Submitted by
Elvis
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2010
Strengths: Lightweight, good geometry -- stable at speed, handles well turning, no twitch out of the saddle, good gloss black paint job, smooth finished welds
Weaknesses: Older model (late 90's) does not have replaceable derailer hanger for rear gears, stock bars and stem were crap, grip shift is junk (but easily replaced from the parts bin). Also, those smooth welds, which look sleek but could if not done right lead to cracks eventually.
Bottom Line:
A light and responsive and very cool looking frame. An older F-300, it had rather blah and unimpressive stock parts, but when you have shoeboxes full of old parts, that is easily remedied. No real vices here, or fatal flaws, except that with Cannondales it pays to keep an eye on the frame. I have heard stories of frame failure or cracking, typically around the headtube. As I got mine second hand I made sure to check that out real good, no problems. I can't see what's under the paint, but from what I could tell and how it feels in motion, this is a well made frame at least as good as others at the price (according to old data I saw it was over $500 new).
I would say, if you can find one, get it, provided the frame looks sound. The newer ones are rather cool too, but the late 90's, in my opinion, shine. When this thing popped up I snagged it, and have not been disappointed. You won't be either.
Similar Products Used: Trek 4500 set up as single speed mtb, another cannondale with headshock (red white and blue edition), etc.
Bike Setup: Kept the stock fork since it's stiff. Replaced the bar and stem with a newer and lighter CODA stem and a straight aluminum bar shortened a bit at each end. Old Suntour XCM thumb shifters operate the 3 front gears and 7 rear gears. The bike is running Araya rims, suntour hubs, and bontrager Road Warrior street slicks. This has become my around town bike, and flies on the road, oddly enough, once I got the ride position and seat height tweaked. With another pair of rims it will do well offroad too, although moist of my offroad routes are rather tame old dirt trails so that might not be saying much. And, at any rate, I'm not throwing a vintage aluminum bike over any scary offroad obstacles until I lose some weight.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
ferreter
a Cross Country Rider
from Dorset
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2010
Strengths: Everything, I'm 6'6" and 15 stone (210lbs) & its an 18"frame (cant get me on a modern compact in that size). I bought the bike in 99 after breaking 2 Trek's, a GT & a rockhopper. I commute everyday 10miles and it goes out every other weekend with me and has done for 10 years. It spent 3 years in the back yard without any cover. I've long since replaced all the parts but the frame is the Ninja of them all. I will not get rid of this frame.... Ever.
Weaknesses: Absolutely nothing at all!
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is, if you come across one of these frames, get it! They dont make them like this anymore!
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Chilliwack, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastpointe
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: None, this was my first suspension bike.
Bike Setup: Completely stock except for WTB Speed V saddle.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tom Baker
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastpointe, MI.
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Strengths: Good price, nice frame. Made In USA.
Weaknesses: Have yet to break anything.
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.
Submitted by
craig peet
a Weekend Warrior
from baltimore, md
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
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.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Haroon Rashid
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2006
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).
Submitted by
Troy Cregger
a Cross Country Rider
from Derry, NH
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005
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.
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.
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.
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!!!!
Bike Setup: I replaced the tires with Enduro Pro and also changed the seat. I put different pedals on it too. (Shimano platform)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Marcelo D Antona
a Weekend Warrior
from Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004
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.
Bottom Line:
Good frame for entry level riders. Good for a lifetime relationship in case main use is not racing.
Submitted by
Stacey Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis MN USA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2004
Strengths: That wonderful frame
Weaknesses: Rock Shox Judy TT fork
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!
Weaknesses: Front Derailleur weak for the price fork
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
Bike Setup: Deore front derailleur,egg beaters, custom made spring for fork and everthing else is stock for now
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Submitted by
J.M. Porson
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2004
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Raleigh, Specialized, Marin
Bike Setup: Stock except for the saddle.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2004
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.
