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Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Mack Cycle | | Strengths: | Lite, solid and very fast | | Weaknesses: | Heavy wheelset, harsh front fork (no rebound) | | Similar Products Used: | K2 4000SE & DiamondBack V Link both heavily upgraded | | Bike Setup: | Alex Vectra D2 Wheelset, Tioga XC SL 1.8 & Ultrega Cassette 12-27 & 150 grm handlebar | | Bottom Line: | Remember this is not a Freeride nor a downhill bike. If you going to be jumping off of cliffs this is not your bike. But if you ride/race XC type courses this bike will make you faster.
So far the only thing I have to complaint about is the fork. Although extremely light it is also extremely harsh. The lack of rebound adjustment makes this bad boy a stiff ride. But all is forgotten when you're passing your friends like if they were standing still.
The bike was lite to begin with, but after replacing the wheelset, the tires, handlebar and the new cassette I managed to knock off 2.64 lbs. It now weighs in a little over 24 lbs for an XL and all this for less than $300.
I love the lock out. They work. Now I can also keep up with my roadie friend. The brakes squeal a lot but they stop on a dime.
Overall the bike has responded to everything I dished out and is asking for more. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Verstraete
a Racer
from South Bend In U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere awsome | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | the pony shop | | Strengths: | lite,very sharp looking,top of the line components and name
brand. | | Weaknesses: | none that I've noticed at this time. Coda competition series
disc brakes not powerful but very tough looking, cooler
looking than Hayes. | | Similar Products Used: | hard tale bikes and cannondale ravens | | Bike Setup: | ball burnished frame and anodized orange mavic wheels and orange seat.also fully xtr no question about it. | | Bottom Line: | the bike is tight so far and looks alot better than almost
anyones bikes i see out on the trails. guys i know they
and their bikes can't even touch this bike period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from San Marcos
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Double Peak Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Oceanside | | Strengths: | This is an update to a previous review. I ditched the Continental tires, and "upgraded" to Michelen XC pro blackwalls. I love these tires, and voila, no more pinch flats. I am really enjoying the full suspension that this bike offers, and even find myself climbing with it active. Proper gearing seems to be the key on approach and descent. I would like to blame some of the characteristics of this bike misgivings on the engineering, but it is a big difference from a hard tail. Suspension comression sometimes contributes to loss of momentum, and pedal clearance can be a challenge in areas that I used to clear. The stance of the bike is higher, and that has led to more than a few rocky dismounts (and one crash off of a steep ledge). I would like to emphasize, it is not the bike, just an adjustment to the full suspension riding experience. The downhills are a joy, no more tail bone pounding rock descents, and I have noticed my lower back is not as sore. The shifters now perform flawlessly after a shop adjustment at thirty days, which is great because I am changing gears more to power up for the full suspension ascents. I love the front fork, with the extra travel from my old DD50 Headshok. Tracks straigh and plush. Also, style wise, the black and yellow color scheme has really grown on me. Cool. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes are very suspect, squealing and no modulation for me. All or nothing, with feathering the only modulation at the brake lever. There is also a perceptible ticking noise in the front rotor after the first few desents. It increases and decreases with speed, so I will have that checked out soon. Ditch the original tires. | | Bottom Line: | These are just reflections of the last three months of riding. I really enjoy the full suspension, a much needed improvement over my hardtail. And the biggest benefit is no loss of traction or climbing ability, a credit to the Cannondale engineering group. For the price, I could not have done better. With the extra money I saved, I am considering an upgrade to Hayes brakes. Another side note, most retailers don't stock Magura parts or pads. However, Hayes equipment is readily available, so that will happen in the next six months. Thanks MTBreview, for the great forum. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lynn
a Racer
from Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1425.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Built for cross country and rides like it. This is a complete bike, well thought out, rather than some tacked together parts. It is LIGHTER THAN ADVERTISED by Cannondale, 24.5lbs XL. A typical marketing gimmick to glamorize their high-end models. | | Weaknesses: | As mentioned in a previous review, I too experienced scores of pinch flats, front and back, that can only be due to the Mavic X223 Disc rims and/or Continental Explorer Pro tires. They're slow leaks: I hang it up after a ride and the tire's flat in the morning, very suspicious. I'm gonna have to do something about that soon. I've tried everything from different pressure to tube size. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale CAAD2 hardtail and a friend's Cannondale Super V 500. | | Bike Setup: | Stock XL Scalpel 1000 with a 140mm stem -- I am 6'4", 195lbs. I plan to go 2x9 with some old cranks to replace the Hollowtech 3s, I just hate 3 up front. | | Bottom Line: | I expected the Scalpel to be little high-maintenance so I'm not shocked at a few things needing tweaking. I bought this bike practically new on eBay and have put another 100 miles on it so far.
My best method of review comes by comparison to my previous bike, a CAAD2 hardtail that had been furiously upgraded. Even versus V-brakes on ceramic rims the Magura Discs are a luxury this first-timer didn't expect. I love the "smooooth" modulation going into turns; I could do without some squealing on quick stops, but a little Everclear on Kleenex scrub when they get too noisy and they quiet back down ;)
The Ultra Fatty DL is light, never bottoms out and it's the sharp-turning blade for this knife of a bike. The Fox in the back makes the carving smooth as butter, but enough metaphors. I could use a little more travel in the front but not as much slop as the Lefty would give; the Headshok reminds me I'm on an XC racing bike and trading comfort for efficiency.
For me, coming from an infamously-stiff frame that even a suspension seatpost couldn't tame, the Scalpel's Fox rear shock is a real comfort. I expected better descents and cornering, what I didn't expect was better climbing. Where my wicked-stiff rear would cause spin-outs under my frantic strokes, the Scalpel's rear travel flexes enough to keep the wheels dug into the dirt when I stand.
I have benefitted from the remote rear lockout because I figured out how to set it up correctly, apparently many bike shops haven't. Like V-brake arms, the lockout has three tensioning holes to choose from, if you don't choose the tightest one, your remote lockout may not have enough tension to work.
The reason I live by the rear lockout is because I'm a Clydesdale with big legs. My CAAD2 was unparalled for flatland sprints and I was greatly underwhelmed when I hit city rides with the suspension on. Turn it off and it's speed, speed, 27mph on a big bike. On trails I turn on the suspension and just carve, no bob noticeable on its proper terrain. Some people may want to get the proper preload adjusted to their weight on the front and rear, I don't think some of the complaints are well-experienced in this regard.
Overall, love, love, love, this is my ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from NC
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Fairly light, good components, cool design, laterally stiff | | Weaknesses: | wheels/tires, suspension design, lack of travel, headshock | | Similar Products Used: | 99 FSR Enduro, S-Works M4, S-Works M5 | | Bike Setup: | Stock Scalpel 1000, it's not worth upgrading | | Bottom Line: | While everyone else seems to like this thing I felt I needed to post because I've had nothing but troubles with this bike. To start off you should keep in mind that my favorite bike was my M4, now deceased, and that I have ridden a full-suspension rig for quite a while. The scalpel works out to be a good compromised between the two but it ends up not being good at anything. The rear suspension bobs under pedaling forces. I'm not talking about out of the saddle sprinting, I mean it bobs while you're in the saddle just spinning. However, this wasn't too big a deal for me b/c my remote lock out worked flawlessly. The other side of the rear suspension isn't any better though, when the going gets rough 2.5's of travel doesn't do a thing and when it comes down to it the amount of travel is not worth the added weight or the pedaling issues. I'm not a big fan of the headshock either, after a nice five hour ride in the rain on my roof rack (mtn bike race) the headshock began to squeak...an angry metal on metal kind of squeak, I still haven't managed to fix it. The thing I still can't figure out is the handling of the bike. Bear in mind that I really like sharp handling but this bike is just twitchy. I have a vague suspicion that it is the wheels as mentioned by other but I also feel like the stem is too short and the top tube too long, making the center of gravity too far back ward. This thing just doesn't climb like a supposed XC racer should and on the descents...well the suspension doesn't help much. To make matters worse I've gotten 10+ pinch flats in the two or three months I've owned this thing. In the 7 years of riding previous to this bike I think I might have gotten that many, might. I'm sure this is due to the tires or rims but I think it's ridiculous that I can get a pinch flat when I'm running 60 psi on a full suspension bike. In any case, take this bike for a trail ride before you buy it, you may like it, you may not. Btw, it anyone would like to buy mine it's in good shape, size medium $1700. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Tyler
a Cross Country Rider
from San Marcos
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Daley Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Oceanside | | Strengths: | Climbs like my old C-dale hardtail. Love the front and rear lockouts-removed remote lockout-did not work, ever. Saw this bike retail for 2499 originally (too much), then went on sale for 1699, (wife almost convinced), then Supergo had a "Markdown Madness" sale and listed this bike for 1399. Could not pass it up-I also looked at the Jekyll and the Giant NRS 2. Jekyll was too heavy, and the Giant had recurring drive train issues. Scalpel won my wallet and my lower back with hardtail like climbing and adequate downhill performance. The front triangle is also easy to portage for rough "hike a bike" sections of trails. Like the color scheme of yellow frame with black components, eye catcher. Front fork is plush (80 mm of travel) and tracks the trail like a laser. Biggest strength-Cannondale dual suspension quality for under fifteen hundred bucks. | | Weaknesses: | Remote lockout-absolute joke. Seat is a little stiff-swapped it out for my old Bontrager FS 2000. Have experienced a little drive train skip in F2-R3&4. Ghost shifts under load-hoping it is just initial cable stretch. The Continental stock tire spec is weak-miss my old Specialized Ground controls. Will upgrade the tires soon. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested a 2002 Jekyll 1000, 2002 Jekyll 800, Scalpel 800, and Giant NRS 2. | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far. Changed seat, will upgrade tires to Panaracer XC Pros.
| | Bottom Line: | This is the full suspension rig that I have waited for since I started riding in 1987 (on a good ole Bridgestone MB-3!!). Bottom line-hardtail performance in a full suspension package. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheffield u.k
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Derbyshire | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's bikes of berkerley | | Strengths: | the strengths are unlistable the bike climbs so well for a full sus i sumetimes dont bother locking out the rear as it doesent effect it to much, the weight of the bike is also fantastic its helped my overall riding ability alot and although there's probably only 2" of usable travel it makes the world of differance when going down hill, and have found m,yself going alot faster than before. | | Weaknesses: | my only complaints are that i have had a few drive train problem but some tweaking and a new chain soon sorted that out and the brakes which although 1 hav had no problems with they just arn't strong enough and on downhill sections when thrashing them fade has been a problem a few times making me career into trees | | Similar Products Used: | tried may differant bikes | | Bike Setup: | stock, other than M959's, plan to get some hope XC4's, race face cranks and new more ridgid wheel set | | Bottom Line: | this bike is ace i lov it, i was a bit sceptical about spending this much money at first but i'm glad i did, the only problems are the brakes which are crap and the remote lockout which doesent work very well and look shocking, i'm gonna try and get hold of the remote lockout that come's on the new scalpel which has a better spec but doesent look as good, anyway if you see this bike in a sale buy, buy, buy it's worth every penny i carn't belive how much more i enjoy xc compared to before | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe robinson
a Weekend Warrior
from houston, texas, usa
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | lake bryan TX | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | bike lane | | Strengths: | the ride is great. best feeling bike ive ever been on, well except the scalpel 4000 i rode one time. it is very quick, the way it responds takes about half a day to get used to how fast it corners. the breaks are great. which is good because i found myself going into corners faster than i had planned. the bike is so fun to ride you dont realize how much faster you are going. | | Weaknesses: | ive head a lot of people talk about the hubs and cranks. so for i have not had any problems. I am considering some King hubs. | | Similar Products Used: | super v, jekyll, f 900sx, suger 1. | | Bike Setup: | stock except ive put on xtr shifters and front der. | | Bottom Line: | sweet ride, any one who buys a scalpel will not be disapointed. but remember it is a xc race bike, not free ride. If you want a wickedly fast xc bike this is it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harvey Whittenburg
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayward, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Coyote Pointe Foster city | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Path Hayward | | Strengths: | Bike has a great ride and is very fast, with good brakes, It is virtully bombproof. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 98 and Giant XCT | | Bike Setup: | Stock lefty Scalpel 1000 (2003) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike with a suspension like no other. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Portland, Or.
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my previous review. I upgraded the wheels (King ISO's and WTB Laser Discs) and the difference in the bike's handling was astonishing. I thought the lateral flex I was feeling cornering hard at speed was in the carbon chainstays. Wrong! I got rid of the POS remote control for the rear lockout-don't miss it at all. Had to warranty the BB; the shell/cable guide design ranks right behind the rear lockout on the cheese-o-meter; about four flaming wheels of Brie. There was a ton of dried mud in there when I opened it up; I sealed the guide to the shell with some silicone caulk and hopefully that will solve the problem. I also swapped the shifters for a SRAM setup. No problem there, just a personal preference for being able to grab a handfull of gears in a hurry.
I was a bit bummed when they started closing them out for 5 less than I paid to be the first kid on the block, but all in all I'm happy, even with the extra cash I've invested. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Remco
a Cross Country Rider
from Utrecht, Netherlands
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Garda trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | Efficiency, weight, steering, Suspension, grip at rear | | Weaknesses: | Coda hub, 223 rims | | Similar Products Used: | F900,Super V | | Bike Setup: | Magura Pro wheelset, XTR RD & FD, Louise Brakes, flite trans-am, Thomson elite post | | Bottom Line: | The original wheelset is no good. Hubs are 2 flexi so brakes starts rubbin' when hammering. Mavic's 223 rims feel a little weak also. Bit heavy too. Replaced with more stable & lighter Magura wheelset. remote Lockout lever is joke. Removed it. I hardly lock the rear anyway, only on longer tarmac climbs. Bike is giving a lot of confidency @ higher speeds, steering is very precise. Hardly crasch into trees anymore. Pedaling is very efficient, even when no lock-out. Fot the amount of money I don't want CODA stuff, else value would be 5. Excellent bike for racers and XC riders | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverton, CO, San Juan County
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hermosa Creek Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Specialist | | Strengths: | Rides great. Climbs great. Precise ride. Best cross country bike I have ridden. Gets alot of looks too. :) | | Weaknesses: | Having a few drive train problems. Few knocks and a few unexpected gear shifts. Hopefully it is nothing that a few adjustments here and there can fix. My Lefty front shock has a thud on the upswing. I hear this is easily fixed too. | | Similar Products Used: | Only other bike I have ever owned is a Gary Fisher Kaitai. | | Bike Setup: | I went a little crazy. Tubeless Hutchinson Scorpion tires, Lefty front shock, Monkey Lite rise bar, Avid Mechanical disc brakes, and Terry Fly saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I have ever ridden. My riding skill has greatly increased since I got this bike. :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mission Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1785.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Handles well. Climbs well. Good lite bike. Front and rear suspension lock-outs. | | Weaknesses: | When I'm in 2F - 3R and shift to 2 - 1, the chain kicks down to 1F too, without touching the F derailleur. I've analyzed the situtation and it appears that there is too much chain angle for 2 - 1, although if I start in 2 - 1, the chain will stay in 2. The cause appears to be a bottom bracket that is too wide; a narrower bottom bracket will bring in the chain rings for a better 2 - 1 allignment. Don't know if a narrower bottom bracket will work. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Converted my hardtail Specialized to a commuter a year ago. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except it came with Hayes brakes instead of the Magura's. Buying on Ebay was a good deal for me. The seller said the bike had 20 miles on it, but it was brand spanking new. I think the scam is some retailers are having their friends sell bike for them online, a practice that Cannondale does not condone. The problem I identified above may have been due to a switch the seller did. I'm have ordered XTR shifters and front derailleur. Next month an XTR crank and hopefully narrower bottom bracket.
| | Bottom Line: | Can't complain for how much I paid. Great bike for someone who wants a lite-weight cross-country bike. This bike is not for big hits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Unlimited Sports, Banff, AB | | Strengths: | The handling is great, very precise. Like the name, it corners really well. That could be the fork on my old bike. Very smooth ride, the rear travel really takes the edge off. I am still playing with the shock setup. I have found myself on more than one occassion realizing that I am going alot faster than my old hardtail. The bike really seems to climb well, even with the suspension active. I am really impressed by the brakes, maybe my expectations were low for Magura brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Like everyone else, that odd/cheap rear shock lock-out. I love the idea of a bar mounted lock-out, but for the amount I paid, it should at least match the stock component group. The brakes initially have made a little bit of noise but seem to be wearing in. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Giant XCT | | Bike Setup: | Stock mostly. So far I have changed the seat to a Selle Italia Ergo. I will most likely change the tires in the spring. I have bought riser bars, but haven't put them on yet. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike!!! Wonderful XC full suspension ride. Exactly what I wanted coming from a light hardtail (Breezer). Light, fast, no regrets at all with my purchase. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Portland, Or.
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Forrest Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | River City Bikes | | Strengths: | Plush ride, solid handling at speed. Ability to lock out the front and rear a plus for climbing out of the saddle and the ride to the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Remote lockout for the rear suspension is a joke. The cable simply isn't rigid enoug to rotate the cam far enough to reliably actuate the lockout. A pathetic piece of cheesy Rube Godlberg engineering on an otherwise solid bike. Call me old fashioned, but I think that everything on a $2500 bike should work as advertised. | | Similar Products Used: | I too am the proud owner of an 83 Stumpy. Being a bigger rider, I never found a front suspension with handling I could live with; I've been on a Fisher Kai Tai for the last 6 years or so. It beat the crap out of me, but I appreciated the predictable handling and lively climb performance. I like going up at least as much as descending, and this ancient rig routinely ate frat boys on FSR's for lunch; pretty cool when you're well into your 40's, trust me. I test rode a bunch of hardtail and fully suspended bikes, but just didn't see the advantage till I rode the Scalpel. | | Bike Setup: | Pure stock with the exception of the saddle; the rear lockout is on its way outta here; I'm going to swap it for the manual unit that comes on the 800. | | Bottom Line: | I like the bike. A bit on the spendy side, but after 500+ miles of hard riding in crummy condidions I'd say it has been worth the dough to me. I needed some warranty work done on the front suspension right off the bat, but that was the end of the problems. It took me a hundred miles or so to get the shocks dialed in, but now I can't imagine living without the bounce. The long wheelbase of the XL frame I'm riding makes some of the intricate technical sections of trails I flashed on my old rig a bit of a challenge, but I'm figuring out the low speed handling slowly but surely. I really have to work at it to get the brakes to fade, but a larger rider anticipating lots of high speed downhill riding might want to consider upgrading to some binders designed for thatpurpose. I've put all the miles on this thing in the mud so it's been hell on brake pads, but a small price to pay for the incredible stopping power in the wet. Did I mention that the rear lockout sucks?
All in all, a very cool bike. If Cannondale were to engineer and retrofit a remote rear lockout that actually works, I'd give it my highest reccomendation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Johnston
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | no name | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2250.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes Berkeley | | Strengths: | Solid, well thought out design. EPO suspension system. Great disc-brakes, light weight. | | Weaknesses: | I could imagine improvements for the controls for the suspension, but it's better than not having controls. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is my first full-suspension mountain bike. I've been riding cross-country since my junior high days bouncing around marin and then bought the first gen Stumpjumper in 1983. Since then I've done a lot of riding all over the world and in the last year wanted to really get into racing x-country. I spent many months looking at the latest and greatest models, technology and innovations for cross-country without putting too much of a cap on my spending.
The Scalpel seemed like the right combination of innovation, components and weight for really kicking up my training regimen and getting in on some x-country races next year. My previous bike was a Fischer Montare, which was very light and had some great non-stock components. However, my riding has really improved since purchasing the Scalpel. I can climb things that were impossible before (due to weight and lock-out of suspension), and riding down steep and bumpy is sooo muchhh betteerr...
I really think that Cannodale invests in making great bikes and stand behind their equipment. The EPO suspension seems to really be well thought out and allows for a whole different kind of experience.
It took about two weeks to tune and get comfortable with the bike. After a month I took it on a 37 mile endurance horse race, where I ended up placing 6th against about fifty horses in 100 degree heat. I don't know what that says about the bike, but it just seemed to perform so well on that ride. Since then I've been hammering it many days and nights of the week and only grow to love it more all the time.
The one thing which I find a little annoying is that the suspension adjustment is a large lever on the handlebars for the back and a knob on top fo the stem for the front. This seems like an interim thing which could be a lot better. However, having the ability to have a range of suspension which can be changed on the fly is nice. It's just the levers are a bit clumsy. I can't imagine anything else I would change. It seems that the front suspension is really sensitive and great for x-country. The brakes also are really nice, sensitive and powerful at the same time.
It seems that for the money this is a lot of bike. I guess if the suspension controls were a little better thought out, I'd go for a 5 chili rating. Since everyone seems to rate their new bike 5, and this is my first full-suspension I'll give it a 4 overall and a 5 value.
Happy Trails! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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