Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Sydney N.S.W Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The Roo Run
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Panther Cycles
Strengths:
The frame it's self is very strong but the swingarm is not very strong.
Weaknesses:
The weakness of the bike is the swingarm because it cracks very easily. The components arn't that good either the wheel sets are very weak the tyres it came with were slipping on bmx tracks.
Similar Products Used:
Don't know.
Bike Setup:
2003 marzocchi jr T forks, 105 shimano rear derailleur, fox vanilla rear shock, blackspire chain guide, new shimano bottom bracket, dice duke wheel sets and soon some hayes disc. Some people think its stupid rebuilding a whole bike when I could buy a full downhill bike but once I started to replace parts I thought I'll just finish it now I had started it.
Bottom Line:
The bike before I rebuilt it was a good cross-country bike part freeride jumping bike. But now its a whole new bike. Its a good bike for all sorts of riding and all sorts of people.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Walt
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington Ky Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
S-Tree
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Pedal Power
Strengths:
Razor sharp steering, Comfortable riding position
Weaknesses:
Coda Components not the best
Similar Products Used:
Name it
Bike Setup:
Upgraded the to complete XT Drivetrain, Shimano XT Disc brakes w/ EBC Green pads, Thompson elite seat post, Easton Monkey Lite Riser bar, 595 disc wheels, Fox float w/lock out
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my original post of 2 years ago. The love afair continues with this bike. I have slowly upgraded several parts, I changed the rear shock out with one with a lock out. I have seen alot of complaints about creaks from the crank. I thought I had the same problem but actually it was comming from the seat post. I upgraded to the Thompson and the creak went away. The only real problem I had was the LX front derailer gave me fits shifting to the big ring. My LBC traded it out for a XT and the problem went away. 2 years on the Coda cranks they are still working fine. I got the monkey lite for kicks and really like it. The bike has a rather upright position which took some getting used but it tracks like a razor. The only drawback it that sometimes it gets a little wild in steep climbs. I have been really rough on this bike for the last 2 years. When I bought it I weighed 225 and it survived. I will admit that this is no race rig but for Cross country it ROCKS.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CLK
a
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
very simple: strong, durable, sexy, and cool sounds(CK hub)
Weaknesses:
none since i have transformed it into my dream bike
Similar Products Used:
there is?
Bike Setup:
XTR: f/b derialers,chainring,bb,cassate...mavic disk rims...michelin hot-s tires f/b(red)...easton ct2 bar...easton ct2 post...sram 9.0 composite brake levers...hayes hmx disc f/b...chris king universal disc hub(red)...carbon lefty w/ elo...xtr skewers...those red shimano pedals...panaracer green lite tube...fox float rc w/ lockout...xtr cables/housings...and a 120 lbs rider
Bottom Line:
i have looked a long time to find a bike worthy enough to spend $ and time to make it into my "dream bike"...face it man...this bike have no weaknesses and with all these upgrades i would say it is lighter than some of the other hardtails my friends own...this is real man...this is what that lasts...go cannondale...and all u losers out there...if u dont own it it may not suck!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Colm
a Weekend Warrior
from Essex,UK Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any epping forest mudbath
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
local dealer
Strengths:
pin sharp steering accuracy,light and fast for the money, negligible flex and great colour(silver).
Weaknesses:
many niggling/irritating faults, including the dreaded creaking esp. on uphills. It must be some sort of joint/weld or linkage and is very difficult to accurately locate but it obviously isnt a precursor to catastrophic failure or I would have read about it here. Not keen on mud -chainsuck and rear wheel bearings failed.
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
as stock apart from tyres (hutchinsons great in bone dry but no grip on anything else)
Bottom Line:
when this bike goes well it is fantastic-- fast, great handling, and spot-on riding position which makes hours in the saddle a wide grinned pleasure. unfortunately it has had its moments of being very high maintenance; I dont do any mad stuff but there was a phase where after every ride it was in the shop waitng its turn to be repaired. previous reviews seem to reflect this mixed bag on reliability and component quality--- sort out this problem and cannondale have a superb bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from Wading River, NY Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Point Long Island
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
e-bay
Strengths:
frame strength, rigid fork-no lateral twist (because of headshock), 120mm of rear travel
Weaknesses:
little heavy, need special cannondale tools to work on headshock
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher sugar 3, specialized enduro
Bottom Line:
I got a great deal on this bike. I paid only $700 on e-bay and got the bike from a bike shop totally tuned and ready to ride. The only complaint is the lopsided shock setup. There is 120mm of travel for the rear shock but only 80mm up front, not a big deal but they should have added another 20mm to the front. Ive only had the bike 3 months but its handled everything I throw at it. I have heard a lot of complaints about the headshock on this bike but so far I havent had any problems. I give it 5 chilis for value because I got such a good deal and 4 chilis for overall due to weight and lopsided travel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Prairie, Texas USA Date Reviewed: April 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Cedar Hill State Park Exp. loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At:
Debo's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great Bike I love the suspension. The Lx Xt set up works great.
Weaknesses:
My rear rim taco'd after a couple of months. I will admit that the jump I did probably wasn't what the rim was designed for.
Similar Products Used:
Klein Mantra, specialized enduro
Bike Setup:
I used to have an lx, xt set up with lx shifters I now have xtr shifters and I switched from the avid single digit breaks to the arch rivals and because I didn't want to ruin another rim I bought a beefier sun rhino lyte rim.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike after months of searching and talking to alot ofmy biking buddies who all wished they owned a Cannondale. I love my bike and I think what I will Keep it for a while. I plan on slowly upgrading it to my dream bike. I think it would be a great investment for anybody looking for a good bike that will take punishment and lotsa' miles
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelly Eubanks
a Racer
from Austin,Texas,USA Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Forest Ridge(closed now dammit)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Freewheeling Bicycles(frame only)
Strengths:
As it was a frame only purchase I can only comment on that. The frame is stiff and offers excellent feedback, the weight isnt too elephantine and the colors are nice(except the red model, just a little too much RED) Its a proven frame with few modifications over the past 5 years, that should tell you something.
Weaknesses:
Okay, the ONLY problem I've had with this frame is a constant creak from the swingarm pivot. My race mech., bike shop mech. and myself have rebuilt it 20 times (even with "updated parts" from cannondale, and.....it.....still....creaks. This is definitely where the creak is coming from and cannondale insists that it doesnt. B.S. Its a defect in the frame pivot points and I'm having it replaced soon.(hopefully before my next Xcountry)
Similar Products Used:
1995 super V900,1997 super V700
Bike Setup:
Titec berserker downhill saddle(still the best at avoiding that all day ride "numbness")XTR deraillers,gripshift800 shifters(I know, I know),mavic sup517 rims(heavy, but STRONG),panaracer smoke and dart combo, XTR v brakes,and Specialized strong arm cranks. Yes, its a heavy (29 lbs.), but in past experience my super v's can go thru 2 seasons of racing with very little problems.
Bottom Line:
great bike for weekenders but quality in frame manufacture seems to be slipping. so racers beware, a frame failure at some of the more thrilling race locales could be FATAL.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Armonk,NY Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
grahm hills, NY
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1350.00
Purchased At:
Hickory & Tweed
Strengths:
Excellent bike, does everything well
Weaknesses:
came with thin walled mosquito tires
Similar Products Used:
Killer V
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Love this bike, Seems to do everything good! Ride a lot of technical trails, but today went up to Hunter Mt., NY and the bike performed really well on the downhills!! Will probably get rid of the 1.85 Mosquito tires that it came with at the end of the season and get something fatter, but other than that I have no complaints!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jonty
a Weekend Warrior
from Christchurch, New zealand Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hell devil, Nelson
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Solid Frame, single pivot swingarm, sealed bearings, plush fork and rear end, great steering and braking ability. Lots of seat adjustment (not like specialized FSR etc)
Weaknesses:
Coda components, high riding position, stuff all clearance between the swingarm and wheel. Questionable quality on the rims. A little porky on the scales.
Similar Products Used:
own a wheeler 7900zx (great little hardtail & cheap) tried many full suspension bikes like specialized, gary fisher, khs, k2, wheeler, klein, fuji and scott.
Bike Setup:
Sram 9.0 shifters and derailer, xtr brakes, lx skewers and quick releases, 545? (shimano aluminiun case) pedals , pararacer tires, the rest is shock.
Bottom Line:
I had the bike for 7 months, done over 1500 kms offroad and the bike is holding up well. The Suspension is plush and very active on both the front and rear end and seems to be pretty well balanced even with the difference in travel. But i have found that both the fox shock and the fork need to be pumped up after a jumping or downhill session (i weigh only 75 kgs and don't get more than 4 foot off the ground, so beware this bike is not for hard core extreme nutters). Brillant bike in technical and tight stuff, killer fun on single tracks. Has great traction uphill, but the front end has a tendency to lift and move about due to the bikes geometry, but this is offset by brillant tracking downhill. The fatty fork has given me no problems so far, travel is butter smooth, and its a sweet handler on the smaller rough stuff especially when cornering. No flex in the fork from braking or hitting stuff. The suspension will bottom out on the big stuff, but this is a kind of x-country trail machine and not a downhill stunt buster. Negatives Coda stuff is poor quality cr#p!, the coda quick releases just about killed me when they came adrift doing 70 km/hr. The brakes were flexy and the pedals just didn't do the job (ie either didn't stay in or wouldn't release). The wheel set is heavy, but I had no problem with it staying straight, although the brake surface on the rim flakes off on hard downhill runs (suggesting poor quality rim material). All in all the bike goes good and with a few key upgrades when things need replacing, it'll be even more of a bullet proof rocket. Remember light is not always right!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Bradford, MA Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dogtown Glouchester, MA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
See previous review
Weaknesses:
See previous review
Similar Products Used:
See previous review
Bike Setup:
See previous review
Bottom Line:
Correction of my previous review:
The bike test, which I have referred to, used a mass of 1300N (equals 291lbs) applied to the bottom bracket for 100,000 cycles instead of 130N. You can review the test result @ http://www.efbe.de/ehard.htm. I have contacted EFBE to receive more detailed test results but they stated that Specialized and other well-known ATB manufacturers requested NOT to get their test results published. I guess their stuff broke way to easy.
P.S. Still love it (my bike).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dale Biker
a Racer
from Oz Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame and climbing ability
Weaknesses:
Rims bars crank set
Similar Products Used:
all the rest
Bike Setup:
Azonic bars XT cranks
Bottom Line:
Second review. The bike started of as a bit of a dissapointment. I was only getting 60mm's of travel out of the fork (due to the bearings slipping) but this has been fixed. I cracked the swing arm, but this was fixed also. The bike rides great, it does everything that I want it to, and to those that say that the C'Dale company sucks I think that you will notice that as the sport grows and bikes become more and more mass produced we will see more bikes from all the manufacturers failling. Only the bikes that are hand made will maintain any consistency. When you go to McDonalds and get a dodgy tasting burger does it stop you from going back.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Bradford, MA Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dogtown Glouchester, MA
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Tough, rigid frame (by the way, this frame was stress tested in a laboratory with 100,000 cycle of a 130 N load applied to the bottom bracket and did not break. The Super V's and the Raven's were the only bikes who withstood this test. This test included Specialized, Schwinn, and over 60 other high end frames). Super handling / precise stirring (both downhill and cross country). Lifetime service and warranty!!!! Good looks (not that important).
Weaknesses:
Clicking cranks, adjustment of the Coda Expert Clipless pedals.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro, Scott Pro Racing
Bike Setup:
As specified by Cannondale (unfortunatelly they replaced the Mavic X221 rims with Weinmann ZAC19 which aren't that great). I have purchased the bike with the WTB Velocirator tires right away because I suspected that the factory tires don't perform that great.
Bottom Line:
I love it and trust me, I am beating it up. I have hunted down every rider on their Stumpjumper FSR's, Schwinn's and GT's on my trails so far (and they all hate me for it). The clipless pedals almost brought me into trouble because they don't always release at the same torque (I have actually measured 7 ft-lbs up to 11 ft-lbs of torque with a meter attached to the heal of my shoe). The clicking crank is anoying and I have already replaced it (the new one clicks again). I have checked the old crank and found metal flakes from the mounting surfaces of the crank arm (seems to brake when being over-tightened). I would give it 4.5 chilies because there are probably even better performing race bikes out there but I will give it 5 chilies because of all the jerks (with their 10,000 typos) who keep putting this bike down and talk about jumping of garage roofs, etc.. (they must be stupid).
Go and get one if you can afford it. Go Cannondale!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Karl Erbach
a Weekend Warrior
from Barrington Il Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The suspention is simple, effective and very responsive. The bike looks better than it preforms. That is a plus when everyone except for other bikers look at it.
Weaknesses:
The bike spends 1/3 of it's life at the shop. First of all the wheels are some of the weakest I have ever seen. It only takes one ride to set them compleatly out of wack. The cranks and bottom bracket are compleat pices of crap. They have loosened up on me three times and they constantly creak. The shop claims that the creak is normal it drives me nuts. The tires that are on the bike belong on a road bike.
Similar Products Used:
Schwinn Rocket 88, Fisher Sugar(I wish I bought this bike) Kona Roast
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the tires
Bottom Line:
This is my second review because the first one was Krap and it didn't do justice for the bike. After riding it for 3 months I now know why they call cannondales crapendales, cannonfails ect. I do not recomend this bike to any one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terry
a Cross Country Rider
from Turkey Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Incirlik
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Suspension is great! The XL frameset is the perfect size for a 6'3" rider. This red bike looks really cool, especially with the red SPOX!
Weaknesses:
The original brakes suck! Sometimes the front lockout will gradually start locking out...don't know what's up there!
Similar Products Used:
Fuji Mt. Fuji SX--great bike also, unfortunately a hardtail.
Bike Setup:
XT brake, lever, and brake booster; SPOX wheelset; Kooka rings, Dura-Ace bottom bracket; Bontrager CrowBar; 2.1 Panaracer Fire XC Pro; Kore seatpost; Selle Italia Titanium Flight Gel; Ritchie WCS Titanium Pedals
Bottom Line:
This bike is great! I purchased this bike as a demo, however I think it may have been a rental bike...it needed some parts changes when I got it. Originally it was very heavy compared to my hardtail, but lightened up with the parts change. The original brakes couldn't stop me...wrecked because of it. Wheelset replacement made a huge difference in weight and acceleration capabilities. Very little bob noticed on the uphill. I am 230 lbs and this bike doesn't flex when I am twisting up a hill. On the long rides this bike will keep your back in shape for a ride the next day. Previous bike wouldn't do that for an old fart like myself. Another difference...my vision doesn't blur when I'm rolling over these rockbeds at 40 KPH. It actually climbs very good, especially since you won't be afraid to hit a few big rocks on the way up. I would always shy away from that with my hardtail. Anyhow, this is the coolest looking bike around and with the parts modifications I have made, I have this baby dialed in for great performance! I'd definately recommend it, especially for the Clydesdale Class of MTB warriors!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Biker
a Cross Country Rider
from NY Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The homemade one of my property
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The frame and new swingarm. They both rock and provide for a beautiful ride.
Weaknesses:
The seat is just a little bit uncomfortable so I suggest going with the Selle Italia MaxFlite Gel.
Similar Products Used:
F800
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Selle Italia MaxFlite Gel seat, xtr brakes, and new irc tires.
Bottom Line:
It's an all around great bike. For $1400, Cannondale provides you with one of the best deals around: the frame is super stiff, the stock components are overall excellent, the ride is smooth, and the value is unbeatable. I checked out a lot of bikes before I made my decision and this one stood out as the best. Cannondale is a great company with outstanding products. GO CANNONDALE!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Lafreniere
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth Mountain
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very tough frame and feels very solid. Newly designed swingarm doesn't have a lower chain stay so chain slap noise over rough terrain is almost non-existent. Very low stand over height can be a crotch saver. Looks cool.
Weaknesses:
Had a lot of problems with the fork. Replaced the internals three times (and at least 5 trips to the shop). The first 30mm of travel had no resistance, and then the last 50mm was very hard. Finally they upgraded me from a Fatty DL (which locks out) to a Fatty 5-positon damping dial. Works fine now. Front wheel was machined poorly where the pads meet the rim, which caused the front brakes to grab unexpectedly during certain parts of a revolution. Bike creaks annoyingly sometimes under pedaling pressure. My old Cannondale did it as well. Not sure why they can’t fix that.
An excellent bike one I got the problems worked out. Kind of disappointing the poor quality control on some things. A bike this expensive shouldn’t have these types of problems. But now that it works, it’s a great bike. Very fun in the rough. The air shocks have their good and bad points. Good that the travel starts out stiff initially which keeps pedal bob to a minimum. Bad because the suspension can at times feel a little harsh over small bumps. My old DD60 front suspension (not air filled) felt more plush that the new Fatty 80. Can’t compare this to any other full suspension bike (this is the first) but I personally like it. The old hard tail got very uncomfortable in the rough. But this is a little more effort to pedal around. 4 chilis because of the initial problems encountered. Probably not a race bike, but for weekend thrashing it's real fun!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Beach Meadows, Nova Scotia Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Cow Road
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
It lasted a couple of rides.
Weaknesses:
Then the frame broke and the rim and hub bent.
Bike Setup:
Profile stiffy stem, Z1 drop offs, race face bar, and rhyno light rims.
Bottom Line:
I was very upset with the quality of the bike. For the money I payed I thought I would get more than a week out of the bike. Also the head shock never worked when I got it. It wouldn't take in air so I took it into my bike shop and they replaced the seal, but it still did not work so I got new shocks. I thought Cannondale was a very respectable company but now I don't.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel McAlpine
a
from Newcastle, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Glenrock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Solid frame, good groupo, great steering precision, craftman ship,
Weaknesses:
wheel set was not built real strong. Needed a true after one ride, but have had no problem since
Similar Products Used:
F700, Norco VPS1, Stump jumper, Intense Tazer
Bike Setup:
Azonic Bars, 636 pedals, all else stock.
Bottom Line:
One of the best all day trail bikes I have riden. I can take it out, thrash it and know that I don't have to worry about all the pivots that are on other bikes. Once I got my pedal stroke down, I found that I am getting to the top of the climb in better shape than on my XC bike, and I only lose about 6 feet to the other guys on a 1.5 mile climb, I can triple that on the down hills. It took about 6 rides for the head shock to settle in but now it runs great, 100mm's, who needs 100mm?. What else can I say, I LOVE MY BIKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Walt
a Weekend Warrior
from Lexington, KY USA Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
S-Tree, Zilpo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Frame, single pivot, front shock lockout, Headshock
Weaknesses:
Coda pedals, Front shock adjustments, No rear shock lockout
I realize there are better bikes out there but for the price I think this is pretty hard to beat. Was not real happy with the coda pedals but a trip to my LBC took care of that. The bike handles great and climbs well. Would climb better with a rear lockout...(perhaps a new rear will be a future upgrade). Bobs a little but I think my weight 225 lbs and my rather amatuer pedal stroke contribute to that. If you are considering a dualie and do not have unlimited funds you really owe it to yourself to try this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troy
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, CO Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mt Falcon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Excellent bike for the money, single pivot rear suspension is awesome. Easy to control on downhills and swithbacks.
Weaknesses:
None at this time.
Similar Products Used:
C'Dale Delta V 1000
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I searched a long time for a bike that had good components and a solid frame without costing a fortune and this bike was by far the best deal out there. The frame has no flex at all and the suspension works well on downhills and it climbs great. Cannondale has put together a solid product here and I have yet to find anything else out there that can match it for the price. Go get yourself one you will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Louis S.
a Weekend Warrior
from Stephenson, VA Date Reviewed: April 9, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lazy Susan
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
great light fork and rear shock very plush, light and great for the money,
Weaknesses:
have to take front tire off to adjust front fork, dind;t doesn't come with a shock pump, i have gotten a lot of flats, has crappy tires, grips give blisters at first but that is fixable
Similar Products Used:
trek, klein
Bike Setup:
factory setup, time pedals
Bottom Line:
Great buy! The front fork is a little inconvienent to adjust adn the bike doesn;t come with a shock pump. They say it is heavy for a full suspension bike but for the money it is as light as you will find. If you need a bike that is great for the money but nto too expensive thsi is a good bike. The tires that come with it are very thin and narrow for a mountain bike. I have gotten lots of flats with it on trails that i usually didn;t get flats on my old bike. GO CANNONDALE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Poole
a Weekend Warrior
from Bournemouth,England Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Purbecks
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light,Strong,Good looking
Weaknesses:
Draws too much attention,having to remove front wheel to inflate shock. No shock pump supplied
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX980
Bike Setup:
Stock with XT shifters and XT front mech. Coda Risers
Bottom Line:
This bike is great.The suspension is very plush, i`m 18 stone and with the rear shock running 280 p.s.i it does`nt bob too much.I`ve tried various full suspension bikes and this is much more responsive to ride. BUY ONE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Karl Erbach
a Cross Country Rider
from Barrington,Il 60010 Date Reviewed: March 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Deer Grove Farest Preserve
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
It seems to be a very light strong bike. The CODA products are on par with similar in this catagory. There is no flex in the frame and fork making for a vary predictable ride. The lock out feature on the Fatty fork is very nice and the fork's performance is not comparable to any other company. The components are of higher quality than most in this price range. CODA expert wheel set, LX shifters, LX front, XT rear it is all good. The fox shock is dummy proof. Both the front and rear shock are air damped and the tuning options are limitless.
Weaknesses:
None at the time. I want disk brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Sugar 3, Schwinn Rocket 88, Trek VRX, Kona Roast
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Great Bike go get your self one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dwight Pries
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, NH, USA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Everret Flood Control Trail System
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Very stiff, responsive frame. The single large pivot has no detectable lateral flex. (This from a 200lb rider.) The disc brake mount on the rear swingarm is nice. Speaking of which, the swingarm is bonded from several pieces which made me wonder about its durability at first, but I've beat the snot out of it and it's still in one piece. Matched with a Fatty fork, (which to be honest doesn't have the travel to match the rear suspension), makes this frame a very fast turner and chews its way through tight New England singletrack.
Weaknesses:
On the downside, the frame is on the heavy side and needs a weight conscious component setup to keep it competitive in x-country use. Also, the bike can get a little squirrely on fast downhill runs, something else to keep your mind on besides picking clean lines.
The bike I had before this was a 96 Super-V 700. I tore the headtube off of the frame at a race last summer. The C-dale rep called me the day after I brought the pieces back to the shop. I really have to thank him for his effort. He got me the 800 frame inside of a week. I really wasn't expecting Cannondale to be so responsive. Thanks.
As for the 800, I really like it. I'm a big rider and this bike gives the the confidence to ride hard without the fear it might fold underneath me. It's a fast ride when you want it to be but is just as fun to clown around on. It wheelies really well. The basic design was hashed out at the beginning of the full suspension movement and is still going strong. It could be a little lighter but then again I could lose 5 pounds myself.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamz
a Cross-Country Rider
from ACT Aust. Date Reviewed: December 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Ummm??
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
plush rear end
Weaknesses:
everything else
Similar Products Used:
see other review
Bike Setup:
as below
Bottom Line:
I am re-reviewing this bike after another 3 months. I have decided it sux hard and am soon going to replace it with somthing else. Since my last review I have bent the seatpost rails, the saddle is now rather uncomftable, the seatpost was already stuffed. When cornering hard I can hear the rear tyre rubbing against the seat/chain stay, suggesting significant flex, also, rear stay will not accept tyres of 2.3 or bigger. Rear wheel has finally bit the dust, although I am impressed with how long it held up. Headshox still works crap, when it works. Headset is also stuffed. Coda cranks are bent. Some of my mates ride way harder than I do and their bikes dont break as often, so its not my riding style that is damaging bits. it is because the components are cheap and nasty. And I will never buy another duallie without adjustable rebound on the rear. Also, cables wear out real quick, as they are positioned in a way that catches mud. Brakes are still crap, even though I have tried a few different types of pads. Next bike will have hydro disks.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamz
a Cross-Country Rider
from ACT Australia Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
fast, rough, and hard. baby
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
lateral strength plush, active rear end excellent handling very well balanced
GT I-drive (didn't fit, heavy, pricey) FSR (not well balanced, poor climber) Sintessi softtail (very cool, very expensive)
Bike Setup:
230lbs in the rear fox risers (profile) Shimano 535's - would you use the crap coda pedals??? real tyres - velociraptors
Bottom Line:
OK, good stuff first. The rear end works really well. Stuff all pedal feedback or biopacing, plush, active - all good stuff. With a coil over it would work even better. Weight, well, more than a hardtail but if you want lighter buy a raven, still pretty light. Exclellent lateral rigidity, tracks real good. Climbs heaps better than any hardtail or duallie I've ridden despite weight. Balance is spot on, perfect for hammering rough singletrack. Looks awesome, gets much attention. Bloody strong frame too. Also the wheelset, I thought it wouldn't last 10 minutes, but it has only needed trueing once, in 3 months!!! It has been riden hard on stuff that should have trashed the rims, but they are fine - very impressive. Also, saddle is comfy, better than expected.Now the bad news: Headshox frok is F&*ked, it has been rebuilt 3 times in 3 months and is still stuffed, Cannondale should leave it on the hardtails and spec a real fork like bombers. Also, 80mm out front does not match with 120mm rear. This bike is not for downhill racing - with a different fork, say Z1's things would be different. Did I mention the Headshox sux, it sucks hard, it is not plush (when it works), it makes noises when topping out, the headset is crap, it isn't sealed properly and keeps getting full of water, the dampening chamber gets air bubbles in it, the air spring leaks, the air negative coil spring is way too heavy stock (I'm 75kg - average, what the hell does cannondale think is an average weight for a super v rider, 120kg or something), don't get one. I met a dude whose headshox locked out for him when he was racing a raven downhill, not good. Problem 2 is coda components; they are made of cheap soft metal and break easily, yes they are light but this is no good cause they needed replacing in a month. The chainrings are stuffed, i expect the cranks to destruct soon, handlebar is long gone and stem will soon follow, seatpost clamp lasted 1 ride. Saddle is ripped on kevler bit (pity, not a bad saddle). Rear hub casette freebody making strange noises (otherwise hub is excellent) and I have already got replacement. Problem 3 is the paint, very shiney and nice but chips far too easily, my last bike lasted much longer. Also, got some chainsuck, on a new bike, hmmmm. Brakes not too hot also, am trying koolstops instead of stock, should solve problem. Shimano XT rear deraileur skips and BB creaking (yes it has been serviced), wierd cause shimano normally good.If you chuck the forks and coda bits (except the hubs and saddle) this bike will kick ass. The raven (different fork) would be the ultimate XC duallie from my experience with the super-v. Cannondale have been good in fixing all the stuffed bits on the bike under warranty as this bike has not been riden in an unreasonable manner given its price. Friend has SV 700 with no problems so maybe I got a monday bike. However these mechanicals should not happen with a bike like this. I still enjoy riding it, it is heaps of fun. 5 chillies for performance, 1 chillie for the rest, overall 3 burning bike bandits balls.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Beeper
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, Maine Date Reviewed: September 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Baxter Blvd :-)
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Venerable Frame Air HeadShok Vanilla Float Rear Shock Honest Styling
Weaknesses:
Overpriced Sloppy assembly ... dirt in paint Draws too much attention
Similar Products Used:
Trek VRX 200 (3 months)
Bike Setup:
XT derailleurs, crank, brakes, levers, and shifters Continnental Town and Country Tyres
Bottom Line:
VRX 200 was a good bike, maybe even technically superior ... but God-Awful graphics.The SV 800 is used 50/50 road/trail with surprisingly good Conti's ... Large SV 800 (vis a vis the large VRX) is a much better fit for my 6 ft 2 in frame.Love the flexibility of the front and rear air shocks! Responsive (for an aluminum frame) ... decent components ... easily upgraded.
Overall Rating:
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