Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Ridge Trail behind Timp
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Copeland Sports
Strengths:
Durable, I have ridden this bike for close to 5 years now and it's still kicking it like never before. Light. Very responsive. Climbs like a mountain goat. Kicks it on the downhill too.
Weaknesses:
Orginal Components, upgrade the breaks, handle bars, and seat or suffer....and the Cassett sucks it bad. I'm also 6'3" and the bike feels just a little bit small but is okay.
Similar Products Used:
Endro Pro
Bike Setup:
Spinergy Spox wheels, Specilized Team Tires, XTR V-breaks and levers, Specilized Seat, Profile Carbon Bar, XTR Front Derailuer...
Bottom Line:
Very good bike, has lasted me for 5 years and will go a lot longer too. If you want a quality bike that will last you a long time with no major problems then get this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
thomas de doncker
a
from chicago Date Reviewed: March 21, 2003
Favorite Trail:
kettle - palos
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Bottom Line:
I love this bike so much I was inspired to submit an update to my original review. I admit at first I was a little nervous if this bike would hold up to abuse and use. It has with flying colors. Since purchasing the bike I've put 1000s of miles on it, a lot of it at Palos and Kettle, the former a pretty hard environment for FS bikes. My once clean bike is now scratched and dented and banged up from use. It is still without a doubt the fastest and easiest bike I have ever rode off road. It inspires confidence and only limitations is my own nerve. It just isn't like other bikes, I have no problems with either front or back shocks. Everything is holding pressure, no leaks anywhere. Took it out mudding a few weeks ago, just buried it in nasty black mud and it shifts, it brakes it just keeps on giving. I bought this bike new off of eBay for $825. and it has to be one of the best purchases of my life. Gladly would have paid full price for it. For a four year old model it is still one of the most high tech and let's face it, sexiest bikes ever made. I've done things on this bike that I once thought were impossible. Fast down hills into a tight turn you can literally stand it on its nose with complete confidence, drop it at the last moment and carve hard through the turn. It's like a well trained powerful horse, merged and you can't separate where the bike ends and the rider begins. The so so STX RC stock components surprisingly have held up well. The teeth on the middle crank cog is grinding down but hey that would happen with any component. Buy one, ride it and become a believer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
thomas de doncker
a
from chicago, IL., USA Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Kettle Moraine, WI.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Great hill climber, tracks wonderfully at high speeds, super agile, instills great confidence, easy bike to ride very fast up or downhill, particularly fast downhills through tight turns on the pedals it tracks beatifully.
Weaknesses:
grip shifters lame as are most of the stock components, just over 6'1" and feel as if bike is just a little too small for me (own the large). Water bottle mount is a joke, hard downhills I lose bottle every time.
Similar Products Used:
Suger 3, Schwinn Rocket's, Super V
Bike Setup:
Stock 'cept for seat, XTR for the future.
Bottom Line:
The machine makes a huge difference. Faster than ever with less effort. She's a bullet bike, buy one and you'll find out what it's all about.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kim Francis
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Macquarie, Australia Date Reviewed: May 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
45.5
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Port Push Bikes
Strengths:
Beautiful to look at.Rigidity,tracks likes it's on rails.Headshock with 80 mm travel is perfect for this bike.Lightweight!
Weaknesses:
None really!
Similar Products Used:
1996 Super V 2000,2001 Super V Raven 800.
Bike Setup:
Ritchey WCS Rims & XTR Hubs,Magura HS33 Rim Brakes,Float Shock and XT Cranks.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike in Sept 98 and Ive put close to 7000 Kilometers on this bike without any real problems.This has been a great bike. So much lighter and stiffer than my old super V. I mainly use it to race on these days as its lighter than my new Raven, which is set up with a Lefty for more general trail riding.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Central AZ USA Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Local Shop
Strengths:
9-speed hub, balance, climbs without excessive pumping, wacky frame shape protects family jewels in panic dismounts.
Weaknesses:
One bottle mount even though there's room for two, not many suspension adjustment options, front suspension has "collapsed" twice in two years, questionable proprietary Coda componentry, could lose a couple pounds
Similar Products Used:
Nothing worth mentioning
Bike Setup:
Sawed one inch off each end of handlebar, had hub replaced with greater range model, ditched witless pedals for trusty bear traps
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this Raven for almost three years and although I'd like to replace or revamp it in an effort to shave off those two pounds, it's just not worth the trouble and expense. The bike is not "hardcore" and neither am I. Its proprietary front suspension, which has worn itself out twice, is a complete mystery to me and I like it that way; just take the thing back to shop now and then.
As for value, I got it closeout in Oct 99 and saved several hundred bucks. As for '99 Raven present value, with what's out there now, I'd wouldn't put it past three hundred or so.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott M
a Weekend Warrior
from Orem, Utah, US Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Ridge Trail to Tibblefork
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Copelands, I got hook ups!
Strengths:
Awesome Climber, climbs like a Monkey. Fast and plush. Weight.
Weaknesses:
Seat sucks, got a new one. Breaks.
Similar Products Used:
Specilized Enduro Pro
Bike Setup:
I've done a lot of work on mine and I love it. I got rolf wheels and specilized tires, with XT disc. A sweet matching Carbon Profile Bar, Specilized Seat, XTR front derailer, SpeedPlay pedals, and the carbon RaceFace Cranks.........Awesome.
Bottom Line:
I got a deal on this bike so it made it all worth while, the retail price is high for what you get. Overall the bike completely kicks. I've done a tonz of riding on it and it's still bombing downhills like nothing and the climbing is great. I love it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reggie
a Cross Country Rider
from France Date Reviewed: October 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Those that go up/down
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
used
Strengths:
It's light. It's beautiful. It has a soul. It can read your mind.
Weaknesses:
Low end OEM components for the $$ People think Cannondales are for snobs. I hear them saying this behind my back as they choke on my dust.
Similar Products Used:
hardtails, Klein, GT, Specialized, all inferior
Bike Setup:
Mostly XTR now.
Bottom Line:
This bike is for those few enlightened ones who appreciate art, beauty, and most of all, speed. It flattens hills and staightens curves. Lean in, power the pedal and overwhelm the obstacles, it will only ask for more. Point it down a rocky crevasse and scream with the joy of being alive at the bottom. Caress its carbon skin as you would a beautiful woman. It calls from its place of rest in the living room, , master, impose your will upon this humble servant, I am honored to be your slave. It is all at once, powerful, dangerous, yet loyal and obedient, like perhaps a tamed tiger. I fear no man and no mountain, nothing on this bike. We will go to our doom together in a fiery crash, and that's OK.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ashley Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Jct ,Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Techno loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Climbs like a billy goat when in the saddle. Decends like free-ride bike This bike is incrediblely stiff in the corners for such a light weight FS bike. The carbon-fiber is out of this world comfy and the suspension can be fine tuned for someone as large as my tubby self, 6'2" 230lbs.
Weaknesses:
The top tube length is a little short if you are used to the racing set-up of most other bicycles. But, for the price that you pay for this carbon fiber delight there were no other weakness
Similar Products Used:
1998 Diamond Back V-8.
Bike Setup:
Before I rode it I changed every component to suit my tastes and to bring the wait down to a sub 25lbs. bike. I used the frame, Headshok, rear shock, the stem, and tires from the original set-up and that was it.
Bottom Line:
This bike totally rules the cross-coutry/freeride catagory of bikes. It is a kickass good time. I will never again own an aluminum full-suspension bike. Nothing can beat the ride quality of carbon-fiber frame. To quote another light weight bike company "save your money, buy one, ride it and all your questions will be answered - you'll never ride another company's bike again."
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Plainview, NY, USA Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Undecided
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Comfortable ride whenever I hit the trails. Light weight. adjustable air shocks. so so mix of components.
Weaknesses:
so so mix of components, paint scratches easy, poor placement of the water bottle cage, and only 1.
Similar Products Used:
specialized fsr xc, fisher sugar, gt idrive
Bike Setup:
Basically stock, except changed the seat, had problems with the coda cranks and put on shimano lx cranks, and shortened the stem a little, originally came with grip shifters, have them changed to rapid fires.
Bottom Line:
for the trails, this bike is incredible. I do a mix of trail riding and paved path riding, and while it makes riding on the path easy and more comfortable, the real comfort comes when you are hitting the dirt. I bought this bike as a leftover and think i got a good deal for it...or at least hope i did. had some problems with the coda cranks before i even took the bike home and they changed them to lx for me, and did a few other changes free of charge. i go out riding every day i can and am still getting used to riding this bike. on the trails it is better than i could have hoped for. paint scratches a little to easy for me, but i suppose it is a mountain bike and will get messed up eventually... it was hard spending the cash, but i talked myself into it and am glad i did. if you can still find one, get it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, NJ Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any with lots of rocks
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Incredibly light and agile. I do a lot of rock-picking and this bike climbs better than my hardtail and is a hell of a lot more fun on the downhill. Put the handling and balance of the bike to the test while riding trails which were snow and ice covered and found this to be the most agile and responsive bike I've ever ridden.
Weaknesses:
STX-RC components, come on, you find these on $300 bikes.
Similar Products Used:
Amp research & trek FS bikes
Bike Setup:
basically stock except for new tires (Mythos XC don't cut it where I ride) and had rear changed to 8-speed due to problems surrounding 9-speed. What do you really need 9-speed for? for that matter 7 was fine.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Worth every dime.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan chiaravalle
a Cross-Country Rider
from new york Date Reviewed: November 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
bad lands
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
looks,value,co. service
Weaknesses:
i am 6'1 205 lbs and the large is too small
Similar Products Used:
pro flex, super v, spooky, f900
Bike Setup:
only changed the wheelset kinghubs w/ 517 cd/ceramic rims
Bottom Line:
i think this bike is a very good buy. the weight is great. the rear suspension is perfect. like i said it is a little too small for me. also i think i was too heavy for the bike it pogoed after dropps. so my only advice is be careful if you are near my size.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff G
a Cross-Country Rider
from Central AZ Date Reviewed: November 4, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything dirty with hills
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very crisp handling, rides very smooth and quiet, great rear damping
Weaknesses:
A pound or two heavier than my dream bike, only one bottle mount, chain falls off when shifting into small chainwheel
Similar Products Used:
Rigid with suspension stem & seatpost, K2 Razorback RS (brifely)
Bike Setup:
Stock, had rear gearing swapped with wider range and handlebar shortened 2
Bottom Line:
I was holding out for a reputable FS XC bike that weighed 23 lbs and cost $1300. When I tried the Raven -- quality throughout, about 26 lbs, $1400 (closeout) -- I said close enough. This thing instantly spoiled me. I took a familiar ride today, one that used to wear me out, and I feel like riding some more! No more watching out for every little rock, no more aching back, no more half-inflated tires to soften the ride.I can't understand why they didn't put a second bottle mount on the seat column of the frame. The dealer gave me adapters to mount it on the seatpost, which is okay but the rear tire rubs the bottle on big bumps. Not a big deal.I'd give it 4.7 stars if I could -- nothing is perfect -- so I'll round it off to a 5. I've only ridden it a few times, and if I discover any nasties in the future, I'll re-post.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J.W.
a Weekend Warrior
from TX Date Reviewed: October 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Frame Suspension (Front & Rear) Full length cable housings It's a Cannondale!
Weaknesses:
Price point spec
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale hardtails Trek Y Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Dead stock
Bottom Line:
This bike awesome! A friend of mine has a Trek Y, and he goes out of his way to cut down my Super-V any chance he gets. On the other hand, I don't give his Trek a second thought. I think that some of the spec is not so spiffy, but that's fine with me; I'll keep this bike long enough that all that stuff will wear out a couple of times! 5 stars!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ocala, FL Date Reviewed: July 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Belleview (Ocala) Santos
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Suspension, feels lighter than it weighs, climbs like a hardtail, great design, incredible tracking
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Y Frames, Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
Standard set-up with fatty headshock
Bottom Line:
I was apprehensive about switching from a hardtail to rear suspension, but this bike flies uphill, takes bumps and ruts without pogoing, and follows lines without fishtailing like my old hardtail. It's probably in the upper 20's but feels like it weighs alot less. The Santos trail here near Ocala, which is well known for its diverse terrain (very technical rock quarries, long winding XC trails), is great for putting a bike through its paces, and this bike does not disappoint. It also gets alot of attention with its design and color. 5 chilis for a great all-around package of performance, handling, and design.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bonneau, SC Date Reviewed: April 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tsali, Thompson loop
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light, stiff, and Rad-looking.
Weaknesses:
EXPENSIVE (but if it was cheap everybody would have one)
Similar Products Used:
Standard Super V
Bike Setup:
The frame says Raven 700 but I've got mostly XTR, The SL headshok upgrade and lots of other goodies
Bottom Line:
I almost had to mortgage my house and came close to divorce to get this, but it was all worth it. Its 4 pounds lighter than my '97 Super V and tracks through turns like a Cheetah. I don't think there's a company that matches Cannondale and I don't think there's a bike that comes close to the Raven. This time, believe the hype. Now I've only owned the bike for 3 weeks so if I come across issues later, I'll repost.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mnk;l
a Downhiller
from b Date Reviewed: April 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
v
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Bottom Line:
because stone cold said so
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hEaDsHoK
a Cross-Country Rider
from Canton, North Carolina Date Reviewed: March 21, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Tsali
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
weight, stiffness, steering
Weaknesses:
haven't found any yet
Similar Products Used:
Super V, Homegrown Suspension
Bike Setup:
Mostly XTR and Crosslands, Syncros and IRC
Bottom Line:
First off, I will admit that I am a big fan of the Cannondale front suspension. I had owned a Super V for about 2 years and loved it. I wanted the RAVEN the first time they advertised it. I knew that if they could make the Super V concept lighter that it was for me. I haven't been dissapointed yet! I have put a lot of miles on my Raven in the past 6 months and must say that it has lived up to everything that I thought it would be. Incredible difference in quickness compared to my Super V. The only thing I can say about this bike is, If you like the Super V, you will LOVE this bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alain Powder Cadorette
a cross-country rider
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada Date Reviewed: March 4, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is an updated report for a much modified RAVEN 2000 (not the Freeride). CHECK OUT the original review posted on August 12, 1998. For you folks who will eventually want to upgrade various parts on your Raven, you'll find a few ideas below.With everything I have changed on this bike, it is more like a '99 RAVEN 3000 or '98 Raven 4000. Here's were it's at today (some changes were done since I had originaly posted in MTB Review): Cane Creek Crono Wam SS wheelset (Double butted Stainless Steel spokes), Ritchey Logic Rim Tape on both wheels, Specialized 1.25-1.5 thin tubes on both wheels (they stretch to 2.1 and are pretty reliable and very light), XTR Titanium Casette (12-32), Rear XT Quick Release (no flex wanted there), Kept the Mythos tires on both wheels (very light tires), Front Specialized Ti Quick Release.XTR splined Bottom Bracket, Coda Tarantula competition Splined Crankset with inner Ti ring, Shimano SPD-747 pedals (747 are a bit heavy but, still the best out there), Sedis road chain (forgot the number, they have little groove in the side plates, It shifts nice and lasts as long as any other hi-end chain, and It's light).Easton CT2 Carbon flat handlebars, Tomac ATI grips, GripShift Attack 8.0 shifters, XTR brake levers, No more bar ends, XTR front and rear brakesSyncros Titanium seatpost, Avocet 40 02 kevlar saddle (had a Sella Italia flite until it got riped so I'm trying something new)That's about it. I added up all the weight savings and it should weigh about 24.5pds but on my scale it comes in at 24.75pds (sometimes closer to 25pds). It still feels much lighter when your riding it.In order to bring the weight down to 24pds, I would want to change the rear shock, but I'll wait until the ALPS 5R blows up. The only problem is that as of today Fox will not sell Air Vanilla or floats to the public, only OEM, man does that SUCK! Cane Creek has a nice shock, the AD-10, but they don't make one that fits the Raven yet, they only have one for the Super V 2000. You need the get a shock with the correct lengths, compression ratio bla, bla, bla... you just can't put any other shock on this bike yet. Oh and forget about the Rock Shock rear SID, I heard it really SUCKS the big one! Maybe one day Fox will allow dealers to sell the shocks as an aftermarket part.My local bike store was very helpfull in helping me find cranks for this bike, they finally got Cannondale to ship them Tarantulla cranks for my bike at an amazing upgrade price in exchange for my old cold forged cranks. The best fitting cranks are the CODA competition Tarantula (Splined), you also need an XTR splined BB. The cranks with rings are lighter than XTR, shifts really nice, feels very stiff and look pretty good too. We tried other cranks but because of the rear swingarm design most cranks do not fit on the left side of the bike (Including XTR, Race FACE...). You can get these other cranks to fit, but you will have to get a much wider axle which will add flex, add weight, off center your chain and rings and widen your pedalling stance. NOT GOOD!This bike still kicks butt! I have had nasty spills with the bike falling over jagged rocks , roots , branches.... and guess what? The carbon shell doesn't have one dent yet, minor scratches but that's about it. That big ass pivot mounted on sealed bearings hasn't shown any sign of weekness yet, It still feels as stiff as a hard tail. With periodic maintenance, the Fatty SL headshock still performs very well on big hits but not as good on small ripples like a SID would, then again it still tracks better than anything else on there.Bottom line: I still stand by what I wrote on August 12th 1998. FYI: The local bike store I shop at has really help me out in tuning this bike they really know their stuff and for you Americans and Europeens you should check out their prices since the Canadian dollar is basicaly worth SHIT! Call Francois (AKA Franky) at ABC Cycles & Sports, 514-276-1305 and tell him you saw this on the WEB, he'll get a kick out of that.BTW: No, I don't work for that store, I don't own any of their stocks, and I'm not dating the owner's daughter, if he has one, anyways I'm already hitched with someone else. They just deserve a little CUDOS for having very good service, which is something that is hard to find in this town.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RichB
a cross-country rider
from Weirton, WV Date Reviewed: February 20, 1999
Bottom Line:
I really enjoy owning this bike! I thought I was going to have to get used to a really stiff bike(air shock and linkageless bike), but nothing could be further from the truth. This bike is one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden. The blue clearcoat looks great(lots of compliments!) and has held up well. I do some racing and some technical free riding so I threw some risers on and that was it. Thanks to a stiff HeadShock(80mm) and beefy rear triangle, this bike really climbs and descends well. It also is disk ready(mounts are there already). I would recommend this bike without hesitation. 5 peppers for climbing, descending, looks, ergo's, weight and value.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pooty
a cross-country rider
from Ithaca, NY Date Reviewed: February 17, 1999
Bottom Line:
Style and performance are both top notch on this bike. The Raven frame is a work of art - Especially in blue clear coat. There's no bio-pacing here; only an efficient ride with precise handling characteristics. The small amount that you sacrfice in weight is negligable because the bike is easily upgradeable at some future point. However, weight weenies shouldn't be riding full suspension to begin with! Every ride on this bike leaves me feeling confident in the quality of my purchase.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
T.J.
a cross-country rider
from S.C.,usa Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999
Bottom Line:
being a shop mechanic, I scored the frame from my boss, swapped my superV and a moto fork for it. Ive got all xt/xtr components on it.The frame is noticeably stiffer than the aluminum superV and I like the Fox alps 5 and superfatty SL better than the fatty D and Vanilla R. I've whittled my quiver of bikes down to just this one, and It works just great for my all around riding. It climbs great, descends better than i can and smooths out everything in between (good for those long, bumpy flat stretches). It gives me loads of confidence and I strongly reccommend it to ANYONE!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
archie
a cross-country rider
from broussard, La Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
'99 cannondale raven. Enough said. It's light, oh about a 3ish lbs. frame. It's fast, it's a cannondale. It's cheap. For about $2200 you can get a really nice frame, very decent parts(except maybe the wheelset, stx-rc on a $2000 plus dollar frame?), and you can build it up later as an ultra-light bike. P.S. the raven frameset sells for about $2000, so it's like getting the rest of the bike for $200(definatly a value!). GO BUY ONE!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AndyE
a cross-country rider
from Palisades Park, NJ Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998
Bottom Line:
This bike is incredible!! I could talk about the components, but that what Cannondale's site is for. Point blank, this bike is the most agile and ballsey FS I've ever ridden. Climbing with the suspension set up and weight(or lack of) is a dream. Descending is unbelievable. The only thing to limit you while riding this bike is your ability and nerve. I have never had COMPLETE confidence in a bike before this one.if I could give more than 5 chilis I would.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. AL
a cross-country rider
from Cameron Park CALI Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! Bought it used when it was 3 months old. It has riser bars, XTR rear, ti BB AND Race Face cranks - sweet! The bike, like most Cannondale full-suspension, is very easy to ride. There's 80MM in the head-shock with adjustability. The rear shock isn't as plush as others - but I've yet to bottom out. It's a great ride. 5 chilis
Overall Rating:
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