Submitted by
Sonny
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2010
Strengths: Sturdy, smooth
Bottom Line:
In 2001, we toured around Australia with the bike fully loaded (60kgs), including parts of Cape York Peninsula where the hills were 45 degrees with rocks, sand, bull dust and craters that would swallow the entire bike. After 5 months with all the twisting and jolts, the bike had no damage, not even a broken spoke. It only needed a hose down at the end of the ride.
No thanks to the "expert" at the Glebe bike shop who tried to scare me with stories of Cannondale frames cracking under stress.
Submitted by
Rocket66
a Weekend Warrior
from Barrie, On Canada
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2010
Strengths: Climbs like a mountain goat
Grip shift is awesome smooth
Bike loves any & all trails, mountains,switch backs, Handles like its on rails.
Weaknesses: still looking after 10yrs.
Bottom Line:
Its a kick ass mountain Bike that will take you there and bring you back. Leaves you wishing your next ride was now. When Chuck Norris goes mountain biking its on a Cannondale f700..
Similar Products Used: Silly question...Not sure I understand..Nothing compares
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Submitted by
cannondale
a Cross Country Rider
from North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2010
Strengths: Great Frame, light bike and all around good parts
Weaknesses: Headshox only has 80 mm, I could use more for my type of riding other than that the fork is excellent.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, would strongly recommend. Its light and gives lots of power to your back wheel. I was very skeptical on the Headshok and was considering replacing it until I did some research and found out what makes it so good. My only wish is more travel on it but I can live with it for the weight savings and true tracking. Its my daily commuter to work through 16kms of trail a day and doesn't skip a beat. Very great bike very well built frame.
Bike Setup: I switched to a cheap riser bar, selle san marco saddle, and some dmr v8 pedals. Also got some Michelin xc dry tires. The front brake was also changed to a Climb 8. My bike model is the 2002 version (White to dark blue paint)
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Submitted by
shamrock
a Weekend Warrior
from flint, mi
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2010
Strengths: Smooth ride, comfortable seating
Weaknesses: Gears not productive for downhill distance
Submitted by
youdothemaths
a Cross Country Rider
from uk
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2010
Strengths: Looks fantastic.
climbs like a bloody mountain goat.
it has NEVER let me down.
I've had mine 10 years - raced it (XC), thrashed it, had fun on it and commuted on it - it still looks absolutely amazing (in matt black).
The only bike i've fallen in love with the first time i rode it. Consequently i would not even consider anything else.
Weaknesses: none for me, but i will admit that the front fork does lack options.
Similar Products Used: specialized and univega - neither of them compare.
Bike Setup: standard wheels, standard stem with x lite riser bars, single ring (32T) at the front with rock ring, 9 at the back - all on xtr, hope c2 discs. My downhill roots mean that i don't like 3 rings at the front. I can compete with most bikes with this setup.
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Submitted by
IndyGibby
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2008
Strengths: Looks Awesome,Rides Awesome, love the low clearance of the Delta V, Head Shock with lock out is nice feature, solid ride on or off trail
Weaknesses: I've had this bike for 14 yrs.....if it had any, i would have got rid of it by now!
Bottom Line:
I dread the day I will need to replace this bike...I ride more for fun and fitness now days, but for about the first 6 or 7 yrs I had this bike, it saw plenty of actual mountain trail riding. I've dropped / jumped this thing off of rocks and cliffs through mud, sand, and water and everything else nature has to offer. This bike has always turned heads to. I also have the funky purple that looks black from the top...very cool paint scheme. i've accented it with bright yellow racing seat, handlebar grips, and break pads which I thought really set the purple off. I just can't say enough about this bike. I also used it as a commuter bike when I lived in FL (despite the fact I have a road bike to). I've seen a lot of buddies toast more expensive frames than this in the hills of VA & WV...this bike is a tank in my opinion, and a great pleasure to ride. Even after 14 yrs I catch myself staring at it saying to myself "That is a bad A$$ looking bike"!
Similar Products Used: GT, Gary Fisher, Trek, Other Cannondales
Bike Setup: Been through a several rear wheels, gears, seats, etc, but still has original crank arms and handle bar...which is impressive considering how much hard core trail riding this bike has seen back in the day in VA and WV...not to mention the hellacious Urban Assult rides! Still love the Panaracer Smoke tires for off road use
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Submitted by
Scott Younker
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2006
Strengths: Lightweight, lightweight, lightweight, low maintenance frame/fork results in an amazing climbing machine! Lockout is invaluable during sprints and climbs. Headshock tracks true.
Weaknesses: Stiffness
Bottom Line:
Durable racing machine ideally suited for moderately technical terrain. Not rock gardens and 6' drops.
Bike Setup: After 10 years everything except the stem and shifters has worn out and been upgraded. Stock seat post kept bending until upgrading to Raceface's XY model.
Strengths: Very light weight, yet strong and solid!
Weaknesses: Coda Crank and bottom bracket
Bottom Line:
I bought my F700 in '92. I paid around $1200 for it and sprang for the better headshock at time, which was the 3 mode adjustable. I have never lost my lust for this bike - Even the color has held my attraction toward it, which is a Deep Purple/Black. When you look at the bike from the side it is deep purple, and when you look at it from the top it turns pitch black - Too Cool! This is one bike you can just keep upgrading until the frame falls apart. I don't think I'll ever part with this bike, unless somebody steals it from me - But let 'em try - They'll have to get past the ol' Smith & Wesson first. Anyway - It's 5+ peppers in my book!
Bike Setup: Mostly stock. Replaced Coda crank with Shimano Crank and Syrcos Titanium seat post, and a Dual 32Watt Niterider System.
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Submitted by
rick
a Weekend Warrior
from sarasota, fl. u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002
Strengths: smoke cherry color, cannondale name (heh heh) light and fine
Weaknesses: i've had this beast for 11 years now and when i find one i'll let you know
Bottom Line:
i've used this bike to get to work 2 or 3 times a week most of the time i've had it and taken it to the trails 6 to 20 times a year for some all day bouncing around in the woods and it still looks basically new except for a ding in the frame where i shut my hatch lid on it like a moron. I'm probably not a typical user of a mtb bike since it's mostly alternate transpo to work and back, but it rides SO FINE, baby, and it's old and stock. I'm dreading the descision of what to replace it with when it finally falls to bits, 'cause I love it so. If it outlives me I might have to change my mind on creamation so I can be buried with it.
Similar Products Used: some weird taiwanese steel bike called a shogun and assorted flea market junk
Bike Setup: bone stock from 1992 except fatty upgrade, also from '92
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Submitted by
The Locust
a Weekend Warrior
from Rosamond, CA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2002
Strengths: - Great handling - Incredibly lightweight frame - Headshok lockout - Beautiful fit and finish
Weaknesses: - Grip shifters, which only worked well for a few hours - No owner Headshok maintenance - Frame cracked. See below
Bottom Line:
After about 2,000 miles my F700 frame cracked about 2" behind the bottom bracked, on the sprocket side. Otherwise, the bike held up extremely well. Given the frame's incredible light weight, I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did.
Cannondale basically swapped out my F700 for a 2002 F500, partly because of the like-new condition of my F700.
I'm told Cannondale is the only manufacturer left offering a lifetime warranty on aluminum frames. You get what you pay for.
I'll miss my F700, but the F500 is more than a suitable replacement.
This site is awash with people complaining about manufacturers and dealers. I have nothing but praise for Cannondale and REI (handled the warranty).
Bike Setup: Straight pedals, with no toe clips Replaced the chain and sprockets at about the 1,500 mile point
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Submitted by
Seth Goodling
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston MA USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Strengths: Light/stiff/good looks
Weaknesses: Rode it for a year with none!
Bottom Line:
This bike will perform, I bought it online, and did a lot of research, but have grown to love this bike, the headshock is enough for me and the frame is perfect, I am 5'11" I bought the large and flipped the stem and it is a great fit! Race ready and solid. I will always buy Cannondale from now on. these bikes can be picked up for not a lot of money if you do the research and will be woth it. I love this bike!
Bike Setup: XTR all around, avids, onza bar ends, 858's
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Submitted by
alon ben-tzvi
a Cross Country Rider
from israel
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Strengths: light weight, good suspension, climbes like the devel
Weaknesses: none so far, but they are a bit pricy
Bottom Line:
great bike, great climbers and a very durable frame I would recomend this bike to anyone who's cross-countrying and likes to climbe mountains(like I do).
This bike is wonderful. After plopping down a whoping $120 for this bike used from a foaf, I feal like I stole it from him. Granted, it was 3 years old (I think, not sure on the year, can someone email me if they know the year please?)when I bought it, but I've been upgrading the components and the frame is all around solid. I don't think I'll need a new bike for a long long time, just keep fixing this one up. I just replaced the coda canti's with Avid arch 50 side-pull's, wow! It just keeps getting better! It handles and looks better than some of my buddies new 99's they are shelling out $600+ for specialized crap. Also, it's so damn light...I tear through the rolling single tracks and leave them in the dust. Downhill does leave something to be desired, but hey, it's a hard tail and I'd rather do rolling single track than downhill anyways so it's perfect for me. Value is 5 chili's only cuz I got it for $120 Overall a killer ride-5 chili's
Bike Setup: C-dale F700 CADD3, DD50, Green/Purple fade, year???
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Submitted by
Daron
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000
Strengths: Lightness, ruggedness.
Weaknesses: Pretty pricey if you buy new. STX-rc front derailer is worthless. the rest of the components are passable, but require frequent adjustments.
Bottom Line:
I like to ride fast for about twenty miles on extreme trails. I'm a pro-desert motorcycle racer and use the c'dale for training. I pound hard, but rarely ride for more than an hour or two at a time. I wouldn't recommend the bike for someone who likes epic trail rides - go with a bike that isn't quite as lively, and has a more upright riding position if you ride for more than a couple hours at a time.
Awesome bike. Climbs amazingly well. Light and lively feel on the trail, but tracks straight with little input. (Value rating depends on how much you can pick one up for - mine was a steal)
