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Submitted by
mandexzander
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Decent Components | | Weaknesses: | Front Fork, Rims | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Commuterized - raised handlebars, put slicks and a rack. | | Bottom Line: | Great commuter once you customize it. However, after about 4000km's the rear Mavic rim started volcano-ing and suffered fractures and needed to be replaced. Also, agree with other comments that the fork is not great. I never made a big deal about it, because it's a commuter, but would hate it for off-roading. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mslrep
a Cross Country Rider
from mslrep@hotmail.com
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Kady | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | St Louis | | Strengths: | Frame, components (looks) | | Bottom Line: | Looking at the swapout program fro the mono shock fork, other than that, an all around excellant MTB. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Merv Howard
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | MBR | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Garmisch (Germany) | | Strengths: | Can't comment because it hasn't worked yet. | | Weaknesses: | Forks have not worked since buying the bike. Air is escaping from the fork as soon as it is pumped up. It has been away to Cannondale 3 times and has not been fixed on all occasions. Cannondale have even tried to wash their hands of the whole afair. I have had Cannondales all my adult life and am now discusted with the company. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F800 SL | | Bike Setup: | As from the factory | | Bottom Line: | I have had it with this company. Expensive bikes - Cheap parts! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob
a Weekend Warrior
from Elk Grove
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Auburn,Downieville,Bullards Bar | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bike Works | | Strengths: | Lightness(i got mine to 23 lbs), stiffness, lockout, brakes are ok, climbs like a mountain goat. | | Weaknesses: | handlebars(snaped mine), pedals, gears skip on occassion, front fork is stiff but some like it that way. | | Similar Products Used: | this is my second bike and its way better than my old trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Ive souped it up alot, new handlebars, front fork, xtr front deraileur, crossmax ceramics, new brakes:) | | Bottom Line: | Its a good bike, really stiff and light. Its lasted me a long time and i think im ready for something new. This is the perfect bike for someone who isnt sure they want to go balls out on buying an expensive bike but want something nicer than a cheapo k mart bike. BE WARNED this bike will make you enjoy mountain biking alot and you will eventually want to get a better (and more expensive bike). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunrise, FL
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything at Markham Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Wheel | | Strengths: | Front Suspension Lockout, Light Weight, XT Rear derail. | | Weaknesses: | None come to mind | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I wasn't sure what type of bike to buy for the first time out. I went to a few bike shops and was pointed in the direction of the F400. I test rode a few different brands and felt most comfortable on the Cannondale. I didn't want to spend a lot of money until I was sure that I would be using my bike. After about a year of riding I am going to purchase a full suspension - jekyll 800, but I will always keep my F400 for occasional riding and as a backup. I highly recommend this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate Haller
a Weekend Warrior
from Keego Harbor, MI
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | KLM Bike & Fitness | | Strengths: | Headshox is great, XT rear never missed a gear. | | Weaknesses: | Lame crankset. Very week. Chainsuck bent inner chainring. Deore front deraileur hits the frame when you downshift.
Upgraded to Shimano LX crankset and SRAM 99 chain and had no problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh Technium and Specialized Rockhooper | | Bike Setup: | Initial setup was poor. I took it to a different place then were I bought it, Scarlett's in Pontiac, and they did an excellent job making it run smooth. | | Bottom Line: | I've riden the bike 15-20 times and had it into the shop around 6 times. I rode a stock Rockhooper with STX components and no front shocks for 3 years with no problems. I haven't had this bike more then 8 months and it's caused me 6 trips to the shop.
Bike's great for paved trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Cousersport,PA,U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Country Ski and Sports | | Strengths: | Sweet ride. Has a lot of the same components as the Jekylls and Scalpels. eadshock is easy to adjust, and Mythos tires are awesome! Great bike to last you and keep upgrading. | | Weaknesses: | Crankset can be a pain when dirt finds its way in. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike, comes with great components like Shimano XT derailleur, and the replacable derailleur bracket frame is a great idea, too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul H.
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | NA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | lock-out shock, light weight, solid components, good warantee. | | Weaknesses: | expensive (to me). | | Similar Products Used: | A very old Specialized Hard Rock mountain bike. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock. I had street tires put on before I bought it. I since changed out the seat for a more comfortable one. I also changed out the petals for clipless, but switched back to the originals to prevent falls. I believe this already prevented one spill. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I bought it primerly to ride to work and back a couple times a week. I need to ride on bumpy sidewalks and road sides to stay out of traffic. Riding my old mountain bike (no shocks) was making my wrists sore. I had looked around at bikes for a long time. I had not planned to spend any where close to $800, but decided the lock out shock was worth the extra $. It was also much lighter than the other bikes I was considering. I am very happy with my decision.
I now ride this bike most of the time. It is lighter and seems faster than even my old road bike with thin 700x23 tires.
I would reccomend this bike to anyone who can afford it. I have not ridden it off road much, but plan to try it and expect it will do well there too. P.S. I weigh 200 lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Dorrian
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Trails in the Azores that you probably will never see! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | American Bicycle Company | | Strengths: | I love the fork. The lockout is great on a road ride or a smooth uphill. It also feels great on XC or even most downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Cranks. Brakes went to crap after a month or two of mud. I would recommend replacing the levers and brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Clipless. Am adding an Easton EC90 as well as Avid Ti brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. The only thing that seperates this bike from a high end bike is a few miscellaneous parts that will lighten it up and balance it out. I love it. Highly recommended for any XCer looking for a great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento,CA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Auburn Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bicycle Works | | Strengths: | Frame is strong and super light,Shimano XT derrailure, good rims,shocks are light and have good travel with a lockout ability.The paint can take a good beating without getting scratched. Overall this is the best bike Ive ever had. | | Weaknesses: | Grips are a little rough and shocks are a little stiff when you first get them so take some air out of them. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4300 | | Bottom Line: | This Bike Rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Guiver
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All the trails at Camp Fortune! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebec & Kroes | | Strengths: | Very light frame+fork
good derailler for price
lockout system | | Weaknesses: | crankset
brakes
tires | | Bike Setup: | CAAD3 frame, Super Fatty Ultra DL Headshock, Mavic X517's, XT Crankset, Derailleur, Deore Shifters, Avid single Digit Ti Brakes, Easton EA70 Flatbar, SRAM 7.0 Cassette, Thompson Elite Seatpost, Michelin XLS, Michelin Front S | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. Very lighweight too. The crankset brings down the price of this bike a lot. The wheels that came on the bike would be ok for entry level riders but if you were a racer you would probably want to upgrade. Lockout it great for road and steep uphills on road or on the trail. Fork is only 2.7 pounds!(lighter than a SID World Cup!!!) If you have all the right components, this bike is the ultimate race bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
klepto
a Cross Country Rider
from santa cruz ca
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | wilder ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel Away - campbell ca. | | Strengths: | the frame seems strong | | Weaknesses: | head shok--it works, but is barely adequate for trail riding; granny gear is already showing some SERIOUS signs of wear; tires seem pretty cheap--mythos xc 'front' on both front and rear. they seem to be a discontinued version of this model as they look a bit different on the website--mine have a black sidewall | | Similar Products Used: | none - first 'mountain' bike | | Bike Setup: | as purchased | | Bottom Line: | not a bad bike, but you will probably not be satisfied if you are going to do any 'serious' trail riding. probably better suited for someone who rides around town and hits an occasional trail | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scot Vodenik
a Weekend Warrior
from Rogersville, TN USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Race Track at Bays Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Larry's | | Strengths: | Weight of the frame, components, and HeadShok | | Weaknesses: | Stem Height | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4900 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the 35degree HeadShok stem and Ritchey Riser handlebars and added a Serfas dual density saddle. I will add disc brakes later | | Bottom Line: | I traded up from a Trek 820 so this was a great move up for the money. This bike and the service that came with it from the bike shop has outperformed even my high expectations. Great frame, strong and light, responsive on trails. 27speeds helps a lot on these little Smoly Mountains. Every weld on this bike looks good. This bike is perfect for recreational riders who will use it only on logging roads and beginner trails or for people who need something technical for single track. If it came with disc brakes it would have been perfect. All of this plus made in the USA, how can you go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren Spangler
a Weekend Warrior
from Jonestown PA USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | InGear cycling and fitness | | Strengths: | super strong frame very rigid,head shock with lockout,its a Cannondale! | | Weaknesses: | brakes they are not very strong,but I am used to hyd. disks on my Gemini. | | Similar Products Used: | 97 Trek820,98 CannondaleF400,99raliegh M7000,2003Gemini,GiantRincon,Specialized hardrockcomp | | Bike Setup: | stock,soon will be upgrading to Avid mechanical disks | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike because I really enjoy riding a hardtail,I also love blasting with my Gemini 900 but sometime that bike is just over kill.I like riding the F400 around town,railroad beds,and exploring new places to ride with the Gemini when I take it out.Dont get me wrong as soon as the brakes get upgraded the F400 is going to get used as hard as the Gemini on certain trails.This is my second F400 I love it,the handling is quick and responsive,the frame is just rigid enough to be super strong but still has a little flex in the back to help soak up little bumps.I sold my 98 F400about 4 months ago because I had to many bikes (thats what my wife said anyway)ever since I sold it I missed riding a hardtail.This bike is great for anyone getting into mountain biking,it is light weight quick handling and with some small upgrades you can have areally nice trail bike.The price rang you cannot find a better deal,this is my third Cannondale of the 5 bikes I have owned Ilove them my opinion is they make some of the best bikes out there!Everybody should have or ride a hardtail they are lots of fun,dont get me wrong it will be a cold day in hell before I give up my Gemini I love that to but I am still a hardtail fan.JUST GET OUT AND RIDE!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Cupertino, California, Etats Unis
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Light Street Cycles, Balto., MD, but set up at Calabazas Cyclery, Cupertino, CA | | Strengths: | A frame that makes a rank beginner like me get a glimpse of how a great bike responds more to input. Headshok lock-out. Decent components as far as my modest needs are concerned. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, as well as tires that will be puctured if you hit even modest NorCal trails. | | Similar Products Used: | demo'ed many makes and models, roughly in the $1000 range (+/- $250). | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the following add-ons: Serfas seat; Time clipless pedals; and a liner for my tires to prevent pine needles and other friends from ruining the morning after. | | Bottom Line: | Hey beginners like me, this is a great bike. I know that as we get older, we sometimes have access to far more credit than good sense. It's hard to adequately describe how fun the bike is. Step on the pedal and watch the bike just jump forward. As a heavy rider (pushing 220 lbs), with the Headshok locked out, the bike surprised me with its nimble response and acceleration going uphill. I tried out the F600, as well as Stumpjumper (and many other makes), but as a beginner, the CAAD3 frame is more than enough. I resisted the full suspension bike my local bike store tried to sell me, and I am glad for my resolve; I am happy with the hardtail. Best newbie advice I listened to: clipless (with a platform) NOW. I'm pushing 40, but it took me about 30 seconds to adjust. Second advice: dump the Cannondale seat and get a Serfas. Minor disappointment: first time I went off the road, I had two flats the next morning. Don't worry about the weight: use a liner, or suffer the consequences. Disk brakes and beefier cranks? In the future. Trust me: this bike rocks. It's my body that's soft. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jasmine T. Baer
a Weekend Warrior
from The Wildwoods
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Drunken Grizzly | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame, XT Rear Derailleur, Headshok, Grips | | Weaknesses: | Brakes, pedals | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for a Specialized BG Comp saddle | | Bottom Line: | I've had the bike and ridden it hard for about two months. The brakes and pedals have been my biggest complaint. After about 4 weeks of riding, I heard an annoying clicking near the bottom bracket. At first, I thought it was the bottom bracket needing to be overhauled, so the LBS took care of it. The clicking mysteriously went away, but then came back. Then, I did an endie, and the clicking went away. Hmmm... The clicking came back again, and LBS said it might be the pedals. I took the pedals apart, greased the bearings, and straightened out the aluminum cage that surrounds the platform. Clicking stopped. I will need to upgrade to some clipless pedals soon.
The brakes need to be upgraded to disc brakes. The cables have stretched out quite a bit, and the need constant adjusting. I had hoped that the brakes would be a little better than this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew McCulloch McCulloch
a Downhiller
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gridly, Ojai Ca. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Won at a rite aid give away | | Strengths: | Solid as hell frame. LX derailer, un breakable. 24 speed, great low gear 22\34 for hill climb | | Weaknesses: | Rims are easy to bend. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | Stock, ecpt. kool stop pads, replaced back rim to a weinman 36 spoke. new bearings in front and rear hub. And a rock shox jett t2 fork. | | Bottom Line: | First of all, this isnt exaxtly an F400, its a sobe cannondale giveaway. matches most to the F400. un beleaveable frame, takes huge rocks at high speeds and drop offs some full suspension bikes cant take, ex specialized stump jumper:(((
LX derailers can take a beating and never miss a gear. im a light weight 135lbs so i dont need hardcore rims. rides with no effort. just point and shoot and you will go there. hard tail does get bumpy, but will not break. great for beginers and pros alike. oh yeah MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. and again the caad 2 hard tail frame is bullet proof, ex hit by car and hit tree going 30. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbridge, VA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 800 | | Strengths: | Best shock and frame in its class. Extremely light and sturdy. Components are as good as if not better than those in its price range.
The lockout feature on the shock makes it ideal for uphill battles as well as urban assaults - a feature you only find on more expensive shocks. | | Weaknesses: | They say you can only go as fast as you can stop, and in this case the brakes don't really cut it for all conditons. I find that its braking power substantially fades in wet and muddy conditions. I recommend upgrading the brakes if you plan on running the bike as fast as you're capable of.
Secondly, the tires are not front/rear specific since the treads are identical on the bike. I have found it to work well as a front tire and has been steering precisely. Unfortunately it lacks grip I need as a rear wheel and on many occasions it has been flinging dirt and mud at my legs instead of gripping the trail, making it less than enjoyable. I have replaced it with a IRC Mythos2 Rear tire and believe that it has drastically improved grip on trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Stock with rear IRC Mythos2 tire. Planning on upgrading to Avid Single Digit 7 brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Great bang for the buck. It only more fun each time you hop on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jasmine T. Baer
a Cross Country Rider
from Wildwood, MO
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Drunken Grizzly | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice frame, XT Rear Derailleur, denim color, grips, headshok. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | It was between a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo and the Cannondale F400. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except with a Specialized BG Comp saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Terrific bike for the price. The denim blue color rocks! Bike comes with decent stock equipment - upgrade stuff if you like when it wears out or when you find yourself with a little extra jack. Back in 1989, when I first got into mtb'ing, my first bike was a Marin Palisades. My second, which I purchased in 1992, was a Diamondback Topanga. It is amazing for me to compare the F400 I now ride to what I used to ride. The aluminum frame is so light and rigid, and the stock componentry is incredible! Ah, progress!
If you are new to mountain bikes, but intend to stick with the sport and do some real single track riding, this is a great bike to start out with. If you aren't sure about mountain biking, buy something cheaper - like in the $400 -$500 range and see if you'll stick to the hobby (maybe a Gary Fisher Wahoo). I had been away from mtb'ing for about 8 years, and I know that I'll stick to it again - especially since I plan on sticking around the area where I currently live.
I almost went with the Hoo Koo E Koo, but the C'dale frame was meticulously welded, and a sight to behold. I don't think I could have gone wrong with the Hoo Koo, but it became an aesthetic thing, and the C'dale's craftmanship was head and shoulders over anything else I saw.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | 42 traverse | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn, Auckland, New Zealand | | Strengths: | Frame, suspension, handling, hillclimbing | | Weaknesses: | Original elastomer suspension, might be ok for a pogo stick maybe. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant, GT | | Bike Setup: | Magura HS33 hydraulic rim brakes, (I don't have cable brakes on my car either), Ritchie pedals, XT 8 speed everything else. Mavic 618 rims, DT comp spokes. Easton EA70 3 degree handlebar, with 5", 5 deg. stem, angled down.
Fatty air/oil 60mm Headshok. | | Bottom Line: | Had this bike for 3 years, it's a REALLY NICE BIKE now that I have dumped the dissapointing equipment it came with. Now it's come alive, I can keep up with much more expensive bikes no sweat, the hill climbing and handling is incredible.
Great entry level bike for the $$$, as you can stick better stuff on it as wears. It's worth upgrading with new goodies over time, you won't need to buy a new bike.
AND--!!-main reason I chose it,-it's got a NON ASIAN FRAME.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
F W
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Unknown | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Kozys | | Strengths: | Real nice frame and headshock | | Weaknesses: | Rims and tires and brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 80 | | Bike Setup: | I am planning on getting some better rims and hub with clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bang for the buck | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Clark
a Cross Country Rider
from Jacksonville, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Searching | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$799.00 | | Purchased At: | Lakeshore Schwinn | | Strengths: | Frame, Headshock, Pretty Good Components | | Weaknesses: | Rims, Tires, and brakes...not too bad, but not the greatest.. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Dark Blue Frame, Fatty Ultra Fork w/headshock, Shimano Deore Shifters, Deore front derailer, XT rear derailer,shimano clipless pedals... | | Bottom Line: | Tough frame, I love the headshock...All my stuff is factory, but I'm satisfied so far..I'll Eventually upgrade the tires, rims,brakes and hubs, but I'll stick with everything else unless something changes..I also like the lockout option on the headshock..Great bike, rides great, awesome bike, completely upgradeable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tommy scherer
a Downhiller
from portland oregon
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | post canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bike sorce | | Strengths: | the strength i must say is the frame. its great for cross contry.but i quit rideing xc for the past 5 months i have been takeing urban and anything down hill.ive been hucking 7 foot drops on this bike and its still in tact. way to go cannodale | | Weaknesses: | the only weaknees would be the shock im on my second head shock. but what can you expect im hucking big | | Similar Products Used: | nothing at all | | Bike Setup: | fatty sl sun rino lite up front mavic out back some old hardrock tires (pro for two wheel drifts) | | Bottom Line: | this bike rocks it will never break on xc. ive been rocking it hard core and its fine. this is a great all round bike. the best part is the hardcore frame.another plus is the compants seems to hold up. the only problem ive had is miss shifts but that doesnt bother me at all. way to go cannodale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | many...especially in the fall | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Re-my sport | | Strengths: | The frame! Bang for the buck. What a great frame and fork for the price. Very responsive!'..the headshok is really smooth and the on-the-fly lockout for road training rides is great! I use the Mavic X139's that came with it, for road slicks. Frame and its size. | | Weaknesses: | Perhaps it doesn't have LX or XT brakes, hubs or a fancy crank, but this is what kept the price point so reasonable. If you're looking for a low price point, and you're willing to use the parts that are on it and upgrade them doen the road when they finally wear out - this is the bike! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper M2 1998 | | Bike Setup: | 2nd wheelset for off-road; Mavic 517's, LX and Specialized Hub. Terry Liberator Ti Race saddle, Shimano 515 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike's price point is reasonable due to the lower end components, such as hubs, rims, brakes. If you want a sweet frame with headshok - ita a great platform. I love the Large frame...it fits me much better then the Stumpy 18" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Ventura, So. Cal.
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in the Sta. Monica Mts. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Good, solid frame. C-Dale attention to details. | | Weaknesses: | Some of the components were low quality for a bike in this price range. | | Similar Products Used: | ParkPre Comp. Ltd. steel hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock bike with the following additions: Mavic X517 rims and LX hubs, XT rear casette, XT front derailleur, XT brakes with KoolStop pads, XT shifter/brake lever combo, RaceFace Next crank and rings, Maxxis Mobster tires, Shimano 959 pedals, LizardSkins rear chain stay cover | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow-up to my initial review of the F400 bike. When I went shopping for a new bike I had three principal objectives: (1)aluminum hard tail frame from a reputable manufacturer; (2)made in the USA; (3)to sepnd no more than $1,200 to $1,300 for bike and upgrades. I looked around at diferent bikes, Trek, Gary Fisher, etc. All the bikes in the $1,200-$1,300 range had decent frames, but so-so components. I'd have had to spend another $300-$400 to get the components that I really wanted. So I started to look at less expensive bikes, in the $800 to $900 price range with a good, upgrade-worthy frame. That's when I found the F400. The components were not the best (the standard wheels came with bottom of the line hubs and the standard Cannondale brakes, I think they are a Tektro knock-offs, were not what I wanted). So I bought the bike and then spent the next month adding all the components listed above. By shopping wisely (thank you WheelWorld, in Woodland Hills, California--check their website) I was able to upgrade my bike for about $500.00. Now I have just the frame that I like with just the kinds of components that I wanted. Had I bought a more expensive bike I would have spent close to $2,000 to get to where I am now. Lesson here is to buy a bike with a good frame that you can live with, even if the original components are less than top of the line. Then you still will money leftover to upgrade to where you REALLY want to be.
PS: C-Dale much vaunted customer service is crap!
PSS: Now for G's sake, stop reading reviews and go ride your bike.
I give the frame 5 flying, flaming fried plantains. Valuewise I give it 4 flying flaming freind plantain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from 332 Canada ct
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Heritage Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | The Hub | | Strengths: | Made in the USA, solid as hell frame. XT in the rear. Cant break it. | | Weaknesses: | The shock doesnt seem to soak up the little bumps that well.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Antelopes (old school)
Trek 4300 (friends bike)
| | Bike Setup: | Serfas Rx seat (to make sure everyhing works for years to come) | | Bottom Line: | Bad ass bike. I love the rigidity of the whole setup. If you like a solid ride and a shock that tracks real well with a solid feel, get the Cdale. 400 is a good level of components for the price. All Cdale frames can be upgraded to discs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura, CA
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere where the sun shines bright | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Newbury Park Bikes | | Strengths: | Cannondale frame, lockout feature of front shock, reasonable price for mix of components | | Weaknesses: | Chain, front derailleur, rear cassette | | Similar Products Used: | PArkpre hardtail | | Bike Setup: | The following equipment was installed by me after purchase: Shimano 959 pedals, Mavic X517 rims with LX hubs, XT rear cassette, XT front derailleur, XT 9-speed narrow chain. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first aluminum bike. I like the feel of the frame. The bike accelerates a heck of a lot faster than my old steel bike. I also like the lockout feature in the front suspension fork, it makes it easier to climb. The upgrades that I mentioned above were necessary (in my opinion) to make a good bike into a superlative bike. The Mavic rims are excellent and I can't say enough good things about the Shimano pedals. I have a Bottecchia road bike that is fast and extrmely responsive. But my new 'Dale takes me places that I could never ride in my 'Tecchia. One thing I must write though, Cannondale customer service is not all that is cracked up to be, so just beware that they will not be very helpful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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