Submitted by
Jeff Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Islip, New York Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Point and Montauk Recycling Center
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Country Time Cycles
Strengths:
Allot of flex on the downhills and lockout rear/front shock for the uphills. The bike impresses the ladies.
Weaknesses:
I broke 3 frames. The last break was this past weekend at a race up in Humboldt, CA. The frame snapped in half. The other 2 breaks were not harsh.
Similar Products Used:
None like this one.
Bike Setup:
Stock out of Cannondale plus a better seat and pedals.
Bottom Line:
Stay away from this bike. Cannondale is giving me a new Gemini 2000 to replace this bike because I broke 3 Ravens on them. I will review the Gemini and advise on it soon. The best thing about this bike is the manufacturer. They always overnighted a new frame the day I broke the bike. Unfortunelty Cannondale is closed for inventory the first 2 weeks of July so I wont have a new bike tomorrow :(~
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sam gaver
a Racer
from frederick md Date Reviewed: November 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
mt airy
Strengths:
super ridged ride the ultra fork kiks a** light for full-susp. bike (got mine down to 23lbs)
Weaknesses:
a litte play in shock mount so it clicks when pedaled hard or the shock is compress hard.
Similar Products Used:
sp.fsr, santa cruz bullet, gt i drive 2.0
Bike Setup:
xtr is the only way to go!! fox shox in back (leaks gooy stuff)
Bottom Line:
my most favorite ride of my 5 fork is awesome noting else to say but the rear shock would get a cane creek or somin else fox likes to leak watch flying rocks from riders in front missing a chunk of frame from impact no effect on ride just cosmetic dont really like coda components changed all to xtr cane creek cronos wheels-----some bas ass wheels like them better than my cross max you heard me--ritchy wcs bar thompson post slr saddle plush though travel gos quick buy one oh by the way i got it so cheap is i had a warrenty trade on my kv frame it broke in half.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MARK JOHNSON
a Racer
from RIPLEY WV USA Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3100.00
Purchased At:
CHARLESTON BIKE CENTER
Strengths:
stable ride on rough terrain, CODA brakes are very good, head shock is very smooth and stable, FOX suspension very good.
Weaknesses:
Pedels are not up to standard with the rest of the bike, tires do not wear very well! Cannondales lack of willingness to work with me on the frame issue.
Similar Products Used:
I have used all brands of bikes and Cannondale is the best! But if they do not work with me on the frame I will never ride another one.
Bottom Line:
The bike is very responsive on all types of courses! I have been very happy with it's performance, until I received the recall notice on the frame! If Cannondale want's to fill my frame with glue and add additional weight, I expect to have some sort of compinsation to makeup the difference. I purcased the bike for may reasons, one being the weight of the frame. A credit toward a new Cannondale or some xtr shifters and derailers. If Cannondale doesn't make it wright they will lose at least one customer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, OH, USA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
From a friend
Strengths:
Does everything well. Pretty light for full suspension.
Weaknesses:
Bottle cage placements suck. Stock tires are only good on dry. Pedals suck.
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock out of the box.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. Almost drives itself down hill. Climbs well(even if I can't). It is light. Disc's stop you on a dime. I was skeptical about the headshock but it is actually quite good. Overall this is the best bike I have ever owned. I would have given it 5 flaming chilis overall but the tires, cages, and pedals, while easy enough to change, are still a hassle.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Perrin
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The Dump
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
IBD
Strengths:
Handling, light weight
Weaknesses:
Brakes
Bike Setup:
Stock with Thompson post & 747 pedals
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my first review.
I was completely satisfied with this bike for the first 8 months I had it.... I didn't have any of the problems everyone else I know had been having with brakes.
However, having my brakes completely fail half way through a 12km lap at the SilverStar 24hrs of Adrenalin changed my mind. 1. I don't think the pads should wear to the point where you can pull the lever to the bar and have no brakes in less than 5 min of descending regardless of the conditions.
2. A week later I went to ride my bike again(after a bit of recovery) and discovered that now my brakes did not work at all, even though I had cleaned and adjusted them since the event. It turned out that the caliper had leaked brake fluid onto the pads and destroyed them.
3. I went to the Cannondale dealer where I had purchased my bike and they called cannondale to find a solution to my problem..... Cannondale's response was for my dealer sell me new brake pads. I didn't purchase new pads(why bother if the caliper will just contaminate them again) and the problem is still unresolved because I have been to busy with school to waste any energy on a company that doesn't stand behind there product.
4. I would like to just replace my brakes with another brand that work; however, the 4 bolt mounting pattern prevents me from doing this without spending a lot of money on a new wheelset(which would be a good idea considering the low quality the bearings in the Coda hubs).
Bottom Line: I shouldn't need to replace parts on such a high end bike. I love the way this bike rides, but I hate the cheap taiwanese coda brand components. My next mountain bike will NOT be a Cannondale.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gav
a Weekend Warrior
from canada Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
weight/stiffness/brakes/handeling/climbing/shox
Weaknesses:
As I said below. Also, it is noisy, because of the plasic frame every little creak and squeak is ampified and I hate noise, so I am always tighening something
Bottom Line:
This is just a follow up on my raven. I have rebuilt the back wheel with DT 2.0 spokes (as recomended by Cannondale) and no more problems with the wheel not taking what I was dishing out. I've also put on a pair of Pythons, because of reviews in this site, and they are the most awesome tyre I've ever used. The bike was good but now it's insane. I can climb as though I'm 25 again, not 41, (you can buy fittness) and can desend stuff I felt was beyond me only 4 months ago. The bike just feels perfect now. I am also running the head shock alot softer than recomended, with the lock out for climbing why not use all the travel you can? I am still playing with the rebound on the fox rear, just one click of the dial makes such a differance, the personality of the bike is changed so much with this adjustment...it's fun to play with. All in all, with a few more miles under my belt, it's a better ride than it was 6 weeks ago. I've uped the value rating, because at any price this thing rocks Gavin
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gavin crawford
a Weekend Warrior
from regina canada Date Reviewed: September 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
secondhand
Strengths:
light,shox with lockout,brakes,HANDELING
Weaknesses:
tyres, I keep breaking spokes, It's so light I go to fast and hurt myself more
Similar Products Used:
none. all my other bikes are hard tail and road
Bike Setup:
standard, except syncros post, bontrager seat and crowbar handlebar
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, it is the best bike I've ever ridden. It handles like a sports car, in fact I often go into corners way to late and the bike leaves me behind, it makes the turn and I don't. I will get Hutchinson Pythons soon, the mosquitos are a little race specific for me. I love the brakes, some people seem to hate coda discs, you just need to set them up right and all is ace, just follow Cannondales cleaning instructions and all is great, they are way stronger than any rim brake I have ever used. I am breaking alot of spokes, I am 95 kgs so this may be a factor, I will re-lace the back wheel with beefier spokes. The shox on the Raven are awsome, I've always liked head shox and the fox rear does all it supposed to and more. I LOVE THIS BIKE. Although I payed $1500 canadian, off a bike shop guy, I would not hesitate to pay full retail. If you have the money and are looking for a great xc racer come go anywhere shooter, look no further.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, stable, stiff & great ride.
Weaknesses:
LOUD!!
Similar Products Used:
Jekyll, Trek Y-50 . . . various others for short periods.
Bike Setup:
Stock + Thompson Elite seatpost, Ritchey SpeedMax tires, XT thumbshifters & Stratos Helix Pro shock. This one has the Headshok, not the lefty.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic bike!! This bike is nearly as light as the F2000 hardtail but gives in incredibly smooth ride with no downsides. The components are good, even the Coda brakes once you get them set up properly. The orginal Fox shock is worthless for those of us over 200 lbs (the pressure is so high it overwhelms the damping & compromises performance substantially) but the coil-over Stratos Helix Pro brings out the best in this bike. The bike is very stiff, handles like a dream in the corners and goes up & down with the best of them. The only thing I don't like about it is the noise. The frame is constructed a lot like a good drum and, like a drum, amplifies every rattle, buzz, chain-pop and all the rest. Getting back on the hardtail is fun & noticably quieter - but at the end of the ride your body feels a lot more beat up than on the Raven. The lockout capability is very nice for roads & smooth dirt, but the suspension is so good you don't really need the capability. If the Jekyll could take other shocks it would be a hard choice, but since it can't the Raven is the way to go. Don't know if it is worth paying retail for, but getting a slightly used one is a great value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry Golding
a Weekend Warrior
from Acton,Ca,La Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Mammoth
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Light,very stiff,Hydraulic disk brakes,steering and the Fox RC lockout.
Weaknesses:
Tires are bad for a quality bike like this.The fork decals could of used a coat of gloss put over them to prevent peeling.
Similar Products Used:
GT Hardtail
Bike Setup:
Stock 2000SL except: Specialized Team Master and Comp tires. Bars "Easton Monkey Lite Carbon Riser".
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs ! Even without using the lockouts on the fork and fox shock I felt no loss of power climbing.There is no side flex,no creaking noises.The brakes work fantastic,no sqeaking.I wanted a bike that could climb, had hydraulic brakes and was light.I went to every bike store in LA to find that combo,and finally found it.Even though I did not pay full sticker,If I had to I would of paid the $3251.99 A little remedy for squeaking brakes that seems to work for me so far is, after you wash your bike and oil your chain , wipe the rotors off with a clean towel and some alcohol.It seems to remove those nasty squeak mits that build up on the rotors.
Bottom Line: If your looking for a light full suspension bike that has all the goodies and turns heads, buy this bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neil Siegel
a Downhiller
from So. Windsor, CT Date Reviewed: July 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Case Mtn
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light, stiff, great geometry for my body. Always liked the headshock fork. Straight as an arrow.
Weaknesses:
Tires
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock 2000 plus Thompson seat post, Easton Monkey Lite 1/2 riser, 3x9 and Velociraptors.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. In my area, I ride through everything. Mud, sand, rock gardens, you name it, we have it. Riding this bike makes you feel so confident. However, being a 58 y.o. and weighing 230 lbs, I needed a 3x9 to get me home after a long ride. Like the guys below, I have taken a few broadside hits and except for some paint loss, there appears to be no other damage. Will have to wait to see how the frame holds up for the long haul. I agree with the guys below. GREAT BIKE
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flip Doubt
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnsotwn Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lost Turkey
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
extremely stiff, extremely light, front and real lock out on the fly, awsome geometry = no banged knees/sore can, responds nicely.
Weaknesses:
defective EX2 crankring (replaced for free) tires
Similar Products Used:
there's no much similar out there
Bike Setup:
factory
Bottom Line:
The EX2 crankset is a little too trail specific. In Western Pa, the smallest chainring mandatory. Even our XC trails involve some steep climbs, in a mid chainring the lever arm is too short to generate sufficient torque. The wheels won't turn and you have to hike it. Factory tires are thin and without tread. It's almost if the designers created it for fire roads and rail trails. That's no life for a ride costing 3G's. So get a Raceface or an XTR crankset and slap on some velociraptors, and you've got the best XC racer on the planet. It eats up snowmoblie trails and forest paths. It's floats over bogs and mud. The coda discs stay clean no matter what you're riding in. The geometry is superfine and you can really lean it over. It has taken a few hits broadside, and while the paint is easily removed, the frame seems to remain in tact. As a side thought, I'll be interested to see how these new frames hold up in the long run. Mg oxidizes rapidly in air so I have some concerns for the durability of the protective coating. And with all of the giant rocks around here, I have some concerns for the strength of the skins as well. But, you get what you pay for, and this feels like a 3G ride. As long as it holds up it'll be worth every penny. For now, five stinky carrots.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Perrin
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: February 25, 2000
Favorite Trail:
The Dump
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Light, Stiff, Fast, 2x9, Hydraulic disk brakes Point and Shoot steering
Weaknesses:
Fork a bit under damped on compression... but this can be changed, I just haven't yet. Coda expert rear hub... no problems yet but I'm always wary of rear hubs that aren't King or Shimano.
Similar Products Used:
Proflex 957, SantaCruz Bullit(I know, not really the same category).
Bike Setup:
Stock 2000sl except: Thomson post, 747's, alloy chainring bolts and cog lock ring, Mythos xc rear and Team control team ed front, panaracer green light tubes and grab-on grips
Bottom Line:
This bike is so SWEET. My old ride was a proflex 957 that weighed in at about 25.5 lbs with some very light parts... my new Raven is 24.75 lbs with disk brakes and some room for improvement. But it's the ride I should really be comparing and the raven is so awesome. I briefly had an F2000SL hardtail and the Raven is at least as stiff as that and puts the power down so much better because of the extra traction afforded by the rear suspension. The 957, which used to be a great bike, just doesn't even come close... Feels like a wet noodle in comparison and the rear suspension was not nearly as smooth. Also Regardless of what some people have said about coda disk brakes, the Experts on my Raven stronger than XTR vee's on ceramic rims and have 3 times the modulation. There are a couple of issues: 1.The fork blows through it's travel a little too fast for my liking and makes a light thunking when it tops out. I think the first could be solved with a bit more oil, as for the second... it's just because all the fork has is an o-ring to top out against. 2.The rear freehub has sounded like it has slipped a couple of times(the sound is really applified by the composite frame)... my XTR and Ultegra do this occasionally but every ride(more like one in 15 rides). Although this isn't effecting the current performance, I question the long term durability. I'll solve this problem with King Discotecs this summer :) and save some wieght too.
Bottom Line: There are a couple of things that aren't ideal but the huge grin I get everytime I ride it definately makes the Raven 2000SL worthy of 5 chillies
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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