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Submitted by
Zachariah
a Cross Country Rider
from Palm Desert, CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Art Smith Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Party | | Strengths: | 2006 F600 Furio Alu(raw) finish; SRAM X7 shifter quicker/better than Shimano XTR; Light; excellent climber; Headshok lockout/rebound damper control; Avid BB5 mech disc stops with one-finger pull. MAVIC rims. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat, pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 6000; Specialized Rockhopper Comp disc; Marin Nail Trail disc; Gary Fisher HooKooEKoo. | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Furio; SRAM X7 thumbshifters/rear derailleur; Fizik Wingflex Nisene Sport saddle; Crank Brothers Smarty pedals; rest is stock components. | | Bottom Line: | Because of this bike alone- I have went from being a twice/month rider, to a daily rider! On hills, this thing climbs effortlessly. On descents, the razor-sharp precision on turns simply amazes me. This ride will inspire confidence, and make you a BETTER RIDER....whether you like it or not. I used to think only yuppies rode Cannondale bikes....but now I'm a believer. Cannot beat HAND MADE IN USA!
Worth every penny spent.... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andre Guillerm
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbridge, VA USA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Olde Towne Bikes | | Strengths: | Excellent frame, Avid mechanical disc brakes, good drive train spec, Mavic rims. | | Weaknesses: | Awful tread on the Hutchison tires, brake levers are on the flimsy side, and the Fizik saddle is not comfy at all and the rails slid and rusted in seatpost-as I haven't had a problem with my replacement saddle, it wasn't the post. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Cannondale CAAD3, Trek 950, Trek Y-Frame | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Selle Italia Prolink saddle, IRC Mythos tires, and Avid Rollamajig. | | Bottom Line: | Purchased this bike when I decided that I really liked the sport, and was not disappointed- great transition bike for the rider that wants to upgrade from a "box-store" bike to feed their addiction for superb American craftsmanship without busting the bank. The frame is seamless, a work of art, and has survived some real bad crashes! Bike climbs very well even without the lock-out, and the frame is agile in technical sections and can whip around on switchbacks, although can be a little jarring on very rooty sections, but this is a characteristic common to all hardtails. The Avid mechanical brakes are much easier to adjust than V-brakes-I'll never ride the dirt without discs again!. Rollamajig was added to improve shifting from good to great. The Fatty fork is good, but is a little too spongy for my taste. Overall, a very good bike and the best bike for the money in Cannondale's stable, which is full of beautiful, innovative but sadly, expensive bikes. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maurice
a Cross Country Rider
from Born
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | epen | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | the frame is GREAT !!! superstiff in combination with the headshok. Really a great match ! | | Weaknesses: | don't know yet | | Similar Products Used: | trek stp
cannondale sv700
no name hardtail | | Bike Setup: | avid's mech. (super)
F800 wheels
Hollowtech2 XT cracks (in stead of the *&@&!@ truvativ)
super fatty ultra DL | | Bottom Line: | The first time in the mountains I was surprised! This thing really climbs like hell !! Never had ridden a bike that go's so good uphill like this one. And I have tested a lot of bikes (for example at clinics) The lockout is very usefull.
With the hollowtech2 crank a real eye catcher. Truvativ sucks
The Avid mechanical disc brakes are really great. Expecially when it's wet. At first I didn't know what to think about them because they are mech's, but now i'm very satisfied with them.
I am very satisfied with this bike and I can recommend it to everyone.
One day,... we'll al ride a cannondale | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Racer
from Springdale, AR
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fossil Flats, Devil's Den State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Highroller Cyclery | | Strengths: | Headshock rocks! It's simple, light, and there is nothing to maintain. Frame is awesome, made in USA with sweet smooth welds. Components: Avid mech. are the only way to go, great crank set, wheelset is nice for stock. | | Weaknesses: | Brake levers are weak and flimsy, stock saddle is too soft and cheap feeling. | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Cannondale Scapel 1000, 03 Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Michelin Comp S light tires, Easton EA70 flat bar, Sram 0.9 cassette, Titec carbon race seatpost, Selle Italia Flite saddle, Avid Speed Dial Ti brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | Bike is a great bike to start racing on, upgradable and light frame. Components are a good enough for light , rec riding. Slap some slicks on it and use it for a commuter or put another $300 in it and you've got a sweet race bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Evangelista
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | I ride city streets. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1012.00 | | Purchased At: | Kozy's, price is after tax. | | Strengths: | Disc Brakes, Headshok Lockout for climbing or speed, don’t have to worry too much about untrue wheels. Cannondale stem design looks really light. | | Weaknesses: | : Heavy and slow compared to a road bike. 2003 model can’t really fit a standard rack for mounting panniers. A seatpost hanging rack won’t carry much weight. The 2003 model doesn’t have the tapped holes needed for racks, the 2004 model does. But the 2004 model has cheaper cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | An upgraded 24” Pacific mtb bike that has a rack and Jand Commuter panniers. 2002 Giant TCR Aero 2 Road Bike, 5 bmx bike like a Hutch & a PK Ripper | | Bike Setup: | Stock components, changed tired to Specialized Armadillos, Planet Bike 9.0 computer, black color | | Bottom Line: | This is a good hardtail for some aspects of mountain biking – but I don’t mtb. I ride city streets that are flat (Chicago, IL). I mainly bought this bike because it has disc brakes – so that untrue wheels wouldn’t be a bother too much. Bike felt faster with the stock Hutchinson tires rather than the Specialized Armadillos I put on. Couldn’t put a decent set of racks and panniers on the bike – so I was disappointed with the utility of this bike. Used this bike for 1.5 months, then bought a good road bike. Fell in love with the speed and pedaling ease of a road bike – so compared with that – the F600 is a slow bike. But all mtb’s are generally slower than road bikes. What I should have bought was a Fuji Royale flat bar road bike (a hybrid ?). The Fuji Royale is fast and has rack & pannier bag capacity. I keep my F600 because it is my only good top quality mtb bike, but I don’t ride it often. Riding the F600 really gives a workout to my legs; it makes them sore after a ride whereas I don’t get sore on a road bike. This bike has a comfortable geometry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam white
a Racer
from new york, ny
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | tuckerman's | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | larry and jeff's bikes +, nyc | | Strengths: | HANDMADE IN THE U.S.A.: The frame is a thing of beauty, meticulously crafted with excellent geometry, light and extremely responsive. Avid mechanical discs are marvelous considering how much stopping power they deliver with virtually no maintenance. The lockout on the Headshok is so easy to use and effective that it literally changes the way you ride. | | Weaknesses: | Why no quick-release on the seatpost clamp? Anyone stealing this seat would be doing you a favor. More adjustability from the Headshok would be nice. Stock house-brand brake levers are cheap in both feel and function, and do no justice whatsoever to this otherwise great brake system. It's great that they clear-coat over the decals, but did thay have to hit the obnoxious "bike safety tips" sticker as well? | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche
TREK 900
GT LTS-1 | | Bike Setup: | 2004 F600, SoBe Yellow w/ WTB SST seat, Avid speed dial levers, Salsa grips and Specialized Nimbus tires. | | Bottom Line: | I live in NYC and needed a hardtail that I could put street feet on and ride to and from work, but also slap fatties on and take on weekend trips to places like Plattekill. I live in a five-story walk-up so weight was also a big issue; I didn't want to end up hating my bike. I originally looked at the Cannondale Bad Boys, but then realized that an F600 gets you virtually the same bike (mech discs too, but I wanted them anyway) for about 400 bucks less. Sure, flat black is cool, but the SoBe yellow will hopefully provide better visibility to crazy NYC cabbies.
Performance-wise, this bike shreds like a roto-tiller on crack. With the Nimbus tires and the front end locked out it becomes a sick fast and stable city bike, and when I throw on Velociraptors it can go anywhere. A lot of what I've read in these reviews is dead-on: the bike climbs marvelously (especially when locked out), the brakes are great (once they break in) and the seat is just out to cause you pain.
There is NO BETTER aluminum hardtail at this price and believe me, I TESTED THEM ALL. Buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chaser
a Cross Country Rider
from North Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Dalby Forest/Coverdale Head Killer Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong and lightweight handmade frame, Headshok fork with lockout, Avid discs | | Weaknesses: | Tyres have high rolling resistance and get choked on mud; get them changed! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Klein Attitude, Trek etc. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for X-Lite carbon riser bars, Continental Explorer and Escape Tyres (F & R), WTB Laser V Stealth saddle | | Bottom Line: | Quick, responsive and agile with excellent power transfer, the F600 climbs like a cat and descends really well. Handling is predictable with the Headshok fork allowing the rider to concentrate on picking lines, and the Avid brakes provide massive stopping power. Great bike for regular cross country riders and weekend warriors. Bike looks great in black or Nimbus Grey (European colour variant). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pole
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Light, extremely good climber, high quality feeling, the geometry combined with the headshock fork works nice on technically single tracks, nice components | | Weaknesses: | Avid mechanical disc-breaks needs adjustment all the time, Shimano pedals works better than Coda. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Merida, Scott E-racing | | Bike Setup: | Changed to hydraulic disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | The geometry of the bike is excellent for singletrack riding. I love the bike. It didn´t take long time before I became one with the bike. I must say that I leave my friends behind now! You can feel the quality when riding the bike. With some component upgrades you really got a astonashing bike for a decent price. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod Garrison
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Very good entry level bike. With upgrades, bike is even better. I like the headshock. Smooth ride and very light with some component changes. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur, wheels, crank and BB, pedals | | Bike Setup: | I have added several worthwhile upgrades. They include: Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 tires, Cane Creek Thud-Buster seat post, Selle Itallia Prolink saddle, Race Face Prodigy crank w/BB, Shimano XTR front derailleur. | | Bottom Line: | I like this bike. The changes I made were for my personal preferences. The Cane Creek seat post would seem like an odd upgrade, however, it has improved my downhill speed on rocky terrain. I plan on upgrading the stem to a Kore Elite with a 12D rise for better performance. I would recommend the bike and make changes as needed. Good Bike, would buy it again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Headshox "on the fly" lockout, Components package, CAAD4 Frame & colour Tangelo/Mango. | | Weaknesses: | Saddle - replaced with San Marco Regal | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC2 Disc | | Bike Setup: | Replaced Avid brakes with Magura louise hydraulic disc brakes. Carbon Fibre stumpy Bar Ends. XT Front Derailleur. Maxm MX-1 Handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | Good quality bike, like the lock out for climbing (jury still out on the Headshox forks as a package). Good quality mid range XC hardtail. I am going to build some new wheels over the summer for XC, used the old ones with slicks for road riding. Cannondale quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Racer
from Springdale, AR USA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Highroller Cyclery | | Strengths: | Headshok, Avid Discs, color, and of course its a Cannondale! | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, seat, seatpost, rims. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, Trek 6700 | | Bike Setup: | Put on Shimano 959 pedals, Titec carbon seatpost, Mavic Crossmax wheelset, LX front derailer, and an Easton EA70 flatbar (carbon fiber soon)
| | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome hardtail, the price was just right. With a few upgrades you are able to turn this badboy into one of the sweetest race bikes out there. If you are looking for a bike to upgrade and last get the F600, you will not be let down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatman
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney,Australia
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Hill, Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | SIC Bikes,St Ives | | Strengths: | Caad4 frame,(I've snapped Caad5),Headshok is very stiff and smooth, geometry is good for XC.Saddle is comfortable,reasonably light.Avid brakes are pretty good.Cannondale lifetime warranty.Black looks sweet. | | Weaknesses: | Bars,tyres,crankset,pedals,no rebound dampening.Satin black paint difficult to clean. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar(Best hardtails ever!),Cannondale F2000,Norco Nitro, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for egg beaters,Python tyres and Easton riser bars. | | Bottom Line: | Good every day bike,I use mine as a commuter and play bike. Not good for drops or jumping. Could be raced if you wanted to,still a little heavy.In the end you get what you pay for.This is a great bike for people looking to get a serious hardtail without spending huge dollars.There are certainly more capable bikes out there but this bike is heaps of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Burke, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$934.00 | | Strengths: | Great handling, avid disc brakes (not hydraulic - no need to carry a bleed kit and fluid), Head Shock locks out, Air pressure in head-shock is adjustable with an air-pump, flat black paint (killer looks), Cannondale build quality, Made in the USA. | | Weaknesses: | The stock saddle is horrible. I replaced the saddle at my LBS with a Specialized Telluride. Not the greatest peddles. I will most likely replace them with "egg beaters" in the near future.
Not really a weakness but...I wish bike companies would start putting bar ends on upper level MTB's at the factory. | | Bike Setup: | Stock - except for saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This is the first "real" MTB I have purchased. Took it out this weekend on one of the local trails. Plenty of mud puddles after the rain we have had. The F600 handled like a dream even with someone as rusty as me piloting. I had a few minor falls on wet rocks and/or logs (no dings or scratches on the new paint, thank God). The peddles are not the easiest to clip into (they may get easier with use).
The F600 upgrades from the F400 with disc brakes and CAAD4 frame design but you don't pay the extra ~$400 for the lefty fork on the F800.
I purchased this bike for 15% off at my LBS. They are making room for the 2004 models. It was the last one in my area with the correct frame size.
I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a hard tail at this price point. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AJ RYAN
a Weekend Warrior
from EAST HANOVER NJ
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | GREAT BIKE LOOKS GREAT RIDES GREAT FLAT BLK. CANNONDALE MADE IN USA | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Bottom Line: | ONE OF THE SHARPEST BIKES OUT THERE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Berwyn,IL
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Dan's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Good looks, strong frame, great brakes, geometery works for me and rides smooth as glass! | | Weaknesses: | I could use more travel from the headshock, but thats nit-picking. Almost too nice to be thrashing around in the woods, almost! | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first REAL mountain bike, always had cheap disposable bikes before. Never lasted more than a season or two without turning them into trash. The F600 has a superior feel compared to what I am used to. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the tires. I went with Continentals, I forget the model. Riser bar is going to go on there soon also. I hate flat bars! | | Bottom Line: | Took the plunge and spent more than I originally planned on. I don't regret it at all, best money I have spent in a long time. Bike is agile and precise, confortable and climbs awesome. Looks better than any bike I have ever seen, get the matte black! If you think it is too expensive for you just check out the welds and craftsmanship, worth every penny! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a
from ct
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | light, really light. decent component package for the price. | | Weaknesses: | headshok sucks. It bottoms out like mad, and cant take any abuse. paint blows, scratcs real easy. coda pedals are horrible, i upgraded to shimano m 858's, i would reccomend this. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock except pedals | | Bottom Line: | this is a decent xc bike for the buck. it cannot take much abuse, and dont even try to go big with it. the 1.5in head tube can be a pain if your looking to exchange your forks, you can get spacers for around $60.00. if you like to trail ride on the weekends this bike is for you. if you want to take it on some light urban or woods freeriding, dont even consider this bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Didier
a Weekend Warrior
from Westchester County NY
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Saxon woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1050.00 | | Purchased At: | Danny's cycle | | Strengths: | Avid disk brakes are great, lock up front shock.
The bike seems very solid | | Weaknesses: | Srock tires seem cheap and seriously lack grip in wet muddy terrain. | | Similar Products Used: | looked at Giant, Trek and Gary Fisher
the F600 will give you the most bang for the bucks | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, easy to ride, light and very fast.
Climbs great compared to my old Trek, and the Avid disk brakes are extremely powerful. This is the perfect hardtail for the single track rider who wants performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gert Lindner
a Cross Country Rider
from Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Thuringia mountains near by Stadtroda | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 1750.00 | | Strengths: | Frame geometry, colour, agility at the power transmission | | Weaknesses: | I have none trust into mechanical disc brakes (Avid) | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first bicycle in this category. | | Bike Setup: | I changed to the following components: Hydraulic disc brakes "Magura Clara", complete Shimano XT-Set | | Bottom Line: | It is a black street winner looking very beautiful.
I am thus faster than with a racing bike in the Berlin municipal area. One can already dare some little downhill ways and driving down stairs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pierre
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | RE-MY SPORT | | Strengths: | Great looks. Quality craftsmanship. Love the headshok. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike a few weeks ago and must say that it just rocks. Rides like a dream. I have ridden other bikes in this
range and they just don't compare. You can't go wrong with the F600. Get it in the mat black. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Doyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ont, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso or Erindale Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Re-My Sports | | Strengths: | Avid Disc Brakes(Mech), Pedals, CAAD4 Frame, Lightweight, Great Looking(Flat Black), Front shock, | | Weaknesses: | None at all and I can't see there every being any. | | Similar Products Used: | First in like 12 years. | | Bike Setup: | Stock but I added a CATSEYE Computer | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a hardtail and your budget is anywhere near the cost of this bike buy it right away. I am extremely happy with my purchase. You can't go wrong with CANNONDALE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Plus | | Strengths: | I work at a bike shop so I have tested and ridden alot of the 2003 models and so far out of all the hardtails. I liked the F600 the most , I prefere the Fatty fork to a lefty so this is exactly what I wanted, this thing climbs like a cat. Ive had it for about 3 weeks and have been out riding numerous times. This thing rocks. Ive tried all the equal level trek models as well as some Energy but none compared in my opinion it has a smoother ride and i love the lock out ability, just pop it on on hills and i leave people in the dust. It could be lighter and thats my only complaint but i havnt upgraded it at all so there is room for improvement on my part. This bike is recommended for id say cross country riders who want a hard tail . Cannondale rules | | Weaknesses: | the shock is a little on the soft side and weighs a little too much for me , but upgrades can fix that. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 6700 disk, F400, Trek 4900 disk, trek Zr 9000, Energy Intruder 8.2 | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks , the avid discs rule and kick the crap out of hydraulic, Id recommend this bike to any one wanting a descent hard tail , and remember why go for a top of the line to start with , then where the hell is the fun if you cant upgrade. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cannon Chen
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Dukes on Queen | | Strengths: | Looks solid, feels solid, rides solid. Disc brakes are great. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Previous bike was a '97 Zaskar frame, with lots of different components.
Test rode f400, f800. Looked at a few Kona's and Specialized | | Bike Setup: | stock...no need to upgrade (yet) | | Bottom Line: | Great bang for the buck! Rides great. No complaints. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
patrick
a
from hubbard
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | BlackWater Falls, WV | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Frankfort Bike Girard, OH | | Strengths: | Purchased for winter and commuter bike mostly a roadie now but have enjoyed the single trac on this; disc's are the best. Cannondale has nice geometry and nice paint, component selection. | | Weaknesses: | Front fork disc weld is crude and the fork tops out but has good dampening. No rack mounts | | Similar Products Used: | used a Gary Fisher SuperCaliber vintage 91 with many rebuilds, finally got cheaper to replace, owned a Trek 970 or something like that back in 85 both nice bikes compared to the piece of crap schwinns and others I've used over the years | | Bike Setup: | Michelin tires modified Blackburn Mtn rack, Selle Italia trans-am pro-link gel.... | | Bottom Line: | I'd like to be a Ludite and rant about the planned obselence of my Gary Fisher, couldn't get bottom bracket parts but I like disc brake technology and am happy with the Cannondale, and made in America is a good thing... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan
a
from Hoboken, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Palisades Interstate Parkway | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | Cosmic Wheel | | Strengths: | Frame geometry, brakes, colour, gearing | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Bike Setup: | stock (so far)
| | Bottom Line: | The winter we've had on the US East Coast has been SO crappy that after buying my F600 almost a month ago, I had yet to ride it...until yesterday.
One word- "wow". After 6 years on a Trek ZX6500, I had no idea there could be such a difference in hardtails... the disc brakes are authoritative without being overly sticky, the lockout feature is a dream when trying to gain speed, the gears change with a smoothness I only dreamed about in the past. But, to me, the best feature of this bike is the combination of Headshok suspension and FRAME GEOMETRY. I have never felt so instantly comfortable on a bike right off the bat. The bike is as stable in the air as it is on pavement.
Granted, I've only ridden it once, but they say first impressions mean everything and if that's the case, this bike and I will have a long and fruitful relationship.
And the flat black colour KICKS! The bike is definately an eye-catcher.
The cost is a bit prohibitive for the normal schmoe but I saved my pennies and now have what I consider to be the "Porsche" of hardtails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Phils | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$990.00 | | Purchased At: | RiverCity | | Strengths: | Lightweight, great handling, & a good climber. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000 & Fisher Hoo Koo | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the money. Though I have only ridden the bike for about 7 hours, it is a sweet ride. The bike handles well in the single track and on fast fire roads. If this is your price range give one a test ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kannondale
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in the Boise Foothills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1150.00 | | Purchased At: | George's | | Strengths: | CAAD4 frame--very durable I think the rear fork looks better than the redesigned CAAD5. HeadShok front shock is smooth and does a nice job at dampening small bumps--the lock out is fun and quickly reminds you of the old days... Avid disc brakes are wonderful--feel and look like I'm on a dirt bike (non-hydraulic version). The rims/tires are still easy to remove even with the brake pad. Rapid shifting is smooth and effortless using the Shimano Deore. Look is too cool--love the American flag on the top bar and "Handmade in USA" lettering (matte/flat black is awesome--everthing on my bike is flat black with bright, white lettering). I noticed that flat black colored Cannondales usually bid up a premium on eBay (possibly due to the look). | | Weaknesses: | Maybe the weight of the Hutchinson Scorpion Airlight tires--the tubes add a lot of weight--tubeless would be much lighter. May upgrade later on. I did weigh the entire stock bike--something like 27-28 lbs on my old scale. Not bad, I think with further upgrades one could shed a few pounds. But I'm content with the weight--it's still lightweight. | | Similar Products Used: | All other bikes by other manufacturers look too much alike IMO (so many use the same two, front shock absorber design--boring and Walmart-looking). Guess I'm a die-hard Cannondale fan as well. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Cannondale has done it right again with the 2003 F600. I did look at other bike brands, but nothing compares to Cannondale. You may pay a little more for a Cannondale, but you get a top-end bike. They are the most innovative bike company around IMO. My last bike was a 1991 Cannondale SM700--still a great bike and I'm back again.
I must admit I looked all over the Internet, but I quickly discovered that Cannondale does not allow its authorized dealers to sell mail-order (as well as some of the other manufacturers). This will pretty-much force you to go with a local bike dealer as the dealers won't ship. But very satisfied with my dealer though--they've got some great shops around Boise. Still, check eBay or the MTB classifieds (this site) for occasional deals. Happy riding:) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Cook
a
from uk
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | forest of dean | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | red kite cycles | | Strengths: | super light very stiff fitted with Ti lefty | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | always had hard tails | | Bike Setup: | Ti lefty, Sram xo, carbon riser, post, middleburn, hope, and hayes disc | | Bottom Line: | The best bike i have ever ridden, the fork is stiction free and a dream to ride, chose the cad4 cause wanted some thing a little harder wearing than the 5 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david hill
a Weekend Warrior
from madison, wisconsin
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine, Wi | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1140.00 | | Purchased At: | Erics Bikes | | Strengths: | Light, shifting, suspension, frame and the flat black is sweet. | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | Haro, trek, | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | First mountain bike in a long while. Mainly a roady - but got this for offroad fun. Ive been using it for my 10 mile commute in snow....cuts right through it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JIM GRIFFIN
a
from GEORGIA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | light, fast, and fun. good deal for the money. | | Weaknesses: | i haven't had the bike long, but so far everything has been great. we would all like to have top of the line components, but i'll need to hit the lottery first. | | Similar Products Used: | trek | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I am having fun and the bike seems really solid. the frame is top notch with a nice flat black paint job. go test ride if you're in the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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