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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Orangevale,CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | mt.tam | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | the Lefty is awsome, this was my 1st lefty and im sold. | | Weaknesses: | Deore Front der,cranks and shift pods. thoose will probably be replaced if they ever fail. but so far they are perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | other cannondales | | Bike Setup: | stock, but took off the crappy tires and put on panaracer trailblasters | | Bottom Line: | awsome awsome bike. i even like it better than the rush, i swear it handles better than a rush 1000. i like the tail end on this bike better than most. i love cannondale's!! and the next bike will be a cannondale. and there customer service is the best. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Davison
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, Washington
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Capitol Forest Single Track | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1678.00 | | Purchased At: | Center Cycle Inc, Renton WA. | | Strengths: | This is a great cross country bike, I kept it stock out of the store except for adding Velociraptor tires. It is light and strong and handled a lot of rocks and roots and ruts mud and winter wet riding in Capitol Forest. Bike staid working quite well for a long time and about first year. | | Weaknesses: | Canondale service is basically some bizzare no mans land. If you break anything or need service you are screwed, you can't get it, the dealer is far away and cannot get it etc. Do not buy a Cannondale unless you buy 100% backup parts...which would be kind of absurd. | | Similar Products Used: | Earlier Cannondale, New Specialized Enduro Expert-which is probably twice the bike as the Jekyll. | | Bike Setup: | Stock out of shop | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike!!! really poor service and company dealer backup. The Cannondale formula seems to be lets see how fast we can go out of Business in the USA. Who should buy it? Someone who: A>) doesn't like riding much and wants a real nice bike to look at, cause if you ride a lot your gonna need service and you won't get it. Or B:) Your'e gonna ride it hard for a season and then get rid of it again because your gonna need a lot of service and won't get it, or C:) your a gear and mechanic head and want to spend a lot of time getting parts etc and driving around a lot to get to bike shops. Bottom Line for me is I bought a Specialized Enduro Expert and did not move up the Cannondale line. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Marlow
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork, Hayes disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | no off position for Lefty front shock, poor cable routing causes wear on frame/fork. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | OEM | | Bottom Line: | I love my Jekyll; it's the best bike that I've ridden since 1992. Ascends better than my hardtails. The Lefty is rigid, Rigid, RIGID!
I wish my Lefty could be turned off for climbing; it nose dives on hard climbs and sucks a lot of energy. For the price, Cannondale should also include an adapter mount for a fork rack (like Hurricane Component's For Up). The cable routing caused frame wear early on, and Cdale's supplied frame protector tape is a joke (they obviously know this is a problem).
Still, I never knew full suspension could be so fast and responsive. Kudos to Cannondale for engineering a variable rear suspension that can be adjusted for downhill vs. tight, twisty singletrack.
If you are considering this bike, you might also demo the Jamis Dakkar, which had a similar fit for me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andro Galero
a Weekend Warrior
from Butuan City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Malalag Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | 5 inches of travel!!! 26 lbs!!! hydro disc brakes!!! | | Weaknesses: | I live in the Philippines and i don't know any bikeshop or anyone who can repair a Lefty fork. Might send it back to the US for maintenance and repair. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 Raven 900 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for SRAM XO rear derailleur, X-Gen Front derailleur, PG-990 cassette, PC-990 chain, Truvativ Stylo Team GXP cranks, Easton Monkeylite DH bars and Thomson Elite seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | The Lefty fork gets a lot of questions off and on the trail. And it has the performance and travel to back its unusual looks. The best bike i ever owned! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woz
a Weekend Warrior
from newcastle,uk
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | derwent walk | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinbourgh Cycles | | Strengths: | lock out is a god send for the hills,light wait frame,guick,smooth,responsive and comfortable,Its the first time ive had a ful suspension and wasnt guite sure at first but it has no problem keeping up with the hard tails | | Weaknesses: | tend to have a few creaks not sure if I just have to put a bit of copper grease on the joint and seat post, but nothin major | | Bottom Line: | great alround fun!!!!
i would like to give this top marks alround and i would as some as i get rid of the creak haha.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Heyward
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Swinley Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Cycles | | Strengths: | Nibble, fast and handles like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | Lefty tops out, discs squeal like a bag full of suckling pigs. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Specialized Enduro. | | Bike Setup: | Factory spec. | | Bottom Line: | This bike has the potential to be good only it is let down by the Lefty shock topping out. Evans have tried to fix this twice and I'm on the way back to the shop to get a refund. The Magura disc brakes are setup very poorly and squeal like crazy and creak on steep accents. It appears that when you standup on the bike placing more weight on the front the rotor moves out of alignment. All in all this bike is setup very poorly and Evans seem incapable of fixing it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DonValley Hog
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto , Canada
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 1500.00 | | Strengths: | The Ti-AIR-Lefty !The thing track as if it is on rail and zero flex! Easy re-bound adjmt ,lock out, light! I think the lefty ride better than 99% of the dual crown forks out there ,it is SUPER RESPONSIVE !!
Plush rear sups., very little,if any,bob at all. Also have lock out , light weight air FOX R unit.
Magura disk works great , stop on a dime in water and mud , crank and BB are light and decent shimano unit.
Price ,okay,not cheap , but any other half-decent mass production MTB these days are way over 2G anyway.. And if you want a hands built bike,you can buy a frame from Ellsworth or all the others hands built makers in US OF A.. and you may end up spending three times the money , but I serious doubt that it will go three time faster or three times better than the Jekyll.. | | Weaknesses: | May be the doero shifter is a bit cheap on a bike this good,but they work fine.
The Mavic X223 is a bit heavy , if you dish out a few bills for a better sets ,will makes the bike even more nimble.
| | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher HT , Cannondale HT , Giant NRS tested.. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except with DH pedals , Mythos tires. | | Bottom Line: | I was totally impressed by the ride and the solid feel of the bike , Cannondale have the Jekyll in the 4TH production years , having learnt and improved frrom their Super V's and Raven bikes which they stop making. They know this frame design works !
Unlike other makers making something new but not necessary better and to charge more $$$ , Like the Specialized Epic bikes. Cannondale keep the Jekyll in their line up years after years.. and I personally think the Jekyll is still one of the most unique looking bike and best performing bike in the market.
In summary : If you want to keep up with your lycra XC buddies on the way up and than leave them in your dust on the way down , BUY THIS BIKE ...
Happy riding everyone ;)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Crest, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | The Clean Machine | | Strengths: | Lefty ELO fork, hayes brakes, geometry, rear suspension, frame fit/finish/welds, handling, adjustable handlebar. | | Weaknesses: | Stock coda seat was terrible(Koobi's fantastic). Some of the cable runs rub the paint off the frame. No other major weakness for my intended purpose. It may be a bit heavy for XC racing with a bit too active rear sus. It may be a bit light for true DH riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Trek Fuel, Giant NRS 2 | | Bike Setup: | XTR rear/XT front component mix, Lefty ELO fork, Hayes HFX-Mag Disc Brakes, Coda cranks & rims, Syntace VRO handle bar, Shimano M525 clipless pedals, Continental Explorer Pro Tires, Koobi saddle, Salsa shaft seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is actually a stock 2002 Jekyll 800 frame with many component changes/upgrades that were done by the dealer. I went to this bike from a Gary Fisher hard tail that I had been riding for about 4 years. I ride mostly a lot of twisty, rooty singletrack in my area. My primary goals in a new bike were to take the edge off the roots and improve my technical climbing and descending. I loved my Gary Fisher, but this bike has surpassed my expectations in all of those areas.
The rear suspension is extremely plush, much more than any others that I demo'd (I actually rented the Sugar 2 and Fuel for some epic rides in Colorado). I thought I would use the rear lockout some because it would be too bouncy at times, but not a problem, I never feel the need to.
The Lefty front fork is really a superior design to any I have ridden. It tracks very precisely, is very light, easy to lock out(although I don't), and mine is air adjustable to the exact feel that I want. Plus you can change the tube without taking the wheel off. The one disadvantage is that it is not quick release and will not fit in a roof rack that attaches to the front fork.
The Hayes HFX-Mag brakes give all the stopping power you need with just one finger on the brake. I just about went over the handlebars a couple of times when I was getting used to them.
The geometry of this bike took about a month to get comfortable with, I keep it in the full XC position. The Gary Fisher Genesis I came from sits you a little further back, and I didn't like the change at first. But now I find it to be much more manuverable in tight, twisty singletrack. It also has better traction on technical climbs and descends better too.
The combination of the handling with the Lefty, the performance of the rear sus on climbs/descents and comfort, the confidence of knowing I can stop quickly when I need to, the precise shifting of the XTR rear, all add up to make this bike near perfect for my style of riding. The Cannondale welds, paint and frame finish give it a real quality look and feel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Puklawsky
a Cross Country Rider
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything i can climb on to | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2350.00 | | Purchased At: | local dealer | | Strengths: | Strong frame, light, plush ride, excellent brakes, seat ! Jekyll climbs well,descends even better. Great do-it-all bike. | | Weaknesses: | Tires Hutchinson (no grip on wet surface), remote lock lever not working well, Lefty Max bit too stiff at slower speeds. Ritchey seatpost has to go. | | Similar Products Used: | none really, my first full sus'er. Was checking Elan Slyer, Kona Dawg, Giant VT2. | | Bike Setup: | It is an European 2004 version:
Lefty Max, Fox Float RL Pro-Pedal, Mavic XM 117 Disc, Hutchinson Scorpion tires, Time Z Control pedals, XT/LX gear, Hayes HFX 9 brakes (Goodrich cables), Fi'zi:k Plateau seat. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is very versitile. I clock an average 2000 miles per year on bike, mostly riding trails, with rooty, technical sections. Some light freeriding and fast descends put a smile on my face each time I ride.
U can use Jekyll for any type of riding, except pure downhill. It's a great climber, the rear tires never lose traction, no matter how bad the surface. Lefty tends to bob a bit uphill, but nothing major, just pedal smoothly and you'll be fine. Rear suspension is super efficient, very plush enabling a stable, in control ride.
For wet, muddy riding change tires, Hutchinson's lack lateral grip so make sure u learn its limits first. Had problems with revolving Cannondale grips, but used an old trick with scotch tape and GT85, now it holds like its life depended on it (actually it does :-)).
I will be taking it shop for free tune up after first 100 miles. Hope the RL lever problems will be solved. Also, will be changing the front tire, its scarry in muddy, rooty sections when you lose all traction.
Will repost again with some more miles on the clock.
My first impression, 5/5 for this baby !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Dalton
a
from Saratoga Springs
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Big Hill" | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Clifton Park Sports | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork is nice. Plush ride. Julie disc brakes are good. | | Weaknesses: | Weak welds on front triangle. A bit heavy and pogo like on uphills. Lock out not effective on singletrack ups. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Epic, Santa Cruz Ultralight, | | Bike Setup: | Have rear shock in full cross-country mode. 2" riser bars. XT/LX | | Bottom Line: | I got a good deal on this bike from Brad when Clifton Park Sports was going out of business.
Enjoyed riding the Cannaondale 800 Jekyll, especially on the downhills. A bit on the heavy side.
Frame cracked in same area as my friend who had the Jekyll. Bad design that they have redesigned.
Good news is that they replaced my 8 month old frame. Bad news is I had to pay out of pocket for rear shock that is different. When I questioned warranty policy I got some corporate hogwash, unlike Specialized who bend over backwards to assist their customers.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Red Bike - Edmonton | | Strengths: | I mainly ride cross country (Blackfoot/elk island 2-3 times /week, Kananaskis and the Rockies/BC occasionally)- I was very impressed with the precise handling of this bike and the way it felt secure on slippery traverses. I found the stock tires had low rolling resistance on pavement but side slipped around alot on the trail so I took the advice of others on this site and traded them in for some knobier rubber. The bike climbs reaally nice - though I'm not a big guy (155 lbs), I have found that I have'nt used the lockout much at all. I rarely note any bobbing while climbing or on stand ups. I'm not a racer but I like a bike to be light, quick and responsive and this one takes off like a rocket. It has a hard tail feel like my old bike ( Trek 6000) but alot easier on my aging 50+ old back. I found that the really bone rattling stuff - where I was pretty much forced to stand on the peddles and wait - could now be powered through effeciently with the supension system. The folks at Red Bike did a great job setting it up for me and even noted the cable pull problem on the lefty and did a great job of minimizing it (for those that think the lefty pulls left-check your cables. I also really like the light front fork and find I am riding it up over alot of logs and rocks that I would not have tackled on my 6 yr old Trek 6000. No worries on the lefty balance issue - just get on it and forget it, all you notice is the nice steering performance. This is a pretty big jump in Technology (and price) for me but I am really happy with this purchase. If you like a fast ride with control and long ride comfort at a reasonable price ($2125 CAN for a bike is still alot to me !) - the F800 is the way to go. I'm not a "thrasher" so I can't comment on how hard you can drive this into a tree or off a cliff and come up laughing.
p.s. If you store your bike on a 10 ft high garage ceiling hook - this is one suspension bike you can get up there without going on roids. | | Weaknesses: | I traded the really hard seat in for a gel ergo one but its still not great as it has a kinda cheap synthetic finish, very comfortable on the bones but I slip around on it too much. Still looking for light ergo seat with a good suede finish. I like Trek for half decent stock seats - take a hint Cannondale. | | Similar Products Used: | Tried Trek Liquid 10 , Cannodale F600, Trek Fuel 98 - I found the Liquid 10 was all over the place on single track - I felt like I was pulling a trailer in a wind storm. I really liked the Fuel 98 suspension bike - light and quick handling, but it was alot more cash, did not have disk brakes, and had a heavier front fork compared to the lefty. It was a close second for me and for someone that races a bit the Trek 98 may be the way to go. The F600 mainly just felt a bit too heavy to me but I'm used to a lighter hard tail bike, the F800 was a more reasonable weight sacrifice vrs cost. | | Bike Setup: | EA50 Handlebar, FOX-Float rear shock c lock out, XT Rear D, Front Deore D, XT Cranks, IRC Trailmaster 2.25s, Hayes Disc, Bikemate ergo gel Seat -A temporary measure. | | Bottom Line: | Best value for this level of Technology that I could find - Excellent performance for Cross country and single track trials. Love it - buy one ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Vandivere
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Amassa Back (moab) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Lane - Houston | | Strengths: | Note ... this is for the 2004 Sobe edition.
Frame geometry, weight, Lefty, AWESOME performance. This bike far exceeds my expectations, I spent 3 days in Moab on it and spent less money than anyone else in my group on broken parts, even after 2 endos. The bike is very responsive and gives plenty of warning if you are out beyond its limits or your limits. In other words the endo's were my fault ... not the bike's. | | Weaknesses: | Seat, Tires. The seat is ok for the first 3 hours ... after that it SUCKS. Scorpions are good tires .... just not for slickrock, I tore them up over a 3 day period. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Apex SE (hardtail), Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Trek Fuel, Trek Liquid, Specialized Stumpjumper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + salsa seatclamp :) & cateye cordless 7 - yes it will mount to the lefty | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks ... just get a new seat if you are going to spend any time on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Pin at Snowshoe WV | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | warranty frame built it myself | | Strengths: | Climbs like a mountain goat, feels stable on descents, feels fast on flats, suspension is so efficient. | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of one. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, Giant XTC SE1, GT Zaskar, KHS Tru Temper,
Specialized Stumpjumper M2 Comp FS and Myata Elevation 150. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Scalpel Frame, Cane Creek Double XC headset, Fox Float 100RLC, FSA Carbon Pro Crankset, Eggbeater S pedals, Chris King wheelset built on mavic 317's, Magura Marta Disc Brakes, Sram X.0 shifters and derailleur, selle italia slr saddle, thomson post and Easton CT-2 Bar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is set up sweet and rides even more sweet. It climbs better than any bike i've ever ridden (even hardtails) and descends like a dream. It feels fast and stable and is the bomb ;) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave sarge
a Weekend Warrior
from middletown, pa
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere...make one! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | In Gear Cycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork (is it still a fork when it has only one leg?), Lock Outs!, Awesome handling frame, Fox RL (even if it has mixed reviews) | | Weaknesses: | Saddle a little uncomforatble on longer rides, A wierd creaking noise when you begin peddling hard, Cable routing (aka rubbin), No patch kit + Thin tubes with no protection to thorns = carrying the bike 2 miles off the trail, I know its my fault but a kevler bed would be nice for nearly $2000. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd Liquid 10, 20, and Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Brakes, Continental's, all stock except wellgo's with cages, and Thorn Resistant Tubes | | Bottom Line: | I use this bike everyday riding to class at college and then about 3-4 times a week I go hit some trails or freeride around school. This bike handles great and doesn't hesitate jumping 5 feet+ off a set of stairs. I found that the cables rub the frame in certain spots and I had to put some moleskin on them which isn't a big deal but I have to keep an eye on it anyway. The lock outs are great for transitional biking across different terrian. I will say though they are not neccesary because the slight bobbing doesn't really effect me at all, it helps on hills keeping you grounded.
The creaking noise isn't constant and only seems to make it when I am really hauling on the pedals at when first starting out.
This bike was the best for what I paid. I researched alot for this purcahse of my "all purpose" mountain bike. Being a college student I have little money so I can't afford a X county bike, and a freeride. With Cannondale's service and reliability you can't go wrong. The bike handles great other than the lefty pulling to the side, but not a problem when riding through the hills or jumping off of things.
I am completely happy with my purchase and wouldn't even think about changing it. 5 Chilis for a flaming red hot bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Spann
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Very versatile ride, being a bodybuilder, at 230 I need a stronge ride that could take the punishment I wanted to put it through and then be able to withstand my weight. Very good in the corners,and through the switchbacks. The lockout front and rear comes in handy quite often. | | Weaknesses: | About a month in, I broke the pins holding the rear shock on a big jump, walked 6 miles back with the bike, easily replaced for free and have not had a problem since. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Idrive, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, I stumbled onto this bike from a guy who needed to sell, so i got a bargain at $1200, the bike is great, I absolutly love it. If you are thinking of buying be sure to go and test ride, you will fall in love with its features, and the overall feel. Goodluck! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1440.00 | | Purchased At: | squire johns | | Strengths: | The frame and fork are amazing. This thing is so plush but can be locked out in a sec if u see a hill commin. | | Weaknesses: | For a $2000 bike, I dont expect to see Deore on it. The spec deore stuff have been ok so far but i expect to replace it with better components once they go. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR disc, NRS 2, Stumpjumper comp | | Bike Setup: | stock- shimano disc, continental tires, xt rear d, | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I like the adjustibility it has from xc to dh setting. I ride mostly xc so i keep the wheel base near its max setting. I find that the bike tends to bob when climbing uphills so what i have done is increase the psi in the rear shock to around 200 psi in order to reduce some of the bob. I guess u can always lock it out but if the trail is fairly narly, the suspension keeps the rear wheel planted on the ground so it actualy allows it to climb better in some cases.
The bike didn't come with the rear lockout and I had to ask for it when I bought it. The thing was a annoying to put on but it is deffinetly worth it. The tire choice could have been better. The contientals that came stock grip well but feel slow.
Perhaps the best thing about the jekyll is the lefty. It is incredibly plush, easy to maintain, light, and adjustible. It has already saved my arse a few times. The only negative thing about it is its tracking when u take ur hands off the bar. It leans a bit to the left so u need to compensate.
For the money I paid, $1440 US, I realy cant complain. The bike shop even through in a pair of shoes when i bought the bike. This is one purchase that I dont regret! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Oscar
a
from Vacaville,CA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockville Sucks!! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | the only place in town that sells overpriced good bikes | | Strengths: | lefty titanium fork, fox float rear suspension, beefy frame, adjustable geometry | | Weaknesses: | THE SH*%TY HUTCHISON TIRES THAT COME STOCK!!!! the upper models come with tubeless huthcison tires. those are nice, if you plan on using the bike in town to ride to work! in which case you could have saved some dough and bought a bike at wal-mart!! oh yeah, and the seat is just as bad as the tires!! for those contemplating some type of birth control for the future, use this seat for a year!!!!! Surgeon Gernerals Warning: This seat may cause cancer! | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz superlight, specialized epic | | Bike Setup: | tit. lefty fork, fox float rear suspension with manual lock out on handle bar, xt rear derailleur, lx front derailleur, hayes disc brakes, easton ea50 handle bar, ritchey seatpost, mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | great bike for those who dont mind a good climb to find an insane down hill!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hessian
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal, USA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | follow me,..... | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Lefty, Adjustable Geometry, Shock, Remote lockout, Build quality, Weight, Suspension Travel, Climbing Ability, Descending ability | | Weaknesses: | seat and some accesories, lockout locks out even when shock is compressed. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullitt, Intense Uzi, Specialized Enduro, Sugar, Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Swaped for full XT group, new seat, new cranks, got new tires, the Hutchinsons were waaaaay to soft | | Bottom Line: | I have been pounding this for eight months now up and down the hills and deserts of SoCal and its been worth all 190,000 pennies spent on it.
Climbs like a goat with lockout engaged and while seated w/o lockout engaged. Fox Float and rear end takes the biggest bumps thrown at it but can get a little bouncy on some of the smaller chatter; drop a few lbs or air in your tires and/or stand up and you forget about them. Lefty fork takes a little getting used to (as do the weird looks you get when you ride by those who aren't used to it) if you aren't used to its super precise tracking and stability; and is the classic example of less is more. Both suspension, front and back are balanced very nicely. Unlike some other forks in conjunction with rear shocks, the Fox float and lefty fork go together nicely and really balance out the ride.
Get rid of the seat. it hurts (Fi-z-ik? come on Torquemada designed better. That thing made my ass go numb in the first five miles) I liked the wide bars, but then again I ride wide open trials (usually) and swapped them anyway for Easton Monkeylites.
Remote lockout is great but you can accidentally (?!) lock out the shock when when it is compressed which lowers the bottom bracket and negating the effectiveness of the shock dropping your pedals. That in itself is not a major problem but can get in the way when you are bouncing around.
Swapped lockout from right side to left side of handlebars because My right hand has enough to do with braking and shifting. (make sure the lock nuts on the lockout ring are TIGHT otherwie you will be pushing on the lockout around on the handlebar and not locking out the shock--watch for cable stretch in it too, keep it tight).
Hayes disks bled out during my first ride in a turn causing me to lose most of my skin on elbows and knees. Turns out the master cylinder in the right lever was faulty, Hayes happily swapped for a new pair. Haven't had a problem since. They modulate with little breaking in and I can stomp on em with full confidence I will come to a standstill, or modulate em lightly to finess turns. Combined with the Lefty and Fox you can sink into high speed turns with confidence using a combination of lean, suspension and break modulation without shredding dirt or skidding, and exit at speed without a guilty conscience.
I haven't had much need to change the geometry from the lower DH up to the XC geometry. I keep it a little higher than the lower DH position, but not in the middle (i don't know the exact BB height, it just feels right).
It just right if you are looking for an all around SUV of a bike; its forgiving and gentle but rips (floats?) the big(ger) hits, its tight and steady on high spreed descents, climbs like a goat and is true and manuverable on switchbacks and in tight radiused turns. (although you will notice that it takes less effort to turn right and you can make a tighter right turn than a left turn due to the inherent instability of the one sided fork).
Its not right if you want a nice inexpensive packaged dual suspension mountain bike, or if you Shuttle/Freeride/Huck and expect to use the full five inches of rear travel all the time. In fact if there is one thing I don't like about it is its inability to soak up the random really big hits and rebound quickly. I've had a few near heart attacks at the creaking and groaning sounds coming from the frame and shock on really big drops, and the sickening feeling the air shock and rear triangle make when its bottoming out at full 5" of compression. Turns out it can take it, its just the way the bike wines and winces. In other words this bike definately has a personality and doesn't mind being abused, just dont beat the crap out of it too badly.
bottom line: its a great package of suspension, manuverability and stability; but its obvious what corners were cut and why they were cut.
five flamin poos for the Jeckyll 800 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1960.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycling Concepts | | Strengths: | Hayes Disc Brakes, almost no 'bob' on rear Fox Floar shock w/Remote lockout, Lefty Fork. 28.6 lbs after personal modifications completed. | | Weaknesses: | EA50 handlebar - too wide (keep catching my pinkies on trees.) Stock Tires too narrow 1.95s(Replaced upon purchase). Bontrager cranks (Replaced upon purchase). New XT Cranks are a little too low. (Geometery?) Shimano Deore? Whatever | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2+disc | | Bike Setup: | EA50 Handlebar, FOX-Float rear shock, XT Rear D, Front Deore D, XT Cranks, Intense CCC tires 2.25s(Awesome), Hayes Disc. | | Bottom Line: | After removing all semblance of Bontrager parts (phew) and the original tires this bike screams abuse me. Climbs like a banshee and the rear shock performs better with lock-out disengaged on climbs. Surprisingly, there is more bob when the shock is locked-out. I never use the lockout anymore. The front end is very light making it easier to clear obsticles going uphill or wheelie uphill. ;o) Fast downhill. This ride really rocks! Expensive but I'm glad I bought it. Worth the dime. The geometery is great and the rider sits back pretty far making it great for traction uphill and great for center of gravity downhill and your body is more over the rear tire than the front keeping you on bike than in the dirt/rocks/mud.
This is a great ride for novice or experienced full suspension riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kip
a
from Scottsdale
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork, Light weight, and perfect Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Hayes disc brakes have given me trouble. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 3+ | | Bike Setup: | Stan's no-tubes the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PeterG
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Gatos, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Forest of Nisenne Marks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1620.00 | | Purchased At: | REI, San Carlos | | Strengths: | Build quality. Lefty is cool. Front and rear suspension lockout. Versatility offered by suspension adjustments | | Weaknesses: | Hayes disc brakes were fitted instead of specd Shimanos. Very wide bars will take getting used to. Left knee may clip lefty lockout if standing and pedalling and unlocked. | | Similar Products Used: | Considered Cannondale Scapel 1000, Marin Mount Vision Pro, Specialized Epic Disc, Giant NRS1 | | Bike Setup: | REI fitted Shimano disc brakes after Hayes broke (see below) | | Bottom Line: | I have about 100km of mixed mountian trails on this bike now. I love it. Rear suspension lockout is essential. Make sure it's adjusted properly as it can be fiddly to get it just right. Front lockout is a real bonus on long climbs. I wouldn't be without it now. I was initially lusting after a Scapel but I think this bike better suits the variety I terrain I'll be taking on. I have not been dissappointed. It flies downhill and I always feel (somewhat) in control! If I feel too much in control I just go faster :-)
On my first major downhill jaunt I hyper-extended the left (rear in this case) Hayes brake lever when I caught it on a tree and wrenched it outwards in a mild fall. I was left with no rear brakes which was poor considering I expect this kind of thing to be common on a mountain bike. REI completely replaced the Hayes with Shimanos (no charge) which I think have better feel and are easier to service. REI was great both in price and service. The reason the bike was so cheap instead of listed $2000 was that REI had a 10% off sale and I'll get a further 10% back as a dividend!
On the flats, both paved and dirt, I often ride 'no hands'. I found the bike pulled slightly and I thought it may be due to the "lefty". However Cannondale service assured me that a bike with a Lefty should track straight but they are sensitive to cable routing which may be pulling on the bars. In thier support I have swapped brakes left to right and the bias has diminished as the cables settle so I'm hoping this will be OK.
I'm bringing this bike back to Australia with me next month. It lists for AUD$4900 (US$2900) there so this was real deal! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Urayamu
a Weekend Warrior
from expat from Iloilo
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1999.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | rear suspension remote lockout!!! i didn't realize how a rear suspension remote lockout could improve and ease ones riding. im love techy stuff so this bike is one of the bet oneso ut there(single leg lefty fork, attitude adjustment,remote lockout etc. etc.)also light handling, just point it at the line you want it to go and it will do what you wish. suspension feels smooth. Best bike i have ever ridden. Proud owner. | | Weaknesses: | I had to send the lefty fork back to Cannondale when i first bought the bike since the air valve cant retain air. Cannondale gave me a new lefty fork and I'm having a blast with no problems at all. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized enduro, cannondale scalpel, jamis dakar, gary fisher sugar 2. | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock and loving it, maybe will enhance latr on but no immediate need comes to mind. | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the price. can't believe one can get all this components for a 2 grand bike but it does. If you want a great bike at a great price plus enjoy experimenting with all the technological gadgets too then this bike is definitely for you. Oh did I mention the killer looks of the bike, even the paint job and weld is one of the nicest ones i ever saw. 2 thumbs up!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1999.00 | | Purchased At: | Treads Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | Lefty fork is great! Bottom bracket hight is superb. Easy to setup. Lockout for front and rear is at your finger tips. Stops on a dime! Nice and light 24lbs! Easy to change a flat front tire. The welds are the best I have ever seen! The paint is top notch. Can take anything you can throw yourself at. The remote lockout for the fax float is super nice!!!! | | Weaknesses: | None. No really I have not found one yet! | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback X2(34lbs), Kona Dawg, Santa Cruz Superlight. | | Bike Setup: | Still as it came from the bike shop. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike that I have ever owned! The Frame is just beautiful! I tried several out before I decided on this one. I had a car try and end my riding days while I was riding to work on my X2, boy did that hurt, but it allowed me to buy this fantastic machine. There is really no down side to the bike it fun to ride and easy to set up. The LEFTY is the best.. way better than any fork I have owned or tried, great rebound and long travel.
Plus it is Handmade in USA. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grattier
a
from Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | GTH | | Strengths: | WOW, its definitly the best bike I try in my life... Purchase it if you have the cash... i paid 2500$ Can | | Bottom Line: | WOW, its definitly the best bike I try in my life... Purchase it if you have the cash... i paid 2500$ Can | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Racer
from Florida
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Rear end is outstanding. Fit and finish top notch. very solid and tight. Adjustable | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Raven | | Bike Setup: | Easton monkey lites, Time atacs, Stan's No Tubes, Psylo SL, Selle Italia Ti, Yeti lock-ons, Thompson post, Shimano XT, Avid Mech discs | | Bottom Line: | A good tight chassis for all-around terrain. Good racer. Has shaved a lot of time off my loops. Good looking bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Tipton
a Cross Country Rider
from Willard
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | The Best Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strengths: I rode the demo & fell in love with one & had to order one for myself. I've got a few weeks before mine actually arrives but I want everyone to know that this is a sweet machine! What really distinguishes this bike from every other is the way it seems to take on anything you dish out.. In the saddle, you don't feel any suspension movement at all. When I look down at the shock, I can see it moving and absorbing bumps on the way up, but it doesn't rob any of my energy. All the work they did on the geometry paid off big time.
| | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Tried: Trek Fuel 80, Iron Horse G-OUT Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this-------If you are looking for a longtime relationship with the best frame money can buy, look no further than Cannondale. These people are the best there is. There are not enough adjectives to describe their frames, or their customer service. I'm an Cannondale Lifer!!!!!!! I Bought this to supplement my Trek Fuel 80 as more of a fun bike. And fun it is! I'm sure there are better long travel bikes but none that I know of this good for the money. I did quite a bit of research on this bike before making the purchase and I must say that I believe I made the right choice. The bike sucks up the downhills; a handle jumps and drops, and is a great cross-country machine as well. This bike gives me a woody just thinking about riding it. It does everything well. You can plow through the roughest terrain with confidence and do some nice jumps and drop offs. You can get up the hill just fine and put your balls to the single track on the way down. This bike is great for having fun on all day long. So far this bike is everything I was looking for, tough, adjustable, value. This bike is awesome. I did a lot of comparison and reading on the different bikes. After the purchase I wasn't sorry a bit. I was hooked on the idea of the left front suspension right off the bat as it is for all conditions and I like it all; long climbs, long descents, jumps, north shore, jibbing town whatever. I am not super hardcore, the biggest thing that I have dropped is probably under 5 feet and I weigh 180 + lbs, but I do ride as much as I can (five days a week during the summer) if you can only get one bike, get this one. It has a very solid, comfortable feel to it and can do pretty much anything. The Jekyll will be picked as best bike of the year award for 2003, just read the reviews coming out in the near future & you too will be convinced.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a
from Bacolod Philippines
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | CYCLETOTE | | Strengths: | Great handling, on the fly lock out options, adjustable geometry... | | Weaknesses: | none I could think of... | | Bike Setup: | Lefty DLR, Shimano Flight Deck, Koobi Chrono Saddle, Carbon Time ATAC. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, it climbs well (you can easily lockout the fork and shock) and rips on downhills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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