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Submitted by
Brent Obst
a Cross Country Rider
from Winchester VA USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | "the Cove" | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | element sports | | Strengths: | verry fun to ride, great bike, strong, jumps well, has not broken yet, and I ride it way to hard!! | | Weaknesses: | no travle in the front, dosnt have much tire room, no disk, | | Similar Products Used: | hmmm, tuff one, I dont know | | Bike Setup: | new saddle, GEAX blade 2.0 up front(bairly fits), GEAX support 2.5 in the rear, a blown out head shoch, and a bent big cog | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike, but I just finnished "breaking in" the head shock, as in I just blew it out. it really cant handel big jumps or drops. it is a great trail bike, its light, and easy to ride. I acualy like how the blown out head shock rides better that when it was new, you can get more travle out of it lol.
this is a great bike I would tell anyone to buy it, just dont be to hard on it, its not made to free ride. but im going to put a marzocchi Z1 FR or a DJII, with disk in the front and V in the rear lol it should work well, its a good frame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Darien, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdoor Sports | | Strengths: | I like this bike. The frame is light and strong. I do a lot of off road riding and it holds up pretty well. | | Weaknesses: | the frame and fork are not disc brake compatible, the stock tires (mosquitos) aren't that good | | Similar Products Used: | this is my first bike that is good. i started geting into offroad about 4 years ago and had a fully rigid peugot. i have, however compared it to some specialized hardtails i tested. | | Bike Setup: | manitou axel fork, shimano deore singletrack rims, cane creek headset, raceface stem, new seat (the ones that the 2004 F series has), shimano deore shifters and deraileurs. | | Bottom Line: | I dont really like the headshock because it only has 60 mm of travel (its good for less intense trails) but the frame is awsoome. ive had the bike i think for 3 years now and it has held up really well. if you start getting into drops etc. i recommend getting the deore singletrack rims (much stronger) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arrwin Yip
a Weekend Warrior
from Flushing, NY, US
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Haven't XC enough yet! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$625.00 | | Purchased At: | Bellitte Bikes | | Strengths: | Light frame, color of frame (Team Yellow), strong and stiff frame. | | Weaknesses: | Not disc brake compatible, only 60mm of suspension travel, comes with flat pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd Trek 4500, 4900, Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, K2 2.0, Giant Iguana | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock, except for rear derailleur which was changed to LX at the dealer. | | Bottom Line: | I've only had this bike for a few months and I'm beginning to like this bike more everytime I ride it! I tried negotiating the price as much as I could as this was a 2002 leftover. The weather has been extremely wet in NY ever since I got my bike, but I try to get out there every glimpse of nice weather. I have mostly been doing street riding, but have gotten the trail twice so far. Let me tell you...is it fun! The only thing I sometimes dread is the ride out to the trails!
PROS
Ok...now about the bike. When I started looking, I wasn't looking to spend a lot so somewhere in the $400 range. The
Terra caught my eye with the Team Yellow (I was looking from something loud) color hanging from the ceiling of the shop. I know it's the low-end of the Cannondale line, but the craftmanship extends down the totem pole. I really liked the signature thick tubing, the lightness and stiffness of the frame, and the "Handmade in the USA" was just a bonus. Like everyone said, the components (mostly Deore) could be better at this price point, but I think the frame makes up for it. The components can always be upgraded, but the frame is the meat of the bike. Many hear dislike the stock seat (Selle Royal Gel), but I think it feels comfortable and haven't had any pains. I do agree that it does look like a granny seat.
CONS
This will be rather short, since I don't have too much to gripe about. The couple of things I do have, are that the fork is not disc brake compatible. Since the trend seem to be toward disc brakes, I would eventually like to upgrade to discs in the future, but that would not be possible. The suspension only has 60mm of travel where most bikes are standard at 80mm. This is fine for me as I only weigh 140lbs and don't plan to do any downhill, only trails. This however, can be a problem for heavier and more aggressive riders. The final minor gripe is the bike came stock with flat pedals. As a beginner mtb'er this is fine, but at this price clipless should be stock. My pedals will be upgraded soon.
All in all, this bike rocks. Get it if you're looking for a beginner/intermediate mtb'er. Get it if you're looking for a light, stiff, and durable hardtail. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from trg
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | mine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | frame is stiff and light. Cannondale warranty. | | Weaknesses: | crank, seat, chain, and tires could all be better, but for the price it's a good bike. | | Bike Setup: | full deore, selle itala seat | | Bottom Line: | The tires were replaced after 100 miles. My biggest problem though was the crank. It pooped on me after 3 weeks. The local shop warrantied it so I am not complaining. Great bike over all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Curry
a Weekend Warrior
from Seminole OK
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shopee Shawnee OK | | Strengths: | Light weight, price, colors, smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | Front and Rear Der. Upgraded to XT at the shop. Tires | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | It is a good bike for long trips on highway, Its light and stong frame is the best part of the bike. The factory Der. could be better. The seat does not bother me but i dont take it to the trails much. I put about 175 miles per weak on it and have had not major problems yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bike | | Strengths: | The C'dale frame is stiff and very light. While the components are not the cream of the crop, they work fine for the weekend warrior. | | Weaknesses: | THE SEAT, Replaced this items and also have a shock mounted seatpost on order. The handle bars are being replaced with Easton Grahphite Monkey XC bars and the stem to a 140MM/20 deg due to getting a better fit. One annoying this is that there is some noise while banking in the turns, not sure if it is the design, of something that can be eliminated during a tune-up. | | Similar Products Used: | Loaner Gear | | Bike Setup: | Factory except for the following:
Replaced the seat and I also have a shock mounted seatpost on order. The handle bars are being replaced with Easton Grahphite Monkey XC bars and the stem to a 140MM/20 deg due to getting a better fit. After that (for me) this will be great!!! | | Bottom Line: | Great Value if you can get one on sale like I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Nelson
a
from Kansas City, MO
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Minor Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$640.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheeler's | | Strengths: | Strong and light frame, overall quality bike | | Weaknesses: | seat was awful | | Similar Products Used: | GT | | Bike Setup: | Stock - upgraded seat and Rock Shox suspension (MTB) seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike for the light trails. Would have to make some upgrades to head for the serious trials | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gene
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport News, VA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Contes Bikes Newport News | | Strengths: | Strong. Takes a lot of punishment from a beginner (I replaced the handle bars after buckling them on a downhill log jump). | | Weaknesses: | None that I have seen | | Similar Products Used: | none (gave away a 1973 model Fuji S10S when I bought the C'dale) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, extra set of wheels for road use. Running IRC Mythos XC tires on the local hardpack and leaves. | | Bottom Line: | Bought it not knowing if I really wanted to go offroad, planned to do primarily road riding for exercise (keep down blood pressure and weight as I enter my 60's). Loved riding it off road.Ride as often as my schedule allows. It takes a beating and keeps going. Being new at MTB, I crash a lot on log jumps, switchbacks, etc. Got the bike on sale. Spent the savings on helmet, gloves, etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fletch
a
from nowhere
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Diggin It | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Oakland, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | Stock model needs upgrades.
I dropped 900$ in it. I should have just bought a Jekyll, but this is what I got and I am making the best of it. Put on a new shock like I did. I would recommend the 80mm of trav w/ lockout. New brakes. New Tires. New rims, new deraillers, new shifters and a 9 gear cassette would be great, but that's probably another 900$. It's a good hardtail and light. Good on the roads and on the trails so I'll keep it and get a Jekyll in a couple of years when I move out West. Stay Stoked and keep riding......does anyone read these things........??? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bongo Dongo Poopski
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannonball | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$740.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Sport | | Strengths: | Frame. Strong and Light. Hot paint Job. | | Weaknesses: | Everything but, however they are decent.
8 cassette drive train | | Bike Setup: | Continental Exp front tire. Cont. Twister Back Tire. LX front Der. Deore Rear Der. ( Those need to be upgraded). Upgraded Shimano XTR brakes and LX levers. Specialized bar ends. Lookin gel seat (upgraded). Shimano clipin pedals (upgraded). Have ordered a new headshox to fit inside the t-Bone. Cannondale sells it. 199$ you keep the existing fork but upgrade the inside to 80 mm of travel and on-the-fly lockout. Still waiting for that. Avilio Shifters. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is now ready to roll. Once the new shock gets in and I replace the entire drivetrain it'll be gravy. Technique is really the key with this bike. You can't be too reckless, the bike will hold up to an extent, but you won't. With the added bar ends it's great on the road and even better on the uphills. I am learning to love my Cannondale. The frame is real light and I am starting to learn more about how it rides everytime. I will make another update after I get the new shock and ride it for a couple of weeks.
3 flamin chilis b/c of all the money I dumped into upgrades
4 flamin chilis b/c the bike is pretty damn good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bongo
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light. Fast. Fun XC bike for intermidiate trails. | | Weaknesses: | No rear suspension. Front Shock has 60mm of travel only. The stock components aren't that great. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh....borrowed it, don't remeber the model | | Bike Setup: | I upgraded the tires from Hutchinson Mosquitos....which kinda suck...to Continentals. They are ok now. I am planning on upgrading to a new front fork or maybe trade in the frame altogether. | | Bottom Line: | After riding it for some time more I found that the bike is really not made for hard off-road and especially not harsh downhill. Jumping or drops, forget about it if it's serious. It's good on single track with some rocks and roots....it'll cruise pretty well. I do take it on harsh downhills and off big drops, but the shock bottoms out and my back is killing me from downhill. I would recommend this bike to a teenager who is just staring up but since my budget is tight it will have to do for now. Peace | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bongo
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Indian Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Strengths: | Excellent Frame, Good front shock | | Weaknesses: | Popped a few tubes, replaced brake pads already | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for a 2 or 3 time a week above average rider like myself. Fun, fast, light. Can pretty much use anywhere as long as the proper technique is applied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerald
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Cannondale Asia | | Strengths: | Stiff, light, CAAD frame lifetime warranty. | | Weaknesses: | Lack of Disc brake compatibility, the Headshok travel is only 60mm, no lockout. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Aggressor, Trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | Factory default. Upgraded XTR rear dr, LX shifter, Coda Seat, LX cranks. | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike for begineer if you are not a heavy rider. However the CAAD frame and the Headshok P-Bone fork are not disc brake compatiable. Look out for CAAD5 and Headshok Ultra. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Topton, Pa
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | French Creek State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes | | Strengths: | Light weight frame. Color(Team Yellow). Decent components. | | Weaknesses: | The Seat | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Front Der.Shimano Lx, Rear Der. Shimano Deore, Shifters Shimano Alivio. Rear cogs SRam 5.0 | | Bottom Line: | This Bike is a great value. Effortless uphill climbs, hits the trails hard and keeps on going. I wouldn't drop-off any 20ft+ cliffs with it, but it holds its own. I ride some pretty aggresive trails and the last thing I have to worry about is the bike. Great bike for beginner to intermediate xc rider. Wouldn't recommend for DH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dani
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bell's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Very ligh, great look (yellow color). Brakes + Gear work very well. | | Weaknesses: | It makes lots of noise, the seat SUCKS! | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M90 | | Bottom Line: | Great value for the money.
It responds well to all types of terrain, great price!
Perfect for a beginner who does not want to spend too much money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ruthy
a Weekend Warrior
from Carthage, TN, US
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hamilton Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Very light weight. I really like the color sceme and the over all quality of the frame. It came w/ lx front derailure. I don't know what brand the brakes are, but they will stop you on a dime. | | Weaknesses: | Definitly the big ol hoopty seat. I would have expected to get a better component mix for $800.00. The 8 speed drivetrain sucked, upgraded first thing. Cranks sucked, upgraded them also, as well as the rear der. head shock does not have enough travel. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | lx cranks, xt rear der. lx front der. Coda racing saddle and oh yeah upgraded from the alivio shifters to lx 9 speed shifters. | | Bottom Line: | If you want a light very well built beautiful frame then a Cannodale is for you. But be prepared to upgrade most of the components fairly quick. If you are loking for bang for your buck then buy a Trek, I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noel Ting
a Weekend Warrior
from Cebu
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Ykk trading | | Strengths: | the terra is perfect for uphill. very lightweight even with the headshok on it | | Weaknesses: | one thing with the suspension is the noise, the bounce is not firm | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the cannondale terra is great deal considering it's price. i think if it would have been a lefty, then the bike is already perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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