Submitted by
Ryan Kildee
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO Date Reviewed: August 3, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Updating my review from way back in 1999! Anyway, this bike has been very reliable through the years. So much so, that instead of buying a new bike, I've recently upgraded the crap out of it.
Weaknesses:
Not the lightest thing around, but bombproof. I could shave a lot of weight with lighter components, but thats $$$ I don't have and I'm not a weight weenie.
Similar Products Used:
Test rode too many to list before upgrading this bike.
Bike Setup:
Now running a CAAD4 Jekyll rear swingarm, Fox DHX Air 5.0 shock in 7.5"x2" for 150mm of rear travel. Propedal kills the single pivot bob under power. Up front I've got a set of reducer cups and cane creek headset, with a 140mm Fox Vanilla RLC fork. Avid BB7 brakes. This bike now rides better than ever.
Bottom Line:
The UBER-V rules.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Evergreen, Colorado Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
hardcore downhill section
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
some crazy road biker
Strengths:
-Light -tough -Canondale
Weaknesses:
-Headshok is noisy on downhill -seat kills your balls -derailers are funky
Similar Products Used:
Specialized full suspension mtb
Bike Setup:
Ritchey clipless pedals, new seat, new grips
Bottom Line:
this bike rocks for it's price but could use more front travel, and it's gears work badly uphill. Other than that it's my favorite bicycle i've ever owned, it gets a five!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Weaver
a Downhiller
from New York Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
plattekill mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
local bike shop in NYC
Strengths:
The Frame is good i like the fox shock on the front but if you ride DH get a new Triple Crown fork...but good overall bike
Weaknesses:
you have to be careful of the parts cause some of them are awful...the headshok is also bad cause Cannondale just does not make good forks.think about an upgrade once you get the bike suck as new cranks, FORK!!,deraileurs, cassestes, rims, tires, so on so forth....
Similar Products Used:
all the other FS cannondale bikes
Bike Setup:
cannondale super V 400 with tioga tires, Manitou X-Vert DC 01' fork, Shimano components
Bottom Line:
good overall bike...good for XC, ok for DH but its good for me cause im young and small...get a new fork though cause headshok really sucks, new components too. but a decent bike especially good for young rookie DHers cause its light and its easy to pedal cause its got like 3 inches of travel in the back
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carlos Velez
a Cross Country Rider
from Quebradillas, PR, USA Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cañaverales de Añasco
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Ciclo Mundo
Strengths:
Beautifull suspension, strong frame and strong fork.
Weaknesses:
You can’t buy it via Internet, so you have to buy it in your country. In Puerto Rico you can find just one Cannondale dealer but they are very expensive and they don’t have the experience to repair a Cannondale. Rims don’t have too much side force, pedals are recreational and the frame is very flashy and says Cannondale every two inches.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale 2000 Super V 400
Bike Setup:
Shimano cliper pedals, Mavic Rims.
Bottom Line:
Cannondale is a good company but remember that this is their cheapest full suspension bike. For the price this is a good bike but you have to know that Cannondale uses different components and some of that components are very difficult to set up. I suggest if you want to buy this bike, make sure that you have good Cannondale dealers near you, not like in Puerto Rico because “Ciclo Mundo” is the only official dealer. The bike is good in downhill and also supports big jumps! It comes with Continental wheels and they are perfect for Cross Country use. Personally I don’t like to have a bike full of companies name so I have to repaint my frame. Now I love my bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY Date Reviewed: October 18, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
-Nice looks -Plush Fox shock,no complicated linkages -Sweet Headshok,very responsive -Very good workmanship -Not too heavy -Good brakes -It's a Cannondale
Weaknesses:
-Componentry could be a little better perhaps -Bobs like a pogo stick while climbing -Overpriced:The Jamis Dakar Comp is better for only $150 more
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Dakar Comp
Bottom Line:
Torture on long climbs.Heaven in the rocky stuff,though.A good bike,but my friend's Dakar Comp is better than the V400 for similar money as far as components are concerned(The V400's Headshok is better than the Manitou on the Dakar though).
Not bad,but the Dakar takes the cake on this one.I'll give it 3 chilis overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Gordon
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything Bumpy!!!!!!!!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Fitness
Strengths:
Great Suspension, price, look, seat, rapid fire shifters
Weaknesses:
rear shock not very adjustable, a little heavy but still pretty good weight
Similar Products Used:
Proflex Dual Susp. Bike
Bottom Line:
This was my first suspension bike. It is everything I would want from a bike. It is a good weight, though feels a little heavy at times, and the suspension travel is excellent, though it may not be 4+ inches. I did change the tires on mine because I would skid out a lot, and the tires I have now work a lot better. I think anyone can really have this bike. If all you do is uphill, though, this bike starts to drag and you can feel it, versus some other bikes I have used, it was a lot easier to go up hill on them. But this bike is a killer downhill bike, though I wouldn't use it for professional downhill racing. Deifnitely one of the best bikes you can buy for the price!!! Anyone want to chat or e-mail me feel free!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayward WI Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything not paved
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Awesome headshok, Looks, Price,
Weaknesses:
Grip Shifters, Seat
Similar Products Used:
Bainchi Osprey, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Icon pedals (mistake), Sigma Sport Targa computer, everythingelse is stock on my Super-V
Bottom Line:
I use this bike for xc and its pretty good for a beginner like me. The Icon pedals that are on it were put on by the bike shop before I bought it. They probably couldnt get rid of them anyother way. The seat makes my ass numb after about 10 miles. The chain came off a couple of times while riding but i think thats due to my inexpirience. The price was right fro my pocketbook. $800.00 new. The rear shock is a Fox Vinnila and is pretty rigid. I guess thats good because it would seem to be a waste of energy to be bobbing up and down all day. I took three spills today and nothing broke. One was real bad too. I have about a 9 inch cut on my fore-arm from a stump. I think someday it'll stop bleeding. Got many compliments from expiienced riders. Awesome bike for the money. In a year or two I will upgrade to the 700 model. This bike will give me many years of beatings. Highly recommended. From one novice to another.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas Baugh
a Weekend Warrior
from Russellville, AR Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Nebo Mt. Arkansas
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
For the price I have to love this bike. I check around, and glad I picked this one. Rides quite well on rough trails, and easy to control. Takes a beating, and keeps going. Wish I did as well afrer a crash.
Weaknesses:
Grip shifters and seat. Not as light as a hardtail, but what softtail is.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Trek, and Specilized
Bike Setup:
Stock, with rapitfires, and specilized seat.
Bottom Line:
Once you change out the shifters to rapid fires, and put a good seat on it, you have one good trail bike. Grip shifters didn't work well from the factory and the seat had to go right away. But that's all I changed on the bike, and I love it. I ride it every weekend, and don't think about getting anything else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Martyn Parr
a Downhiller
from Rhyl Wales UK Date Reviewed: February 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The one to my girlfriends bed
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Looks sound, built like a tank, relatively lightish, plush, standover height
Weaknesses:
seat post adjustability from long high to low for extreme use
Similar Products Used:
LTS FSR and other dodgy steads
Bike Setup:
Jr Ts maguras LX/STX RC
Bottom Line:
Good as a light weight medium travel downhill bike, but poo as an XC machine, the back end is too active. I havent broken it yet and I can break anything with my seriously bad but try anyway riding skills. Respect to Cannondale this bike is sorted.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin
a Downhiller
from Tx Date Reviewed: January 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
420
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super V Frame. Smooth ride and easy to control.
Weaknesses:
Ghost shifting...grip shifters suck..
Similar Products Used:
K2 and Trek
Bike Setup:
Front and Rear XTR derailleur, XTR rapid fire shifters, XTR V-Brakes, and XTR crankset...XTR RULES!!!
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is...this is a great bike with a few changes. I had alot of problems with ghost shifting going up hill. So i went XTR everything when it came to the drive train...Not a problem since.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CosmicCharley
a Weekend Warrior
from Issaquah, Wa Date Reviewed: December 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Star Pass, Tucson, AZ
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Headshock Frame Design
Weaknesses:
Gripshifters, just couldn't get used to them in the steeps and in and out of corners...I just don't like the feel of them.
Similar Products Used:
Klien, GT, Kona, Specialized
Bottom Line:
I switched out the Gripshifters for Rapid Fire's...Much smoother and more reliable shifting in my opinion. Put Slime liners in tires for Tuscon ride...had NO FLATS on a 10 Desert ride around cactus. Bike performed very well in and out of the washes, bounced along the rocks real well. Beautiful two wheel drift in the downhill corners...It's a Cannondale..what more can I say?
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Forgdie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kansas Date Reviewed: November 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Upkith Hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very strong frame , zero flex zero stiction from headshok rear suspension relatively plush little peddle feedback
Weaknesses:
too hefty geometry sucks for XC ( short Toptube ) feels like a tank , sluggish .
Bottom Line:
This bike only made me more in love wif my Hardtail. SUCKS for XC , good for Freeride. Only the mantra made me like FS again .
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan Kildee
a Cross-Country Rider
from Grand Blanc MI Date Reviewed: November 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pontiac Lake, MTU Tech Trails
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Great solid frame and plush, active rear end. I don't feel a thing at speed. Precision of the head shok. Its much more rigid than my old Judy. Very plush but rarely bottoms. Coils forever!! Comfy ride
Weaknesses:
A bit on the portly side. Cheezy components ( but they work okay if you keep them tuned up properly) Bobs a bit when shock is set up for descending.
Similar Products Used:
Specialzed FSR's, GT STS, Trek Y-3 (yuck, a urt)
Bike Setup:
Stock, except for riser bar, upside down stem, coda clipless, better saddle, Mavics, Hayes discs coming soon
Bottom Line:
Well, I'm really not a cross country rider like its says above. (I don't shave my legs-It doesn't make any sense!) I just love bombing through steep, rough terrain and this bike allows me to go much faster with less effort than my old hardtail. I've been converted to full susp by this one. Great bike for the price.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cris Vigliano
a Weekend Warrior
from DC Date Reviewed: October 13, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
the frame is true and laterally stiff headshock precision plush reart shock
Weaknesses:
short top tube lenght unconfortable saddle hubs, pedals, brakes, saddle not up to par with frame
Similar Products Used:
trek 6000 trek Y3
Bike Setup:
upgraded to 646 DH pedals LX brakes coda riser bar and paquito bar ends body geometry saddle
Bottom Line:
this frame and fork are a work of art, and work beautifully together. In fact, in my first ride with ths bike i got so overconfident that went over the bars and got 8 stitches and a chipped tooth. And then i began to really love it! the stock saddle is too short and soft (you kind of stick to it, but it isn't really confortable. I got a specialized saddle that allowed me to put the saddle a bit more to the back, This and some riser bars, coda paquito bar ends (the best) and also turning the stem upside down helped to fool the bike into having a longer top tube for climbs and a LOT more control on the downhillls. the only obvious upgrade, tough, are clipless pedals. other than that, this is an excellent offroad/all around/commuting bike FIVE RED HOT FLAMING CHILIS!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Victorinox
a Cross-Country Rider
from Kansas Date Reviewed: October 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
abcdefg
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
- Headshok - PLush Suspension - Great Freeride machine
Weaknesses:
- Bloody Heavy - Bobs like crazy - Poor Geometry .. too upright - Bad XC machine
Similar Products Used:
XCR , LTS , Y bike
Bike Setup:
SV400 with XT parts
Bottom Line:
HEadshok is good , very sensitive to small bumps , yet seldom bottom up . Very rigid , much more than a Marzocchi . The rear suspension is smooth , takes large hits with like nothing . This would make a great light DH or freeride bike . A poseurs delight . However , this is built and marketed as an XC machine . Its a poor Xc machine. Its so obviously heavy . It bobs crazily up those hills . Its slow to accelerate . More importantly, the short stock stem didnt help make the already short top tube length longer . The riding position is too cramp ( can be solved by swopping stems though ) . But then again , which FS bike in this price bracket is any better , all sucks , including the much talked about XCR . For this price , it would be wiser to get a hardtail. This Cdale , would make a good leisure/freeride machine , but definitely , definitely not an XC bike .
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick Foster
a Weekend Warrior
from England Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Brilliant ride. A great Wheelie machine its just so well deigned.
Similar Products Used:
GT STS, Specialised FSR groundcontol, GT STS 4000
Bike Setup:
RST USA Mozo XL's Full LX MAVIC Rims FOX SHOX Rear shock
Bottom Line:
DON'T FOR ONE MINUTE THINK THAT I'D EVER BUY ANOTHER MAKE. THE DOGZ!!1
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
roscoralf
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Ingles Field Gap
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Built very tough - can take abuse and goes where you point it.
Weaknesses:
I like grip shifters, but the deralliers(sp?) sometimes mis-shift.
Bottom Line:
A very good bike I intend to ride for a long time. My wife and I both have one, after trying similar-priced bikes. A little hefty, but I bet it can take more abuse than those wussy-induced lite bikes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BIKER
a Downhiller
from usa Date Reviewed: August 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Bottom Line:
the best bike of all time
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ChrIS
a Cross-Country Rider
from CARLISLE Date Reviewed: August 13, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
EVRYTHING ITS A CANNONDALE
Weaknesses:
NONE
Bike Setup:
DISCVBRAKES CODA EVERYTHING XTR DERRAILER
Bottom Line:
wow i race proffessionally so bassically the down load on this bike is that it is the best
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
terry santor
a Downhiller
from usa Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
parts arent the best of the best but there good
Similar Products Used:
diamond back
Bottom Line:
the bike saved my life tons of time s get it it works and looks great
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john stiren
a Weekend Warrior
from harrisburg,Pa Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
everything
Weaknesses:
none whats so ever
Similar Products Used:
evrything
Bike Setup:
m fatty shocks disc breaks the works
Bottom Line:
its is the bomb get this bike if you can afford it i know i am
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jubi
a Cross-Country Rider
from usa Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
tech trail
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
rear design, components aren't bad
Weaknesses:
head shock, price, customer service
Similar Products Used:
Many full susp (k2, trek, specialized, schwinn, klein, cannondale, santa cruz--they're all mostly crap, except K2/Proflex)
Bottom Line:
The cannondale Super V line is not so bad, like the Trek, Klein, Schwinn S-works lines (all amount to expensive seat post suspensions only). But the head shock is not as good as a K2 crosslink with smart shock. the crosslink is a single shock, electronic brain suspension. The steering of the head shock is poor compared to telescope forks, and much much worse than the best fork--the crosslink (IMHO). The cannondale also makes their carbon frames with an aluminum spine. K2 does it much better with all carbon. For the money, I would still go with something besides cannondale.One chilies for not being a seat post susp. But expensive still for what you get. (Also, the reviews are way too biased here Kewl bike, Dudez, ghet it! without details--newbies, sheesh.)
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tres Pless
a Racer
from Carlisle,Pa Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
white tail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
nice light frame, only for the best. nice coda components and outstanding design
Weaknesses:
parts could be better but it rides like a charm
Similar Products Used:
c-dale F-1000 DBRX-10 SANTA CRUZ SUPER8 NEWMAN NX10
Bike Setup:
HEAD SHOK
Bottom Line:
I FIRST DEMOED THE BIKE AND IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM, I JUST HAD TO BUY IT. ITS A GOOD BIKE ON THE FEILD AND IS UNBEATABLE, BESIDES BY A CAR. I STILL RECOMEND THE SUPERV 700 IT HAS BETTER PARTS BUT THE BIKES STILL GREAT. GO CANNONDALE !!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DENNIS
a Weekend Warrior
from SF,CA Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
SKAGGS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Corners on a dime. Great front suspension.
Weaknesses:
high front end.
Similar Products Used:
GF Joshua, Trek vrx300 K2, FSR
Bottom Line:
Great first dual suspension bike. Need to upgrade parts, (lighter,stronger). Best front shock I've tested. Point and shoot, handles like a dream. I need to pound it up some more so I can have an excuse to upgrade.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Worth TX Date Reviewed: May 31, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tyler State Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
I really love the frame and the handling of this bike.
Weaknesses:
Wished it had the rapid fire shifters
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. It rides smooth and is a great downhill bike. And the price is really good for a full suspension
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Weekend Warrior
from Diamond Bar Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Angeles Crest
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Cannondale has always made the best quality frames. Looks that kill. Great design. Fatty M shocks provide precise steering, especially under heavy shock use.
Weaknesses:
Components can be better but are just fine.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn S-30, Mongoose DX series, Giant Yukon
Bottom Line:
I have always owned Cannondale bicycles and will never own anything else.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
pccm
a weekend warrior
from singapore Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999
Bottom Line:
i love it!!!! but the the componets are shity.my rims are dented after some light riding.i weight 65kg only! this bike is a good up grade bike. cannondale is always the best!!!!!!! If you are not down with it i got two words for you S**K IT!!!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Byrns
a weekend warrior
from Arkansas Date Reviewed: December 31, 1998
Bottom Line:
I love my Super V. I will never ride a hardtail again. Only bad thing about the 400 is the shitty componets. I would recomend buying the 700. It comes with all the good stuff. The 400 is made better by replacing the gripshift with rapidfires. I got some XT intergrated shifter/levers, and replaced the brakes with Avid single stops. The cheap rim on the back exploded after about 10 hard rides. (I weigh 230) Replace them with XT hubs and Sun Ryno Lite Wheels and this is all the bike you will ever need. Best frame in the world. Because of the crappy componets I give it 4 chillies.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terrence
a weekend warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: December 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
what can you say about c-dale stuff? THE BEST worth every penny....the frame if I'm not wrong is standard on all SL frames...just have to spend some money upgrading the components though. hell, Cannondale is still the best.
Overall Rating:
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