Submitted by
NTKREW
a Weekend Warrior
from NEW YORK Date Reviewed: March 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
CLIPING BIKEZ
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
STREET POLE
Strengths:
THE BEST BIKE I EVER HAD STOLEN IN MY LIFE !!
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
NONE
Bike Setup:
5
Bottom Line:
NT KREW 2009
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
luke hlavenka
a Racer
from alliston, ontario Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
highway at blue mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
new from a friend
Strengths:
very light
Weaknesses:
fork sucks, weird frame
Bike Setup:
deore xt
Bottom Line:
i race xc, so its an ok bike even though its old. i got a good deal on it so i was like meh what the hell ill buy it. i dont really need the rear suspension, and the fork is a piece of crap. my bike is only 28 pounds so im happy with it but i wouldn't buy it full price not worth it at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich Lowery
a
from LaVista, NE, USA Date Reviewed: May 9, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Platte River, Swanson
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Rack
Strengths:
Company Support, The Ride
Weaknesses:
Pedal Bob noticeable on paved trails, not really off-road.
Similar Products Used:
Lots, I test ride at races and trail rides. It has been hard to justify buying a new ride when I get back on this one afterward. Always ride before you buy.
My old super V 700 developed a crack around the pivot point in May of 2003. With all the bankruptcy talk, I was concerned. Let me tell you...CANNONDALE IS BACK!!!! I don't know whether they are trying to counter-act all of the bad press, but they took care of me. I'll be posting the review of my new Jekyll frame soon enough. I have loved every moment on my Super V. It cut twisty single track like a knife, and inspired confidence on the trail, see that pretty yellow and lime paint job up above, that was my baby...moment of silence. I have buddies who've really abused their frames and never had a problem. I didn't abuse mine, she only had about 800 miles on her. Either way Cannondale took care of me. Bottom line if somebody out there is getting rid of a 'Dale on the cheap, because of all the hype, pick it up now. The deals will be over soon.
Looking forward to making new memories on my new bike.
Thanks Cannondale
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary Lunsford
a Racer
from Batesville, IN Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Hanging Rock, Ohio & Brums woods,Batesville, IN.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
Montgomery cyclery - Cincinnati(closeout sale of C'dales)
Strengths:
Rock solid handbuilt in the USA frame and fork.UPgrades only make it better!!! BTW, I am reviewing a 97' model that was bought dirt cheap when LBS lost its Cannondale Rep deal.
Weaknesses:
In a size MED. it has a fairly short cockpit for a rider in the 5'10" range. This was corrected with a 150mm stem and a Thompson laidback post.
Similar Products Used:
As a former (retired) factory rider, I have tested and rode about everything on the market....
Bike Setup:
This is where I get carried away!Being used to haveing custom built bikes, I couldnt leave this stock! The only thing left stock is the frame and swingarm. Fork: fatty ultra, Rear shock: Fox float-RC, Azonic WF flat bar, SRAM esp 9.0 drivetrain and shifters,XTR cassette,all cables are gore-tex ride on, CODA 2001 splined cranket w/ultegra B/B and all alloy bolts for ring and cranks, thompson post, SDG Ti saddle, Avid Ti rear V brake and levers, Avid mech disk front, CODA/mavic x221 wheels.(stockers off of my 01'F-900sl), Switch between Kore GASS Ti & bmx platform pedals(for my wife), panaracer tubes and conti explorer pro kevlar tires, oury grips and Azonic barends.
Bottom Line:
Changing the fork and rear shock made this bike a completely different animal. It is the perfect stable mate to my 01' C'dale F-900sl. I realize that it is not a fair comparision to a stock super-V, but I thought that people should see the potential the bike has. IT now weighs right at 24 pounds and is an unstoppable force on rough technical cross-country racing courses. By locking out both the front and rear for flat fast sections or long grueling climbs and unlocking when you get to the roughs and downhills, it leaves me less beat up than riding my hard tail and is almost as fast. Words cant describe the fun I have trail riding on this bike. There is zero flex, it goes exactly where I point it, not to mention it is vault solid, leaving me to concentrate on the ride and not the bike. The Fatty Ultra is perfectly matched to the Fox air shock in the rear. The stock rear coilover had a 6.5" c-c length. I am using a 7.0" c-c Float-RC. The slight extra length required a very slight modification to the swingarm, but I increased the rear travel to 110mm. I can now run a little extra sag and still get over 80mm of usable travel. This keeps the rear wheel glued to the ground even over the roughest of terrain. Yeah, I will continue to race the hardtail (for now) but for long all day trail rides or having fun riding the bumps and jumps of the motocross track....its the ticket. Working a a ski patroller during the winter I often mount panaracer Spike-R tires on it and make runs down our ski slopes on it. Light enough to lap load on a chairlift and carves like a knife on the snow!! Now that I no longer ride for a team, I can choose to ride whatever I want. I am now convinced that all of my bikes will be Cannondales!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Samuel Walmsley
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, ACT, Australia Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$14500.00
Purchased At:
longdale st cyclery
Strengths:
very strong frame to weight ratio, smooth riding (if you change the forks)
Weaknesses:
everything else. I have had problem after problem with this bike i suggest that you do not purchase it!!
Bottom Line:
Unless your are going to pay under $800 australian, dont buy it. Spend your cash on some thing better. Cannondale make good top end bikes from my experance and the 700 is not an exampe of a top end bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from Omaha, NE(nebraska) USA Date Reviewed: July 31, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Bike Rack
Strengths:
Unbreakable, low maintenance, no flex, the huge down tube and killer paint make it look awesome, it really jams over anything.
Weaknesses:
It doesn't corner well at speed going down and turning up, for example cornering at the bottom of a gully. It takes some body enlish, good thing that top tube Vees down.
Similar Products Used:
Klein (The old "power beam" not good), KHS FS nice ride, Kona stinky five with a big Marzocchi fork make me wish mine had a little more up front but used a lot of leg to get around.
Bike Setup:
Cockpit was too small...Thompson Laid Back Seatpost made it just right. I'm just (15lbs.) over 200lbs and I swapped out the stock spring for a little beefier model...cut out the pedal bob and gave me back about an inch of travel. I pressed up the fork to about 180psi this took away the sinking feeling up front. Shimano 636 pedals. XT/Bontrager Wheelset.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line it rides great. There might be better designed suspensions, but few are as time-tested and bulletproof. I barely enjoy test riding the new models at the bike shops now that I've got this one. The low top tube lets you kick your way up through roots by pedaling and leaning all at the same time! It took about 100 offroad miles for the headshock to break in. Now it is fantastic. Make sure you flip the stem to a negative angle. The neg 5 degree stem climbs like a goat. At a positive 5 degree angle I couldn't keep the front wheel down, or get going on an uphill. I bent an axle on my front wheel, because the fork doesn't flex...This means it steers true and really transmits the feel of the trail. However, I don't know if it's the head angle changing due to the rear loading or what but when you try to turn out of a hard berm you have to push the bike over with a lot of leaning body english. I developed a squeek early on and thought the cranks were coming loose...it was the pivot. Tightened it up and haven't had a problem since. This bike has really grown on me. The suspension bobs a little, but I don't notice it on the trail. I would buy another one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Daniels
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO, USA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chubb @ West Tyson Park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Two Wheeler Dealer, SD
Strengths:
Frame design, HCV440 carbon-fiber rear swingarm.
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Trek OCLV, Diamond Back Topanga, Specialized FS, GT FS
Bike Setup:
Shimano STX all around, Titec Hellbent handlebars, Shimano PD-M324 pedals, Alivio cranks, Altus brakes and Dia-comp pads.
Bottom Line:
I am 260 lbs, and I ride hard. I have beat the hell out of this bike. In the five years I've had it I've ridden in Moab, Vail, the Badlands, Yellowstone, S. Carolina, Kentucky, Southeastern Illinois, as well as all of Missouri, and it has never given me any trouble. I bought it in South Dakota after I broke a Diamond Back Topanga. The Super V is my first full suspension, and I will continue to buy Cannondales from now on. This bike has made me a believer. This bike rocks! Even the chameleon paint is awesome. If you are big, or if you are small, this bike is for you. If you want to ride some flatter trails, buy a cyclocross. If you dig the beefy drop-offs, and like riding down wild trails, this is your bike. It's very responsive, and pretty fast to boot.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Frederick
a Cross Country Rider
from Forest of Dean, England Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Dowie's Run
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Second Hand
Strengths:
Pedals well with very little bob. Unusual looks. With a bit of component swapping you can use the frame for anything from XC to DS or even freeride trails.
Weaknesses:
Fork travel is too short. Top tube is too short, ride is a little too upright. Componentry doesn't match up to the standard of the frame. SRAM brake levers are brittle and downright dangerous. Low BB height.
This is a truely great frame. You can use it for almost any kind of riding. Mine started as a XC setup and gradually has got heavier and stronger as I've replaced the components. BUT...Californians don't seem to understand the concepts of rain and mud. In Britain you have to ride in the rain for about 70% of the year which means that your chainrings, mechs, brake blocks, rims etc. wear out really quickly. Hence the discs and Race Face kit, It may be expensive but at least it lasts! The SRAM composite brake levers are brittle and after I went over the bars one one of the levers snapped leaving a jagged edge which tore a hole in my thigh several inches deep, leaving me in intensive care having a lot of blood tranfused and unable to ride for about 4 months after!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Stromlo Forest
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
ONYA BIKE
Strengths:
Looks, frame build quality
Weaknesses:
Top tube length
Similar Products Used:
Hard tail convert: Kona Muni-Mula, Dale 99' F1000
Bike Setup:
XT Shifter combo, XT front Dr, XTR rear Rd, XT 11-34 cog, Mavic 517 on Coda Expert Hubs, EA70 flat bar & seat post, SDG Satelite saddle. Avid 50 V. Explorer Pro Front, Hutch Python rear.
Bottom Line:
As you can see I suffer from upgrade madness. Apart from trying to get the weight down (just nudging 27lb - will go lower with air shock), I like quality components. Also race this bike in Masters (45+), and surprisingly have a couple of podium finishes. I love it - ride it everywhere. Can't climb with riser bar, so flat bar is my choice, still a tough haul to get up a hill, but once there you can sit and get your energy back while pumping along. Paint work is as tough as nails, some big off's have left bike in better shape than me! Thanks for the advice on cable/paint work problems - I've places cool fox stickers in strategic places to alleviate problem. I'll buy another Dale when I get sick of this.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alberto Anzola
a Weekend Warrior
from Lodi, Italy Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lodi-SPino
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Flex-Free , front wheel tracking
Weaknesses:
Weight, rear brake cable routing, front shock (for free-ride)
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock, only rims (MAvic), rear hub (formula)
Bottom Line:
Sweet! I've had a '97 SV700 since sept. '96, and i love it! Awesome frame, very stiff, very good fork for XC (tracking, it gives you confidence in off cambers and loose corners - you feel every little front wheel quirk), very quick geometry (steers with a flick of an eye - good for twisty singletrack), comfy rear end (even if mine has only 3.5", i can set it up stiff for aggressive XC riding or w/lot of sag for plushness), lovely welds, nice color.... This bike has made me fall in love with C'Dale and I would recommend it for all-around riding, from XC to light Freeriding. I would be curious to test a newer SX Sv- with the lonfer travel it could be the definitive FR machine. BTW, - in 5 years never needed to rebuild anything on the frame, rear susp still tight and no noises at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter Bowyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra, Australia. Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Majura, Stromlo
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
build and ride quality. componentry all works very well.I think its incredibly light weight for a full suspension bike. I like the way it handles tight forest tracks.
Weaknesses:
cable location on frame. climbing is unusual but ok, stay seated!
Similar Products Used:
Moongoose full suspension, no comparison!
Bike Setup:
pretty much stock.Will fit riser bar and ergo seat to protect from numb nuts.
Bottom Line:
My first full suspension bike. I'm pretty new to Mountain Biking and am loving it thanks to this bike. This bike makes me want to ride all day. I bought it from a friend for a really good price. My aim is to wear the parts out then up spec the componentry to XT and a better front shock. Maybe a Fatty Ultra, we'll see. I would reccomend this bike to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris corbran
a Weekend Warrior
from gettysburg, pa, usa Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The funnel 13
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Adventure cycle and fitness
Strengths:
Low maintenance, just about the right amnt of travel, can race XC pretty well, most of the stuff works, can do the big drop-offs and jumps pretty well
Weaknesses:
fork sucks, always loses air, blew seal out, the paint comes off really easily, coda saddles bend easy, have bent too already,
Similar Products Used:
specialized enduro
Bike Setup:
velox rim strips, bontrager xxx dh bar, flat pedals, selle italia saddle, oury grips
Bottom Line:
i love everything about this bike, except the fork. if you like to jump, and ride a little dh get a size smaller. the redwall tires are weak, and dont grip in wet weather. dont be afraid to do everything with it, it should hold up. this is a great fs for racing or freeriding, but get a new fork as soon as you can. Anyone can get used to it quickly
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adriano Coutinho
a Weekend Warrior
from Macaé, RJ, Brasil Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
Gosto muito desta bicicleta. As suspensões tanto a da frente ( Super Fatty SL ) quanto a trazeira ( Vanilla Fox )funcionam muito bem. Embora eu faça também bastante Donwhill com ela, eu a considero ideal para a prática do cross-country. A relação da minha super V700 é XT atrás e STX-RC na frente, os cubos também são STX-RC, acho a traseira um pouco pesada com relação a frente. Mas no geral é uma excelente bicicleta. Tem uma resistência muito bom e grande durabilidade.......
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Laudon
a Downhiller
from dartmouth, MA Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
in adition to my review below i bought a Stratos Heix pro with a lock-out and it turned my bike into a bad ass hardtail too! the lock-out is great for climbing or geting to trails on the road. if you are smart you will get rid of the fox crap because the nitrogen chamber doesn't last to long and makes some funky squishy-squirty noises. my bike is both a light hardtail and one mean freeride bike
PS buy a long travel fork for maximum fun and plushness
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
boonies around the house
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, beautiful frame
Weaknesses:
Weird climber
Similar Products Used:
GT i-drive
Bike Setup:
Bone stock but for Terry seat and lizard skins
Bottom Line:
I hate the front derailer and I think I've toasted the rear hub, but other than that it's been a fantastic ride.
My SV700 came with the Fatty SL fork, supposedly because the factory ran out of the DL. Other than suddenly losing all its air pressure once (inexplicably, nothing was wrong), I've had no complaints about the Headshock.
I tried the GT i-drive but was shocked at its excessive weight and shoddy build quality (nasty welds). Then I took a look at the Cannondale and fell in love. It's constantly amazed me ever since.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Immanuel Weber
a Cross Country Rider
from Bonn, Germany Date Reviewed: February 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The main reason for buying this bike was the comfotable seat Position and geometry.The bike setup was set up just right for me, more would be just luxury.I like the stiff frontfork good for cc.The frame is clasically designed but functional good.It is good for long cc trips but also useable for easy
Weaknesses:
-hutchinson tyres -some times the louise brake grinds a bit.
Similar Products Used:
gt i-drive Rocky Mountain Element Race specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
-coda dh bar -continental vertical pro tyres -shimano click pedal 626(?) -Magura louise and hs 11.
Bottom Line:
Just like the bike and don´t want anything else by now. It is just right for cc and is an "allroundbike".
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rubèn Sanz
a Cross Country Rider
from Manresa, Barcelona, CATALUNYA Date Reviewed: February 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Llacs Colomers (Val d'Aran, Catalunya)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
I think it's a good bike for XC and DH.When you're pedalling in a flat places, works very fine and when it's time to DH, you can trace a line and the bike respects it and swallow everything that comes in its way.The front suspension reacts very well(super fatty dl), the rear suspension, spring vainilla, i would like it more adjustable and lockable when i go uphill.The front disk brakes it's good and works in any condition (watch not to put soap or oil in the brake pads, they will contaminate and will not work very fine), but very similar power to my "old" xt'99 levers. When you go uphill, it's better to keep sit, whenever it's possible, because when you stand up, the bike don't react very well.
Weaknesses:
When you go climbing, it's a bit heavy, i wolud like to loos e 2 or 3 kilos at least.The rear shock it's not adjustable at all.The biker position it's to high, so watch out when tou go in steep slow dowmnhills.Some tubes wears the paint near the rear shock, and the bad one it's the one that touches the spring tension nut.I put some textile tape every place and it's works fine.
Similar Products Used:
-
Bike Setup:
Super V 2000 frame; super fatty dl 80 lock;full lx'99, magura clara disk brake fornt and magura hs-11 hydraulic rear.
Bottom Line:
Very good for XC and soft DH.It has to loose some weight to go uphill, me too!!! A good bike to have fun.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Tayman
a Weekend Warrior
from Butler, PA Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
7-springs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
cannondale has designed and produced the lightest full suspension frame that allowes little to no flex. the stand over height is the bigest selling point i think of any fs bike on the market, and the best part is the bike is handmade in the usa.
Weaknesses:
Cable placement on frame, swingarm bearings needed replaced a few times, faulty rim tape causing flats.
Similar Products Used:
schwinn mesa gsx
Bike Setup:
avid arch 40 brakes, xtr derailers, live wire seat, race face xy post
Bottom Line:
i would deffinatly recomed this bike to anybody. for the price and opitions you cant beat it, you still have to work out some problems but it is well worth the trouble.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Laudon
a Cross Country Rider
from dartmouth, MA, USA Date Reviewed: January 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything steep and fast!
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
well i have a sl so the frame is nice and light the original bike was great for pure cross country and climbes like a dream for a fs bike. i love the shifters which are the top of the line Quarts gripshift. and the rims, mavic 221, are strong enough to take a severe beating. also the pedals can take the punisment of all the rocks and logs i slam into. Plus is looks so cool with a yellow and lime fade!!!
Weaknesses:
the bushings where the rear suspension attaches to the fram wear out pretty quickly and the super fatty d doesn't have enough travel for a free rider. but overall it has many more strengths than weaknesses
Similar Products Used:
haro MX3 kona king kikapu trek y3
Bike Setup:
stock exept for axzonic pyramid riser bar headcup readucers aheadset SID XL the best coda stem on the market titec bezerker KT seat (i broke the coda one when i f|_|cked up on an jump
Bottom Line:
a great bike for the $$$ and very easy to upgrade to any type of bike you want including a great freeride DH bike. great, light, BEEFY, strong frame. if u are smart, get a new fork unless u are doing pure X Country riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Newton
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: December 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything in Flagstaff
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Handles well I like the color Warranty has been good
Weaknesses:
This bike was replaced after 3 months due to a loud unexplained cracking noise comming from the rear shock area every time i would pedal hard. The replacement cracked after 7 months of riding. I'm now on my third frame. The air oil fatty fork does not have enough travel.
Similar Products Used:
KHS fullsuspension
Bike Setup:
Bomber fork 747 pedals Mavic rims with XTR hubs
Bottom Line:
I am love the way this bike handles but am concerned that this is my third frame in about 14 months. I am 180lbs and not really aggressive on the trail. Has anyone else broken this frame or had any similar problems? My other concern is that all of the rear shocks(remember I have had 3) make continous loud creaking noises. I have been to 4 different C'dale dealers and all of them removed the shock and greased it and the bolts that hold the shock in place. This gives me about 60mins of riding before the noise returns. I run a lizard skin cover for the shock. I have been pulling the shock of after each ride and greasing it with Phil Wood grease but this is seems like excess work to have the bike perform well. Does anyone have a solution to this noise? Great ride but broken frames and loud rear shocks only allow me to give the bike a 3.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iain
a Weekend Warrior
from Hull Date Reviewed: October 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Yorkshire Moors
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light weight frame(compared to my other bike) Good spec Good climber Grin factor
Weaknesses:
Those IRC tyres (God I hate them) Mucho chain suck!
Similar Products Used:
Specialised FSR Santa Cruz Heckler Kona Stinky
Bottom Line:
Overall a good package. Out of all the bikes I was looking for something FUN to throw around, yet practical enough to get up that hill. The Cannondale wins hands down. I like the suspension kit but I would wish for a bit more travel and please why the hell do people put these skinny XC tyres on!! They suck (or rather they don't) No grip in the mud (ouch), and compared to my old bike's tyres (prehistoric Tioga Psycho's), not a patch on them. Overall I'll give the bike 4.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr. Peter Built
a Weekend Warrior
from TX Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999
This bike is awesome. Some say it's heavy, but 27.5 lb and 5 rear suspension travel? I'd say that's pretty good. All of the negative behavior described in this forum can be attributed to a lack of understanding of the limitations of full suspension. I've put several hundred miles on the road with this bike and, while it does pogo a bit if I pedal squares, when I'm smooth, the bike's smooth. I think that the price point components (BB, wheelset, brakes) aren't quite so spiffy, but am giving the bike 5 big flaming dead horses anyway. With a bike this good, you should have it long enough that upgrades happen naturally.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristo
a Weekend Warrior
from Belgium Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Waals Brabant
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Comfy frame Look Drives incredible Warranty
Weaknesses:
CODA equipment, Real shit All of it! Every part must be replaced with better stuff! (except the susp.) Cables ruïn the frame!
Bike Setup:
Super V 600 SL (european) m-shock (good enough for cross country)
Bottom Line:
Very comfortable bike and drives very sharp. Great lock-out function of the front susp., i wanna have it on my backsusp.too. BUT ALL of the bike parts are REPLACED with BETTER stuf!, Most of them were broken (only after 2 months), new wheels(Coda and Mavic221 TO Plasma and Mavic516 and hubs, casette, rear der.(sachs TO XT),bottom bracket, chain...and i have upgraded my brakepower to the superb Magura's Johny.T's It was really a bad choice from Cannondale to offer bikes with those crap parts(coda,.hm..), but now when i see the new Cannondale bikes they have had a big parts upgrade starting with the cheaper models. The bike is pumping a lot when driving on flat roads and also when climbing the hills. I have a steel spring backsuspension which is in his hardest position.(BUT, i weight a lot) Now with all the new parts, the bike is defenitely a dream-bike!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Timo Harjunen
a Cross-Country Rider
from Helsinki, Finland Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Frame quality
Weaknesses:
Headshok reliability Cable design vs. frame Grips Chains
Similar Products Used:
SV-1000 Marin Rift Zone
Bike Setup:
Super Fatty SL Coda 700 wheelset (European model orig.) XTR rear and XT front derailleur
Bottom Line:
Actually bike is SV-700 SL (european model) Now I have owned the product for 3 three months and ride it for 1000 km and so far it has worked fine except for the headshok - it has leaked oil from the day one :-( The bike is with the local dealer now and they will replace the front suspension cartridge - lets see how it will work... Connex chains that came with bike were piece of ... The powerlink thing lasted for 300 km and broke 5 km after receiving the bike from the service. One other thing is the (rear brake) cable going through the suspension pivot system - it touches there the frame and wears out the painting and eventually also the frame if nothing is done - so if you own a Super V and haven't notice this so check it out!!About the suspension: while climbing stay in the saddle and the bike makes miracles - off the saddle it sucks especially with broken front suspension...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin Date Reviewed: August 9, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Emma Long Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Rigid frame Ecellent control Comfort of ride
Weaknesses:
Its a little heavy but the increase in performance far out weighs the weight problem
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR Cannondale F400
Bike Setup:
Super V700 Upgrade to FT80 front hydraulic shock
Bottom Line:
This is the best and by far the most comfortable bike I have ever riden!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodbridge, California Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Warranty Looks Strength Quality Service (if needed) from local shop
Weaknesses:
Kinda heavy
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Mtn Bike
Bike Setup:
Stock (except for lights)
Bottom Line:
I like it alot.....I'm just worried my son may take it over......A little heavy, but after lights and stuff....Its gonna be that way....Overall......A great bike......The local friends highly recommended this bike.......
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia Beach, VA Date Reviewed: June 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything with jumps
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
suspenion design durability chicks dig it
Weaknesses:
had a lot of early flats
Similar Products Used:
rock shox gt
Bike Setup:
super fatty super v disc brakes
Bottom Line:
Best bike I have ownes/riden
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michal
a Weekend Warrior
from B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: June 12, 1999
Favorite Trail:
slim chance
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
front shock frame stiffness head shock adjustability
Weaknesses:
wheel set top tube length weight company's delays of parts
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Element Mocha Mocha Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Fatty SL Upgrade XT Wheel Sets 140 mm stem Mitzuboshi Tires Super Heats Monkey Bars Fatty SL Fork
Bottom Line:
Great on flats & downhill bike, a pig for climbing, don't get out of your saddle. I'm 6'1 & really miss that extra inch of top tube length. I feel I need alot of room to maneuver the bike in tight situations as opposed to the Rocky Mtn, which turns on a dime & outclimbs the Dale in all situations. I always catch up to it on the flats & beat it on the downhills. The bike could use a rebound dampening rear shock & lose 2 lbs.Overall I don't think the bike beats me up on some of our harsher riding trails as some of the other bike did. Did have a problem with the company backing up warranty products. The time frame was unacceptable. Blew up head gasket for 2nd time in 3 mths & it took over 1 mth to receive new part. Presently waiting over 2 mths for Cannondale Jersey.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry
a Weekend Warrior
from Harrisburg, PA Date Reviewed: May 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Uranium Road
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The Super Fatty D SL and Fox Vanilla shocks provide a smooth ride even when you're practically vertical with your ass hanging over the rear wheel.
Weaknesses:
A little heavier than I'd like, but for a dualie with such great overall performance, I'll be forgiving.
Bottom Line:
AWESOME. Being a Pennsylvania resident, it makes me proud of those masters in Bedford.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JON
a Cross-Country Rider
from TAYMAN Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Cannondale has manufactured a 9 speed, light weight and flex free full suspension bike that will handle just about anything that I can throw at it. I highly recommend this to any rider.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clark
a Weekend Warrior
from charlotte Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
smooth easy to handle for a beginner or an expert
Weaknesses:
wheel hubs need to be upgraded.
Bottom Line:
i have fell in love with this bike. it handles anything that has been asked of it. i'm a beginner to the mountain side of riding, and after riding an m300 for a long time.... i now know what i have been missing. when someone says it's not the shoes, it might not be... but if they say it's not the bike, well, in this case, it is. get one you'll love it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from California Date Reviewed: March 12, 1999
Bottom Line:
My first dualie. Although it is heavier than my road bike and my old rigid MTB, it is so comfortable that it is worth the extra effort. I now run less and ride much more. I only wish someone could tell me how to carry a large pump on this oddball frame!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mystery_man
a cross-country rider
from CA Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999
Bottom Line:
I'm just trying to overdo that stupid jack ass who gave this bike a ONE just to bring the rating down...the wuss won't even leave his email. HAH! And as for the bike it's really sweet.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
FLEX
a cross-country rider
from florida Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999
Bottom Line:
I've had my 700 for about 9 months now and the only thing I've changed is the fatty shock to a top o'the line bomber...sweet, very sweet. It performs fantastic. I would highly recommend this bike to anyone, for that reason I give the high five!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Lasch
a cross-country rider
from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri Date Reviewed: January 22, 1999
Bottom Line:
What a great bike! I have had mine for about 6mo. and have put many, many miles on it. It has never let me down. I love the Head Shock. The frame is flex free. The bike tracks like a mad man. Simply point the bike where you want it to go and hold on...your dream ride is at hand!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pierre Crevier
a
from cross-country rider Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
I purchased the bike July 1998. I just got back into the sport in March, after a 5 yr period of no activity. I bought a used 1997 F700, liked the bike but after racing dirt bikes for 15 years and being used to 12 inches of suspension travel, I thought the hard tail was too rough a ride. Just for grins I borrowed my dealers 1996 Super V 900 and fell in love with full suspension. I had him order me a 1998 Super V900 and that same day Cannondale released the 1999 Super V 700, so I got one those instead. I love the comfort and handling of the bike. I do some local time trials and mostly hard core off road riding. Some updates I’ve made to reduce weight and improve reliability and make it easier to ride are an XT 32-11 cassette, Mavic Cross Land Wheels, light weight tubes, XTR Bottom Bracket, Coda Tarantula Crank, Titanium rail Sella saddle, Ritchey Ti axle pedals and I’m currently shopping around for a lighter seat post.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mad Max
a cross-country rider
from An American in Germany Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have a '97 and say it is a great bike! This was my first full-suspension bike and I was amazed after having a softtail how much better the ride was. I have since acquired a '97 Super V 3000 with the intentions of selling the Super V 700, but have decided to keep it as my day-to-day trainer. I don't wash or lube it and it still performs excellent. A buddy of mine borrowed it for a cross-country race, he normally races a seriously tricked-out hardtail but was having back problems, and was impressed with how well it rode. It might be a tad heavy for serious racing, unless you have Tinker's leg power, but for daily use or recreational riding this is a great bike to have!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
rider
a
from Westlake Village Date Reviewed: November 29, 1998
Bottom Line:
Well, even though I haven't had the bike too long, I am very impressed so far. The bike handles beautifully and the overall experience is a very solid ride. The suspension is great: rear suspension is the reliable fox vanilla's with 120 mm travel which are great for downhill. But the super fatty d's are absolutely sweet. The lockout is easier than counting to 3 and the 80 mm of travel is tops. I recently went down one hell of a tough hill and the 700 felt like it floated over the rocks. The only problems I did encounter was a slight squeking sound from the vanilla's which quickly went away about a minute later. But my major fuss is the breaks. Towards the end of the ride, they weren't as sharp as in the beginning and got me a bit trouble. Other than these small problems, the 700 is overall an amazing bike. From the specs to the feel, I enjoy the 700 on every ride.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Welch
a downhiller
from Brentwood, TN Date Reviewed: November 22, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have tested and ridden this bike a couple of times in the past weeks. The bike really impressed me. The one and only thing that i did not like about the Cannondale was that it felt more like a 5 inch all around travel Downhill bike that I am used to riding. Other than the fact that it is over-suspended for a cross-country bike, I was very impressed with the components and overall feel of the bike
Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 1896.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
