sun, rain or snow. My concerns are minimal, and definitely do not overshadow the benefits of owning the "Handmade in the USA" bike.
So, it gets 4 flamin' chilis for value because the components should be slightly better, and 5 for overall, because it's such a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Genesis Bicycles | | Strengths: | I have received several compliments on the frame, and the "Handmade in USA" sticker. | | Weaknesses: | Low end drivetrain and controls. Original fork seized and replaced under warranty after 150 miles, second fork still good at 700 miles. Seized freehub, broke original chain several times. | | Bike Setup: | M515 clipless, EA50 stem, PC68 chain, Kool Stop pads, WTB SST-X seat, 145 lb Joel. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has held up well, most of the miles are offroad. I am happy to have this frame, and don't mind buying high quality replacements for the original components that break. Buy better brake pads before you leave the store, the original pads are unacceptable on a bike of this quality. I would definitely buy this bike again, and recommend it to anyone as a quality bike to build upon as needed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin mack
a Weekend Warrior
from detroit, mi - but living in brazil
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the trail to the zoo in brasilia | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop in asa norte, brasilia | | Strengths: | very nimble. it handles the urban assault quite well. i am tring to break the frame by leaping as much as i can. cant do it. | | Weaknesses: | nothing is stock but the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | a few other hardtails in the same price range. | | Bike Setup: | shimano xtr's, shimano xt crank, manitou black elite fork, carbon easton bar, weyless carbon post, mavic rims with hutchison pythons. | | Bottom Line: | great bike once you get the right components. cannondale frame isnt worth the money unless you have the right extras. the f300 is nice to put the parts you want on it with a very high quality frame. highly recommended. its made in the usa, spend the money for the sticker that says so. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$435.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight frame | | Weaknesses: | Brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900, Specialized Hardrock and Rockhopper, Giant Yukon, Gary Fisher Marlin, etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm very happy I chose this bike for my return to biking.
The bike is fairly light for the price and I feel the components were equal to everything else in its price range.
What really set it apart from the pack is most manufacturers offer the same frame for all their bikes between $250-$550. Trek uses the same frame for the whole 4xxx line, Specialized uses the same frame for their hardrocks, etc. It is for this reason that I give it 5 habeneros for Value. Why buy a $500 bike that uses the same frame as a $250 bike?
Cannondale, to me was one of the only companies offering a quality frame for the price packaged with the same components as their competition.
My only gripe is that the brakes are aweful. Everytime I pop the front wheel off they have to be readjusted. But they do stop the bike. The problem will soon be rectified when I pick up a set of AVID SD 7's for $50. Otherwise, I'm extremely happy. I find the seat to be fairly comfortable and the bike shifts fine for me. No probs with the derailleurs.
There are better bikes out there for more money, but for the price I paid, I would buy again.
If my budget were a bit larger, I really liked the Gary Fisher Tassajara, but it was about $130 more.
It'll lose a chili overall because of the brakes.
Gotta love the "Handmade in the USA" sticker on the frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geoff
a Weekend Warrior
from ma
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the trax | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle link (great shop) | | Strengths: | the frame is great, super light, strong and fast. mine came with the headshock super fatty dl it woks great | | Weaknesses: | the seat is a little big ang mine came with cheep plastic pedals | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock with headshock | | Bottom Line: | it's a super light bike with a good shock go out and get one today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend OR
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | hutchs bike store | | Strengths: | I weigh 155 and the fork works great for me i know that a lot of other people complain about the softness of the fork but the fork has bottom out bumpers so its not going to die from bottoming out and yes i do ride aggresively, it shifts smooth, the seat is bulky but soft, easy to bunny hop on | | Weaknesses: | brakes are a bit weak, peddles are cheap i tore through them in about 3 months, its not too light if you wanna race its about ,30 pounds. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized rock hopper, specialized fsr enduro | | Bike Setup: | alivio gear set up, egg beater peddles, manitou super fork, maxxis tires | | Bottom Line: | its a pretty nifty bike for starting out but i've ridden it off 7 foot drops, rock gardens, and over trees and its held up pretty well. You should get this bike if your a begginer but dont be afraid to race on it even if you dont do so well. I wouldn't buy this bike if your going to free ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX USA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | Jack Johnston - Dallas | | Strengths: | Great frame, light! Sharp looking, responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Manitou AXEL Comp fork is very soft, Stock seat is for grandma butts. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh, Giant, Trek - Similar Mid $500 price range | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far, except had the dealer trade out the fat stock seat for a slimmer less bulky racing seat. (Able to slip off the back for steep decents) | | Bottom Line: | Bought into it for the frame. So far I love it, except for the very soft shocks in the front fork. Have inquired with Manitou about an upgraded spring set... Probably not for the guy who beats the heck out of his bikes. Very solid ride otherwise. Responsive in tight trails - point and shoot. Been a while since I rode, so nice re-introduction. Must ride often, so my wife will let me upgrade components... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Matz
a Cross Country Rider
from Anaheim Hills, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Santiago Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange Cyclery | | Strengths: | Cannondale Frame, a hardtail you can start on and build upon. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals- no big deal, you will ant clip-ons anyway.
Front shock-It is just too soft, I odered a firm front spring and am looking at maybe upgrading.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Egg beaters, white lightning, bar-ends. | | Bottom Line: | I love the way the bike handles single track, I rarely suck chain and this will probably carry me until next summer, when I will upgrade to a full suspension xc.
I think it is a great choice for someone starting out that isn't confident that they will be committed. As they get comitted, reward yourself with component upgrades for a year then take all that stuff you bought over the year and put it on a sweet FS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from NY, USA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Great frame and parts for this price range. The craftmanship of the cannondale frame is excellent. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very well build. The best part is the craftmanship of the Cannondale frame. The bike also comes with pretty decent parts for this price range. The front and rear derailleur shifts very smoothly. The front shock handles pod holes very well, and can be adjustable based on road condition.
If you are looking for a bike to ride on the weekends, spend most of your time on pavement roads, and don't want to spend more than $600, then this bike will be perfect for you. However, if you are planning to bike in the woods on very rough roads, then I don't recommend this bike. I did that a few times, and almost blow the shocks. This was my fault cause this bike was not designed for this type of riding. I recommend getting a dual suspension bike for that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin groves
a Cross Country Rider
from wells
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | YMCA | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Light frame. | | Weaknesses: | manitou shocks | | Similar Products Used: | none like it. | | Bottom Line: | Im gonna go buy this bike tommoro!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Weekend Warrior
from pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | west liberty schwinn | | Strengths: | Nice light frame, good components for the money. Some similar priced products may have mild component upgrades but the difference is not worth sacrificing the cannondale frame. | | Weaknesses: | Seat is crap and the front suspension is a little soft | | Similar Products Used: | giant, gary fisher | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Graet deal for the money. Lightweight,strong and in this price range nothing comes close! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Enterprise, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Strengths: | Light frame, better components compared to similarly priced competitors, very tough bike, lots of potential | | Weaknesses: | The seat is huge, but when adjusted properly it is ok, the brakes seem a little weak, pinch flat on my second ride on not too tough terrain, no problems since | | Similar Products Used: | test rode GT, Trek and was looking for a GF, one quick ride on this and I was sold. | | Bike Setup: | stock with some bar ends, seat bag and some essential tools | | Bottom Line: | I have never really mountain biked but rode a ton when I was a kid with no car, I am extatic about this bike. The frame is super light, I have had problem with the shifters or any other components. I am a heavier rider so I have to set the shock to as firm as it will go. I had a pretty bad wreck that kept me from riding for about 3 weeks and the bike bounced hard on concrete from about 5 feet in the air and didn't have a scratch on it! Plan on keeping it for a long time and maybe upgrading when I get better. Maybe better brakes first since the stock ones seem a little slow to stop, but easy to modulate downhill. Great bike for the price. Great bike for the beginner, great quality and durability. I am sold on Cannondale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JASON BREHM
a Weekend Warrior
from HOOD RIVER, OR., USA
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$529.00 | | Strengths: | FRAME CONFIGURATION IS GREAT, GOOD GEOMETRY DESCENT COMPONENTS, LOOKS GREAT. | | Weaknesses: | FOR THE MONEY, NONE | | Similar Products Used: | TREK 4100 DISC, TREK BRUISER, GF TASSAJARA, | | Bike Setup: | BONE STOCK | | Bottom Line: | FOR THE MONEY THIS BIKE CANNOT BE BEAT. BOUGHT FOR MY WIFE AS A TRAIL RIDER, THIS BIKE SERVES THAT PURPOSE EXCELLENT. THE COMPONENT PACKAGE FOR THIS PRICE RANGE IS GREAT AND HOLDS UP WELL FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE TRAIL RIDING. NO COMPLAINTS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JESUS REYNOSO
a Weekend Warrior
from ENSENADA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El cañon de doña petra | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$571.00 | | Purchased At: | South Bay Bicycles | | Strengths: | RUNS SMOOTH, LOOKS GREAT, VERY GOOD PRICE FOR THE BIKE, VERY LIGHT, GREAT WORKMANSHIP, MOSTLY VERY GOOD PARTS, LIKE SHIMANO, AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE FORX TO ANY BRAND YOU WANT, NOT LIMITED TO CANNONDALE FORXS, THE MOST HEAVY PIECE OF THE BIKE IS THE FORX, BECAUSE THE FRAME ALMOST DOS NOT WEIGH ANYTHING. AND THE FRAME IS GARANTED FOR LIFE. | | Weaknesses: | SOME PART'S ARE NOT SO GOOD, LIKE THE SEAT POST, THE SADDLE, THE STEM. | | Similar Products Used: | CANNONDALE M400 | | Bike Setup: | CANNONDALE EXPERT SEAT POST, BAR, BAR ENDS, CRANK, V-BRAKES & STEM, SHIMANO XT DRIVETRAIN, MAVIC RIMS WITH DT SPOKES, MANITOU FORX. | | Bottom Line: | IT'S A GREAT BIKE FOR THE PRICE, THE ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION IS VERY GOOD, THE COLOR (BLACK)AND LOGOS (SILVER AND WHITE)LOOK VERY ELEGANT, NO WEIRD COLORS, THE ORIGINAL PAINT IS DUPONT, WHEN I BOUGHT THE BIKE, IT WAS VERY LIGHT AND DID RUN SMOOTH, BUT I CHANGE MOST OF THE PART'S LIKE THE STEM, BARS, SEAT POST AND CRANK, FOR THE CANNONDALE BRAND AND IT'S LIGHTER, AND REPLACE THE DRIVETRAIN FOR SHIMANO XT, NOW THE BIKE IS VERY LIGHT AND RUNS GREAT, IT ADVANCES WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT, I PUT THE ORIGINAL DRIVETRAIN IN A OLDER CANNONDALE BIKE, THAT RUNS GREAT TOO. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE, TO ME, IS THAT HAS V-BRAKES, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES THAT ATRACTED ME, BECAUSSE IT'S THE ONLY ONE BIKE WITH V-BRAKES THAT CANNONDALE MADE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Weston, FL USA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | RattleSnake Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bikes | | Strengths: | outstanding build quality, decent weight, peace at mind knowing its a cannondale | | Weaknesses: | crapy seatpost, huge selle royal gel seat is more for your grandmother, weak shock (2003 Man Axel Comp) needs stiffer spring set... crappy brakes | | Similar Products Used: | GT Aggressor, Specialized Hardrock, Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | 2003 F300 w/ shimano 515clipless, avid single digit Ti's, titec seatpost, kore stem, titec hellbents, koobi SI saddle, XT drivetrain, truvative firexsl cranks, enduro 2 | | Bottom Line: | This is a decent bike, especially for the money, so far i have blown the shock once but that was my fault riding aggressively knowing that the spring set was to soft, and I did happen to freeze my free hub. Both were fixed free and havent had a problem since then. As you can see i changed almost everything on this bike so far but that's because I have the money now. Be forwarned cannondale's frames run on the small side. The only things that really had to go for me was the weak kalloy seatpost along with the monster seat, and the ritchey bars, i needed a greater rise to put me in a more comfortable position... which then meant i needed another stem to lower my center of gravity and change my geometry some. All the other parts are just for kicks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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