Submitted by
calebs_tenspeed
a Cross Country Rider
from Houlton, Maine USA Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bradberry Mt. State Park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
won through sobe con
Strengths:
This bike is very light and very fast. It's a great single track bike. It was a little rough riding if you got into any more technical trails but for packed fast rolling trails it's great. And I surprisingly love the coda seat!!!
Weaknesses:
The original crank and bottom bracket didn't take long to wear out. Also I'd upgrade the cheap no-name brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Durango Sport SX, KHS Compt ST
Bike Setup:
Full SRAM x-5, Rock Shox Judy TT, Michellin Green Wildgrippers
Bottom Line:
I won this bike at a convenient store in a SOBE contest. It really launched me into the love of singletrack. My bike has a limited edition sobe paint job and sticker set so it doesn't actually say it's a F600 on it...even though it is. This bike has lasted me a VERY long time and I have really only had to replace the crank and bottom bracket. Not bad for all the trails I've taken this thing on. A great light frame to upgrade on if you're looking to get a used one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marcus church
a Weekend Warrior
from swansea.u.k Date Reviewed: June 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
singleton park
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
jumble sale
Strengths:
tickles me mrs muff
Similar Products Used:
raleigh chopper
Bike Setup:
shefield stainless steel forks,bell with police siren sound effects.
Bottom Line:
bike is beutiful like a warm clear night when the sun is setting and the swallows swooping.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Wimberly
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts Date Reviewed: November 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Leomonster SF
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Light frame, durable starting point
Weaknesses:
most of the stock components are crap. Headshock needs to be scrapped, at a pretty high cost.
Similar Products Used:
M400
Bike Setup:
XT all around
Bottom Line:
Its a good, light bike - I ride mostly singletrack that turns into DH. The headshock may just be old, but its clunky and the shifters were shot when I got it. Basically, the frame is light and rigid - providing a good starting point to upgrade the rest of the components. Which you could do with a much less expensive bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick P
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Earth!
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
A Shaty Bike Shop, who no longer is in Bus. FAT TIRE CYCLE
Strengths:
It's a mountain goat on climbs and begs to be ridden in technical sections slow or fast. light and nimble. Sweet!
Weaknesses:
Front end might be a bit lighter on steep climbs. DD50 shox but then I have had it for 6 years and hasn't cracked , or rusted yet. This fork wont!
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz maybe.
Bike Setup:
Tangoriene Orange 97 Cannondale F600 Comp!LX V brakes(1997), Sachs 8 speed grip shift, LX Front- XT Rear derailer, TI Tech curved seat post, Bontrager seat and rims. Race Face Cranks- Powder coat Orange cranks, SWEET LOOKING BIKE!
Bottom Line:
This Bike begs to be hammered on! It's fast and loves to climb. I have had it since the end of 96 and now my girl friend is now riding the SHAT out of it while I ride my new Santa Cruz Superlight R bad asss! Do me a favour, Ride and Ride some more and don't let any one tell you mountain biking is going to go away! It's Not! Trails in the States might be closing but there is millions of AWSOME trails Up in here in the Great White North!...Canadian Born To Rip And Shread!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brooks McDaniel
a Cross Country Rider
from Ridgefield, CT Date Reviewed: January 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
CT singletrack
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Bethel Cycles
Strengths:
Sweet handling lightweight frame. Head shock with lockout. Beautiful red paint job. I got a great deal on a leftover model.
Weaknesses:
Some not-so-light CODA components, but what do you expect for a bike at this great price. Chain-suck is more frequent than I would like.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Trek, Bridgestone
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Ritchey Blue brake pads, shimano clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
I love riding this bike. It climbs like a mountain goat and the headshock soaks up the bumps on speedy descents. This spring I am going to upgrade the handlebar, stem, and seatpost to light-weight aftermarket stuff. I will have this bike for a long time, so upgrades will be ongoing. I got a great deal so 5 stars on the value rating. Overall I give it 4 stars simply because some of the components are not the greatest, however I absolutely love this bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J-piddy Diddy
a
from Chapel Hill, NC Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
Guy's Bicyles - Feasterville, PA
Strengths:
Weight, durability, HeadShok
Weaknesses:
Wheels, pedals
Similar Products Used:
My Cannondale R600 but it doesn't take the bumps too well.
Bike Setup:
In order to save $500, I bought the Hilfiger edition. Now I just need some C-Dale stickers to cover over the under-the-clearcoat-decal.
Bottom Line:
I would highly recommend this bike. I beat the living shi+ out of this bike and the only thing I have broken on it is the cordless Cateye II mount (twice, going over the handle bars). The pedals and wheels need to be upgraded but beyond that it's a great deal...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay Hawranik
a Cross Country Rider
from Stead Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Birch
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
My brother sold it too me
Strengths:
Awesome graphics and SUPER strong for racing. I also love the lockout on the fork for highway riding.
Weaknesses:
Tektro brake levers
Similar Products Used:
2000 Cannondale F400
Bike Setup:
I added Rolf Satalitte rims, Bontroger saddle and Icon bar ends
Bottom Line:
Great deal and great for racing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gal Ben Yaakov
a Cross Country Rider
from Kiryat Ata, Haifa, ISRAEL Date Reviewed: November 26, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
The Single Track- Bet Oren
Strengths:
absolutely amazing! great performance. I just love the headshock P-bone D. a very lightweight bike, with great coda components. this bike will get you anywhere you want.they have tremendous advantage in those steep uphill climbs.
Weaknesses:
none, except the brakes- it sucks. but a wise man once told me that the less you use the brakes the faster you go. so i dont mind.
Similar Products Used:
gaint, treck, dbr, gary-fisher etc.
Bottom Line:
I just love this bikes. in fact, i keep them in my room. so they whould be the last thing i see when i go to bed. and the first thing i see when i get up. this bike have the ability to fly across the single tracks. they have greate stiff geometry. and it's very good, although when i first got them, three days later they threw me away right on my face. but it often happens when you get from a non-suspension havy bike to a bike that jumps up to the air and teach you to fly. i am very proud to oun this bike. and i recommend it to all the cyclists hwo are looking for a bike that whould go anywhere you wouldn't dream to get.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Surveyor's Ridge
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Miller's Cycles
Strengths:
Stiff ride allows for awesome responsive handling, SuperLight, perfect geometry
Weaknesses:
Long Stock Stem (180?)
Similar Products Used:
Haro Extreme Tangerine, Mountain Goat WhiskeyTown, Giant Rincon, Trek 930, Cannondale Beast of the East, Huffy
Headshok needed serious servicing a year ago, but still runs perfect since Miller's Cycles of Norman, OK rocks the Casbah.
My XL frame came with an XL Stem that kept sending me over the handlebars, I traded out for a 150 stem with a little more rise and now it's perfect. Weighed in at 24lbs, lightest bike on my trail and it's the tallest.
I found frame used and built it up for under $800, otherwise you're stuck with Coda and $1000 price tag.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
Light frame, great geometry, the lock-out ability of the head-shok, smooth finish on the frame, the fact it has a scrap value.
Weaknesses:
None so far, maybe the strength of the frame cos the frame is not that thick.
Similar Products Used:
Trek
Bike Setup:
Changed the brakes to Magura HS-33s, switched handlebar to a riser handlebar, using GT pedals and Panaracer tires.
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike, but if you're gonna take this bike to jump 5 feet drops, then this is not the bike for you. Great geometry for long distance cycling and light jumping. The head-shok just absorbs all the bumps.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from sidney B.C. Canada Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
kettle valley
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Strengths:
great frame, nice finish,
Weaknesses:
have had a problem with the front fork failing to lock completely making a cluncking sound $30 to service, chain has been sucked between frame and chainstay on downshift under load.
Bike Setup:
stock except for saddle (wtb)
Bottom Line:
bike has performed well. I have ridden it as a fully loaded tourer off road as well as on road and the lockout shock worked well for this. I also use this bike as a commuter and has been very reliable. I feel the shock have a little smoother action, friends say it feels like it has sand in it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
WillyB
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: October 14, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
Sun & Ski sports
Strengths:
Great frame, head shock works great for my light weight.
Weaknesses:
Coda pedals stink, shifters are kinda sketchy for the thumb lever - LOTS of motion required to shift
Similar Products Used:
Konas, Gary Fishers, etc
Bike Setup:
stock + thudbuster & shimano spd downhill pedals
Bottom Line:
I've only had the bike 3 months but I am more than sitisfied - got the 2000 model from Sun and Ski here in Austin for $300 off MSRP. Stiff, sometimes rides harsh over little stuff, but the thudbuster takes care of that. Couldn't have gotten a better upgradeable frameset for the price. I dunno about paying $1100-$1200 for one. 4 upside-down explorers for value for the full price version.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Mac
a Cross Country Rider
from Lantau Island, Hong Kong Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Chai Mai Wan, Hong Kong
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Flying Ball Bicycles
Strengths:
The Frame. Intially bought the bike only to keep for a year, but have kept it for 4 years so far. The frame is oversized aluminium which aids greatly in climbing. The frame is quite lightweight being a CAD2. The metallic black paint still looks mean.
Weaknesses:
Standard setup spec is not great & you will be quickly frustrated if you are a half serious rider. I have ugraded almost everything possible component on the bike except forks, stem and handlebar which has cost quite a bit. There are some minor paint blisters. Over the real rough stuff you can get thrown around by the stiff frame.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale M2000, Specialised FSR
Bike Setup:
XTR cranks, XTR BB, XTR V-brakes, XTR Deraillers, XTR hubs with Mavic 217 rims, Specialised Team Master Tyres, Cateye Cordless computer, Avocet O2 Ti Seat, Syncros Hardcore seatpost, 747 pedals with Ti axles.
Bottom Line:
Currenly the bike with all the bits described above is fast, light & rides a lot better than the standard setup. For the warm weather in HK a light bike is nice as there are some steep gradients (1:8) in places. A little more front suspension travel (currently 50mm) would be nice, but I may just get a Jekyll instead.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Orndorf
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbus, OH United States Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Does not apply
Weaknesses:
After 3 months of riding this bike, the seat is bent and front suspension has began to rust. I am not sure if there is a customer service department at Cannondale. No one wants to help you out
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher
Bottom Line:
I would not recommend this bike or a Cannondale product to anyone.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Morris
a Downhiller
from Connecticut Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Sandy Hill Trail in Middlebury
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
The Headshok is great esspecialy the lockout. XT rear Derailleur. Tires Frame is definatly awsome, light, stiff, and strong.
Weaknesses:
Cranks Hubs/ spokes
Bike Setup:
LX/XT Drivetrain with avid V brakes
Bottom Line:
Very nice. It holds up through the crap that i put it through weather it is an awsome single track downhill or flying up a crosscountry hill. It is fast on the road and faster off the road. The bottom line is it is great for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Keith Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Williamsburg, VA Date Reviewed: November 13, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pocahontas State Park MBT System
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
XT Rear Derailler Head-Shock THE CANNONDALE FRAME
Weaknesses:
Standard Brakes(Upgrade to LX) CODA Pedals CODA Seat (Upgrade to gel)
Similar Products Used:
GT Avalanche
Bike Setup:
F600: head-shock, LX brakes, LX front derailler, XT rear derailler.
Bottom Line:
The bike has been absolutely GREAT. The head shock is excellent, especially with its lock-out capability. The frame has taken a lickin' so far. The bike climbs fast and is light as can be. I am completely satisfied with this buy.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Grabowski
a Cross-Country Rider
from Queens, NY Date Reviewed: November 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Lightweight Frame XT Rear Derailler
Weaknesses:
Lighweight Frame Handling
Similar Products Used:
Trek 8000
Bike Setup:
Standard Components except... Replaced the Clipless Coda Pedals with MTB Platforms, replaced the Continental tires with Bontrager Revolt ST2's, and added Coda Paquito bar-ends.
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my original review. The F600's lightweight frame makes 2 hours of riding feel like an hour on my Trek 6000. The Paquito barends are comfortable and I've gotten used to the riding position. But this bike handles poorly. Despite the shock, this bike has a light front end and tends to oversteer. Braking to help correct the oversteer results in a certain spill. The brakes themselves are powerful but touchy.. they engage smoothly then increase in power rather abruptly. Strong winds blow this bike off course easily. Overall, it's a pleasant bike to ride on paved paths but I'd be reluctant to take it off road.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie
a Weekend Warrior
from S.Lancaster, MA Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Beautifull, high quality handmade frame, lock-out shock, fast geometry
Weaknesses:
crappy bottom shelf brakes
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Specialized, Nishiki
Bike Setup:
Stock, except for swapping the junky coda pedals for shimano's
Bottom Line:
DO NOT LISTEN TO THE SCRUBS THAT GAVE THIS BIKE LESS THAN A 3!!! They are either pro racers who are used to 2 to 3 thousand dollar bikes, or have such a lack of skill that they have to blame the bike for their awefullness. Great bike, great frame, good shock, great value. Upgrade the brake levers, pedal and seat and there won't be much more to do to it. Geometry is super fast and responsive. Buy the $15 crown tool to service the shock and you'll find it's pretty easy, and a super strong fork(albeit with short travel). Love it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from New Windsor, NY Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Stewart Lands
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Solid, relatively lightweight frame; Shimano rapid-fire shifters; lock-out on the headshok
Weaknesses:
The headshok is way too soft and has no travel. It bottoms out regularly when I ride. Shifters are mounted too far out on the handlebars. It's hard to keep from accidentally shifting while gripping the bars.
Similar Products Used:
None. This is my first new bike and my used one was an old school Cannondale Competition Series and I loved it.
Bike Setup:
Everything stock except I changed out the pedals to something I could also wear w/o shoes.
Bottom Line:
The bike would be a lot better were it not for the quality of the headshok. The lockout is a great feature -- especially for when I put slicks on to do a 150 mile road tour this summer, but the softness and extremely limited travel are real downers. And the fact that, unlike the F700, you can't upgrade the shok, is a travesty. Overall, I'm pleased with my bike but my #1 priority this offseason will be to completely replace my headshok with something that is actually built for riding the rocky trails in the Northeast. Overall, the rest of the bike has been very satisfying for someone really getting involved in biking.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Starman
a Cross-Country Rider
from Richmond, Va. Date Reviewed: August 30, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Excellent frame, headshock control is awesome,great brakes
Weaknesses:
Uncomfortable seat, had to replace, LX shifters and tires
Similar Products Used:
Klein, Gary Fisher, Diamondback, Trek
Bike Setup:
Stock w/headshock and P-bone D's, GT seat, Mavic rims
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. Especially if you are looking for a bike you can get started with immediately and upgrade as you go along. The frame will _NOT_ let you down!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Slim Shady
a Cross-Country Rider
from Rochester NH Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pitchpine@Bear Brook State Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Its lightweight Love the lockout on the headshock.
Weaknesses:
All of the chumps who gave this bike a bad review.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Mt. Tam & ParagonOther Cannondales
Bottom Line:
People have to remember you can't pay $1000.00 for a bike and expect it to out perform a $2000.00 bike. If you don't like this bike you can go to hell.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
neal
a Cross-Country Rider
from las vegas, nv Date Reviewed: August 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
staff
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
lock-out headshock is cool. smoking deal on the bike. beautiful frame. made in usa.
Weaknesses:
lame & embarrassing hilfiger logo on top bar! (covered it with saab sticker)
Similar Products Used:
trek gt kona specialized stump other cannondales
Bike Setup:
P-bone-D headshock. LX shifter triggers. LX fd. XT rd. coda cranks and pro clipless.
Bottom Line:
the bike is light and tracks well. very solid. love the P-bone-D (much better than the M) the lock-out is great for up hill road. the bike is a 4 star bike, but i gave it 5 to bring up the curve. i have not experienced any problems at all with this fine bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Feldon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tanzania Date Reviewed: July 22, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
none I can think of
Weaknesses:
everything pointed out in the other negative reviews on this page. this bike is not good
Similar Products Used:
lots...
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
i agree with everything said in the bad reviews here. my dad bought me this bike and i don't hardly even ride it anymore cause it sucks. my friends make fun of me and i hate it. 1 star for suckiness.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Fe, New Mexico Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Not many. The frame is reasonably well constructed, somewhat lightweight, and the tires aren't terrible.
Weaknesses:
Everything else, especially the CODA shifters and the Headshock, especially since it can't be upgraded to the better models without a complete fork replacement.
Similar Products Used:
GT, Klein, Huffy
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Better off spending less money on a Huffy. Same crappy ride anyway.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ty
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Cactus Cup Fountain Hills
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Head Shock, Frame material and construction
Weaknesses:
Little low end on components because you get a really great frame
Similar Products Used:
SV 900, SV700SX, F400
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Good overall bike and upgrade worthy. Some components could use and upgrade but the frame and headshock system is worth it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: July 9, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame seems strong enough to support my fat self. It has mounts for two water bottles, and the colour is pretty.
Weaknesses:
I can't go fast enough, no matter what. I sweat and huff and puff until I feel like I'm going to pass out. My waistline is 12 inches too big. People call me porky, but I prefer rotund. The fork sucks and I paid too much money for crap. My brain hurts.
Similar Products Used:
None. I was wooed by marketing hype and too stupid to test ride other bikes.
Bike Setup:
Whatever the shop gave me. Can you customize? That sounds complicated.
Bottom Line:
Me dumb. Bike suck. Brain hurt.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Washington
a Weekend Warrior
from Aloha, Hawaii Date Reviewed: June 21, 1999
Submitted by
Ken Gunnells
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, AL Date Reviewed: June 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Oak Mt BUMP trail
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Light weight, head shock, climbs easily
Weaknesses:
awful chain suck on muddy/sandy trails, CODA clipless pedals are difficlut to clip into
Bottom Line:
This is my first new Mountain bike in many years so I don't have too much to compare with. In the first few rides I experienced regular instances of chain suck caused b ythe narrow tolarances in the new 9 gear cassette. This was cured by the dealer changing the chain to one that had more tolarance. I have also had continued problems with the CODA pedals. If there is any mud or dirt on the borrom of the shoesI just can't get cliped in. I also ride this bike on the road with a set of Town-n-country tires. The headshock allows me to use the shock in the dirt and lock it out for the road. Overall I love the bike and would recommend it to those that want a light weight bike where long fork travel in not necessary.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: June 10, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
- I didn't die when the frame snapped.
Weaknesses:
- Headshock is terrible; limited travel, impossible to service, doesn't track accurately, horrible feel. - Cheap components and CODA crap - Poor workmanship on frame -- WEAK WEAK WEAK - Totally overpriced
Bike Setup:
Stock 1999 F600
Bottom Line:
I bought this dog of a bike 5 and a half months ago on the advice of a friend. I should have known better... My previous two bikes were Kona's and before I sold them I had NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. Not so with the F600. The headshock is a terrible fork. It makes it nigh impossible to follow a line accurately, the travel is non-existent, and the feel is awful. This bike never felt safe on the trails; it was always overmatched even by the slightest technical sections. After 5 months of riding moderate terrain with no crashes, the frame snapped at the rear dropouts going over a rock. Now I have no bike, I'm lucky to be alive and I'm still waiting to hear from Cannondale's warranty servicing department. When I get a replacement frame this thing is going up for sale IMMEDIATELY. I'm gonna buy a nice solid bike from a reliable company. Do yourself a favor and avoid the Cannondale lineup at all costs; there's so much more value available for the money elsewhere.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Grabowski
a Cross-Country Rider
from Queens, New York Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Saddle Comfort Tires Pedals Shimano LX Front Derailer
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6000
Bike Setup:
Standard Cannondale Specs with replacements for the Saddle Tires Pedals
Bottom Line:
My last MTB was a Trek 830 Chromaloy model that I rode for 5 years and 5000 miles. I wanted to get an Aluminum bike and it was a hard decision between the F600 and the Trek 6000 which was about 1/2 the Cannondale's price. I decided to go with the Cannondale. If Lexus ever included a bike with their autos the way that VW includes a Trek, then the F600 would be the likely choice. The front shock is impressive in the way that it smoothes out even the worst bumps. I though aluminium bikes rode more harshly than chromaloy models but this model sure proved that wrong. The bike's lightweight is impressive, and the brakes perform flawlessly under all conditions, including during unexpected rainstorms. Also, the design of the frame places the rear derailer far enough to the rear which allows me to comfortably pedal the F600 without my big (size 15) feet smashing into the derailer or the chainguard. The Continental tires that come standard on this model seem to be a compromise tilted toward off road use. On trails, they are very good, but their rolling resistance made them unsatisfactory for even the slightest road use. I replaced them with a pair of Bontrager Revolt ST2s which have proven much more satisfactory for road use which being adequate for all but the most difficult trails, though they ride more harshly than the Continentals. Saddles are a personal preferance, but the racing saddle on the F600 is truly a saddle. Sitting on it brought back memories of my last horseback ride. I had my dealer replace it with a Trek MTB saddle which I greatly prefer. Acquaintances who use clipless pedals encouraged me not to use the Coda Clipless pedals that came with the F600. I tried them as platform pedals and they were awful. I replaced them with a pair of GT Alloy BMX platform pedals which are fine. If and when I move up to clipless, I'll probably take my dealer's suggestion and go with the Shimano 323 clip/clipless/platform pedals. Though the XT rear derailer is fine, I'm not satisfied with the LX front derailer. Despite meticulous adjustment by my dealer, the chain is reluctant to go to a smaller cog when climbing even the slightest grades, and the Rapidfire shifter has to be pressed much too far to move the chain to a larger cog. Also, on occasion, the front LX derailer slips unexpectedly, even when it has been in a gear for several minutes. The Altus A-20 rear derailer on my 1995 Trek 830 is almost as good as the F600's XT, the Trek's Altus A-10 Front derailer is actually more reliable than the LX on my Cannondale. I added the Paquito bar ends to the F600. They are standard on the F700 with the same bar. If you have large hands and want to add bar ends to this model, try it carefully before buying. I barely have enough room for my hands on the grips with the bar ends in place and I have medium sized hands. Overall, 3 stars. It's a nice bike: lightweight and smooth riding. I'm just not sure it's worth the price.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Bugden
a Cross-Country Rider
from Halifax, Nova Scotia Date Reviewed: May 3, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Old Halifax Highway
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Adjustable Headshock, climbing ability, CAAD 2 Technology Frame, price tag and good selection of components.
Weaknesses:
Tires, and pedals
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Trek, GT, Kona, Schwinn, and Gary Fisher.
Bike Setup:
old realiable Norco, rigid fork
Bottom Line:
Had a chance to go riding with a couple of roadies, and my Cannondale (even without slicks) put those boys to the test!! Great climbing ability, and good selection of componentry, but could use different pedals, as I have had some problems with the Coda clipless. PLan on racing this year, and for anyone looking to get into a racing this bike would more then what you are looking for in a entry leve lrace ready Mtn bike. You can't go wrong with the adjustable headshock, whether turned on or off this bike is fast.........
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