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Submitted by
Richard Capone
a Weekend Warrior
from Kensington, CA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bike in Berkeley | | Strengths: | Very smooth ride. Responsive handling. Love the ability to turn off the front or rear shocks when climbing on the road. | | Weaknesses: | During muddy rides, shifting slips. For the cost would have expected better shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Old mt. bike for 15 years was a Bridgestone MB-3. Solid bike no shocks. Worked perfectly rain, mud, or shine. Tried Santa Cruz, Giant. Decided on Jekyll. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Highly recommend it. Would suggest upgrading the LX rear derailleur if you like mud riding. Not sure if it would help but I suppose it couldn't hurt. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rebel
a Downhiller
from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | I don't ride bikes, I just look at them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cannondale | | Strengths: | Burly frame, good geometry, nice BB height. | | Weaknesses: | No v-brake mounts. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky Five, Santa Cruz Bullit. | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Jekyll 1000 medium frame, '01 Marzocchi Z.4, Mavic XM 321's on Cannondale Fire hubs, Truvativ Hussefelt double crank with Blackspire Dewlie chainguide, WTB Laser V saddle, Avid BBDB mechanical disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I set up my Jekyll for all-mountain use, with an emphasis on freeride, hence the two ring guide and Marzocchi fork. That being said, it lives up to it's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" name by performing as both an XC bike and a DH bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Brackston
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | cwm cas | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great bike. | | Weaknesses: | Has anyone's rear shock had the anodised coating wear off the exposed piston? I am on my second shock, the first wore through in 6 months, my LBS dealt with the problem as a warranty claim. Now six months later the anodizing is once again showing signs of wear. This only happens on the drive train side. I am starting to think there is a frame misalignment causing this uneven wear. There are also scores wearing along the length of the piston in the same area where the anodising is being worn. I would be interested to hear from anyone that has experienced this problem and if they know of a cause and solution. I keep the shock clean and open it regularly for regreasing. Also those darn bushes keep wearing. Anyone tried the BETD replacement bushes and reducers? | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V and Raven 1000 | | Bike Setup: | Hope mini discs, nice Hope rear hub, XT front drive train and bottom bracket bearing, Monkeylite carbon lo riser bars, Shimano 945 pedals, Sram Rocket twist grips. | | Bottom Line: | The bike scores very highly from a handling point of view and I can understand a shock wearing once which tends to point to the shock as the problem but twice in such a short time makes me think the frame is at fault. Feedback on similar experiences would be appreciated. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
EK
a Cross Country Rider
from Plainsboro, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Halters Cycle | | Strengths: | responsive, super plush suspension, trick looks of the lefty | | Weaknesses: | a bit weighty for the price point | | Similar Products Used: | Specilaized FSR XC Pro | | Bike Setup: | pretty much stock, but swapped out triggers for SRAM Rocket shorty | | Bottom Line: | Easily the most responsive bike I've ever ridden. Step on the cranks, it goes; push on the bars, it turns. The suspension is super plush - smooth, quiet, and sucks up everything. With the damping controls up front and in the rear, and the "attitude adjustment" you can dial this bike in to suit your own style. It takes a bit of time and work, but is totally worth it. The lockout on the Lefty is the most solid I've ever encountered. No movement whatsoever when locked out and it's real easy to reach and operate while riding. I blew the lockout out on a SID XL in a week, but this thing is incredible. I can feel the overall weight in the climbs, but that's because I'm fat and out of shape. Any time I lose there is more than made up in the flats and the downs. I'd highly recommend it and I hear the 2003's are even better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zed
a Racer
from Eagan, MN
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lebanon Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik the Bike Dink (idiots) | | Weaknesses: | Too heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Super-V, Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Fitst of all, most recent review Larry Flemming is an idiot - just ignore his jealous anti-Cannondale never rode one so doesn't know s#)$ attitude. We all know C-Dale brings on a love-hate thing - those that hate and feel the need to spew about it show their ignorance.
Aside from that, the bike is great. Just recently traded it in for the 2003 Jekyll 1000 which is even better - and I'll review that one once MTBReview.com gets in the game and opens up the 2003 reviews.
Larry - go home, and take your Huffy with you... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Flemming
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakeland,Florida
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | boyette | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | rogers bikes | | Strengths: | The way the factory seat cups my butt cheaks and shows my muscles to all of my riding partners. | | Weaknesses: | not to much,just the lefty fork,the frame geometry, The standover hieght, and the color. | | Similar Products Used: | the Trek 9000 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I dont even care how this bike performs I just the respect and the looks I get on a Cannondale. You would not believe all of the women who know how accomplished a rider you must be due tottaly to the credit of this wicked machine. Maybe with next years model they will come out with a hot pink race model. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
t bone
a Weekend Warrior
from bromont, quebec, canada
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | boomerang | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | shhhhhht! new 2003 model | | Strengths: | stiffness, plushness, versatility, lockout option, feel, confidence boosting, looks and
enjoyability.
Also, for the same price as the 2002, you get more travel, less weight, remote rear lockout and tubelless. | | Weaknesses: | it would have to be the rear remote lockout switch on the shock that prevents easy switch in bike geometry, which normally is a cool thing about the jekyll. Although the remote has it's advantage. you can always get what you want..
Tubelless...i'm not convinced : Punctured tire, tire derailling, heavy stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | treck fuel, sugar 2, schwinn s10 | | Bike Setup: | stock (2003): magura martha, easton handlebar, shimano xtr/lx, shimano crank: No CODA crap
| | Bottom Line: | with it's sincere weight for the solidity and sturdiness,
it' stiffness and great handling, this bike skyrocketed my level of riding. This has to be the most fun bike to ride.
I suggest buying pads with the bike if you come from cross-country, cause Youll probably end-up doing what I call
serious agressive free-cross-riding. You're eyes will be locking for those drops you were afraid of. The difference with those freeriding guys, is that you'll pedal your way up the top.
It's all I can think of, all day, all night. Never been been so fit in my life. My girlfrienf loves it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir Trails, La Grange WI | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | RRB Bicycle, Lake Geneva | | Strengths: | Active suspension, lockouts available (but rarely used), Lefty Fork rules - no deflection and changing front tire is a breeze, balanced suspension 4" front 4.5" rear. Hayes Disc brakes are extremely powerful, which is good since you will reaching some serious speed on this bike. Made right here in USA! | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat and seatpost had to go. I have a rear mounted rack on my car, however if you have a roof rack look into compatibility with Lefty Fork. Mounting magnet for computer was a pain, put magnet in brake rotor. Cannondale can be a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | Old bike was a hardtail, tried Giant NRS, Trek Fuel, GT I-drive (what a tank). | | Bike Setup: | Lefty fork, Hayes Disc Brakes, Shimano LX, XT, XTR
Coda wheelset - hopefully the hubs will last. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike from the wonderful folks at RRB bicycle in Lake Geneva. Besides the low price, they were very open to letting me customize my bike. One example is I didn't want the Titanium Lefty fork for strength purposes (I can handle the extra 90 grams of weight), so they dropped the price accordingly.
This is my first full suspension bike. I didn't like how longer CC rides beat me up the next day, so I decided FS was the way to go. I looked at Giant NRS and Trek Fuel, but their suspension didn't seem as active and the multiple pivots may cause problems in the future. The Jeykll has a much more active suspension and has a lockout for long climbs, but I rarely use it. The bike actually climbs better with the suspension active, even if your out of the seat. If the shock is set right you barely notice the pedal induced bobing. Lets face it, if your a hard core CC racer use a hardtail. I don't see the point of FS if you only get 2-3" of travel. If your a cross country rider who does the occasional race and wants to ride day after day on punishing trails, look no further.
I'm 6, 175 lbs after several hundred miles of hard core CC and some downhill on this bike and have had no major problems so far. I'll post another review in a year when I have more miles on the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick Burns
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, Calif
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | I don't know the name | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Plus | | Strengths: | My first full suspension bike. My first bike with disc brakes. I enjoy riding the bike when it works. The disc brakes are great. The lefty shock is cool. The lock out is very easy to use. Having a front shock that can lock is GREAT for the on road/off road riding I do. | | Weaknesses: | the "suspension" on this bike is VERY unreliable. Since that is what I bought the bike for, I'm VERY disappointed. The rear shock constantly leaks. The shop works on the shock, it works good for a month and then starts leaking again. When it leaks, I can't even use it for a single ride without the air coming out. I've asked and asked and asked for a new shock and neither Bike's plus, Fox or Cannondale will do anything about it. A total flipping joke. Why doesn't someone just replace the shock? I'll never buy a Cannondale again, I'll never buy from Bike's plus again. I'm buying my wife a Santa Cruz Juliana. In addition, the lefty front shock has "malfunctioned" 3 times. First two times it locked up and had to go to the shop, the third time it completely deflated in the middle of a ride. No fun riding this bike with a deflated front shock. This is supposedly "unusual", but still a bummer for me. | | Similar Products Used: | My "good old bike" is a Specialized Stump Jumper.....it is cool....never any problems with it with 1000s of miles on it. | | Bike Setup: | XTR stuff.. | | Bottom Line: | I like a full suspension bike with locking shocks (front and back) and disc brakes.
When I buy my next bike, I doubt I will buy a cannondale. They don't even answer their e-mail....ugh! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakeland, Florida
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | T.O.E. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Hayes disc brakes provide excellent control. Jekyll frame, Lefty fork soaks up everything. Awesome looks and excellent components. Great color and smooth ride. Just feels great to ride the jekyll 1000. And of course it is a Cannondale!! | | Weaknesses: | LX components, cheap pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale SuperV 500 | | Bike Setup: | Standard from the factory with the exception of Time ATAC pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever ridden. Would reccomend it to anyonewho wants the best bike for thier money. This bike can handle almost anything. The suspension is excellent and soaks up everything. The Hayes brakes provide awesome stopping power and control on downhills. The Lefty fork is by far the best design on the market. I found the bike is very responsive and looks great. I have ridden my bike for six months and have had no problems with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KEENEKONG
a Weekend Warrior
from LAKELAND, FLORIDA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | CARTER ROAD PARK | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | BENT'S SCHWINN | | Strengths: | OVERALL QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL.THE BIKE HANDLES VERY WELL, SUSPENSION SOAKS UP EVERYTHING YOU CAN THROW AT IT. THE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE SUSPENSION MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE,AND CAN TURN THIS BIKE FROM A DR. JEKYLL INTO A MISTER HYDE,(PUN INTENDED!) SO USE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME TO DIAL IT IN. | | Weaknesses: | FRAME STRENGTH. I HAVE BROKEN A SWINGARM, FOLLOWED BY A FRAME A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER. ALSO, THE LEFTY FORK STICKS AT THE TOP OF ITS TRAVEL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER THE BIKE HAS BEEN SITTING OVER NIGHT, AND IS NEVER NOTICEABLE AFTER YOU BREAK IT LOOSE THE FIRST TIME YOU GET ON TO RIDE. | | Similar Products Used: | CANNONDALE SUPER V 500. SPECIALIZED ENDURO PRO | | Bike Setup: | XTR SHIFTERS, XTR REAR DER., HAYES HYD. DISC, PANARACER FIRE XC FRONT & REAR, TALLEST STEM, UNCLE JESSE RISER BARS, SHIMANO 959 PEDALS, SHIMANO FLIGHT DECK. | | Bottom Line: | I WEIGH 230 LBS, SO THE FRAME BREAKAGE IS DUE IN PART TO MY SIZE, BUT I WOULD SAY THIS IS A SWEET BIKE FOR ANYONE UNDER 200 LBS. I RIDE VARIOUS TERRAIN IN FLORIDA, AS WELL AS GOING TO NORTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA. (PISGAH, TSALI, FONTANA VILLAGE, FLAT CREEK, BULL MNT.)THE DOWNHILLS ARE A BLAST, AND THE UPHILLS, WELL THEY'RE JUST PART OF IT, BUT THE JEKYLL HAS PERFORMED GREAT ANYWHERE WE GO TOGETHER! I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE HAYES HYDRAULIC BRAKES. THEY JUST KEEP ON WORKING, NO MATTER WHAT THE CONDITIONS. IN ALL FAIRNESS, ANY PROBLEMS I'VE HAD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT QUESTION BY STEVE BENT. BENT'S HAS BEEN GREAT TO DEAL WITH, AND ANYTHING THEY COULDN'T DO, THE CANNONDALE FACTORY TOOK CARE OF IN SHORT ORDER. I GIVE THIS BIKE A SOLID FIVE, BUT WOULD WARN HEAVIER RIDERS TO LOOK AT SOMETHING HEAVIER DUTY. I AM WAITING FOR THE CANNONDALE GEMENI WITH THE 5" TRAVEL LEFTY TO ARRIVE, AND FEEL THAT THE EXTRA POUNDS WILL BE WORTH IT IF THE DURABILITY IS THERE.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Newnan, GA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Windridge ATB Park, Newnan, GA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Lake Bicycles, Ann Arbor, MI | | Strengths: | Cannondale Frame and warranty. Lefty Fork. Hayes Disk Brakes. Adjustable Geometry and Comfortable ride. Did I mention that awesome Lefty fork? | | Weaknesses: | LX Cassette, Crank and shifters. Expensive price considering the mixed component set. Lefty specific front hub makes new front wheels (thinking of going tubeless) an expensive option. | | Similar Products Used: | I owned a Cannondale F600 prior to this and test road the Fuel 98 and Giant XTC when looking at purchasing a suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | Syntace VRO stem and handlebars (I like the adjustability), RideOn Shifter cables, XT Cassette, M959 Pedals, Hutchison Mosquito Gold front tire, Alligator Gold rear. | | Bottom Line: | I enjoy every minute I am on this bike. The has held up well for me (a 225 pound rider). I find myself taking the downhill trails faster than before with this bike. Thankfully the Hayes Disks can slow me down when needed! The lefty fork works great and gathers a lot of second looks when first seen!
Went I went to get a longer stem, I noticed a VRO set for a Jekyll 3000 for half price. It was removed because the purchaser did not want the additional weight. The stem/bar combo has been fantastic for me.
I have replaced the shifter cables with RideOn Goretex to see if it makes a difference over standard teflon coated cables. I recently changed the LX Cassette for an XT model and swapped the 515s for a set of 959s.
I just added the Hutchison tires this weekend and found they performed better than the stock Continental Explorers when riding over slick roots and damp limestone on the trail.
I think the bike is excellent, It may be a little on the heavy side and there may be some bob when climbing that reduces effeciency...however me losing 25 pounds would remove more weight and give me better efficiency on the hills than anything that can be changed on the bike!
I give the bike 5 Flamin' Chilis for the overall rating,but only 4 for value. Cannondale calls it "System Integration", I call it charging too much money for the parts they add. For the $2700 list price, this bike should have XT Level components across the board, and XTR where they may add value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sulphur Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike city | | Strengths: | Sweet handling, corners like a rocket, climbs really well, plush ride, love them disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy for cross country riding | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Eldridge Grade (my original bike), Proflex 856 (last bike), test rode Kona Mokamoka (frame was too long), Marin Wolf Ridge (heavy, heavy, heavy) & Mount Vision (good spec, light, geometry felt kind of weird) and Stumpjumper FSR Pro (good spec, very light, tight, dreamy handling, couldn't keep the front wheel down climbing and kept hitting the pedals on the ground), Jekyll 800 (but only because the bike shops didn't have 1000s in the frame sizes I wanted to try - its kind of heavy). | | Bike Setup: | Stock Jekyll 1000 with Monkey Bar E70 (which came from Cannondale, along with a Richey seat post which was too short for me), upgrade to Race Face chain rings, Race Face XYO seat post and XT shifters, Mitsibushi Superheat front tire, stock Continental in the back, set up for steep geometry | | Bottom Line: | I test rode a bunch of bikes back to back with the Jekylls. First impression, whoa, what a sweet ride. Thought of buying the Stumpjumper because of the sweet handling in the tight single track, but hopped on a Jekyll right after and couldn't believe how smooth the suspension travel was, how it was almost as tight in the single track (which I fixed by buying a medium frame instead of a large) and how the Jekyll climbed while I couldn't keep the Stumpjumper's front wheel on the ground. So I ordered a Jekyll 1000, picked it up Friday night and got out for my first real ride last night.
We rode Sulphur Springs, just west of Calgary. Its about 15 km long, it feels like the parking lot rises 1000 ft from the time you leave to the time you get back, with knarly climbs and fast, pine needle covered single track descents. This is my test loop - both for bikes and for my own fitness level.
The Jekyll handled the climbs with ease - nice to have a few extra gears for the climbs, the Continental back tire stayed glued to the trail, could do most of the climbing in the saddle, with only the steepest sections requiring me to scoot forward onto the nose of the saddle to keep the front tire on the trail. The monkey bar (at 27" long) did make the front end a little twitchy, but I'm going to leave as is for now until I get some miles in (still, it might have a date with a pipe cutter coming up). Overall, climbing was pretty much intuitive straight out of the box - it took me years to get this comfortable with my Proflex in the climbs.
In the downhills, this bike is a dream, even set up for steep geometry quick handling. The Hayes discs have phenomal power (need more power, just add a finger to the lever and pull harder). Supsension travel was super plush - for the first section of downhill, I forgot to flip the rear lockout lever back to active and still found the bike soaked up the bumps like nothing I've seen. Found myself having to grab way more brake than I expected in the corners because the bike was soaking up the trail so well, I had no idea what my speed was until I started washing through the corners. When I had my speed right, I could snap roll the bike at speed in the corners through the trees and rocks - the bike would go exactly where I pointed it the instant I pointed it. This is my first ride using a Superheat on the front - I found it washed a little bit in the loose corners, but I wasn't sure if that was because of the tire or because I was just trying to carry too much speed. I think the Superheat might just be the replacement I've been looking for since I can't seem to find the kevlar hardcore darts anymore (which is the standard I measure front tires against).
As for suspension set-up, its going to take a little bit of playing and riding to get to the point where I like it. I figure that it'll be a trade off between low speed plush/bobbing versus low speed stiff/not so much bobbing. It is nice to have the rear lock-out for the longer climbs, just have to remember to flip the lever before I start to climb and flip it again before I start to descend. I don't think I'll ever use the fork lock-out, don't even notice it bobbing. As for geometry, I'll give slacker angles a try, but I like the quick handling and easy climbing of the steep angles on my first ride.
Overall, 4 chilis for value (you don't quite get the same component spec in this price range as the Mount Vision or Stumpjumper) and 5 chilis overall for how intuitive this bike was for climbing and descending. I'll re-post at the end of the summer to give an update on reliability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MARK B
a Cross Country Rider
from SPRINGVILLE, UT
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | BARTLETT WASH, MOAB | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Timpinogos Cyles | | Strengths: | This is an update on an earlier post.
The bike rides like a dream. I am more impressed now than when it was new! I like being able to fiddle with the shock adjustments and set the bike up for whatever I am riding that day. | | Weaknesses: | While the aluminium frame is nice and lite, it is easily damaged by rocks as you fly down a hill. I put quite a ding at the bottom of the crank that nearly went through! Also, the lightness in front makes control on steep uphills a little tougher.
I also had to get a new fork, maybe because of my too aggressive riding, I'd like to think so, but a seal was found cracked. The shop replaced it with no questions asked. | | Bottom Line: | While it's spendy, if you use it--it's worth it!
A great ride that has given me great fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntsville, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry adjustability, control on technical single track. Suspension reacts well with obstacles, overall a lightweight strong bike. | | Weaknesses: | Not built for 200+ lb aggressive rider. Have broken first frame, two new bottom brackets, third chain and third cassette in less than 700 miles. This bike does not TAKE hard riding! If you ride cautiously on smooth easy grade XC trails then get one. Mine has a Lefty front shock which is OK, but bearings stick at 130+ psi, Lefty does provide good handling on tight downhill switchbacks. | | Bottom Line: | A good bike if you weigh less than 200 lb and ride with fear in your heart on downhills and technical trails. My next bike will have to be a freeride set up with stronger wheels, frame, heavier overall. But what is 10 pounds to me when me and bike weigh 260 or 270? That is nothing percentage-wise. Bike dealers and riders are WAY to weight conscious when advising/buying. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Hilo,Hawaii
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kulani | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Hilo Bike Hub | | Strengths: | Lefty fork
Hayes disk brakes
Jekyll frame | | Weaknesses: | LX shifters
LX front derailleur | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Thomson Elite seat post
Cateye Astrale
Nite Rider Digital Evolution for some crazy night rides!! | | Bottom Line: | If there is only one choice of a single bike, this is it!!
Smooth and fluid, very user friendly, just an all around bike. Feels very confident,sure footed. I'm sure other Jekyll 1000 owners agree too.If you are looking for a bike in this price range, get the Jekyll 1000, you won't go wrong,I know I did'nt!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Duke's Cycle - Toronto | | Strengths: | Frame strength.
Finish of parts.
Lefty fork.
Attitude Adjustment.
No more CODA parts.
Lock-outs are easy to get at and are easy to control.
Awesome looks. | | Weaknesses: | Uncomfortable seat.
Crappy Shimano $40.- clipless pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Old Raleigh FS, Giant NRS, Gary Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Serfax Saddle Mens Rx, Serfax mini bar ends (great!), and Time ATAC clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike!!! It is so rock solid, it makes you feel like you can do anything! My riding has gone up a notch just in the last few months since I got it, and I am sure I haven't explored all of the potential that this bike has. I was unsure about the Lefty fork since it is so different than anything else out there, and I have read some reviews that it needs lots of maintenance. So far so good!!! It is solid as a rock. Small bumps, or big.... no problems. You can carve turns so easily on it, and there is no flex at all! The titanium lower hub is an excellent idea and undoubtedly contributes to the strength and stability. Compared to the NRS, and GF, the NRS is a little choppy over small series of bumps. Since I do a lot of trails, this was a noticeable thing. It also seemed out of balance somehow, and stiff, not supple. I don't know how to describe it. But on the C'dale, it is SOOOO SMOOOOOTH. The ride is balanced front to back. The Gary Fisher has short travel, and it is noticeably bobbing in the longer travel position. The C'Dale is just right for me anyways. Hayes brakes are excellent. I had Avid Mechanicals (excellent also) but the hydraulic Hayes are noticeably better.... modulation, less effort, and better response. No grinding or sounds yet. The Lefty lockout on the top of the fork is excellent. It is a large knob so it is easy to activate; you don't have to lean down over the handlebars to reach it and even with insulated gloves, it is easy to turn. The lockout for the rear shock is right on top of the shock so it is the easiest of many designs to get at. The attitude adjustment is great also. I probably won't adjust it much, but the fact that I can make the bottom bracket higher and adjust head angle without affecting the rear shock travel is cool.
Overall, I was a little hesitant about making the leap to a highend bike.... but man, am I glad I did. The Cannondales are a little pricey, but it is worth it. If you are a cross country rider who wants a great steed that will take on anything that comes your way, this is the bike for you. Spend the little extra for a great riding and great looking bike... you won't be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunny SoCal / L.A.
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Monica Mtns. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Helen's Cycles - Santa Monica, CA | | Strengths: | 4" ft. & rr. travel with lockouts.
Ti Lefty is stiff & works b*tchin'
Hayes discs are rad
XTR rear der.
Shimano cranks & BB
All black paint & components looks very cool | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy for CC riding (but I'm comparing to a Klein)
LX shifters & ft. der. seem to work ok...for now
No more front wheel QR. Need to buy a new "frame-grabber" roof rack. Oh well. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein hardtails, Rocky Mountain Element full susp.(demo) | | Bike Setup: | Large frame, showroom stock with the addition of a Salsa seatpost QR and a LizardSkin for the rear shock. 27.5 lbs. at the shop. | | Bottom Line: | got 20% off the sticker at Helen's, thanks to the Cannondale booth at the LA Bike Expo. Couldn't pass it up -took $500 off the top.
This is the first full-susp. bike I've owned after riding Klein hard tails for 12 years. All I can say is "Aaaaahhh". Did a lot of research and LBS Q&A. The guy who sold it to me owned a Lefty Jekyll for a year, so his input was respected. Taking it for it's maiden downhill run was amazing. I could actually stay in the saddle and not take the shock with my knees! The suspension worked SO well that I got a bit out of my comfort level, speed-wise and had to grab a handfull of Hayes to come back to reality. What a blast. I keep the rear shock locked out on climbs, flats and street as I can't stand pedal-bob of any sort (which it has). Haven't had the need to lock out the Lefty yet. The "Attitude Adjustment" option honestly will probably never get used. This changes the whole geometry of the bike for CC or downhill riding. A tad involved... I plan on having some road wheels built with Lefty hub & rotor so I can use it more for commutes, errands, etc. without dragging the knobbies around. Comparing it to my Kleins, I did notice the extra weight going uphill but figured it would payoff on the way down, which it did. overall a great full suspension ride, one I'll keep for years (fellow Angelenos willing). I love this bike! One deducted Chili for weight & lack of ft. QR.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon Fish
a Downhiller
from Gilbert, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Navajo Lake, SO Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Copeland's | | Strengths: | It is a Cannondale! Light weight and very easy to maneuver. Ti front hub attachment and Lefty shock are amazing, the best shock I have ever had (plenty of travel). Excellent geometry with traditional look. Plenty of suspension front and rear for any downhill. Great front and rear shock features with dampening and lock-out capabilities. | | Weaknesses: | Some LX comps, should be all XT or XTR. Drop the Continental tires and sell with Maxxis 2.25-2.35. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Diamondback Full Susp., Trek, and Gary Fisher. | | Bike Setup: | Standard as shown above in review. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks! It gets the looks from all riders, and everyone wants to take it for a spin. The Lefty is the best enginering design yet and I will always buy this bike from here on out as long as I can ride. Cannondale just needs to up everything to XT or XTR. Everyone should buy this bike because of the suspension capabilities. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Action wheels | | Strengths: | Details!
Lite,smooth ride,Hayes disc,etc.
in one week after order | | Weaknesses: | some lx.
Bike should be all XT OR xtr | | Similar Products Used: | Used to race BMX.
New to mountain bikes. | | Bike Setup: | JEKYLL 1000 STOCK WITH XT CRANKS
Camlebak for some Gade.
| | Bottom Line: | Its made in the U.S.A.
Lefty is a looker!
People look at it.
You look at it.
Wonder is it gonna break.
But it hangs in there.
And you just keep riding.
And thats what important.
THE RIDE!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Cundall
a Weekend Warrior
from North Texas
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bushey's Cycling & Fitness | | Strengths: | Fairly light weight, tracks well, stable, tough in crashes, good balance, ELO nice for climbing | | Weaknesses: | Some bobbing particularly when full rear suspension is engaged | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive, Giant XTC | | Bike Setup: | Lefty ELO,LX drive train with XTR rear derail., Hayes hydraulic brakes,coda saddle, Fox Float RL | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! I took it for a spin on a hiking trail in Oklahoma that was primarily rocks-- big ROCKS! It did great.
The rear sfock needs air after rough down hilling. Guess the bike was not made for lots of rocks. Handles wonderfully on single track and climbs well. Had several bad spills and bike came out with only a minor dent. Frame is sound. Craftsmanship is excellent. It's a cool bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alan theriault
a Cross Country Rider
from tolland ,ct.
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | blue dots | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycles unlimited | | Strengths: | for a full suspension with 4" of travel and to weight in at 27.3 lbs I feel is pretty good.hayes disc brakes is the way to go. | | Weaknesses: | color selection is'nt the greatest.fork makes a little noise while moving.seatpost was a little short.computer pickup must be mounted on the swingarm. | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale super v 1000 | | Bike Setup: | hayes disc ,thompson seat post.lizard skins rear shock and swingarm protector | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bike and would recomend it to any cross country rider.one ride on the demmo and i new it was time to buy a new bike.brakes are quite and powerful.very happy with the travel.bike is a little pricey for what you get but I'M glad I bought it .I wouldn't waste my money on any of the other jekllys.the 1000 is the best deal for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark B
a Weekend Warrior
from Springville, Utah USA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bonneville Shoreline Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Timp Cyclery | | Strengths: | Disc brakes! Can lockout front and rear on climbs. Not too soft a ride, not too stiff, but just right. Light. My son's BIKE ENVY. | | Weaknesses: | I have run into some gear skipping in lower range. At this point I can't tell if it's a simple adjustment or something else. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a few full suspension bikes prior to purchasing this one. Sugar, KHS, Giant, Rocky Mtn, and a Cannondale with a Fatty head shock. This one rode best of all! | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the pedals. Changed to a stirrup due to personal preference and a fused ankle. | | Bottom Line: | I ride almost daily -- road, lots of hills, service roads and some pretty good, but not 'lunatic' downhill. I wanted a full suspension that could handle the way I ride and the Jekyll 1000 does that and more. I may be wrong, but I am unsure if the bike can handle any really heavey downhill stuff due to it's lightness and aluminum frame. Time will tell. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for an all-around ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
warren
a Weekend Warrior
from Deerfield, NH, USofA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | shaw | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Exeter Cycles | | Strengths: | it is a jekyll, it has plenty suspension or me, its pretty light at 28 pounds. unbelievable color, hayes are unbelievable | | Weaknesses: | i ride with studded tires in the winter and my tires, freddie's revenge doesnt fit the bike, the studs hit the frame, but dont worry this tire is just really big and has studs that stick out a lot. ill just return it and get a tire thats not as big | | Similar Products Used: | i havent used any bikes that perform like this | | Bike Setup: | all stock, except i changed the pedals for shimano's m464 and i put my old saddle on, a flite | | Bottom Line: | i am a x country rider that likes a scary downhill every ride. i dont see how lx cranks and xtr rear derailer would feel weird, it doesnt, getting cranks that arent as strong just makes you shift better! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jekyl
a Cross Country Rider
from knoxville tn
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | bike zoo | | Strengths: | adustable geometry lite weight 16 settings to control rear shock rebound. Psylo fork is infinatly adustable | | Weaknesses: | breakage but i have had the new Jekyll for 6 months and it hasn't broke yet. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll frame RockShock Psylo SL fork Spinergy Xclone rear and Spox front wheels. Shimano Disc rear brake. | | Bottom Line: | The Jekyll is a much better bike with a long travel fork on it. I rode a Headshock for 18mo. and just switched to a Rock Shock Psylo SL. This bike rides like a dream handles like a sports car and can take a major beating on the trail. I should mention i broke a Raven and a Jekyll in the last 2yrs and have had this Jekyll for 6 mo. I really cannot complain because every time i broke a frame they replaced it for free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John W.
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Top of the World | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Open Road | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork, Hayes Brakes, Lefty Fork, Adjustable Geometry, Lefty Fork, Great Climber, and did I mention the Lefty Fork? | | Weaknesses: | Should be simpler to adjust the geometry. You need to remove the lower shock mounting bolt (5mm allen wernch and 10mm box wrench needed). Also lower shock mounting bolt should have a larger shoulder (non-threaded portion), hardened bolt threads eat away at soft aluminum bushings resulting in slop at the rear wheel. Bushings will need to be replaced regularly. | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR 1000, Marin Mt. Vision, Trek Fuel 90, Rocky Mtn RM-6, Titus Loco-Moto, Gary Fisher Sugar 3, Specialized FSR and Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the saddle | | Bottom Line: | I've never been a Cannondale fan, but the Jekyll made me a convert. I think it's about the perfect all around bike. I demo'd the 1000 this past summer and was blown away by the performance of the Lefty. The steering precision was much superior to anything I've tried to this point (Zoke Z1 and Z2, RS Psylo XC, SID SL and XC, Manitou X Vert and SX-R, and Noleen Crosslink) and it's plushness was similarly impressive. After one ride I knew I had to have that fork. When I learned that C-dale was specing the 02 model with Hayes brakes and Shimano LX Hollowtech cranks instead of their coda crap that just sealed the deal. I just got back from a week in Moab, and what suprised me the most was how well this bike climbed out of the saddle. My other FS bikes would turn into mush as soon as you got out of the saddle, but the Jekyll was stiff and responsive. And with the front and rear lockouts and adjustable geometry I think this bike is the perfect all around bike, and would recommend it highly to anyone looking for one bike that can do it all - well with the exception of heavy freeride of DH type stuff, the frame is probably too light to handle heavy abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah National Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2499.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventures Cycles | | Strengths: | Ability to Lock out both front and rear shock. The two shocks match up great with 4 and 4.5 inches of travel. You can also adjust the damping on both shocks.
Great for technical singletrack, equally good on long climbs.
The Hayes discs are beyond incredible. I may put them on my old jeep. | | Weaknesses: | I've been riding this bike hard for over two months, no problems. The only foreseable thing would be that you have to send off the Lefty or the Fox RC for any type of maintence.
Oh, and the annoying people at trailheads who love to comment on the wierdness factor of the look of the Lefty. | | Similar Products Used: | Many other cannondales, treks | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock | | Bottom Line: | I can't say enough good stuff about this bike. Anyone coming from a hardtail this would be a great move, since you can lock out both shocks it climbs great.
If you do the types of rides that climb on forest roads, then descend on singletrack I can't imagine a better bike. The Jekyll can handle big hits and drops as well. It really does great on tight, steep technical singletrack trails. If your coming from a hardtail you won't believe the difference in downhilling as well as comfort, since the bike takes most of the beating instead of your body.
They Hayes brakes are great as well. They seem bulletproof. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa,FL
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2499.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Confort
Control
Looks
Lefty Fork | | Weaknesses: | The chaing sucks and odd specs on the bike (ie XTR Rear Derailler w/ Deore crank). Also it's pretty heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed Scalpel and own a Specialize RockHopper. | | Bike Setup: | All Stock. | | Bottom Line: | So far the bike has been great. The chain broke on me once and is giving me problems. Currently have SRAM 99 on the way. The bike is speced unusuall but thats Cannondale for you. I love the hayes brakes and they haven't given me problems. The front end is a little squirrely on the climbs and I have to bend my arms and keep my chest almost on the handlebars to keep my front wheel from coming off the ground. The lefty, so far, has been living up to the reviews on this site. This is a great fork. Lets just hope there aren't problems with it down the road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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