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Cannondale
2000 Jekyll 3000 SL
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Submitted by
Andrew Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Libertyville, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | RBB bykes | | Strengths: | Light, XTR, Durable, fun factor of a 10! | | Weaknesses: | brakes can cause problems, expensive to fix | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumpers, Jekyll 2000,Trek 9000, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for a EC-90 riser bar | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the Shiz! of all the bikes i have ridden this is by far my favorite. It is very adjustable, easy to use, and it really fun to ride. I can't say enough about this bike, i love it!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco State Park, Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Princeton Sports, Columbia | | Strengths: | Lefty! Lefty! Lefty! Interesting design for changing the bike geometry but but I've not tried it yet. | | Weaknesses: | CODA SUCKS! The brakes squealed so loudly that people thought they were hearing the mating call of some large animal. | | Similar Products Used: | Moab One, Spec. Stump. & Rockhopper, Trek Fuel, Cannondale 600 disc | | Bike Setup: | '00 900 SX setup, stock except for the following:
Syntace VRO stem, Ultralite7075 bar
Michelin Wildgripper Hot S
WTB Trilite saddle
Time ATAC pedals
Magura Julie brakes | | Bottom Line: | The Jekyll lets me ride trails that I've never tried before and at speeds I've never dared before. Not as good on the climbs as my 600 disc hardtail but not too far off. I was skeptical about the Lefty but I became a believer after the first ride. The Lefty tracks straighter than any other fork out on the market. Especially on the technical sections with a lot of mid sized rocks and roots. Even when hit from the side, it just will not go off track! Yeah, yeah sure, there are forks with more adjust and damping options but on a twisty singletrack with the occasional surprises, no fork stays on track nearly as well.
I must add some words about the CODA parts that came with the bike. No company that charges over $2K for a bike should have the unmitigated gall to say that the crap that is CODA belongs on a bike... any bike.
Words can't express how happy I was when Ed at Princeton Sports in Columbia, MD agreed to swap out the CODA brakes for the Julies. Great bunch of guys, Geno, the tech is great about talking to you without making you feel like a complete idiot for some of the questions you ask.
Cannondale customer service has gotten some darts from some people but my experience has been nothing but great. The weld on the left chainstay cracked rather badly but I had a new rear triangle in 2 weeks. It would have been faster but I didn't check my messages for a while.
Final word? I love my bike. I will be making some more swaps in the future, esp. the derailleurs, chainrings and the cranks, but nothing I've seen so far in the stores has made me regret my choice. 5 chillis for overall and 4 for value because of the CODA bits that I am replacing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thimon
a Racer
from Maastricht
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rijwielpaleis | | Strengths: | Very lightweight for a fully, excellent frame geometry, very stiff frame, with the adjustable frame in 'racing' setup; very high bottom bracket; a lot of ground clearance.
Lockout option is awesome I use it all the time (front and rear).
Very fast bike for a fully. Very comfy rear shocks. | | Weaknesses: | All the Coda stuff, especially cranks and disc brakes. It speaks for itself that cannondale equipes its 2002 modells with magura disc brakes.
Paint job; my paint has been coming off of the frame after a few months. Something went wrong in the chemical paint process of the bike and it didn't hold. I got a new paintjob through Cannondale Europe for free, I had to miss my bike for a couple of weeks though.
The rear shox does tend to pump a lot when sprinting or climbing out of the saddle. This is to be solved by using the lockout or increasing the air pressure in the shocks.
Bike is also quite expensive in Europe. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NTC, Trek Fuel, Cannondale Super V, Raven and Scalpel, Klein | | Bike Setup: | I actually have a 2000 SL (European Modell?). I took all the f@%#ng Coda of and upgraded the bike: complete XTR including cranks, Hope pro dc2 disc brakes, mavic X317 rims with Hugi 240's and DT spokes, gore cables, thomson seatpost etc. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike; it's really fast, but on the other hand also very comfortable. Weakness is that the bike pumps when sprinting or climbing while standing. I use my bike for racing too and just use the lockout option. Even with the rear shox locked there's still a little bit of travell; it then rides like a Scalpel.
Coda sucks, so replaces it all when you buy your bike, not when it brakes down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Orlando,FL,USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Reddick,& Belleview, Ocala | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange "Better Service Your Own Bike"Cycle | | Strengths: | Light 24.5lbs.(shop scale), XTR shifters,Front/Rear D., Stiff 'normal' frame, 4.5"-active rear suspension, stiff fork, easy dual lock-out, excellent modulation on Coda disc brakes and excellent Botton Bracket concept. | | Weaknesses: | Weak overall power on front brake. Low travel fork (70mm)and no rebound adjustment. Attitude adjustment doesn't stay adjusted. Suspension bobs a little. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V 3000, Klein Mantra, Specialized FSR, Gary Fisher Sugar, Trek VRX, (Pacific 'full suspension' from Target- I was drunk!) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the following: Dura-Ace Botton Bracket, Monkey Lite carbon bar, Flite saddle, Time titan pedals, Gore-Tex Ultra lite cables, Titanium bolt kit, and me. | | Bottom Line: | Overall this bike is fast, really fast. The adjustable geometry really makes a big differance on how this bike rides, from XC racer twitchy to full-on down hill laid back. This is not a downhill bike. This bike is better than ordering a custom 'fixed' set-up. Once I found the right setting for where and how I like to ride, I hardly mess with it. Except, the lock ring constantly needs attention. A dab of lock-tite on the shocks threads solved this issue. The front fork is 'racer' only. At 70mm it isn't very plush and cannot not be adjusted for rebound or preload. The fork stills tops out hard despite the bike shops efforts. ie.-no negative. On the good side it only weighs 2.8lbs and it is very good for XC racing. There are better overall fork offerings on the market for less money.
I will be replacing the front brake with a dual action, full hydro model. (Formula B-4 or Hope mini) The stock brakes, even with softer 'white' pads, require 2 fingers on the front 1 on back. I prefer 1 finger braking like Hayes provided. They offer excellent modulation (better than V-brakes) and run drag free, sometimes. The lock-out/s are what I thought I wanted when I bought this bike. I rarely use the back and only use the front on pavement. Both are easy as hell to use, nice placement. The BB comes stock with a Ultegra roadie model. I've replaced mine with Dura Ace for $40 and have had no troubles. XTR BB weighs 215gm. and cost $75, Dura Ace 175gm. for $40(mail order), a nice way to save weigh and money and it's splined!
I've raced this bike twice and it rocked! Disclaimer:I suck at racing. The rear lock-out allowed me to stay with most hardtails through the flat sections and the full suspension design worked every where else. I passed a lot of riders in technical sections. I finished better overall than on any other bike I've tried. This bike gets lots of attention, too much sometimes. Some people like that sort've thing which is why I mentioned it.
Overall this bike is a good deal for $2k, however the list price is $3400+. That's too much for any bike, including this one. Cannondale are always over priced retail. To Cannondale's credit there is not much weight saving upgrades to be done here without big dollars being spent. ie. wheelset and dieting. My bike weighs 23.25lbs, I've save .25lb for $375. Big deal. This bike was built for racing, but with a longer travel fork and the adjustable geometry it makes an excellent all around 'free ride' bike stock. How many bikes out there can pull that off! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Cockburn
a Weekend Warrior
from Farnham, Surrey, UK.
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans Woking | | Strengths: | Well thoughtout and innovative frame design. Stiff Ultra forks. Lock out suspension options. Variable Geometry. Looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Unfortunately, after just two rides, it looks like the CODA components are going to cause me misery. Why not match the front and rear travel? Wish I could afford Titanium (not the bikes fault!). | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 90, Sugar 2, FSR Enduro Expert. | | Bike Setup: | 900 SL with riser bars and Panaracer tires. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike because I impressed with the highly innovative thinking behind the design. I welcomed the lockout options (coming from hard tail), liked the idea of the variable geometry (although, as this can hardly be done on the fly I wonder if it may be a bit of a gimmick) and ultimately loved the way it looked.
I took it home a few days ago, have been out twice, and am now feeling a bit deflated.
I have tackled down hill tracks at speeds that I never could of on my hatrd tail, but I guess that would be the same on any full suspension bike that I tried.
Unfortuantely, the down side of this relatively expensive bike are overwhelming at present.
The Ultra fork seems to be loosing air, but I will test some more to confirm.
The stock tyres where swapped out after my test ride at the shop, but I guess tyres are a personal thing.
The rear wheel hardly free wheels at all if you tighten the skewer. A CODA hub problem.
All of the above I could live with if the thing didn't squeek, clank, clonk and squeel like some rusty piece of 20 year old junk I'd just bought second hand from a dodgy East End market. Even with the application of Lockite, the crank arms still move on the BB.
To sum up, a brilliant concept hugely let down by ..... you guessed it ... CODA parts.
I think marking out of 5 is a bit unprecise. I'd give it 7 out of 10 at the moment, or 3 flames on this survey. Even this is high considering how disappointed I feel right now, I'm just hoping the problems can some how be resolved making it the great bike it should be.
I've contacted Cannondale, and if they resolve the problems then I'll resubmit the review with a higher rating. But my bike was not delivered perfect and should never deserve a perfect score in my case. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sloan Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Anniston
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain (bump trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Fun Wheels | | Strengths: | light, stiff, headshok,lockout (front and rear),disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | stock tyres, cable routing(seems to direct mud,water into the housings), headshok(durability?),wheels are light but seem pretty weak | | Similar Products Used: | super v 800, delta v 500 | | Bike Setup: | large jeckyll 900 sl, ct2 bar and post, titec carbon 100 bar ends, flite ti saddle, gore ride on cables, xt front der, xtr rear der, sram attack 9 speed shifters and grips, coda disc front and rear, fox float rc, coda crank and pedals,irc mythos xc 2.1 (front and rear), coda expert disc wheels stock coda pedals,
planned upgrades: time attak carbons or frogs, 2 x 9 crankset, 11 x 34 xt cassette, avid mech or magura louise brakes (but prob not until coda's give up the ghost),lunar light tubes, conti explorer pros, and, when my stock wheels are totally taco'd, custom built tubeless wheels with hugi's or king's disc hubs ( i know they don't exist yet but they will soon) | | Bottom Line: | i really like this bike! I am starting to get it dialed in and the more i do, the more i really, really like it. Some of my riding buddies say i'm a weight weenie(my current weight is 25.2 lbs)but i don't mind. I really like the way the jeckyll rides and i'm shooting for 24.5. I know i can get there with the planned upgrades i've mentioned.
the jeckyll is very responsive, quick, stiff. It does have a couple of rattles i'm having a hard time tracking down but a lot of fs bikes do. it rides so much faster quicker than my super v did and can really outclimb it Climbing on the jeckyll is a cool experience I usually keep my bike active on climbs I feel this helps the bike to hook up better and i really can't tell if there is any energy loss.
i am a big guy, around 205 lbs and i think that fs xc bikes are the best choice for occasional racers (4-5 a year), like me. I have more fun on fs and don't seem to fatigue as quickly.
i did have trouble with my last headshock, it lost some travel, and this one doesn't seem to be holding air very long, and those stock 1.85 tyres are super light but too wimpy for me, esp for someone as big as i am. the routing of the cables does seem to attrack mud/water i had the same prob with my v 800 i hope the gore set up helps that
i know many will think this is crazy but i have enjoyed my brakes The stock coda's are working great. they're light strong and i've had not problems with 'em and they stop on a dime, wet or dry. i do think setup is very important with these though and i wouldn't be surprise with all i've read and heard if i start having trouble with them soon
my bike was around 2000 you can probably find one cheaper now (closeouts)i have about three hundred in upgrades
Bottom line: very good ride | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joey
a Weekend Warrior
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Linthicum Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Great traction,adjustable geometry,spec'd good,makes me look faster than I really am,babe magnet | | Weaknesses: | I really haven't found one yet.Maybe not having an external adjuster on the rebound on the Lefty. | | Similar Products Used: | Been riding M2's on and off for 10 years.Riding a hardtail after the Jekyll is slumming..... | | Bike Setup: | A bone stock 2001 Jekyll 3000. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a blast to ride.I have not had one issue with this bike.This bike can go places at speeds a hardtail can only dream about.......My bike weighs in at 25.7 pounds with disks w/4"travel in the front and 4.5" travel in the rear.I don't think many trail bikes can be built with this amount of travel at this weight. Price..........Cannondales got a rep as being overpriced.If you add up the exact parts with another frame you might save a buck or two,but at this level your not pinching pennies.. I swapped out the 3 front chainrings for for the 2x9 setup and for the places I ride it works well. I ride medium to tight singletrack with rocky and rooty climbs and decents,fast switchbacks ect. This bike never sees asphalt or those boring fireroads in So.Cal bike mags seem to do all there testing on....how pathetic. I tend to run my suspension on the stiff side so I rarely use the lockouts. Also this bike's suspension works best when seated and riding hard,with the amount of travel this bike has it bobs when standing and pedeling hard, this isn't a problem for me though.Bottom line........don't listen to those people that bad mouth Cannondale you ride, you decide. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SirF
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Royce...down the list | | Strengths: | -Stiff
-Strong
-Plush
-climbs like the fabled goat
-worthy frame of anything you want to do to it
-lefty | | Weaknesses: | -a little bob in the granny (oh well)
-not free (dang)
-lefty (sometimes i wonder...)
-C..O...D...A... | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | I love my Jekyll, i can damn well do whatever i want on the thing. It's light (still need an offical weight though), plush, when you step on the gas (well, so to speak) it jumps forward like a scared cat. Most importanly the frame is excellent and i feel it's ready for whatever i want to stick on it.
I like the lefty right now, still playing with it to get it right but it really does work great.
There is one nagging problem...CODA.
As soon as i can anything saying CODA i can get rid of i am...dislike the cranks...already got rid of the pedals, and hope to replace coda cockpit bits ASAP. Only thing i'll hold onto till they break is the wheels...
Over all for what i paid i couldn't be happier and i hope to have this frame for years to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Remco Hannink
a Cross Country Rider
from Nijverdal
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hellendoorn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Stappenbelt Lemelerveld | | Strengths: | Frame, rear shock, Headshock suspension | | Weaknesses: | Price, tire clearance backwheel, active rearsuspension on flats (but thats where the lockout comes in :-) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98, Trek 8000 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900 SL (2001 model), Fox Float RC, Ultra Fatty DL, XT/LX R/F derailleurs, XT hollowtech crankset, IRC Notos slick / XC R/F tires, XT shifters, Avid arch 40 brakes, Avid 2.0 levers, DT swiss Huigi Onyx hubs with Mavic 517 rims and DT comp spokes. | | Bottom Line: | I was very sceptical going to a full suspension bike after riding a great Trek 8000 hardtail for almost 3 years. But after testriding this Jekyll I was sold. I initially went for the Trek Fuel 98. But the super stiff frame and the lockout suspesion made me buy the Jekyll. Altough the Fuel suspension propably fits my XC riding style better.
After playing with several setups en stems (I'am 1m98 and 85 Kg) the bike fits great. On our first realy rough ride this weekend I was able to shake of of my buddies on the rough parts. Usually I got behind on these rough parts because the hardtail was throuhing my out f the sadle constantly. Climbing smooth hills, the Jekyll can't beat a hardtail, but on rough terrain, rough climbs and decents this bike is more then great. So 5 Chillies here. Only weakness I can find is the rear tyre clearance and the price........ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Clow
a Cross Country Rider
from Orlando, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Belleview, Ocala, FL | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Too many to name! This frame is really sweet and the XTR groupo, speaks for itself! | | Weaknesses: | The model I demo'd had a really squeaky front disc and the Lefty had a problem with it's rebound. After it was compressed it would slam back into position with a sharp whack. My LBS says this is a common problem and they're working with Cannondale to remedy it. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll frame, XTR Groupo, CrossRoc or CrossMax UST (not sure), my Frog pedals | | Bottom Line: | I went out to Ocala with some of the guys I ride with from Orange Cycle, in Orlando Florida, for a Cannondale Demo. Cannondale had brought out about 20 Jekyll's for us to ride. I was a F/S skeptic. I thought, "So everybody has one. It's just a fad and it'll disappear soon." I have now come to see the light. That bike was by far the fastest bike I've ever ridden. It instilled so much confidence in me, I rode things I hadn't ridden before. Four foot drops we're nothing and when it came to the twisty, fast, tight stuff, that bike followed my line and just carved through the corners. My average speed was up 2.1 mph compared to my hardtail. Skeptic no longer! I'm giving the bike 5 flamin' chilis as an overall rating. The Jekyll I rode had the carbon and titanium Lefty with the ELO (which I don't think I need unless I win the Lotto) and besides the rebound problem on the fork and the disc squeal, the bike rode like a demon.
I am going to buy one of these machines. Now to just work it into my budget... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a
from athens, ga
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | those in the woods | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | fast, plush, climbs great, decends great | | Weaknesses: | rapidfire shifters not as precise as gripshift | | Bike Setup: | fox w/lockout, lefty w/ELO, XT | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden a hardtail for 6 years. I got to ride this bike on a rough technical course for 1hr, and was absolutely blown away at how much faster I was and how much less effort it took to ride vs. my hardtail. Climbing, decending, hammering, rough stuff, no problem. I am now a full suspension convert and have to get one soon. If money were no object, I would definitely buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MATT
a Cross Country Rider
from SEATTLE, WA.
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | DEVILS GULCH | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | MILTON CYCLERY MILTON WA | | Strengths: | WEIGHT,SINGLE PIVOT,FOX REAR SHOK, HAYES DISK BRAKES, CLIMBS WELL, DECENDS EVEN BETTER. | | Weaknesses: | NOT ENOUGH REAR TIRE CLEARENCE AT SEATSTAYS. COMES WITH A LEFTY FORK AND CODA COMPONENTS | | Similar Products Used: | TEST RODE GT-I DRIVE, KLEIN, SPECIALIZED AND KONA | | Bike Setup: | 2001 JEKYLL 2000. MARZOCCHI Z1 MCR, HAYES DISK BRAKES, CHRIS KING DISK HUBS, MAVIC X317, CHRIS KING HEADSET, THOMSON STEM, CODA TARANTULA CRANKS, RACE FACE BB, TIME PEDALS, AZONIC RISER BAR, WTB MOTO RAPTOR TIRES(2.4 FRONT 2.1 REAR) GRIP SHIFT SHORTY ROCKET, THE FENDERS | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE KICKS A** AND TAKES NAMES!!! MY ONLY GRIPE ABOUT THIS BIKE IS THAT YOU ARE LIMITED TO YOUR TIRE SIZE IN THE REAR. I'VE FOUND THAT YOU CANT RUN ANYTHING BIGGER THAN A 2.1 IN THE REAR. CANNONDALE CLAIMS THIS AS AN ALL AROUND BIKE. TIGHT SINGLE TRACK TO FREERIDE STYLE, BUT MOST FREE RIDE BIKES I'VE SEEN CAN EXCEPT A 2.235 TO A 2.6 . CANNONDALE SHOULD HAVE DESIGNED THIS AREA OF THE BIKE A LITTLE BETTER. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN AT LEAST A 26-2.3 ON THE REAR TO MAKE IT A "DO EVERTHING" BIKE. I'VE GOT NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS BIKE AT ALL. I BOUNCED THAT STUPID LEFTY FORK AND HAD THE GUYS AT MILTON PUT A Z1 MCR ON THE FRONT, YES YOU CAN RUN OTHER FORKS ON ANY CANNONDALE. CANNODALE THEMSELVES MAKE ADAPTERS TO FIT THE HEAD TUBE SO YOU CAN RUN 1 1/8 FORKS. BOMBERS ARE THE CATS MEOW. THE JEKYLL IS GREAT BIKE FOR ANYBODY TO OWN, NEW RIDER OR NOT.
THE PAINT JOB IS AWESOME AND THE HANDLING IS GREAT, JUST POINT AND SHOOT. ONE OF THE BEST CLIMBING FS BIKES ON THE MARKET. ANYBODY LOOKING FOR A GREAT FS BIKE WHO'S LOOKING FOR MORE THAN XC RACING AND LESS THAN NORHTSHORE DROPS THIS BIKE IS IT. TRUST ME GET RID OF THAT DAMM LEFTY FORK THERE PUSHING DOWN YOUR THROAT AND PUT A BOMBER OR A PYSLO ON THE FRONT AND HAMMER. I'VE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TARANTULA CRANKS BY CODA BUT THATS THE ONLY THING OF CODAS I'D RUN.
I'M GIVING THE VALUE RATING THREE CHILI'S BEACUSE OF THE LEFTY, MY OVERALL RATING OF THE JEKYLL GETS FIVE CHILI'S BECAUSE OF THE WAY I HAVE IT SET UP. IF YOU WANT A NORMAL FORK ON THE FRONT ASK YOUR LOCAL BIKE DEALER TO SWAP THE FRONT END OUT. THE GUYS AT MILTON WERE COOL ENOUGH TO DO THIS FOR ME, YOU GUY'S ROCK. THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Landis Cyclery | | Strengths: | Adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Bottom Bracket | | Bike Setup: | Swapped out tires (Panaracers), pedals (646s), seat (Serfas Arc) | | Bottom Line: | As a new convert to off-road, I could only afford one bike. The Jekyll does it all. On my second ride, the bottom bracket made a squeaking noise. The shop fixed it with a little Loctite. This is my third Cannondale (road and tandem) and they all had bottom bracket loseness. This bike allows me to ride places I wouldn't ordinarily ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derik
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamburg
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | woods around Hamburg | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | a shop in cologne | | Strengths: | looks great, plush ride, fast | | Weaknesses: | brake levers, cheap BB and crankset, qickreleases, only Fox rear suspension possible, Heashok fork maintenance difficult | | Bike Setup: | Yekyll 600 stock, new parts: fizik nisene saddle, XT brake levers, Shimano qickreleases | | Bottom Line: | After the first ride in the rain there was a chrackling noise in the rythm of pedaling. I checked the botom bracket and the cranks ... It took me one hour to find out that it was the pivot of the rear swingarm. I Greased everything, now its o.k..
The coda hubs are modified sram 7. Not the best stuff, but they work. I thing they are better than shimanos, cause the have bigger and stronger bearings. Time will tell. Sometimes they start to squiek, but that's just the rubber sealing. Oil it .
Forget the coda saddle. I tried a fizig nisene and it feels great. 4-5 hours of riding and my butt is still alive.
I set the adjustment of the bike to steep. Good for the tiny tracks in the little woods around Hamburg.
I changed the handlebar to a syntace downhill bar. It gives me more control and a more upright position. And it's bend in an ergonomical angle.
The maintenance of the fork is a nightmare. You have to grease it and check for water after every wet ride in the rain. Water can kill the suspension. You have to grease it often and cange oil once a Year. Disassembling the bearings of the fork is impossible, unless You are very skilled an have the right tools. This is the first bike I can't disasemble on my own. If the fork brakes down I change to Votec. The make great rigid forks.
The components are cheap. Strange mix of coda STX and XT. Looks like the componets are selected by marketing and not by testing.
But, I love that bike. You can ride for hours without getting tired. It's great for long tours in the countryside. And if there is a little hill in front, it goes up that hill like chamois. And down that hill like sitting in a sofa.
It's a little pricy, but If You can get one cheaper than listed, buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthador
a Cross Country Rider
from Payerne, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2900.00 | | Strengths: | Frame, Lefty, E.L.O, Fox rear-shock (lock-out feature) | | Weaknesses: | Some CODA components (why no XTR cranks?), special tools needed for lefty: if one busts the frontweel, no normal bike shop can provide rapid replacement. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn 88, Giant Team Replica, Scott G-Zero (aluminum frame) | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much off the rack (money is an issue here), VRO adjustable stem, Ritchey pedals, Michelin Wild Gripper on rear wheel. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, wouldn't want another one (though it is not a cheap toy). I am getting up steep singletrails I wasn't able to with my former bike (Moab 2). The Lefty is great, but I never could feel much flex in my Z2, what makes it great is the E.L.O. Last week-end I took part at the first XC race and I must say that on a short steep road, being able to get out of the saddle and feel like on a road bike was a superb feeling.
Had to replace the rear tire: can't deal with mud at all (even worse than Wild Gripper Sprints in my opinion), might use it again in the summer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Ritshie
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3450.00 | | Purchased At: | Landis Cyclery | | Strengths: | "Lefty" fork, XTR, Hayes discs, dulie Jekyll frame, Cannondale's customer service. | | Weaknesses: | The Cannondale assembly line. Front brake came with a stripped bolt that required the entire brake to be replaced, which most likely translates to poor employee workmanship at Cannondale. Accidents happen, but take the bloody bike off the line if you screwed it up. WHO'S WITH ME? WHO'S WITH ME? | | Similar Products Used: | Tried/researched Jekyll 2000 and Fisher Sugar 1. Owned '89 Mongoose Iboc Pro and '94 GT Zaskar LE. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Jekyll 3000 (xl frame) w/ XTR & Hayes discs, Profile "Stiffy" stem, Ikon riser bars, WTB SST.98 saddle, Salsa "Mangos de Amor" bar ends, Conti "Twister Pro" rear tire, Cateye Enduro 2 computer | | Bottom Line: | I was really set on getting a Sugar 1, but after much research and lots of differing opinions, I came to the conclusion that if I'm going to spend over $3,000 for a bike, it better have more XTR than just the rear derailleur.
Everything the guy that sold me the Jekyll told me to expect has been perfectly accurate:
- After 10 minutes of riding the bike, you won't even notice the "lefty" aspect of the fork
- the bike, though heavier than most high-end hard tails, feels lighter on the hills because of its engineering
- you'll be able to ride things you were unable to ride before, since the bike is so incredibly stable on drop-offs, typical loose rock/sand trails of Arizona and fast downhills
- the lateral play on the Lefty is nearly zippo. Try locking your knees against the front wheel of any dual-stancion fork on the market while laterally flexing the handlebars and I guarantee the play will FAR exceed that of a Lefty bike!
One thing to note, however, is I'm having another problem with the front Hayes brake. After the shop replaced the original stripped brake, the 2nd one lost its hydraulics after my first hard ride (no leak, just air that forced its way into the line somehow). Now, after a hard weekend ride in Sedona, it's got double the play it had a few days ago. Not gone like before, but just weaker. Is it possible that the brake pads are worn already after only 2 months of riding??
All in all, this is my dream bike! I'm a very agressive rider who's 6'3", 195 lbs., and this bike delivers everything I've demanded from it. Handles incredibly, doesn't need high-profile tires (I fly around corners because I know how to ride - the semi-slick rear tire keeps as good or better traction than any tire I've ever tried, which is many), and I recommend it highly!
(AZ riders - see Ted at Landis Cyclery in Scottsdale... an incredibly helpful and knowledgeable salesman who sold me the bike) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Renee
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel Away Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Hayes disc brakes, Fox rear air shock, great climber, fun on the downhill, "Attitude Adjustable," Lefty front fork | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale 300F | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
royce
a Cross Country Rider
from south dakota
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | centennial | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | pedal n paddle Pierrs,SD | | Strengths: | adjustable geometry,lefty fork,magura discs are real stoppers, | | Weaknesses: | a bike of ths caliber should not have Deore shifters or cheap cannondale crankset.the cheap BB is suspect too.the bike is a great bike to upgrade. | | Similar Products Used: | giat mc 980 FS,jekyll 600,Super v 900,Raven,Fischer Hoo koo e koo,Diamondback | | Bike Setup: | jekyll 700sx with lefty m fork,magura clara discs,xtr rear,lx front,xt shifters,easton ct2 post,profile carbon bar,fizik nisene seat | | Bottom Line: | cannondale makes an awesome frame,but puts cheap parts on their bikes.I would be dissapointed if I payed retail price for this bike($2200).These bikes can be pickedup cheap now on the net and make for a great investment.The stock Deore shifters are slugish.I repaced the drivetrain with xtr rear,xt cassette and xt shifters which made a world of differace.The BB and rings are next.The frame is the same as their high end jeyll 4000 and the bike is a couple gran less.I guess it pays to buy cheap and upgrade as you go along.The adjustable geometry is breeze to set.My wife has a jekyll 600 that I setup with very agressive geometry and layed mine back for a more dowhill feel.The two bikes feel and react entirely differant.The jekyll gives a very lively ride and does a great job of using up the shock travel.The lefty fork is very easy to set up to your riding style.I highly recommend a jekyll to anyone wanting an american made bike for any riding style,the jekyll covers them all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pedro
a Weekend Warrior
from Spain
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Andorra | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Barcelona | | Strengths: | Stiff, all purpose, stable, good climber, good down hiller | | Weaknesses: | The CODA brakes, simply a mess. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bottom Line: | The bike is not that bad, but it is not acceptable that comes with messy-trashy CODA brakes.
I changed them by SHIMANO XT DISC, and is a different world. Nothing to do with coda.
And the response from Cannondale when you complain: NONE, they ignore you.
No worthy for such an expensive bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Rack | | Strengths: | Lock-out on front & rear suspension; Adjustable geometry; lateral rididity of HeadShock Super Fatty; Easily tunable suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailleur cable stop (on swingarm) requires a special Cannondale cable stop. It's only $1.00, but a real hassle if you misplace it. | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension - Klein Attitude hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyl 600 with XT/LX/Coda drive train; Mavic wheels/Coda Hubs; SRAM Rocket Shifters; LX brakes Avid levers | | Bottom Line: | I spent condsiderable time finding a full suspension that did what I wanted. Something raceable, but not a short-travel XC bike. This bike is exactly what I wanted - plenty of travel for the rooty/rocky singletrack I ride. I have not (to this point) had any problems with the Coda components. The HeadShock Super Fatty is not as plush as the Marzocchi on my Klein, however it offers sufficient travel and excellent rigidity when hammering through rough stuff. Pedal feedback is not a real problem if you pedal circles. I would have liked a slightly better parts spec., however, I can't really complain. All in all this is an excellent bike that I highly recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Ashburnham, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mid-State | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Gear Works Cyclery | | Strengths: | Adjustable geomretry, frame, fork, did i mention frame? | | Weaknesses: | peddle feadback. if i could change anything on this bike it would be that there wasnt as much feedback | | Similar Products Used: | jekyll 2000 specialized FSR XC comp | | Bike Setup: | this is an jekyll 600 jekyll frame, ultra fatty d fork, fox float rc shock, all shimano LX and a bunch of coda stuff | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awsome. If you want to race or just have fun and have a great trailbike this is it. Its light and i love the adjustable geomretry. i got the jekyll 600. it was demoed so i got 300 dollars of. nothing was chenged except for an LX rear deraliar. I like that you could go all rigid or just hardtail or just no suspension in the front. Its really fun to play around with and the rear shock lock-out really helps. I love this bike. Its so much fun to ride and plan to race on it soon. I am only 14 years old, so I needed to find a great preforing bike with a small cost. This is it. Its got a super frame, with the easiest geomretry adjustability. I truly recomend this bike to whoever wants to race, have fun or just trail ride. Its awsome. I give this bike 5 flamin chilis because you cant go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Fitkin
a Cross Country Rider
from Lahaina, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Coffee beans | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | West Maui Cycles | | Strengths: | Awesome suspension, relatively lightweight, Hayes hydraulic disc brakes (finally available on 2001 jekylls, yeah!), looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Front hub bearing went sour within the first month - it was obviously contaminated from the factory to go that quickly. Steve hit the nail on the head with the wheel weakness - actually just the spokes in my case. They started popping on me in the middle of long, tough climbs. After the first incident my bike shop wheel guru told me Cannondale - in an apparent attempt to save a few grams - went with 15 ga. spokes on hubs designed for 14 ga., leaving a little play in the holes. Not good. After informing Cannondale, they're sending me a new wheel. Meantime, my shop relaced mine with 14 ga. wheelsmith spokes - something we all agreed was necessary since I weigh 220 and ride the bike like it was meant to be ridden.
Other than these two items - and the sometimes finicky shifting associated with Shimano 9-speed stuff - no problem with any of the other coda parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Does a Honda XR 500 count? didn't think so. No, I'm a relatively new convert from dirt biking, this is my first mountain bike of this caliber. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2001 jekyll 2000 w/Lefty and Hayes hydraulic discs. Adjustable rear geometry set up a few turns short of maximum xc setting (steepest steering angle). I'm 6'4" so even with the XL frame, the stock seat tube is at max height and adjustable VRO stem is at max reach with a few degrees of up. Fits me well like this. | | Bottom Line: | Despite the few small problems I've had, this bike suits me just fine - I love it. I'm riding the same technical singletrack trails I used to ride my XR on years ago, and the jekyll's suspension and handling characteristics just eats it up and spits it out.
I've heard and read a lot of gripes about the coda stuff, especially the cranks - no problems there....yet.
I also read a recent mag review that claimed the new titanium spindle lefty had some flex to it.....I certainly haven't noticed this, and at my size you'd think I would. Nope, the lefty is one of my favorite things about the bike.
One of the main reasons I decided to shell out big bucks for a name brand bike was in the hopes that it would also buy me no-questions-asked service and warranty repairs - after all, no bike is perfect. So far, so good. I've established a good relationship with West Maui Cycles, they've taken care of me, and Cannondale has demonstrated that they too are willing to remedy problems such as the spoke issue.
Overall, I'm totally satisfied with the jekyll and see no reason not to recommend it highly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Technical Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Great suspension both front and back. Lefty is plush with tons of fun. Combo front/back lockout make for a great climb. | | Weaknesses: | Coda products suck. Brakes and hubs have needed constant adjustment. Wheel set up was light but way to weak for the amount of travel, and therefore speed and punishnment, that is expected with this bike. After every ride I find myself having to retrue the rims and adjust the brakes. Climbing steep technical sections can also be tricky as its difficult to keep the front tire on the ground (probably due to the 100mm of travel) | | Similar Products Used: | K2, Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | I have the dampening pretty much locked out on the front and back. Still has pretty quick return. The adjustable geometry is set a bit on the steep side after a couple of different tries. | | Bottom Line: | Great fun for all around single track riding on the front range. Great decender with lots of travel for such a light (relatively) bike. If you weigh 205 I would suggest at least beefier spokes and swap out the brakes. Overall a great bike but would expect it to hold together better for the $'s. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Sacramento, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Clementine Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | City Bicycle Works | | Strengths: | Weight, Travel, Lefty, Lock out on both rear and front, Exellent high speed handleing. | | Weaknesses: | Tires and Coda components. | | Similar Products Used: | GF Suger, GF Joshua Z1, Stump Jumper,(<-all Exellent bikes)and the Fuel | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Jekyll 2000 with lefty and Hayes disk | | Bottom Line: | This is my second Jekyll, which was proceeded by my original Jeykll that had an unsolvable bottom bracket clatter and various other problems that was solved by cannondale giving me a new bike. The second Jekyll has worked great. I am exceptionally hard on bikes and so far this bike has survived three races and countless hours of recreation. This is a great climber and a fast decender. The plush travel allows me to blow through rough sections that most other racers back off on. When you learn to petal effectively and smoothly the rear action of the shock will not “rob” you of your power, it will only help you keep traction up hills and save you from impact fatigue over long rides. Overall, I am very happy with the design, geometry, and performance of my Jekyll. I have noticed that many reviewers have had different experiences on this bike. This is standard result when you ask a group of methodical, finicky, riders with different expectations of how a bike should react to their particularized movements to express an OPINION. For my style of riding, this bike is magnificent, and if I had to buy a new bike right now I would get another Jekyll. There is no bike currently on the market that has the travel, the lightweight, adjustable geometry, and ability to lockout both front and rear shocks. If you are looking for a bike that can race cross-country, kick butt on the down hill, and are willing to make an investment in your riding the Jekyll is a great choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta,ga
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1199.00 | | Strengths: | Wieght,front & rear lockout, versitile. | | Weaknesses: | Standover height seems enormous. Stock coda seat is next best thing to a brick I mean really... | | Similar Products Used: | fuel, sugar | | Bike Setup: | jeykll 600 (2k) | | Bottom Line: | I'm not very experienced off road and this is my first mtb (was a roadie) but likes so far: very smooth and controlled ride. I'm used to road bikes so I like the easy lockouts...front and rear, and the large frame size is comfortable for when I put on slicks and head out on the asphalt. On the flip side I dont like the high standover when I'm offroad. I like the swing arm, you don't chew aluminum when you drop a chain.
Ultimatly I chose the jekyll because I could lock everything out. Otherwise I would have got a sugar or the fuel...and given all the coda components (even on sale), I'm thinking I should have gone with sugar or fuel.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mary
a Racer
from Vancouver, B.C.
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | This thing is hella fast! Cuts through singletrack like butter, climbs like a scared monkey, and descends, well, really fast. | | Weaknesses: | The only issue I experienced was that the discs can be a little tempermental if not adjusted right, they also make a light buzzing sound when stopping, but I'd imagine this would go away with break in time. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Raven 900sx, Trek Y-33, Rocky Mountain Instinct | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I got the oppurtunity to race this bike last year when I borrowed it from a friend. Needless to say, I didn't want to give it back. After racing this bike, I began saving my pennies and just ordered the 2001 model. This will be my second bike, the other one being a carbon hardtail. I have to say that the Jekyll will beat ANY hardtail on the racecourse with the right rider aboard, especially on a signifigantly hilly xc course. If you have the means, I strongly reccomend picking one up, or just get a Rocky Mountain Instinct SC, that works too!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Desolation Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Laterally rigid, lotta travel, rear isolates you from the trail | | Weaknesses: | Front-end idiosyncracies, handling doesn't feel really intuitive (you can grow into it, though), strict sit-and-spin unless you really jack the rear-end preload, rear isolates you from the trail | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Instinct (my current rig and overwhelming favorite), Santa Cruz Superlight and Heckler, Specialized FSR, Trek-Y, Fisher Sugar and Joshua, Proflex 756 | | Bottom Line: | The rear is okay, combining a falling-rate geometry with an air shock that gives it a lot of travel. Personally I think it goes too far, feeling like a motor servo without batteries which detracts from the sense of involvement and feedback you get from the trail, but if it fits your riding style or you need to pamper your fleshy-end then go for it. I didn't go through the trouble of learning all the adjustments, so perhaps there's some way of rectifying the rear spring rate I didn't see.
As it was set up, however, I think the Lefty is the only front end that will feel balanced with the front. I rode the regular headshock and I don't like it at all. I've pushed on the Lefty and it seems better mated in terms of dampening and spring rate, is surprisingly stiff (duh, it's a dual crown), but again it does not feel intuitive and I'm not confident about the Lefty design without a serious test ride. Pushed to serious limits I would expect the assymetry to cause the front wheel to dish differently and unpredictably over real terrain when turning right versus left, in addition to the impaired lateral stiffness of running only one leg, thus why the front would consistently wash-out before the rear. Zero feedback from the rear won't help, either. Barry are you reading this? Try running a large tire at somewhat low pressure (I love Continental Survival tires: big, grippy, yet not too heavy) to help alleviate trail "noise" feeding into the fork. Otherwise, go through the heinous chore of putting on a Marzocchi fork or dump the frame altogether.
Okay, I'll be blunt. I don't like this bike. It's over-engineered in arbitrary ways that don't engage me within my riding style. The steering is precise but unpolished, the suspension soaks up stuff with that dead-servo feeling, the front and rear don't work well together and the whole bike, though solid, is uncommunicative. I don't feel that I push the limits so much as unwittingly slide past them. But I know that some people's riding styles will really take to it. If you're strictly sitn'spin and don't want to push the limits or are experienced enough to know where they are and don't want to hear it from the bike this is a five-crapper bike. For me it's a three. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
barry
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sullivan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | helens | | Strengths: | weight, brakes, shocks are great! | | Weaknesses: | tires, adjustability, tires, tires, did I say tires? brake lever tighteners spin unless you have two tools to tighten. front shock leaking. spokes keep loosening. tires are rank... | | Similar Products Used: | the usual | | Bike Setup: | 3000sx with new python gold tire on the front now. | | Bottom Line: | update of 3 months... been falling off this thing like a son of a gun! before all you great riders snicker, i considered myself pretty fast down and around. the frame adjustment seems to either make the bike wheelie up hills, or make the steering slow up hills and on single track. the front end keeps washing out on me. dang near broke my head (again). granted, i'm going fast as poop, but that even makes it hurt more.... trying combo's of air pressure and i think i'll put the python gold on the back too. any feelings on that idea? kinda don't trust the bike now. this is my first suspension bike after my hard ritchie, but jesus hell fellas... any ideas would be welcome. feel i'll need some real time to dial this bike in. kinda frustrating cause i'm not sure what to do. too many options. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Cordes
a Cross Country Rider
from Frederick
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | catoctin BLUE | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | private | | Strengths: | Everything. I could not fall down. Trail today was seneca creek state park in MD. ALl kinds of obstacles. The bike requires you to pedal in full circles. No weak mashing. Excellent climber. I was impressed with the hutch mosquito tires too. I thought they would be a little sparse in the control side, but no. Nice hi bottom bracket! | | Weaknesses: | rear disc is really spongy. I can't even lock it up. I think it needs a bleeding | | Similar Products Used: | dale hard tail (beast o' th' east) | | Bike Setup: | 3000sl. bone stock except for funky riser bar | | Bottom Line: | I was on the fence about getting an FS. I rode another jekyll, and was hooked. Just do it. I dragged my feet for too long making the decision to buy in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Hall
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | memorial | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | bike sport | | Strengths: | great ride, frame configuration is second to none.Lefty brings great stiffness to your down hill riding. | | Weaknesses: | frame cracked right where the top tube meets the seat post, lefty would not lock out and left me stranded with no recoil. crank suck (coda crap) kept making this wierd clicking noise that no one could figure out. Coda parts,Coda parts...why on such a great ride. Tacoed the front on the first ride the rear need trued after the third ride by the fifth ride it was time for a new rear, again coda rims. derailer failed LX. | | Similar Products Used: | trek, and I am going back after the bike shop agreed to give me my money back! It pays to shop at a great bike shop if you are ever in houston, texas look up bike sport. How many other shops would give you your money back and they will argue with cannondale becuase when I called cannondale they could care less. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the rims (mavic 521's) and the bars easton carbon. I was going to replace the cranks with r.f.next until the frame cracked on me. | | Bottom Line: | If you weigh 240lbs and above leave this bike on the showroom floor cause it takes a lick'n from your wallet replacing parts, and your bike shop may not be as caring as mine for customer satisfaction. cannondale you need to get dismantle your coda department and stick with getting parts from shimano or race face you make a decent product and chare big bucks, and give the consumer crappy coda parts that need replacing after the first ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Lavale, MD,USA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Plantation in Davis,WV | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1360.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Jimmy's Bikes(Breezewood,PA) | | Strengths: | Great bike for the $,decent stock weight for a bike with 100mm travel upfront and 120mm in back. Solid single-pivot rear and super tracking lefty up front. Magura clara disks and killer looks. | | Weaknesses: | Coda components seem durable, but are to heavy(ie,riser bar weighs appox. 330 grams.) Coda rear rim went out of true last ride,never had problems with mavic rims. | | Similar Products Used: | Super V, Proflex/K2, Schwinn URT,Raven | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock Jekyll 700sx, will be replacing bars,seatpost with easton carbon risers and post and putting a ti BB and frog pedals on. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is smooth: it climbs solid always getting traction and descends straight as an arrow. Super solid construction, this bike response and tracks better than any bike I have ever ridden. The lefty front tracks better than my marzocchi z1 cr and suprisingly the clara,s feel better than my hayes did.The weight is acceptable stock but with a few upgrades I can easily drop a couple of pounds. The adjustable frame geometry allows you to fine tune the handling. Unfortunately, I as well as my riding buddies have all had trouble with C-dale fatty forks coming from the factory/ or developing rough sliders but so far my lefty feels great. Also, C-dale finally decided to put a progressive spring in the forks, no more severe bottoming. At this time I couldn't be more satisfied with the quality of this bike for the price. This is the cheapest bike I have ever bought and easily the best riding most solid of the bunch.If you want a plush 4+ " travel super sturdy trail bike that doesn't have a bunch of unnecessary pivots/bushings to squeek and develope slope that can do it all, this is the bike for you, especially clydesdales. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Newbury Park, CA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Helens Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Beautiful Frame_ Super Fatty fork_ stock seat_suspension adjustability_Helens (LBS in Santa Monica,CA) | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex 856_ GT XR1000_FSR Extreme | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Jekyll 700 / Green with Tribal graphics | | Bottom Line: | The first rides were a "general seat the disc brakes" but all turned out annoying as hell with the squeal of the front disc. In addition the bottom bracket was loose and clicking on each rev. Not a happy camper at this point but back to Helens for adjustment. Tightened the bottom bracket changed the disc pads on the Magura Claras, tuned up the bike and went to Big Bear.
Big Bear was more annoying than all previous rides. The disc raised hell again. I tried to adjust it myself with no success. It was the longest most frustrating 9 miles of my life. I had to back the disc pad totally out to keep it from dragging which decreased its affectiveness dramatically. At this point I believe the brake will have to be replaced. (By the way, the rear works flawlessly.)
Now, do I like the Bike? I think after the initial gemlins are worked out it will be a great bike. I can't be too hard on Cannondale for a component that was only specd by them and not manufactured.
I like the suspension better than any I've had and I love the front lockout. I don't miss a rear lockout, because I increased the air to suit my weight and it does not bob at all on uphills. In fact, climbs as well as the hardtails I've owned.
Coda components have always worked on other Cannondales I've owned and even though its too early to tell I don't anticipate any problems.
Anyway, the jury is still out on the brakes. I'll give it a 5 chili rate even though I feel that it was a little(?) pricey.
I do recommend this bike to others especially to those moving from a hardtail for the first time. I believe you will not be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | B. Brew | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight full-suspension
Love the rigidity of that Lefty
Plush ride
Tune-ability | | Weaknesses: | Brake set-up
stock chain | | Similar Products Used: | first full suspension - test rode Specialized, Norco, Fischer and Giant Full suspension rigs in same price range | | Bike Setup: | 700 SL with Lefty, Sun-Ringle platform pedals, rock-ring, Michelin Wide-gripper tires | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for the price. Couldn't imagine a dually tracking a line better than a hard-tail, but there is so little lateral movement on this bike that it bites a line like nothing else. With it's lightweight, especially in the front, it's difficult to keep this bike on the ground. It just keeps wanting to go faster and higher. Fortunately that's why it's got the hydraulic disc brakes. It's my first forray to disc and hydraulic, and I'm finding they don't stay consistent through an entire ride. I'm sure once they're broken in (and I am too) they'll be fine. Stock shifters and chain on bike are weak. I've had a couple of stiff links in the chain and some gear problems. Will upgrade to XT ASAP.
All in all, this bike is tight, light and strong enough to handle anything the North Shore can throw at it. (Or at least anything I'm willing to throw at it) This includes 3 foot drops, high speed descents, and the slow, technical, steep stuff.
And oh...The looks you get in the parking lots. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Galbraith Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Skagit Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Very sweet suspension, 4.5" rear 3 1/4" front. Fit and finish are excellent. Magura Clara's work really well - great modulation and quiet once they get broken in and adjusted right. Adjustable Geometry!!! | | Weaknesses: | Coda skewers are weak.
Hutchison Mosquito tires are history. No traction here in the Pacific Northwest mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Used? How about tried...
Cannondale V1000, FSR dualie, Schwinn 96.2 Sweetspot, Cannondale V with lefty FS. My trusty old '94 Stumpjumper FS. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Jekyll 700. Frame: Small (drop top tube) Cannondale Supper Fatty set at 140 lbs. Fox Float set at 180 lbs. Long stem. Shimano LX/XT derailuers. Magura "Clara" disk front and rear. Specialized Team control front tire, WTB Jones rear tire. 26.5 Lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I think these people who complain about their Jekylls must not know what the heck they are doing. If you want to ride a Ferrari you have to learn to work on a Ferarri. This ain't your little brother's K-Mart Special! Get a clue. Learn how to dial in your own bike and quit whining to your LBS!
This bike is awesome! I have mine set up a little bit stiff (Lately I have been leaving the rear shock in the middle of the adjustment) I think I lost a tiny bit in climbing from my old Stumpjumper but I gained so much in other areas that it is well worth it. Still, I haven't had it that long (3 weeks)and I think there is a learning curve when you go from a hardtail to a softail. I've ridden it 10 times now at about 2 hours plus (riding time) each time. The last two rides I didn't have to adjust anything and the brakes are whisper quiet. At first I was adjusting the brakes alot, trying to get them to run quiet. Then someone told me about a product called (duh) "disk brake pad quiet". I got some at the auto parts store. Just follow the directions on the package. It works! I also use medium strength Lock Tite on the stationary side of the caliper. Not too much!
The Super Fatty sucks up the bumps great with 3 plus inches of travel. Sure, you can't upgrade to a double slider later but then - why would you want to? The thing works and it's light! Plus it has lockout for cruising up fire roads. I leave it unlocked 90% of the time though so that I can just run it (and the rear end) up over whatever I'm climbing over.
I've experimented with the adjustability in the Fox Float and have found that it makes alot of difference from steep to slack settings - depends on what you are riding that day. I have adjusted it at the top of the mountain also so that I could see the difference on the downhill. The bike handles great at speed on the downhills and sucks up the roots, rocks, bumps, logs - whatever. I haven't decided if this bike should have a rear lockout yet or not. Uphill it has a tiny bit of Biopace. I try to think of it as me not losing power but getting stronger instead...
The rear Coda skewer came loose two times. The first time no damage to the bike and I just thought maybe it was my fault so I made sure it was tight. The second time it came loose the disk rotor was bent and the rim warped. My dealer fixed both - no questions asked. Kudos to Gary and Robert at Skagit Cycle Center - they have provided top notch service.
I took the Mosquito tires off after the second ride. Maybe they'll be better when it's really dry in July/August next year.
The real bottom line: If you want a dual suspension bike that is light, smooth, and fast, uphill and downhill, you can not go wrong buying the Cannondale Jekyll 700. Just take the time to learn your bike and how to adjust it for your style of riding. And quit whining! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from denver (parker), CO
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | englewood bicyle | | Strengths: | Great ride. Plush rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Fatty Ultra and LX shifters. My C-dale LBS | | Similar Products Used: | Klein, Specialized, C-dale | | Bike Setup: | 1000SL stock except for Avid Ultimate brakes. | | Bottom Line: | My LBS sucks! It's too bad C-dale has them as authorized dealer. I have had my bike back to them twice now. It has been in the shop for 2 straight weeks because of a faulty cartidge in the fork. They have to send the fork back in to C-dale for replacement. I hadn't heard from them in 2 weeks other than they said it would be ready in two. When I called them they hadn't done a damn thing! The guy in charge of the bike quit! So I called C-dale corporate and complained to them. They called my LBS about my problem and apparently the fork is on its way. We'll see.
Also, the pivot point at which the rear-swing arm attaches to the front part of the frame loosens dramatically! To tighten it you need a 10mm allen wrench and you need to pull off the crank! Bad design! I am hoping that a little blue loctite will cure this problem...if I ever get my back back! I cannot believe I have spent this much money on a bike that has this many problems! Thank god I have my back-ups on hand...My specialized M2 hardtail. Maybe I should have stuck with them and got an FSR instead. I will upgrade this rating from a 1 chili if my bike comes back and I'm able to ride it with out the fork flaking on me (the rebound was way too fast...the oil wt wasn't the problem apparently) and the pivot not coming loose.
BTW, with this bike and the avid ultimates, you cannot replace the rear wheel until you loosen the rear brake from its posts. Otherwise, you cannot separate the brake arms apart enough to take the wheel out...maybe deflating the tire first is the key....
How pathetic! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B K
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | Lefty Front Fork with ELO, Rear Suspension seems great. | | Weaknesses: | Magura Brakes seem to rub too much. These are the next to go. | | Similar Products Used: | S Works Hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | Actually a 700, but it came with a lefty fork with ELO instead of a head shock. Changed everything. XT Shifters, XT front Der, XTR rear, XTR Cass. XTR Cranks & BB, Time ATAC pedals, Fox Rear w/lockout. Magura Clara disk brakes (Next to go) and I believe Coda Expert Hubs (Next in line after the brakes). | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike so far! Not sure how I would like the softtail after only going hardtail in the past, but bit the bullet anyway. Got a good deal on the bike ($2100 before upgrades, 2800 after) since it was priced as if it had a head shock instead of the lefty. Changed all the above out right away so I am not sure what it would have been like with the stock stuff. Still getting used to the way it feels but it is plush and seems to climb like a beast. Not too sure I like the Mosquito tires, so after I get some Panaracers I should get more confident. Brakes actually work quite well even if they are the bottom of Magura's line of Hydrolic Disks. My only complaint about them is that I don't like the brake lever (long as all get out). They have plenty of stopping power. I have yet to see them on another Jekyll, but they seem to beat the pants off of the coda stuff.
Bigger riders don't be scared to go full suspension. The Lefty sure is sweet even though I tip the scales at 240.
So far I love this bike and am glad I got it. Glad I got the Green paint instead of that orange mess with the 3000SX. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jules verne
a Cross Country Rider
from Albany, NY
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga, Skidmore, behind the stables | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Plaine's - Schenectady | | Strengths: | Adjustable geometry, Fox float RC & Headshok, weight, ride quality, good BB clearance on a medium frame setup for XC | | Weaknesses: | Coda Cranks, Coda Expert Disc brakes (sometimes), Mosquito tires (at least during a wet season) | | Similar Products Used: | 900sx, raven, specialized fsr enduro, fisher sugar, GT i-drive | | Bike Setup: | 900sl stock except XTR front der., ES-70 BB, '00 XT cranks & rings, XT cassette, Panaracer Fire XC pro 2.1 tires | | Bottom Line: | Love it. I've put it through everything - roots, rocks, logs, loose downhills, a rabbit (almost)and the never-ending mud this season. Only maintenance items have been rear shock air chamber clean & lube, front shock lube, rear der. cable replaced.
Rear shock helps stick the wheel to the ground on rough/loose climbs. Headshok is precise and silky - only 70mm of travel, though, but enough for a light XC rider like me. Short wheelbase in XC mode helps it rail tight corners at speed. I'm blasting through (and over) all sorts of stuff that would have stopped me on my OLD trek 8000.
Hope to try it in a downhill setup at Mt. Snow or Plattekill soon.
Setup tips that helped me:
Try the shock back about 2-3 turns from the upright XC position.
I run the rear shock with little sag (1/4") and fairly quick rebound - works well for the terrain around here.
Take out the fixed pad adjuster on the brakes, clean well and put some blue loctite on it. They vibrate loose during a ride and can affect your braking performance. Also, make sure the brakes are bled by someone who has a clue. They're decent stoppers if setup right.
Early on, the stock coda cranks came loose and by the time I'd noticed and done something about it, the splines on the inside were shot. Unfortunately, the '00 900sl was spec'd with a shimano 105 BB which has different sized splines than the ES-70 BB for LX & XT cranks. After replacing the BB & cranks, no more BB snap-crackle-pop. If you stick with the coda cranks, I'd suggest torquing them down to factory spec after every ride for the first 10 rides or so.
I'd really give it a 3.5 value rating if i could, because it was pricey, about $2500 after upgrades & tax.
I didn't give it a 5 overall because I don't think I've ridden enough bikes to know what a 5 feels like. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D
a
from CT
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | rigid, lock out suspension, lightweight, adjustable geometry.
| | Weaknesses: | very little tread on stock tires
no others yet! | | Similar Products Used: | proflex, FSR enduro | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Im a big fan of hardtails and a year ago wouldnt have considered buying full suspension. I usaully ride a gaint XTC SE1 very light and fast. I got a chance to try out a jekyll 900sl and within a hr into the ride i decided to buy it at a very discounted price. I havent had a problem with the brakes but a friend of mine has and Cannondale replaced them, so they stand behind their product. Bottom line a great bike for single track wet rocky and rooty east coast trails or whatever you ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry David
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Smith, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | weight, that's the only strength.............
900 SL (not SX) Fatty Ultra sucks too.... | | Weaknesses: | Disc Brakes Suck, The dude before that said that "CODA Brakes, by Hayes", is sadly mistaken, Hayes does not manufature the CODA (crap) brakes. There is no comparison, Hayes brakes sre great, CODA HD discs suck in comparison. If you have never had discs before the CODA's are probably OK.
Front shifting sucks, have been back to my dealer 3 times to try to get it to shift right and they still can't get it right and Cannondale has not been willing to help, it;s got shimano parts, so it's got to be a deficiency in the CODA(crap)chain ring.
I spent $1800 on my 900SL and I can assure you this is the last C'dale bike I will spend my money on.
Cannondale does not back up their products, at least through my dealer. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro Pro (GREAT Bike) | | Bike Setup: | 900 SX stock, am getting ready to replace Ultra Fatty DL with Manitou X vert Super or maybe trade the bike in for a real bike. | | Bottom Line: | see above | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sullivan canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Helens Bikes Santa Monica | | Strengths: | Long travel lefty, disc brakes, some nice top end componenets. Brakes are real smooth... yeah, not killer strong, but predictable, quiet and did i say smooth... kept my butt off the dirt on a kama-ka down hill in the pitch black - figured if the shocks were worth a damn, they'd handle anything i couldn't see, which at the time was jus about everthing. didn't wipe out! | | Weaknesses: | Chain slaps the rear swingarm on jumps, bumps etc. So many factors on bike to adjust ( pressure, sag, geometry etc...) never know if I've got it right. Came off a hard tail / hard front Ritchey... comparitively this feels very isolated and is a little difficult to get used to. XTR not as quick shifting as I expected (may need a tweek), tires suck (almost washed out on my first downhill), handgrips are hard as hell. Manual is quite a lot of info to digest... bike is noisy when all hell breaks loose. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey HT, Santa Cruz Heckler and Ultralite, i-drive, specialized e4, more than i care to remember | | Bike Setup: | Stock 3000 sx | | Bottom Line: | took 2 years to choose a new bike. rode everything interesting. nothing had the weight, travel, discs, and good reviews like this bike. looks awesome too with the fade paint job. Lefty cam be run straight into a big curb and just goes over it... no big deal... was a big investment, but so was all my time shopping (wife and daughter happy they don't have to watch me drool at bikes anymore). had pretty much everything i wanted on a bike without having to swap out shocks, add disks, etc... will post an update in a few months. workmanship looks great... may add another chili at that time once i get it dialed in....
they asked me to say who should buy this... too personal a choice to respond to... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen Gerrard
a
from Kula, Maui
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mac Nuts | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2493.00 | | Purchased At: | West Maui Cycles | | Strengths: | Great looking bike! Climbs and descends like nobody's business. Its also superlight, right around 26 lbs. after I changed out Mosquito tires. CODA disc-brakes by Hayes and an XTR derailler work well. | | Weaknesses: | I really haven't discovered any as of yet - although the Mosquito tires weren't beefy enough for me. | | Similar Products Used: | GT i-drive, Cannondale V800. | | Bike Setup: | The Jeckyll is a lean, mean, fighting machine! | | Bottom Line: | Cannondale has designed a full suspension bike, with disc brakes that weighs less than many hard tails. It handles, climbs, and descends like a dream ... in fact, the bike is actually handling beyond my comfort level! I'll slow down through loose rocks and bumps - only to realize afterwards it wasn't necessary. On a purely cosmetic note, I thoroughly enjoyed my '2000 V 800, but wanted a bike that looked a little more traditional. I got a lot more than just a pretty face! Its a lot of bang for $2500 bucks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Atkins, Arkansas
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Post Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikeseller.com | | Strengths: | Headshok fork, adjustable geometry, disc brakes, front and rear lockouts. Looks sharp. Nice saddle. | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily, cable routing could be better. Coda Cranks are no good! | | Similar Products Used: | Super V, Mantra. | | Bike Setup: | 900SL stock, except for python gold tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike Ive owned. Im just starting to play with the geometry. I have it set at two turns back and it is downhilling better than when it was at full angle. I seem to have lost a little cornering ability with the slacker angle but that is OK. I just got my stiches out from an endo that might not have happened had I had it set up like it is now. The bottom line here is, it is wonderfull to be able to set it up just for you.
This is also my first set of disc brakes and they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Once you burn them in, they beat the pants off rim brakes. Try some!
The headshok is so stiff and precise, it goes where you point it, period.
Ive had it to the shop to try to get some bugs worked out here and there, but when you ride as hard as I do, you expect things to need a little love now and then.
The pivots are very quiet. I had a creaking that I could not locate and the guys at Bikeseller narrowed it down to the rear skewer. They replaced the Coda skewer with a XTR and the creaking stopped.
This is one fine bike. You could do a lot worse.
I will give it 5 chillies because it is the best bike Iv'e tried so far.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | Sorry folks. I wrote down the wrong weights in the review I gave the Jekyll 900SL just below (I must be partially dyslexic).
The stock weight of my bike was 25.6 lbs. (25.63). The weight after switching tires to the Hutchinson Python Golds (yellow) was 26 lbs. (25.98). The bike was weighed on a calibrated digital scale to the 100th of a pound. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Plus | | Strengths: | Variable geometry. Shock lockouts. Quick handling. Looks. | | Weaknesses: | 70mm front travel. Creaking cranks. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR XC Pro. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 900SL except I swapped out the stock Hutchinson Mosquitos for Hutchinson Pythons (yellow). | | Bottom Line: | Bike came stock at 26.5 lbs. After putting Hutchinson Pythons on it weighed in at 27 lbs.
This bike has done everything I've asked of it. It's fast and quick handling. I've taken it on advanced downhill runs at Northstar to XC on the Rim/Flume with no glitches. The Coda components have performed well for me so far. I haven't had any problems with the CODA parts with the exception of the cranks creaking. It's not a performance problem, it's just a little unnerving and irritating. Like other reviewers here, I have no idea why they creak. I love the modulated CODA Disc brakes.
My only design complaint is why did they put a 70mm front travel with a 4.5" rear travel? I know the reason was to save weight for a XC bike, but I wish they'd figure out a way to get 100mm out of a Headshock. It would help balance out the ride a little better for freeriding and downhilling. I know it's a XC bike, but I can only afford one bike. So I want it to be able to do a little bit of everything. It does do everything well, it's just that I can't help but think of ways to make it just a little better. The stock 900SX was just a little too heavy for me (I'm a poor climber). Maybe I can upgrade to that new Titanium Lefty at some point, hmmmmm.
I chose it over the Specialized FSR XC Pro which I still think is one nice bike too. It's just that the Jekyll comes with that 4.5" rear and a higher bottom bracket. It also looks sweet.
It's an expensive bike for sure, but it sure turns heads and rides well. I'd recommend it to anyone. I'll give it 4 flaming doodies for value since I think it's about $300 too expensive. But it'll get 5 flaming doodies for performance because no bike can do it all well and this is about as close as it comes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Weekend Warrior
from hong kong
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Geometry choices, lock out front and rear, trick Lefty front end makes you friends on the street ("Hey, how can you ride that thing?!?!"). | | Weaknesses: | none noted yet (early days) | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F900, SV900 FR, Raven 3000 (demo'd only) | | Bike Setup: | Stock Jekyll 900sx with CODA bar ends, 's all. | | Bottom Line: | Great, light, advanced bike. Since I last rode cross country things have come on, for sure. Not sure about CODA component durability - no problems myself, but there are enough critics for some concern. So far I have only used the bike for a few light rides and it works and fits fine once I set up the rear geometry and slowed down the front end. A welcome return to XC - I guess it's expensive for a return bike but no disappointment so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rampart range res | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, plush travel, Good front fork and rear shock. Adjustable geo, lockouts. | | Weaknesses: | Cables run south, and the rear pivot point cannot be tightened unless you remove the crank. Tires wear very fast. Pedals are a little weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein hardtail with Marzzy super-fly. | | Bike Setup: | 1000SL with Avid ultimates, Easton monkeylight, XTR brake levers, Shimano 535 pedals, everything else is stock. Small frame...165lb rider. | | Bottom Line: | I have put about a 150 miles on my bike. It has seen very very light trail use so far with the biggest hits coming off of a curb on my way home from work. The front fork is not quite as plush as the Marzochi, but is much more rigid. My overall problem is the rear-pivot point. Mine came loose after about 150 miles and had to be tightened by the LBS. Now I know that in order to fix it I need to take off the crank in order to do so...bad design! I just hope this pivot doesn't loosen quite often. I emailed C-dale for specs on the front fork, the rear shock, and about the pivot point problem I was having. I couldn't even get the rear shock to lock out without the LBS taking a look at it. I like working on my own bikes, but only if I know what needs to be done...i.e., I have some directions in front of me or at least some specs. All C-dale's documentation says to do is to have your LBS tune it up for you. What self-respecting off-road cyclist of 10 years doesn't at least perform simple tune ups and an occasional overall or part upgrade. I'd like to see MUCH better support from C-dale. Did I also mention the front shock had some play (it needed to be burped my LBS said)? For a $2k bike I shouldn't be having this headaches this early in the game. Why isn't the 1000SL listed on their website anymore? Hmmm. 3 chilis for poor shock and pivot point set-up....Cdale dealers are a reflection of Cdale's product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Carson City, NV
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | various parts of Tahoe Rim Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | climbs and descends great
light
lefty fork | | Weaknesses: | a few minor things discussed below | | Similar Products Used: | superV700 sx | | Bike Setup: | jekyll 900sx | | Bottom Line: | First of all its a cannondale--I've owned 4 of them now and keep coming back because they are great.
I traded in my hardtail cannondale and my super-V for the Jekyll. My average ride has 2500-3000 ft worth of climbing on rocky/rutted fire roads or single-track. I wanted a full suspension that doesn't sacrifice climbing ability-- The jekyll has made me proud.
The lefty adds a little weight compared to other head shocks, but makes up for this in performance.
As far as the Coda issue, the disc brakes are good after a little fine tuning. The Coda expert chain rings are wearing out after only a couple months, but same thing happend with XTR's on previous bike. The "attitude adjustable" rear fox shock seems to turn a little on each ride even when its tightened into place prior to the ride
Bottom line excellent bike and yes, I am a cannondale freak. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame, Construction / Build, Paint, Features | | Weaknesses: | Some of the components | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 600 | | Bottom Line: | Nice AMERICAN BUILD bike. What I really enjoy about this bike is the features. The Jekyll allows you to lock out the front suspension and has an adjustable attitude in the rear from the Fox Float R shock. I ride pretty hard and the Cannondale has kept up with me. It has been over 6 months and absolute nothing major went wrong (knock on wood). Well, I give the Jekyll a 5 simply because I when I ride, I beat the #$@ out of it and it has never let me down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blain
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Attitude Adjustable, Weight, Geometry...its a Cannondale. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 600 | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. I would agree with some of the posts below. Since I am not a professional racer or biker by all means, the Coda components are fine. From reading some of the posts below, its hard to understand why people are ripping on the Coda parts. I would consider myself a moderate-extreme rider and have no problems with Cannondale's components. What's up guys???
This bike is a great bike with the ability to lock-out the front suspension as well as adjusts the frame's geomety within minutes. I could go on an on, but won't....rather go riding instead. If you are looking at the Jekyll....go ride one and see for yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tony
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | mission ridge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Adjustable frame that is fairly light, headshock, magura claras | | Weaknesses: | Component selection, no lockout on rear shock (see model description below) | | Similar Products Used: | CAAD 3 HT (Built from ground up, my baby). Tried NRS, I-drive, Rocket, FSR | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Jekyll 700 (Deep blue fade) Stock except Spec. body geo MTB comp saddle and ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | This was a difficult decision, but after riding my hard tail here in Washington and getting beat up on the trails, made a decision to go soft tail. The competition is tough, they are all good bikes. Here is why i didn't choose the others.
FSR: bushings and low BB height (i have to be able to clear these big tree roots and bushings have to withstand wet weather. A nice bike though and not a bad decision)
NRS: This bike was almost my choice but saw a guy carrying one home, frame broken near BB, that scared me away and i don't like the hayes brakes as much as the claras. This is a great riding bike though.
Rocket 88: This is more that i didn't care for local dealer too much. Also it didn't have disc brakes which was an option i was looking for with these wet conditions.This is still a very good bike and i think seriously under rated.
GT I- drive: A nice riding bike but felt like a tank. This bike did seem to handle the bumps the best though. i think it is more of a free ride bike. Its a nice bike but expensive too.
I chose the jekyll because i have one of their HT and have been happy with it. The adjustability of the frame is great. I usually keep it in the middle but adjust it if just doing a down hill or a fire road. I have more confidence in rough sections. This bike does soak up the bumps and tracks great.
Okay now the bad points. Alot of low quality components. The shifting seems a little slow and sloppy but I am used to XT and XTR shifting so i'm spoiled i guess. This bike has the fox float rear shock which means you can't lock the rear out. This doesn't bother you on uphill technical sections but on fire roads or if you ride it on pavement you do lose energy and forget about standing and stomping on pedals you can't do it with this design. Even putting more air in shock won't help much. i think this was a serious oversight by cannondale engineering. Why lock out the front when you can't lock out the rear? If i had a choice i would want to lock out the rear over the front. One of the reasons I bought the 700 was that i was going to upgrade components anyhow but i did not intend to upgrade the rear shock, but i will have to, it is silly not to have lock out ability. The only other problem was minor being the front wheel came out of true going over a few curbs and the front tire was on backwards, both fixed promptly by LBS. I hope cannondale reads this and changes that rear shock and makes quality control adjustments in final assembly for any new buyers out there.
In the off season i plan on gutting the drive train and wheels and go top quality, thats one of the reasons i didn't mind buying the 700, upgrade a little at a time. i like the brakes though and will keep those.
This is still a great bike and a blast to ride. Minus 1 chili for rear shock design flaw and components could be better.
peace and see ya on the trail.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Danny
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Value, Build/Construction, Frame and FUN FACTOR! | | Weaknesses: | Can be pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra, Santa Cruz Heckler X | | Bike Setup: | completely stock - except for TITEC bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | The Jekyll is my first full suspension mountain bike. This bike gives the luxury of a rider of both worlds.....it can do all. I was quite impressed on how it handled through the trails as well as keep up with many x-cross country bikes. You would assume that all full suspension bikes weigh like a tank - the Jekyll proves it wrong. The Cannondale Jekyll weighs less than some of my friends hard tail titanium bikes and out performs. For the money, I strongly believe you get 2 bikes in one from the Jekyll - how can you go wrong. As far as the components on the Jekyll, I really don't have any comments. The construction, build, frame geometry, design, paint and weld makes the bike - not the components. I would opt to have a kick A@# frame and have ok components rather than A@# frame and ok frame. Oh, did I forget the bike is hand built in the USA and offers Lifetime warranty?? The guy below pretty much summed up the Jekyll - Cannondale sets the standard in the market. Go get this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kiael
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Construction, Made in USA and Frame Geometry | | Weaknesses: | Price$$$ | | Similar Products Used: | Super V and Santa Cruz Heckler X | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I just purchased this bike and couldn't be any happier with my choice. The Jekyll does it all and then some! C'mon guys.....yeah Cannondale can equip their product line with better components but what everyone is missing is the actual construction / design of the frame - the heart of the bike. Cannondale's construction, build, design CANNOT be beaten. If it fails, Cannondale can back that up. Why would you want choose a bike over the Cannondale Jekyll?? The only reason would be.....you are blind. Cannondale backs the Jekyll with a LIFETIME WARRANTY and is hand built in the USA. Overall, excellent bike - hands down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Sears
a Cross Country Rider
from Malibu
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | 1. Frame Geometry
2. Adjustable shock
3. Performance | | Weaknesses: | Price and yes...the ever-so-popular CODA components | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Supers / Hecklers | | Bottom Line: | The Jekyll is a great bike. The geometry of the frame is an excellent design and sets the market standards, PERIOD. I initially was going to purchase the Santa Cruz Superlites and or Heckler and
decided to go with Cannondale. Why?? Santa Cruz makes excellent bikes and offers a lot of great components equipped with their product. However, once you begin to actually get down to the very microscopic details (geometry, build, welding, paint, materials, etc.) of each different bike manufacturers such as Santa Cruz, KLEIN, Voodoo, etc. - Cannondale can not be beaten. That's it. You want a bike that will last you and possibly even be your only mountain bike that you will ever have to own...Cannondale Jekyll is worth looking into. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Powder
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rougemont | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This is an update for a Jekyll 900SL after 5 months: Weight after more upgrades is very good (24.2pds for a large with disc brakes). Handling is great, climbing is amazing with and without lockouts... | | Weaknesses: | Coda! I wouldn't know if they are that bad since I don't have much Coda left on it except for last years Tarantula TX3 which I kept from my old Raven and the disc brakes. The cranks are still trouble free and the brakes are OK, not perfect but OK. See comments on Mosquitos (tires) below. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR XC pro, '98 Raven | | Bike Setup: | Mosquito Gold Hutchinson, Specialized Ultra light 1.5-1.8 tubes, Mavic crossmax disc wheelset, XTR 12-34 Ti cogs, Easton Monkey lite 3/4" riser bars, Grip shift half pipe (cut 1" off), Syncros Ti seat post, Avocet O40 Ti Kevl seat, Coda Tarantula TX3 crankset, XTR BB, XTR rear derailleur, LX Front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | Regarding the Mosquito tires: I take back what I said in April after assuming that they were crap just by looking at their small nobs. In an effort to lower the weight by 1/4pds, I figured I would give them a shot since they only weigh 480gr each and my Michelin Comp Sk weighed 550gr each. Guess what, for x-country they kick ass! Even if these where designed for mud, they roll fast on hard pack, grip lots on off camber situation (side knobs), provide very good breaking and climbing traction in mud and dry hardpack. They work OK on loose dirt climbs but do get a bit sketchy on loose downhill turns. Overall, I like them better than my Michelin's and they roll faster than the Michelin Sprints. I'll bet you that most reviewers never bothered to give these a fair shot or even rode them, if you still have them try them, That's what I did!
The brakes are now dialed in and work fine. I love the modulation and the constant feel, wet or dry. They don't have the power that I expected from discs, but because of the modulation I like them better than the XTRs that I had last year. They take about the same amount of strenght to use as XTR which is a bit disapointing. Overall they work well and are now trouble free. They work very well for x-country and that's what they were designed for.
The bike: Feels lighter than it's 24.5pds. Climbs very well without lockout, rockets up moderate smooth climbs with lockout activated. No bobbing if your spinning technique is dialed in and barely noticable when you get lazy and turn pedals in squares.
Very nice handler going down just about anything except for Downhill race course type drops (It's a x-country bike, remember!). Point and shoot type stearing, tracks and keeps a line like nothing else thanks to the Fatty shock.
Tested geometry with the shock 3 full turns back from the x-country position (steep angles). I had a bit of front wheel washout in the steepest angles and 2 full turns from the slackest angles. Make a big difference. Climbing steep stuff with the bike in the slackest angles make the front end wonder around too much, but going down fast singletracks is a blast. This set up is good for spending the day at your local ski area taking the chairlift up.
With the mods I made it's probably a better bike than the 3000SL with coda parts, so it's hard to complain about the parts, but for that price I should of gotten roughly the same quality that I added on. That's why it's a four.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Paton
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | You wouldn't be able to get here! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame and handling, really enjoy headshock accuracy | | Weaknesses: | Koda componentry sucks totally. This drive train is a nightmare. OK we ride a lot of technical singletrack with plenty rock gardens but I am forever struggling to keep gears working correctly. Previous bike was all Shimano stuff and virtually hassle free in comparison. Particularly the front crank set stinks. Bent large chain ring twice already and any "hard" (and always most needed)change down to granny a pain in the butt. Crank creaks inexplicably under pressure. Please lose Koda and use Shimano.
Stock tyres not even good for parking lot.
| | Similar Products Used: | F900 | | Bike Setup: | 600, Pretty stock but lockable rear shock, low risers, Fire XC 2.1's | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, Koda components suck, shoks great, tight and accurate. Back saver after hard tails to date! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas O'Sullivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Stiff, adjustable, predictable. | | Weaknesses: | Coda components are not the best in class. | | Bike Setup: | Two turns back w/ a short-rise bar. 5mm rear sag. | | Bottom Line: | Two things:
1. The CODA expert brakes do stop as well as XTR, but require more force at the lever. When you set them up, make sure that the fixed side of the caliper is just *barely* contacting the rotor. Doing so will minimize the rotor deflection necessary to reach maximum stopping power. A pointer on how to get the most out of your disc brakes - use them late and hard.
2. The Coda crankset creaks; however, I don't think the problem lies at the bottom bracket-pedal interface. Make the cranks level, then jump up and down on the bike. No creak, right? Mine only creaks while I'm on the move, leading me to think that the pedal attachment threads aren't right. A big glob of grease should dampen that some. Shouldn't happen on a $3K bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iceaxe
a Cross Country Rider
from Novi, Mi
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The frame design, headshock. | | Weaknesses: | CODA components | | Bike Setup: | 900 sl stock with race face seatpost, fire xc pro 2.1s and BG pro ti saddle. | | Bottom Line: | This yet another update about this bike: The frame is excellent. A wonderful technical performer! At the same time it handles high speeds beautifully. Climbs with verve!Unfortunately Cannondale finds it neccesary to laod this wonderfully engineered frame with horrible componentry.
first my cranks creek and shift(with regard to the BB, not gearing) under load. I've finally gotten my rear brake problem taken care of. However, the hub is sticky, that is when I tighten the skewer, the bearing has a lot of resistance to roll. These are things I will not accept on a $2000 bike. I would rather pay a couple hundred more and get some decent components than replace crappy CODA components with more crappy CODA components. This bike has proven to be a frequent bike shop visitor. The frame Gets 5 chillis, but I'll only give the compoents one. I'll update as to how Cannondale deals with these problems. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GB
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tight Twisty Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks, Performance | | Weaknesses: | Small frame does not leave much room for a water bottle.
The stock seat is tough on my tender behind. | | Similar Products Used: | Demo'd Raven 2000 SL
Previously owned an F500. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 600. Stock except switched to SRAM Attack
Gripshifts, platform pedals with toe clips, the
bike shop upgraded the rear shock to Fox Float RC w/lockout
at no extra cost.
| | Bottom Line: | I love this bike! It's fast, forgiving and precise. It moves with little effort on my part and climbs well. The Headshok is stiff and offers superb handling. The rear shock offers a plush ride. I haven't played with the geometry yet. I have it set in the middle. Excellent choice for upgrade to F/S.
When I picked up the bike the C'dale rep was there and told me all about the bike. Great job C'dale!
To Mike below who wants to get the 600 to replace his 900 SX: DO IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry Morrison
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura,Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Romero Cyn. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This bike has a split personality but none of them are evil. It is a major player in the climbing world and the downhill alike. It tracks through high speed rock gardens like a slot car. As a former hardtail hardhead I was blown away by the versatility w/out any compromise. This bike is therapy for all you older riders who take aspirin after a good dh. The key to a flawless jekyll is at the time of purchase upgade the entire drivetrain to highend shimano. Lefty rules. | | Weaknesses: | Anything in the drivetrain that goes by the name coda | | Similar Products Used: | Tested several other fs none compared as well in the all around catagory. Most had to many pivots, to heavy and tons of chain feedback. | | Bike Setup: | All factory specd. except entire drivetrain upgraded to xtr.
The frame geometry is set 3/4 to the xc setting and the lefty is lowered 1/4". | | Bottom Line: | This is the closest thing to reaching the illusive quest of building the perfect do everything bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Marcan
a Cross Country Rider
from Nanaimo, BC. Canada
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Messa, Porcupine Rim, Portal Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This is a follow up to my previous review. I still love the bike, BUT...........
| | Weaknesses: | MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS WITH CODA COMPONENTS. It starting to feel like it will never end. Each time I go for a ride I can't help but wonder what might break this time. So far warranteed products include: CODA Front brake caliper (leaky seal), TWO CODA Cranksets (both due to striped threads on small chain ring bolt holes), Bearings from CODA rear hub, and a CODA free hub.
Also, the gears on the second crankset I received were not spaced correctly and the chain jammed between the small and middle rings. There is a constant creaking which seems to be the crank arms even though they're tight. I think this is because the replacement cranks aren't fitting exactly right on the old crankset. Shifting the rear derailer seems to always be very slow because of the cable routing allows a lot of gumbo to get inside the cable housing. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900SX Stock except for the tires. | | Bottom Line: | The frameset and the front and rear suspension is awesome. I love the lefty fork. This bike is best all around bike I have ever tried. BUT THE CODA COMPONENTS HAVE GOT SERIOUS QUALITY PROBLEMS. Its a shame that such wonderfully designed bike is combined with such poor quality components that simply don't hold up to the rigers of regular mountain biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iceaxe
a Cross Country Rider
from Novi, Mi, USA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Similar Products Used: | FSR XC pro, Klein Mantra comp. | | Bike Setup: | 900 sl, race face seatpost; BG pro ti saddle; fire xc 2.1 tires | | Bottom Line: | This review is a follow up from my previous one down the page: I don't feel like I did this bike justice in my previous review. My 900 sl now has about 325 miles on it. First the bad: Change the tires if you ride anything but road-- mosquitos are useless, I use fire xc's, wondeful!There is a little feedback over big hits (if you lok for it) Third are the CODA breaks, Yes, they have great modulation and more than ample stopping power (I weigh 150), my front brake works superbly, the rear has been nothing but problems. However Cannondale is a wonderful company to deal with. They are dealing with this problem quickly and efficiently. There techs always email me back within a day, most of the time in the same day.
Now the good: To set the record straight, even with 4.5" of rear travel, this is no couch. This bike does not bob enough to be noticed. If it does, stop lunging yourself downward as you pedal. It flys up hills- the rear lock out is almost uselss; I only use it on roads. What the suspension does is keep my fire xc 2.1 on the trail during the gnarliest, rutted out turns so I can spare my brakes. This bike proves that a well designed monopiv can more than compete with the overrated(and flexy) 4 bars. The whole thing about adjustable geo really works too. I rode it for a while at the steepest geo, it slid the hardest of turns. I backed it out 2 rotations and it sticks everything. Headshocks rule. It's amazig what a stiff fork will do for your handling. So it's a touch short on travel, it's precision FAR outweighs this drawback. Every other fork feels like mush after riding this. The lateral rigidity of this bike is great as well. This is a wonderful xc machine. Great job Cannondale! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr. Whacko
a Cross Country Rider
from Sumas, WA USA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Purple Heart | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The Jekyll 900 SX climbs better than my old Specialized FSR XC and descends better than the Specialized Enduro I tested (but didn't buy -- WAY too heavy). The Jekyll sings on every kind of trail, but thanks to its long-travel front and rear it is at its best on the gnarliest, North Shore style stuff like Galbraith Mt's Purple Heart, Kung Fu Theater, Bob's Trail, etc. | | Weaknesses: | In three months, I've replaced two sets of tires, the back brake rotar, the back brake pads, and all the cabling and housing. I've also bent the big chain ring and had one of the main bolts on the Lefty come loose. These have been due to heavy use, though. If I didn't ride every day in all kinds of muck, I'm sure I wouldn't have had to replace any of these items.
The one design FLAW that I've noticed is the cable routing for the front derailier: it is set up so that all the muck and mud that the rear tire throws drains into the housing, fouling it in as few as a couple rides. The answer? For me, it was to install sealed cables and a rubber stopper. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Intense Tracer, Santa Cruz SuperLight | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900 SX with 4-inch travel Lefty, Easton CT2 carbon fiber seatpost and flat bar, Durace bottom bracket, Specialized Body Geometry Comp seat, Specialized S-Works Ti pedals, IRC Mythos 1.95 front and rear tires, and Coda Babu bar ends for a total trail-ready weight of a little under 25 pounds. | | Bottom Line: | The Jekyll 900 SX is a marvelous technical trail bike with exceptional versatility -- when I rode my Jekyll in a recent Norba sanctioned regional race, I was the only rider among 300 to use the same bike with the same setup in both the XC and the downhill (finished 5th in my division in both). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from W-S, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great dual suspension setup under 27lbs with lefty shock & disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Broke a chain(riding on street), and the small chain ring(bolts failed to hold?). | | Similar Products Used: | Trek ST120 | | Bike Setup: | 900SX, disc brakes, lefty front and Hayes rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a light dual suspension bike that really moves up hills, and takes on most technical stuff without complaining. I like the setup with a lefty and disc brakes, but you can't use quick release roof carrier though.
I am hoping that the Coda stuff holds up and that the 900SX is not a bike shop frequent visitor. With a broke chain and small chain ring warped after only two getting acquainted rides, I am wondering. But if the bike holds together, it will be an awesome quick xc riding bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900 SX Death Trap | | Bottom Line: | This bike is such a pile of crap. At the same time, its the best XC bike I have owned.
The freakin rear brake line just blew off the lever. I was squeezing it a few times to figure out another problem....
After riding the bike about 20 miles, the brakes are very loose-the lever pulls further back before pad contact. I think those little threaded pad holders on the calipers are turning and loosening from vibration. I always thought this would happen. It takes almost no force to turn those things.
Well, the rear shock blew up, the rear wheel toasted at 70 miles when I applied a small lateral load on it when bunny hopping and now the rear brake is dead. Im at school and dont have compression ferrules or brake fluid here. I new I should have brought some.
I work at a shop and we have had TONS of problems with CODA disc brakes. Im not surprised mine died. The only reason I have discs is because of the Lefty. Anyone want to buy my 900SX? $1600. Its $2600 retail. The bike has 175 miles on it (horrible for 3.5 weeks of riding!). Ill take the money and buy the Jekyll 600. Sure it has a cheaper and heavier swing arm, but the fork still has 80mm of travel and it has 4.5" of rear travel like the other Jekylls. No disc brakes. The next guy that says discs have more power than Vs is gonna get a kick right in the nuts! They dont fade as bad, but they DONT have more power. I use one finger on my single speed trials bike when hopping around (Avid 10 Vs). I cant do such things without 2 fingers and a lot more finger power with the discs.
The Jekyll is the BEST XC bike I have ridden. The disc brakes suck, the wheels are weak and I got a bad rear shock (this happens...Fox rules!). Bottom line-the bike rocks, but it has had many more problems than my 97 OCLV Y bike. After buying the Trek, the only part warranteed was the freakin seat in 5300 miles. I broke a Race Face LP crank on that bike and bent the hell out of another. That frame rocks! The Jekyll was supposed to replace that bike. It wont. Im gonna look into the Jekyll 600, a 4 Banger, a Haro EX2, Trek VRX? (please, NO!).
Cannondale has AWESOME customer service. When you do break parts, they are alwats good about it. If you get broken when the brakes fail, can they warranty you? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Kersting
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight, adjustability (I run it 4 full turns back from the cross-country setting), overall suspension design | | Weaknesses: | Lack of tunability on the Ultra Fatty | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F2000, (2)F1000s, GT LTS, GT Zaskar, Ibis Alibi | | Bike Setup: | 900 SL frame w/ CAAD4 swing arm and Ultra Fatty DL fork, Coda Competition disc brakes, Mavic 223/Coda/Hugi wheels, Panaracer Mach SS/SK tires, 32-44 2x9 Tarantula crankset, XT cassette, XTR/XT deraillures, Sram Plasma 9-speed shifters, KORE Elite post/skewers, Coda stem/riser bar, and WTB Ti seat. | | Bottom Line: | After riding a heavy but decent GT LTS, I got sick and tired of wielding 31 pounds of rig and decided to go back to hardtails and got a nice CDale f2000. I loved it, but it beat the crap out of me for 18 months. I saw the Jekyll and knew it was gonna be a great combo of light weight/plush ride. Take my F2000, add 4.5 inches of travel on the hind end, and voila, you have my Jekyll. It's weighing in at 26 pounds. I can lose weight with a bar swap and tires/light tubes, but who really cares. It's light enough. The bike's suspension soaks up the hits large and small while adding tons of traction on loose climbs. I'm running slicks and they're biting into everything. The Cannondale Mountain bike team is using this rig for a reason. There are too many benefits to justify riding a hardtail that weighs a couple of pounds less. I don't consider myself a stud, but I can rail this bike up very steep climbs with a large 32 up front. By the way, 2X9 is the only way to go. Any how, the bike is plush without feeling like my couch (LTS). My only complaint is the lack of tunability on the Ultra Fatty. I might install the Fatty 5-way cartridge left over from my F2000. It would also be nice to get another 10mm of travel up front to match the travel a little more closely in the back. A minor complaint from a fork that whips ass in the precsion arena. Anybody who got lazy riding a long-travel Zoke won't like this fork. I've ridden down that road on my LTS. Anybody really into cross country riding should consider this bike. It offers the best of the hardtail/full sus worlds. Self professed freeriders hucking 5-foot drops may think it's too uptight. Anyone else with an aching back or a hankering for the latest technology should try one, you'll probably like it. I can't wait to race Snowshoe on this mother. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Lin
a Weekend Warrior
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | no preference | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Lefty Fork, XTR drivetrain, CAAD4 Frame, Rear Shock | | Weaknesses: | CODA OEM parts, Cannondale authorized dealer qualification | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 3000 SX in that nice flamin' orange | | Bottom Line: | This bike is not the most perfect bike in the world, but it comes pretty darn close. I took this bike to Grant Road Park in San Jose, CA and Fremont Older in Cupertino, CA. This bike makes for an awesome ride on anything uphill or downhill. It has a very upright feel and very plush 4" front and rear travel, respectively. I felt much in control taking this bike over very rocky terrain without incident. I understand the power-robbing capabilities of the rear suspension, but I suppose that that can be fixed with rebound adjustment and varying the shock position to one's personal preferences. The CODA disc brakes felt fine, but could stand to use just a little more stopping power. My major beef with this bike is the way it is set up. My demo bike and Jekylls of the same model I have test-ridden at or from authorized Cannondale dealers in California have never been set up completely without error. Why should I shell out good money for a new bike that requires I fix it? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RiderDave
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Most of El Corte de Madera | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Adjustability, Headshock, lock-outs front and rear, disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Mosquitos(tires) are worthless! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR XC, Gary Fisher Sugar 1, Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | 900 SL: Easton CT2 bar, Thompson Elite Seatpost, IRC Mythos tires, otherwise completely stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is fantastic! I weigh around 205 lbs and most bikes tend to squirm at speed. The Jekyll, however, holds straight and true. I've set the rear suspension exactly in the middle and find that it gives a good balance between fire road descents and gnarly single-track.
Change out the tires, the Hutchinson Mosquito is really just a slick. IRC Mythos or Hutchinson Pythons are much, much better.
I highly recommend this bike to any Clydesdales out there who want a light XC racing/riding bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Marcan
a Cross Country Rider
from Nanaimo, BC
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Messa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excellent Suspension Travel. The Lefty fork and the rear suspsension work very well together to create a very fluid ride thats smooth but too gooshy. Extremely adjustable to suit any rider. Very light weight and well balanced for a full suspension bike that makes it awsome for climbing steep, technical terrain. My hill climbing ability is better than its ever been on any other bike. The Coda discs work very well, however I have found that the Hayes brakes do work better still. I like the fact that the bike can be carried normally and has a normal water bottle location, unlike many full suspension bikes. I really like the option of locking out the suspension when traveling to and from trails on the road. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are OK for riding under dry conditions, but suck in the muck and wet roots. Disc brakes work awsome when working, but even the tiniest leak will elimate braking completly. I had to have the front disc caliper replaced because of a leaky seal, and so did other Jekyll owner I know. I also had to get my Coda Crankset replaced because the bolt holes for the small chain ring stripped out and caused me to fold the ring in half while riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco XCS, Norco VPS, Rocky Mountain RM-6, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except I changed the tires. | | Bottom Line: | An excellent bike for light or middle weight XC riders that enjoy doing some extreme riding. I wouldn't recommend it to heavier weight people or freeriders who do the super extreme stuff because of the light weight. Love the bike, but still a little weary of some of the Coda components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Iceaxe
a Cross Country Rider
from Northville, MI
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Boyne Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | HEAD SHOCK!, Lateral rigidity, extremely adjustable, high quality feel, light weight for the amount of travel and disc brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Tires, limited shock (front)travel, some what of a strange fit* | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn S-10 (owned), Klein mantra, FSR XC pro, GT I drive. Rocket 88. | | Bike Setup: | (900 sl)All stock except race face offset seatpost, Spec. Body geo pro ti saddle and Panaracer Fire XC pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | I have always hated C'dales . . . then I rode a Jekyll. I will never bad mouth them again. Here's what I think abou this bike:
1st; The headshock rules! Smoother, stiffer, tracks like a dream, I actually had to adjust to the feel of the preciscion of this fork. I've heard alot of scary stories about durability, so far, so good. AS performance goes, the only thing that even comes close is a SID. I wishedit had 10 ml more travel, but I'll take the decreased travel for it's other benefits.
2nd; Rear suspension. You would think that with the 4 bar out, no one would even look at a monopivot. But this design feels great. Setup will make the difference between a bobing nightmare and an efficient yet plush XC racer. It feels almost exactly the same (IMO) as the FSR with one exception: some brake induced stiffening. I have found that if I ride it to stiff it bobs and if I ride it to soft it bobs. I weigh 150 and use a 190 psi in the rear. Gives me about 1/4-2/5" of sag. Another thing it feels much smoother then other dualies. You don't neccesarily "feel" the shock moving.
3rd; the frame-- For clearance issues, I had to buy a size M and get a longer seatpost. The bottom bracket is really high at the steepest setting. The threading shock collar really works. I actually feel the difference of only one rotation.
4th; disc brakes. These REALLY need to be set up correctly to work at all. Once you do that they work wonderfully. The only problem I've had is that my rear brake screams every once in a while where as the front never does. It just lets out a shrill unexpectedly. Scares the crap out of me some times.
I've never ridden a bike that makes me smile so much. It sticks anything! It feels slow when you first sart movin' but once you get a little speed going this thing inspires amazing confidence! I can lean this bike hard on rutted sections with out any fear of braking free. The handking can be super precise. Handles swithbacks beautifully. Rockets up steep rutted hills with ease (and I'm a crappy climber). The ONLY place this bike doesn't excell is on long, smooth, moderate climbs. But then you lock it out. You just can't lose on this bike. If I had to choose again, I would buy it. Nothing derves 5, but since people give far lesser of bikes 5, I'll give it five flamming piles of liquid releif. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Master Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bike Setup: | 900 SX with ATAC Carbon Pedals, Race Face Air Alloy flat bar, CODA bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike freakin rocks. For riding XC, it is the best damn bike I have owned. Cannondale replaced the rear shock no questions asked after the original blew up on the first ride (see last post). The rear wheel was toasted at 70 miles. I bunny hopped and kicked out the rear wheel twice 90 degrees and it cant take lateral force. The wheels are a major weak point of this bike.
For urban assault, the bike handles most I dish out. I took it dirt jumping earlier and it feels exactly like my OCLV Y bike. I used to worry about riding up stairs (8+) with clipless, but this bike handles them so well that I stopped worrying. Normally I do this stuff with platform pedals. The rise bar that came on this bike sucked for XC riding. It was too high and I popped the front wheel off the ground with every pedal stroke when climbing. I highly recommend a flat bar. Whats with this stupid rise bar craze anyway?
I have mine set up in full XC position. Anything but full XC makes this thing feel loose with slow steering on the trail. Think of this bike as a two wheeled Cadillac.
ps, I put a request to MTBR twice now for a 900SX spot on here and they havent done it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This is for a Jekyll 900SL: Weight after a few upgrades is very good (24.5pds for a large with disc brakes). Handling is great, climbing is amazing, cockpit layout is comfortable, two shock lockouts... | | Weaknesses: | Mosquito tires are too bald and narrow for serious trail riding. Initial problems with breaks | | Similar Products Used: | FSR XC pro, '98 Raven | | Bike Setup: | 1.95 Michelin Comps S K tires, Specialized Ultra light 1.5-1.8 tubes, Mavic crossmax disc wheelset, XTR 12-34 Ti cogs, Easton Monkey lite 3/4" riser bars, Grip shift half pipe (cut 1" off), Syncros Ti seat post, Avocet O40 Ti Kevl seat, Coda Tarantula competion crankset, XTR BB, XTR rear derailleur, LX Front derailleur | | Bottom Line: | On my first mud ride this year my pads melted halfway after 1.5hrs, I wasn't a happy camper, but politely I e-mailed Cdale to find out why this happened. It took two hours and I had an e-mail reply advising that they would send me new generation pads for free. I was explained that the original pads will last very long in dry conditions and the new pads will last 10 times longer than the original in wet conditions. They can't assume that every customer rides in mud. I was very pleased with the service.
The bike: Feels lighter than it's 24.5pds. Climbs very well without lockout, rockets up moderate smooth climbs with lockout activated. No bobbing if your spinning technique is dialed in and barely noticable when you get lazy and turn pedals in squares.
Very nice handler going down just about anything except for Downhill race course type drops (It's a x-country bike, remember!). Point and shoot type stearing, tracks and keeps a line like nothing else thanks to the Fatty shock.
Will review more later after experimenting with Geometry changes and once I have more mileage on it. Tested so far with the shock 3 full turns back from the x-country position (steep angles). I had a bit of front wheel washout in the steepest angles.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lee Richards
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, Az
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light, plush, raceable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | '98 C'dale raven, '00 C'dale F-3000 , FSR specialized PRO and elite, '00 C'dale raven, Gary Fisher level betty, GT xcr i-drive,2000, super v C'dale, Marin mt. vision, Trek Y-22. | | Bike Setup: | stock w/ IRC mythos tires, 747 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike (SL 3000) feels even lighter than it's 24 pounds. Bobbing during climbs or sprints feels very minimal, and it does everything well. The adjustable geometry really does work, allowing a rider to race the local downhill courses and xc courses as if you owned two different types of bikes.
I set my bike up towards the xc setting, with one full rotation back towards the downhill mode. If you opt for the lefty fork version, as my friend has, you will most likely want to set the bike closer to the downhill setting, as the different angle of the lefty fork makes the bike feel too nervous anywhere near the xc mode.
This Jekyll bike blows me away. The suspension feels very plush yet no bobbing, it climbs like no other, and it decends better than any xc bike I have ever tested or owned. The only negative I can think of is that, in my view, it's not the greatest looking bike in the world. That hasn't stopped people from telling me that they think it's great looking however.
I bought the bike for a fun recreationaltype of bike, becasue I own a great xc race bike. Now I'm thinking of selling my awesome 6 month old F-3000 C'dale hardtial, because this Jekyll has front and back lockouts and it's just to fast and fun not to xc race.
I would find it very hard to believe that anybody who straps a leg over this bike, given the right adjustments for their style of riding, would not think as highly of this bike as I do. If you're looking for a bike that does it all, look no further. If you suck on this bike, you just suck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skip N'Work to Ride
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali (there's no other.... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | I have a Jekyl 900SL: Features for the price and design. | | Weaknesses: | The tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Moots YBB, Merlin ECho, Litespeed Unicoi, Fisher Sugar 2, | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Michelin Widegripper tires, no bar ends | | Bottom Line: | I spent over a year looking for a replacement to a trusty custom steel hard tail. I was dead set on a Moots with disc until I rode the Jekyl 900 SL.
I have to give credit to the local shop, Pacific Cycles for having one in stock and showing me all the play things with it.
In my opinion, this bike outperforms all others in its class for performance and value. No other bike in this range has the option of lockouts, adjustable suspension (with ease) and overall maintenance free riding.
I was unsure of the headshock. Until I actually looked at the design. And for those still skeptical look at the design:bearings, bearings, bearings! These give it the silky smooth operation.
For my area,(Seattle)the discs are the BOMB. The design is simple, which makes it that much better. I do have to admit, they take some time getting used to.
The only thing I can caution new owners about is adjsuting the suspension to your style. I raced the bike with a stock (fully screwed in) setting. I ran it over a course with: single track, dried up river bed (rocks, lots of rocks) and fast forest service roads. And the bike was awefully twitchy in corners, in the rocks and downhill.
I did the same changes that are mentioned below from Tommy with his bike. IT WORKED.
The bike handles for my riding (XC racing/free riding). My weekly rides are in the Tiger Mountain area of the Cascades and it is similar to the Canadian North Shore. Tight, technical, big drops lots and lots of water. With the changes it handles like the ads promise.
In a race I feel more relaxed, fresher and faster longer in to the ride then my hardtail.
I recommend this bike over all the above mentioned bikes. For the price it is the real deal.
I invite all other Jeklyl owners to email me their set-up reccomendations. I will post on a web site that I'll list here soon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Master Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light
Lateral Stiffness
Sweet cartrdige bearing rear pivots
Sweet roller bearing Lefty fork, the lockout is great for sprints
Disc brakes???? | | Weaknesses: | The Fox Float RC EXPLODED on the first ride! | | Similar Products Used: | 1997 Trek Y OCLV w/ Manitou XVert DC | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Time ATAC Carbon pedals | | Bottom Line: | To the people reviewing the 900SX complaining about LX, parts, maybe your cheap ass should have gotten the 3000SX. Stop whining.
I EPed this bike last Fri morning and it got to the shop on Friday. I got back from school and built it up yesterday. (22nd). Three house after it left the box, I was bunny hopping on some pavement and the upper seal on the air chamber started popping out. I could hear air coming out. After the air leaked out, the rear sat fully compressed as I started the 15 miles ride home. About 1/4" miles later, the rear collapsed and the threads holding the cap on the end of the air chamber ripped out. That was what caused the air to leak. The cap popped off half way and no longer sealed. I must have hit a bump that caused it to rip out the rest of the way.
I rethreaded the cap on and made it back to my girlfriend's. There, I threaded it back on tightly and aired the shock, it seemed to hold. After riding off a curb, the shock blew apart and sounded like a shotgun going off. My first day on my new $2600 bike was over. Im calling Fox tomarrow about warranty.
The bike felt great. The brakes are getting better with breaking in. The rear one had to be bled. It was horrible from the factory. The front should probably be bled. Ill do that at the shop next week. The drivetrain is working great and the Lefty is very nice. I rode the bike off some ledges and up and down some stairs. Very nice. There was a nice 5 foot loading dock at a super market, but the shocks werent aired up high enough at the time, so Ill hit it as soon as a new rear shock arrives.
I expect this bike to be an awesome replacement for my old and beat up Y bike. The Y bike has had a good life. I had to ride it today since the Jekyll is dead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Val Atkinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseburg, Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Efficient suspension, light weight, steering precision | | Weaknesses: | Not everyone can afford one. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Ground Control, Specialized FSR Elite | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll 900SX, Panaracer Fire XC tires, Bar-ends, Titec Berserker DHTI saddle, Lizard skins chainstay gaurd, and shock gaurd. | | Bottom Line: | Best overall bike I've ever had! I have the suspension set fairly plush at both ends, and yet it does not bob at all when in the saddle. I rarely lock out the suspension. I climbed a hill that I did not make on my last bike which was an aluminum hardtail. Climbed a trail that gains 1,000 feet in the first mile, and was surprised how good this bike climbs. It gets great traction up gnarly climbs. I only use the lockout on long smooth climbs, but feel that it is so efficient anyway that it does not climb much faster locked out, and if the trail is bumpy it climbs faster when on.
The lefty fork is great! It has awesome tracking. Even when you slam through a rock garden it stays straight. In fact the entire bike feels like it is very resistant to flex, and tracks straight and true. I have it set in the middle of the geometry adjustment range. This bike instills a lot of confidence in the rider. You learn to let the brakes go, and trust it to track where you steer it. Very stable, and rock solid!
The brakes work very well. They were slightly weak at first, but after 2 hours in the rain my first ride they gained a lot of power. They are easy to set up, and have very good modulation. They may not make a pure downhiller happy, but are great cross country brakes. I can do a two finger nose wheelie, so that's enough power for me. I rarely get any squeak or squeal out of them.
All in all I think this is the best do it all trail machine out there! It is light, it climbs very well, and the suspension makes it very smooth and stable. It is such an easy bike to go fast on no matter what the terrain is like, and no matter whether you are descending or climbing! Anyone who does not like this bike, probably does not have the intelligence to properly adjust and set up this sophisticated piece of art, and would probably do better with something from Huffy, or Murray. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Beach, CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight full suspension w/ front & rear lock-out. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes with Cross Mavs | | Bottom Line: | There seems to be a little bobbing while climbing; however, it seems all full suspension bikes have that movement. The lock-out works well on trails I know. Can't lock-it out fast enough on trails I'm not familiar with. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Que
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | and now for something completly different, light weight and adjutability, | | Weaknesses: | loose the tires for a free ride bike | | Similar Products Used: | shop employee so most all other bikes | | Bike Setup: | 900sx with the lefty and michelin wildgripper tires | | Bottom Line: | amazing bike , i love long travel cross county bikes but they all are too heavy and along comes canondale with this bomb and i was sold . very easy to set up and is abkast to ride because of its light weight would recomend it to anyone who wants the best of both worlds | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from wyoming ont canada
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | pontiac mi | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Excellent frame quality,headshock | | Weaknesses: | disc brakes(didn`t feel any stronger than my v brakes)Rear
suspension design.rear end bobs too much(I know it has a
lock out feature but if i didn`t want rear suspension I
would stick too my hardtail.It is plush but way too much movement | | Similar Products Used: | Giant xtc ds2 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | beautifull looking bike and frame,love the headshock,brakes where o.k.maybe just need time to break in.I would
buy this bike in a sec if it wasn`t for the rear end.way too
much energy robbing suspension movement.it is plush but thats because its always moving doing the monkey.I love
cannondale products and own their hardtail but I won`t
buy their full suspension until the change it.Granted its
low matinence but I would rather rebuild a four-bar linkage
when it need it and get the rewards of the design.I rode the
Giant xtc ds2(lower end giant)and when i rode it i was just concentrating on the suspension(because the cable disc sucked)but other than that the bike was awsome,the rear is
incredable.For my money I`m going with the giant xtc ds1.for less money you get a rock shock sid front,rear and hayes disc brakes,raceface cranks,mavic rims,awsome suspension and
all you is a 2 pound weight difference,for 500 bucks less.
try the giant you`ll love it.Review was not meant to trash Cannondale,I love cannondale but for all of us cannondale fans,lets hope the change their suspension design soon,till
then I`ll stick to the giant | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TommyO
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, balance, adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Those Mosquito's suck in loose mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Mantra Race, SuperV, a few Cannondale hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 3000SL, with Mythos K 2.1 tyres and an LP composites XC riser. | | Bottom Line: | A followup after three months Jekyll riding.
I still love this bike. I concede that it's not a hardcore racer like the Sugar, but that's not really what I want in a fun bike. On any day, the Jekyll can be whatever you choose, whereas the Sugar will always be a cross country weapon.
A few items:
1. Tyres:
The Mosquito's are working great on my hardtail, but they really sucked on the Jekyll. I went to a pair of Mythos K 2.1s. Grip is dramatically improved.
2. Geometry:
Too much high-speed understeer with the steepest geometry. Backing the geometry off one full turn (along with swapping tyres) eliminated most of that. After adding a low-riser bar, the ride feels totally dialed-in. It's all about weight balance.
3. Rear shock pressure:
Conventional wisdom says I should run 1/4 of the full shock travel in sag, but that makes the Jekyll URT feel mushy. Instead, I run about 5mm sag. This offers decent slow-speed traction and inspiring high-speed neutrality. Mainly, it keps the URT from bobbing under power. Your mileage may vary.
4. Brakes:
The discs work pretty well; however, I've noticed a tendency for the fixed side of the caliper to back out. Keep an eye on that, and get some threadlock in there. Also, make sure you bleed ALL the air out of your brake lines. It's a slightly time consuming process, so be sure that your mechanic does a proper job when building up the bike. Mine did.
That's about it.
Tommy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Ritter
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Lauderdale,FL
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Belleview (santos) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The Disc brakes, front and rear lockout | | Weaknesses: | none as of now | | Similar Products Used: | Amp research B3 | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900 SL, stock except for some Time ATAC pedals and Easton CT2 carbon bars | | Bottom Line: | All I know is I did a lot of research in buying my new bike. It came down to three bikes,(FSR XC, Sugar 2,and this one) I decided on this one due to the vast versatility of the bike. Disc, front and rear lockout, single pivot susp. Also the weight of the bike is excellent for having disc.
Well today was my first ride on the trails with it and I am so impressed that I had to submit a review just after one ride. I did a trail today that I have never cleared without putting a foot down, first try on the Jekyll. (luck? maybe but I will take it) I believe I owe it to the modulation of the disc brakes. Well that is about all I have to say about this bike so far. I love it and am not looking back. If you even are thinking of buying one and can fork out the cash, I definitely recommend it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Theo Papavasiliou
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ho-Chi-Min | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | superV Raven 900sx,Specialized,Diamondback | | Bike Setup: | Jeckyll 3000sx with Lefty and XTRs | | Bottom Line: | This is an upgrade that cannondale offered after the frame from my Raven broke.This is the best ride ever.
Cannondale is such a good company to deal with.Great people.
Thank you cannondale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Daggett
a Weekend Warrior
from Winston-Salem, NC
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hobby Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Precise steering and control. Disk Brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Hutchinson Mosquito tires are not truly rough and tumble trail worthy | | Similar Products Used: | Traded Proflex 955. Tested Rocky Mountain Intesnse, Raven, Gary Fisher Sweet. | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 900SL. Only changes were the tires (to Jones) and put on my Speedplay Frog pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I went with the recomendation of the local bike shop and am not disappointed.
My 1st ride took 7 minutes off of my standard 1 1/2 hour course. The steering and control, I think due to the Headshock and disk brakes, are awesome. I am going to have a lot of fun with this bike.
I also particularily like the easy lock out feature on both shocks. I typically ride the roads to and from the trails and the easy lock out really makes the road part of the ride better.
Highly recommended!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington CT
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Trumbull | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | adjustable geometry,weight ,suspension compliance,fit and finish | | Weaknesses: | Price ,tyres[look great and weigh little,suck big]ask shop to swap out .for this much $,they will.I don't ride below 35F so I should have waited for the non disk version.KISS=keep it simple, stupid !....don't care for the Cannobdale attitude | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, Fisher sugar,Cannondale v800 | | Bike Setup: | stock 900sl with tioga dh 2.1{a bit heavy but great for snow and spring mud in new england] | | Bottom Line: | Great bike so far.time will tell.More than I wanted to spend. If you do your homework and buy quality you cry once and then go have fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh
a Cross Country Rider
from kentucky
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | I perfer, any where in Crestedbutte | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This bike KICK'S ASS. I love the lock out susp. I have had nothing but cannondales and this one is the best by far. the last one was a superv and the jeckel feals the best. | | Weaknesses: | the tires suck for mudd and that funky color on those wheels | | Similar Products Used: | if your spending this much you should know | | Bike Setup: | med jeckel. with azonic riser bar syncroise seat post with my old trusty avocet o2ti had it four years cumfy | | Bottom Line: | Its da bomb. go buy this investment good return when the trail market is good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Racer
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Looks Great, less weight!! | | Weaknesses: | Kalloy seatpost, Lx cassette(works fine, but heavy) | | Similar Products Used: | superV, MOOTS YBB | | Bike Setup: | Jeckyll 900SL (had to post under 3000sl- where is the "2000"list???) Thompson seatpost, Ritchy ZED WCS tires, XT cassette, Easton Monkey Bar, otherwise stock | | Bottom Line: | Once all this damn snow melts, i will be able to post a detailed review. i rode a friends 3000sl a few weeks ago and loved it! After the upgrades, my bike weighed in at a tad over 25 pounds, pretty light for such a solid bike with discs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gwai Mui
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Too Many | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weighs about the same as my Cannondale F1000 which is just front susp. TOP that I can lock out both front and back. | | Weaknesses: | 1. The tyres really suck when throwing the bike around off road.
2. The beautiful saddle might be great for you blokes out there, but I'm sorry, that thing ain't designed for us wee lasses! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V 700sl
Cannondale Supper V1000
GT XCR-2000 | | Bike Setup: | Jekyll 3000SL
Stock - Other than that I'm a girl, the bike set-up is how the shop set it up!!!! | | Bottom Line: | My bike is wicked, fab, groovy-baby.
I've had my F1000 since '93 and together we've biked the Great Wall, around Bejing, Hong Kong, the Cotswolds and anti-clockwise around Ireland (does the sun ever come out in Ireland?) so to find a bike that would come close wasn't going to be easy.
I've had my Jekyll for a month now and I can't get enough of it. Being able to fully turn the front susp. off (not available on '99 Cannondale's) and being able to turn the back susp. off is going to be a major selling point for this bike.
In the immortal words of Tina..it's simply the best.
Only downside is that for the money and for a full suspension bike, the Mosquito tyres really aren't suitable.
PS. Jeff, take big breaths luv, it's going to be okay! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond,IN
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight with a good geometry. The bottem bracket height is adjustable, so you are able to tune to you personal riding syle | | Weaknesses: | none so far because have not been able to ride very much. The weather has sucked! | | Similar Products Used: | I work at a bike shop so I have demoed about everything. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for a profile riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | I have not been able to ride the bike very much yet. However, I really like the ability to lock out the rear suspension, ulike the suger 1 which is unable to do this.
The real reason I desided to post a review is to say to Jeff that there have been no recalls on the jekylls. However there was a recall on some the early release 2000 bikes because of the possibilty of a falty master seal on the brakes. Cannondale took it upon themselves to issue the recall before problems occured. So don't go around posting hatefull reviews that aren't pertainable and true. Buy the way at the bike shop were I work we sell both Cannondales and Gary Fishers and I can say that the ride of the sugers is nowhere near as plush and nice feeling as the jekylls. Plus the jekyll ha more travel. By the way your 22lb Suger would happen to be a extra small size would it?
For what its worth if you what to buy a bike with glued lugs, probably a result of Trek try to save money in the production of Fishers by using a process abanonded by Trek four years ago, Then go get yourself a suger | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross-Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Schafer Farm | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Well balanced bike
Light for full susp.- only 25 lbs
Disc Brakes
Feels more solid than Raven
Front & Rear Lockout | | Weaknesses: |
LX shifters, front derl.
9 spd shifting (tuning)
limited color selection
Mosquito tires - not good all round tire | | Similar Products Used: |
ridden - Raven II, CAAD2
tried - Klein Mantra, Super V. | | Bike Setup: |
Jekyll 900 SL (with the Ultra Dl Headshock) | | Bottom Line: | I'm very happy with this bike so far. I've only ridden it with the stock geometry setup - with the slackened head tube angle. It is a very forgiving bike. It feels light yet solid and is quality built. It's a fine full suspension XC bike. I believe Cannondale will sell a lot of these puppies - especially when the lower priced canti. models are released. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from CT
Date Reviewed: December 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Case Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
XTR Drivetrain | | Weaknesses: |
Cannondale, Frame, Headshok, Disc Brakes, Price. | | Similar Products Used: |
All Cannondale Hardtails, Full Suspensions (Raven & SuperV), Specialized FSR XC, Enduro Pro, Gary Fisher Sugar 1 (The Best Bike Ever), too many others to list. | | Bike Setup: |
Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a huge waste of money. Cannondales have been nothing but problems at the shop i work at. The shocks are all blowing up and are crap, the discs are nothing but problems. Too many recall problems. Here is the deal. The Jeckyll has the same bottom bracket height and the same pivot location as the old Super V. It rides the same and eats up all your energy like the cookie monster. Now tell me this, would you rather have a Jeckyll, or a Raven with similar stuff for the same price? Id go with the raven. But oh! I just remembered! The raven frames already have had 2 recalls so far. Trust them if you dare. Here is what to do. Take your well earned $3,000 and go buy a Fisher Sugar 1 (22 lbs) or please buy something else. Save yourself!!!!! This thing doesnt even deserve a flame. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TommyO
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: December 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Potapsco Avalon | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
1. It's 24 pounds!
2. Hardtail-like F/R weight balance.
3. Adjustable frame geometry.
4. Other strengths WAY too numerous to list. | | Weaknesses: |
Hutchinson Mosquito's not appropriate for everyday trail riding.That's it. Seriously. | | Similar Products Used: |
Klien Mantra Race, Cannondale SuperV 2000, Cannondale F1000,
Independent Fabrication Deluxe | | Bike Setup: |
Fox Float R rear; Fatty Ultra front; XTR mix with CODA 2x9 drivetrain, Expert disc brakes; Hutchinson Mosquito tyres. | | Bottom Line: | The best handling, fastest bike I've ever ridden.Bottom line is that I had never before been dropped by my riding buddy until the day I let him ride my Jekyll.We're seeing a visible increase in speed through familiar flats and downhill sections.This product's going to destroy the Raven line. It's a madman. | | Overall Rating: |
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