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Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Super Light. Fork Lockout. Sweet Looking. | | Weaknesses: | Crankset and Coda Brakes | | Similar Products Used: | D'Back, Giant, KHS | | Bike Setup: | Ultra Fatty (no Lefty), XT/LX, Truvativ ISIS 5D, WTB Speed V saddle, Panaracer Fire XC Pros | | Bottom Line: | Amazingly light, awesome climber, good downhill, super tracking stability. I'm not a heavyweight, but no fly weight either at 170 lbs, and while I'm not doing 4 and 5 foot drops, I'm rough on my gear. This bike (except for stock crank) can take the abuse with style.
Ultra stiff hardtail frame = rough ride on rough-fast downhill, but the fork is very capable. Bike was purchased essentially unused (perfect finish, zero wear on crankset or cassette, disk rotors still cross hatched) and stock, but Lefty had been swapped out for 80mm air Fatty. I can't complain though, as this shock is awesome when the air pressure is dialed in correctly, and I get to use std items such as hub, skewers, truck bed fork mount... The bike loves downhill switchbacks and smaller jumps (>2 ft).
Brakes are less than impressive, but with proper maintenance and tuning, I haven't yet been convinced to replace them. Articulation and feel are great, but sheer stopping power is obviously lacking, especially when wet or muddy.
I thought the OE Hutchisons were good tires, until I swapped them for the Fire's - what a difference, the bike absolutely hooks on corners now.
As a note, I had constant issues with stiction in the seatpost, but cured this by packing the post with automotive chassis grease. I packed it slam full, put the post through a few cycles w/o the elastomer in place, and then replaced the elastomer. It does a good job of keeping dirt and moisture out of the bearings, and adds a damping effect not accomplished by the elastomer, which tended to po-go.
I wish the decal set were clear coated over, but that is a minor gripe. I would recommend Cannondale to anyone, assuming you can fit one in the budget - or can get a great deal on one. The value rating reflects my purchase price, and would likely drop to 3 or 4 if I had to pay MSRP, due to component group. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Feeding Hills
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheels in Motion | | Strengths: | The lefty shocks rules. It is a great climbing bike. | | Weaknesses: | CODA SSSSSUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSS. The brakes are the worst things ever invented. I had thoes things in the shop every other week!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for the money with the exception of the brakes. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Cutter
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Austin | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Superb frame & fork. Exceptionaly light and rigid bike that climbs and handles like nothing else. | | Weaknesses: | Stock brakes. Magura Julies can be had as a warranty replacement for free. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything out there. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Magura Julie discs which replaced the CODA brakes under warranty. | | Bottom Line: | Cannondale will replace the junk CODA disc brakes with Magura Julies under warranty at no cost to the owner. Do this. Magura Julies are exceptional brakes (just look at their rating on MTB Review). The CODA crank is great provided you tighten the hell out of the bolts. The bike comes stock with a Shimano Ultegra type bottom bracket which needs 25% more torque to tighten than standard tapered-square crank/brackets. Add a couple drops of oil to the suspension seatpost and it will last forever.
The brakes are fixed with the Julies and the extra torque needed for the bolts is a very minor issue. Other than that, this bike is exceptional - one of the best hardtails ever made. I've ridden everything out there, even bikes at 3 times the cost of this, and the F900SX wins hands down. Nothing handles or climbs like this baby.
When I break the rims, I'm going for Spinergy Wheelsets for some added strength. In the meantime the CODA rims and hubs have treated me and my 210lbs very well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Man Hands
a Weekend Warrior
from Goshen, OH, Clermont
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cave Run | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Used from a friend | | Strengths: | Bike is very light and a great climber. I love the pee green color too! | | Weaknesses: | The handlebar diameter is a little small for my hands--but I am the exception rather than the rule. My back always seems to hurt becuase I am using my hips a lot to keep the bike on the trail--I think I am a full suspension kind of guy. Had to buy a thud buster to make it tolerable, which about killed my wallet! The coda breaks couldn't stop a circus flea's bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y bike, Jekyll with the lefty from this bike. | | Bike Setup: | My "friend" that I purchased it from preyed on my bike ignorance and stuck a head shok on it and kept the lefty for himself (and didn't give me a discount). I have a $90 seat that I bought for $30 and quickly damaged. I have to hear from my friend that I gave me too good of a deal every time I see him. Thud buster--a must have. Lots of stickers. | | Bottom Line: | Great climber, whish I had the lefty, very light, but I am moving to a Jekyll! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chia Can
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Cannondale Asia | | Strengths: | Basically it is great climber and descender. one important thing is that this bike is damn light. | | Weaknesses: | I had plenty of problems with lefty… Found some rusting going on at the bottom near the hub and lockout does not function well…
Sent my bike to the dealer to get it check… The answer I got from them for the rusting was that it was caused by oxidation and asked mi to get some ultra-fine sandpaper and sand it down and lacquer it and as for the lockout they said it is mostly the user fault and I will have to pay for it. Damn can’t imagine that only after a few rides without using the lockout it will spoil. All I can say is that Cannondale makes great bikes but when it comes to after sale services sucks. Right now my bike is still with the dealer. | | Similar Products Used: | Other brandless bikes | | Bike Setup: | Xt system and a coda disc brake | | Bottom Line: | it will be a great bike i can say.... if there aren't so much problem with the lefty. I will only give this two Chilis if not for all the trouble caused by the lefty | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jojo Monasterial
a Cross Country Rider
from Dumaguete City, Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | YKK trading, Cebu City, Philippines | | Strengths: | Great climber, stable descender, lefty rules!, good tires, hubs are completely rebuildable, price (got it on sale, yum!), and it comes in black with yellow and silver decals (sweet!) | | Weaknesses: | Wheels had to be trued after about 5 months. 2002 models come with Mavic rims so i guess that's it for wheel problems. Mine came wid rigida rims. Also, the crank bolts came loose after about the same time and wouldn't stay tight no matter how tight we make them. Loctite blue did the trick! | | Similar Products Used: | my old aluminum framed bike (i loved that bike!) | | Bike Setup: | caad4 frame, lefty dlr fork, coda disc brakes. basically stock 'cept for handle bars. changed the coda with titec hellbents and changed 20 degree stem with a 5 degree stem. | | Bottom Line: | The f900sx is a very good bike able to handle well in all but the roughest trails. I mainly use it for trail riding at least three times a week. Joined a couple of cross country races, too. the bike performed ok, I didn't. Trails in our place vary from smooth to nasty. the bike holds up well on the uphills and is so sweet on the downhills. Climbing is great when done seated and weight shifted a little forward. the bike is also capable of small to medium drops. the big ones, well we know we need a different bike for that! Had problem with a cracked disc brake tab after using the bike (responsibly, i might add) for two weeks. Cannondale replaced my frame at once, free of charge! I have to thank my dealer for that. Buy your bikes from YKK trading, they'll support you all the way! Ahem, where was I? Oh yes, the bike. Ok so now I have exactly the same black frame, but with one minor difference. My seat stay stickers come in silver instead of yellow! I am now the proud owner of the ONLY year 2000 model bike, with year 2000 body color, but with year 2001 decals. Just my luck! Cannondale ran out of the yellow stickers! Oh well, talk about good fortune. there you have it folks, great bike, from a great company, sold by a great dealer. What more can you ask for? What's that? A Jeckyll? Hmm... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy evans
a Weekend Warrior
from dorset, england
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | canford heath | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1423.00 | | Purchased At: | Xtreme, poole | | Strengths: | light frame and smoothly finished, exellent fork, good drivechain, adaptable from xc machine to a street beast. | | Weaknesses: | the brakes are useless, and i think my fork is pre production as the mounts have gone discoloured. Also why the stickers on the frame it now looks pants and new ones are impossible to get in england. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized | | Bike Setup: | azonic riser bars with either spd's and long post or flatties tioge 2.3 tires and a small post. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great fun but the stickers and fork details and shocking brakes are niggling problems. I am soon upgrading to hope mini brakes which should solve the problem. i cant complain though as i got the bike 1/2 price as an ex-demo model and nothing major has broken. Riding a lefty is great people sto and wonder how it works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | goverment center!! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Back Bay Bikes | | Strengths: | Lightweight, super plush fork, | | Weaknesses: | Coda components.......well you know.......they suck. | | Bike Setup: | F900 SX, Selle Italia Prolink gel, Answer Pro Taper gold bars, intense DH lock on grips, LX brake levers, Hayes Mechanical disc brakes, panaracer Fire DH pro tires, DX 636 pedals, MRP long range patrol guide | | Bottom Line: | The frame and fork are sweet. The components are week. I got a good deal on the bike and hooked it up. It's sick now. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisvile,Ohio
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Takes a while to break in the breaks. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The bike is the bomb.... out.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Paul, MN,
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the farm | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Now Bike | | Strengths: | Handeling and climbing | | Weaknesses: | Componets - Disk Brakes and shock. Third set of brakes and third shock rebuild in less than 9 months. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche, Stump Jumper, F2000 | | Bike Setup: | XTR and XT drivetrain, Mavic 517 rims, Hayes Mechanical disk brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bikes handles awesome in anything if its not in the shop. I have spent over $1000 this summer alone keeping the bike going. I am on my third set of Disk brakes. The first two were Coda's - impossible to get set up. The current brakes are Hayes Mechanical disk and they are marginal at best.
The shock is one of the best I have used but it constantly has to be rebuilt. I am on number 3. The lock out mechanism broke and is going to cost me $300 to fix - Cannondale won't help out either.
Hey, I ride my bike pretty hard but I am not jumping it. I don't understand why after every two rides it has to go back to the shop. I will be selling the bike because I can't afford to keep riding it. I am looking at Rocky Mountains. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Platteeuw
a Weekend Warrior
from Roeselare
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | forests | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Jowan | | Strengths: | I was amazed by the quality of the frame. It handles well and you get a lot of joy riding this frame on easy ground. Don't go riding with it in the mountains, you will crash to death, i will explain here beneath. | | Weaknesses: | Weaknesses? How many lines can i write down here....?? First of all; the brakes are not functioning at all, in stead of improving they come worse every time you take your bike out. The brake plates are too small , the hydraulic hoses are too light ( they expand while braking) and the cilinder actually bends when you pull hard on the levers. Second major problem is the Lefty fork, yes it handles well ,but it's allready my second fork. The first one gave up on the third ride, It was worn out in the interior. Also the Coda components ( or Lada components) are worthless, my crank broke twice and i broke both of the Coda wheels. The paint job is splendid but the stickers are not. I am so sorry that Cannondale can't do any better than this..... | | Bike Setup: | this bike has been given a place on the junkyard | | Bottom Line: | Please be very cautious when you spend that much money on your new purchase. Offcourse your bikes are cheaper in the US than here in Belgium but Cannondale is deeply downgrated to me... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan nardo
a
from Eugnee OR
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | my own | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1495.00 | | Purchased At: | Hutches | | Strengths: | The Lefty fork the frame seat post and anything that says shimano | | Weaknesses: | Brakes! brakes! Brakes! they suck, my friends canilicer alivio rim brakes work better, they brakes are being replaced. The crank sucks I broke the crank after three months of riding, I am getting a Race face shore. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-drive 3000, K2 razorback, Santacruz Superlight. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for platform petels | | Bottom Line: | This bike would be good cross country riding and moderate free riding if the brakes cranks and wheels were up to the job, I think this bike could excell if cannondale put hayes brakes, race face cranks and rhyno light rims | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chaz
a Racer
from Green Bay
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bairds Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1587.00 | | Purchased At: | Team 2 Racing (LBS) | | Strengths: | The Lefty is da bomb!! The specs are pretty nice too.it climbs and handles like a charm. and it goes down really great too. | | Weaknesses: | front brake needs reagustment, but Lock Tight fixed that | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized A1 Comp FS | | Bike Setup: | Stock exept thompson seatpost, time A.T.A.C. peadles, and Easton CT2 Handle bar | | Bottom Line: | this bike works great after the brakes are taken care of. you can go up and down, back and forth with ease and the lefty is so great, it can be set really plush so it takes the little hist but its got the travle to take the big ones too. the only problen i have right now are the stickers, insted of painted on name, and i need a new cycle computer for it but otherwise its great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Ocala, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Strengths: | The lefty fork on this bike gives great handling. The hutchison aligator tires are great ( I even bought a pair of golds). After some break in time the Coda Disc breaks have proven to be reliable. I do like the fact that I can lay into both front and back breaks and not worry about losing control or going over the handle bars and I can stop much quicker than the standard V-brake bikers. I do really enjoy the bike alot and love to ride it after doing some major upgrades. | | Weaknesses: | The constant maintenance and repair required due to Low end wheelsets (at least performance wise), LX components, and Coda Components. It is clear that Cannondale has accepted the quest to make the lightest bike but I think they went to far with this one. The suspension seat post was great while it lasted. At first contact with dirt and sand it crapped out. | | Similar Products Used: | GT | | Bike Setup: | Mostly XTR, with some XT upgraded 2001 Selle Italia Flite Gel TI Rail, upgraded seat post to Thompson | | Bottom Line: | This is a tough one. This was my first major bike purchase and it has been a work in progress experience. I really love the bike but like my friends say you seem to be in the shop every week with it. If you can get a good deal on this bike and do the upgrades you will have one of the best hardtail bikes out there. For value I am only giving 2 flamers. But for overall rating (and I am doing this one based on the bike I now have after all the upgrades) it gets 5 flamers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmothy
a Cross Country Rider
from Montana
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | The Lefty fork is great. I really like the lightweight frame. GREAT PACKAGE! | | Weaknesses: | I can't believe they put stickers on a bike that retails for almost 2K. I got a good deal b/c of clearance, but why couldn't cannondale paint the letters on the frame, maybe it is just the black frames that have stickers. I don't know. They are peeling off already. All XT components are a must on a bike of this price, but i got a great deal, so i guess i can't complain. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized and Klein | | Bike Setup: | stock except for easton carbon handlebar and XT shifters and front derailer. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike at a great price. If I had to pay full retail price I would have definitely looked elswhere, but not bad for 1100 bucks. Could have better components for the price but whatever. STICKERS????? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Brookfield, CT USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | The lefty fork is awesome. You look at this thing, especially the first time you ride it, and you expect a loose sloppy ride. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is MORE rigid than traditional shocks, the feel is awesome, and hey, 10 cm travel! (You don't have to take the wheel off to change the front tire, either.) It tracks unbelievably well; I was amazed. After 10 minutes you forget it's a "lefty" (you can't actually see it most of the time you're riding), and you just enjoy the most awesome suspension you've ever experienced. | | Weaknesses: | The Coda brakes are so-so. I haven't any serious problems, but they require constant adjustment. Constant means after just about every ride (my typical ride is 20 to 25 miles, 75% XC, 25% DH). If I keep them adjusted they're actually pretty awesome. Out of adjustment they border on okay, but if they get really bad, they can actually be a bit dangerous because they're inconsistent. I learned this the hard way by taking an endo one day while going down a rocky ravine. Now I keep them adjusted. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for seat and seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! The frame and components are generally better than acceptable, and the suspension is awesome. In my opinion the lefty fork doesn't live up to ALL the hype, but it lives up to most of it. I've put about 750 miles ( about 75% XC, 25% DH ) on this bike, and the only problems have been minor issues with the adjustment of the Coda brakes. For DH riding, the rigidity and 10 cm travel of the lefty are the best suspension I've ever experienced. For technical riding, the light weight and responsiveness just has to be experienced! Will my next bike have lefty suspension? Absolutely! And the one after that, and the one after that ... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Orlando
a Cross Country Rider
from Long Island, New York
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Carl Hart Bicycles | | Strengths: | -Light and Strong
-Handling(100mm travel adjustable air, on the fly rebound adjustment, and lockout)
-Looks
-Looks | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Trek all hardtails, Rocky Mountain Thin(sold it once i got the cannondale), Fishers, Litespeed Pisgah, Schwinn Homegrown, also have a few full suspension bikes and road bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for: Easton CT2 seatpost and handlebars, Flite seat, oury grips, Race Face Next LP cranks and ti BB, and speedplay pedals. I change tires all the time, my favorites are Michelin DH mud for the sand and muddy trails and Conti explorers for all around, Bontrager Revolts and Panaracers work excellent also. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to write a review when I first got the bike but I decided to wait and see how everything turned out. The first ride was unbelievable, I expected to feel a flexy suspension from the Lefty but nothing. This fork was stiffer(100mm travel and the fly rebound adjustment and lockout) than anything I had ever ridden before, I was amazed. I rode the bike for 300 miles with no problems. Around 500miles I noticed I change in the brakes. I brought it the shop I bought it at: CARL HART BICYCLES (CARLHART.COM). These guys are excellent, they knew exactly what to do, (within 1 1/2 hours I was back on the trail)they changed the stock pads(green) to the sinted metalic pads(gold) and added a set of standoffs. They gave me a great deal on this. So it back to the trails for another 500 miles. No complaints, the brakes worked excellent CODA Experts for those you wondering. Don't rely on these previous reviews for info on this brake system. I would put the same brakes on my next bike, if I ever get another one, and if I do it'll be Cannondale from Carl Hart. I have just recently changed the cranks to Raceface NextLP they looked outrageous and I couldn't pass them up. The seatpost was next although the carbon seatpost looks cool and is lighter. The CODA seatpost was much more comfortable on longer rides. The handlebars and pedals are standard changes I make on every bike I own. This bike has 1600 miles on it as of 03/01. I would recomend this bike to anyone who is looking for a serious X-Country with a race bike feel. The is no trail I can not ride with this bike. Check out CARLHART.COM for their great deals.EXPERT CANNONDALE DEALER AND MECHANICS. The only bike I would replace it with, is one their custom Seven Cycles Titanium frames w/a carbon lefty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nolan Barco
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami, Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oleta State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bikes Ft. Lauderdale Fl | | Strengths: | This bike rode beautifully when it was not in the shop. | | Weaknesses: | Everytime the bike was ridden, it ended up in the shop. Within the first week, the Coda crank had to be replaced with a Shimano LX, due to a manufacturers defect. Also, the rear hub bearings failed on two occassions. The Coda Expert Disc Brakes are worse than Toys R Us Bike V-brakes. After 3 months, and every Coda component on the bicycle having broke, Cannondale replaced the bike. It was described as a lemon. Additionally, the Lefty shock blew out twice. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper
| | Bike Setup: | Shimano LX crank....Sun DS1 front wheel | | Bottom Line: | LEMON | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Parkes
a Weekend Warrior
from Chile
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Huinganal/El Molino | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Intercycles, Chile | | Strengths: | Lefty lives up to the hype even though dampening pin popped out on one ocassion. Soaks up all bumps and steers very well. Best fork I´ve tried so far and worth every penny.
Frame is light and nimble - great for technical rides. Great design too.
| | Weaknesses: | Brakes were good only when they worked - which was about 50% of the time. Required constant maintenance. XTR V-Brakes are just as good and are far more reliable.
Rims are crap. Bend very easily. As a result, front tire burst on two ocassions after hitting relatively small bumps.
Suspension seat post is only good for long and non-technical rides. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Pantera (XT and Judy), Trek 9800 (XTR) | | Bike Setup: | Standard except for Race Face Seat post. | | Bottom Line: | With the exception of the rims, bike was good and fun to ride (provided brakes were in working order). However, I personally prefer a more reliable bike which uses proven technology. I would not trust this bike on a long trip (more than a couple of days). I am now going back to a no-frills/low-tech GT ZASKAR.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Downhiller
from VAncouver,b.c., canada
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Lefty, Frame, tires, Grips? and WEIGHT! | | Weaknesses: | CODA components suck! rims suck and brakes are not worth talking about | | Similar Products Used: | everything under the sun | | Bike Setup: | mavic rims, race face lp's, xtr rear xt front. and hayes as soon as i get pay check | | Bottom Line: | upgrade the rims, brakes and cranks and you'll have your self a wicked freeride/urban assault/xc monster
i am still waiting for a lefty specific fender!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger
a Weekend Warrior
from West Orange, NJ USA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Cosmic Wheel in Ridgefield Park NJ | | Strengths: | Lefty, Coda Hydraulic Disc Brake, and Most importantly CAnnondale Design CADD 4 Frame. | | Weaknesses: | better components can be used considering the price of the bike. XTR a must | | Bike Setup: | stock.. | | Bottom Line: | GREAT BIKE!!!. Expensive but well worth it. Cannondale all the way. Lefty Fork rocks!!. Disc Brake is great too. Love this bike.
The bike shop is great too. If you are in NJ/NY area and you are looking for a Cannondale bike. Goto Cosmic Wheel in Ridgefield Park. U can find the shop via the cannondale web site dealer locator. They also sell Klein bikes too. They are great with bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chibacho
a Downhiller
from Laguna Beach, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hawk Drop-Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1795.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax Bicycles, Irvine | | Strengths: | the bike rides nice for the first few months. If you've only onwned this bike for a few months, you're in for a real surprise. The Lefty is a great product, but forget about having Cannondale do any warranty work on their components. They give you the run around, and blame you for riding too hard. | | Weaknesses: | Mr. Gerhart was right on. The Coda Disc brakes are by far the worst thing on this bike. On long descents, the brakes pump, and braking power fades. I have had the brakes in for service on several occasions. I have also had to replace both rims, and disc brake pads every two months at twenty bucks a pair. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, GT LTS, | | Bike Setup: | Very stock, except for Mavic Cross Max Rims, and XTR rear deraileur. All of the normal CODA gabage. | | Bottom Line: | Take your $1800, and use it as a down payment on an Intense Tracer, or Ellsworth Truth. If hard tails are your thing, stick to GT and Trek, with a Rock shox Psylo, or if you have the Cash, a Manitou Supernova!!!! I'm convinced that V-brakes are more reliable and have better stopping power than this coda joke of a disc brake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benjamin Gehret
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Flores, Ca USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | two wheels one planet | | Strengths: | When the lefty is actually working, it works great. It's a lightweight ride out of the box. The best feature on the bike is the choice of tires. Hutchinson Alligators. | | Weaknesses: | Biggest piece of junk I've ever ridden. The Coda Expert disc brakes need constant attention, and the rotors warped after 5 months. I have had to rebuild the Lefty twice, the suspension seat post seized up on me and they wouldn't warranty it. The rear hub had to be replaced, and Cannondale wouldn't warranty it, due to water damage. i tacoed the front Sun rim after one month of riding. Cannondale does not stand behind their products. In order to transform this ride into a tough machine, its gonna cost you two rims, and some Hayes disc brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Everything under the sun. I attend Interbike every year. | | Bike Setup: | Now, Easton CT@ carbon seatpost, Mavic downhill rims, shimano SPD platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike needs mechanical attention every time you ride it. Its gonna cost you an average of $75 a month to keep it in working order. That comes to an additional $900 a year. Cannondale has poor customer service, and they do not stand behind their products. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Crowe
a Downhiller
from Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The bike is light, strong and the lefty is a sweet fork! Can't make it flex much. (evry fork has some flex) the bike is smooth and it feels better than a lot of other hard tails that i have riden. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to get parts for lefty..takes time to come all the way from Pensilvania! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast, Kona Chute, Norco Torrent | | Bike Setup: | Sun Mammoth Rims (not that good get mavic), Race Face North Shok XS Cranks, Race Face Taperlock BB etc. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is very agile becasue it is so light. I have a 16 inch frame and i am about 6 ft tall...(the bike is too small for me but i like it for dirt jumping and that is why i bought it) The Coda disk brakes are smooth and quite powerful once you break them in.
Hey Brian Lopes rides a very similar bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric
a
from ashland, VA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | contes bicycle | | Strengths: | The headshock lefty with 4 in. travel and lockout is awesome. The bike is pretty light around 25 pounds, and climbs like a mountain goat on steroids. | | Weaknesses: | coda components, they all suck. the coda expert hydraulic disc brakes haven't "broken in" yet after a week of riding.
the coda clipless pedals are impossible to clip in, have minimal float and they have a tendancy to unclip when bunnyhopping. | | Similar Products Used: | giant xtc se1 | | Bike Setup: | lx/xt, and a bunch of coda junk | | Bottom Line: | the brakes are worse than v-brakes. i've never had disc-brakes before but i know they're not supposed to SUCK like this. they're going back to be fixed or replaced with something that actually stops the bike and doesn't sound like a cat getting it's head cut off | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Smithson
a
from Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Strengths: | The Fedy...Sweet! If not for anything else, buy this bike for the Fed. Light, swift, responsive, sexy. The frame is amazing CAAD4 design delivers light weight and stength. Rides like a bullet and climbes like no other. A beast Downhill and gun crosscountry. The dorpout is great, saved my frame a rear XT when ripped off. Sway backs are great CODA expert. This bike is light! | | Weaknesses: | The Rims Blow, buckled at least three time in the first few weeks, pick up a Mavic for the rear so you can jump it more than a few inches of the ground, the Fedy soaks up the front. The CODA clips also blow, get a set of 747s or something along that line. Not real impressed with the CODA post, but it does the job. CODA Brakes need constant attention, winding off on long rides, a bit of lock tight may fix the problem, but for the cost should not have to deal with it. Rotors bend easily. The CODA series 2 brakes stop the leaking problem, but are still problematic if you get the first series, send them back. If you have the hard cash get a set of Hayes. This bikes takes alot of messing around, learn how to fix it or it will spend every week in the shop if ridden hard. Frame dents easily, so take the falls and save the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 747's | | Bottom Line: | Worth the trouble and cost. This is a great all round bike if your willing to play with it. Ride it as hard as you can! this is not for girly boys weekend rides. Buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
atrox
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek (N GA) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Cycles, Oakwood GA | | Strengths: | Awesome handling, light, nimble and stiff. The Left for is great, very adjustable , tons of travel and very nice performance. Suspension seatpost, this seems to be the one CODA component that works well. Overall this is a very light bike that rides awesome. | | Weaknesses: | All the CODA crap components and sub-par LX shifters and front deraillieur, all components should be XT or above in this price range. The CODA crankset seems OK, but the CODA brakes SUCK! Brakes are in need of constant maintenance and have poor stopping power compared with other brands (Hayes.) Brakes are NOT up to the level of the rest of this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jeckyll 900SL, Giant Xtc DS1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, but the CODA needs to come off to make this a serious bike. | | Bottom Line: | For my money, this bike is great except for the CODA brakes (the jury is still out on the cranks, and the seatpost, bar and headset seem fine), the downgraded shifters and front deraillieur. CODA brakes suck! The Lefty for is outstanding and the handling of the bike is unparalleled. Overall great setup and great frame, but overpriced at retail and sub-par components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave b
a Cross Country Rider
from springfield, IL
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirksen (Pekin) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lefty fork is impressive, it is plush and there is no stiction. It is also extremely easy to adjust, e.g., air, lockout and rebound. The fork is the reason I bought this bike. It provides an incredible ride and tracks great. Came with Coda Expert seat suspension and this product rocks--absolutely no side to side swivel and tons of comfort. Also, Coda expert saddle provides great fit for my butt. I like the riser bar (Coda Expert), but experiment with the stem to find a good fit for you. I prefer the handling of a shorter stem. The bike is super fast, must be ridden to understand. Handles tight single track with no problem. This bike climbs like a monkey, especially with fork lockout. Descends like a rocket, the speed on descents is awesome. Coda Expert hydraulic discs are easy to adjust and no modulation, very consistent stopping power, but not super duper ala double piston Hayes. Chicks dig the unusual and cool look of this bike. | | Weaknesses: | The components could be better for the price. The entire drivetrain and shifters should be XT. Odd clunk in bb when climbing in largest chain ring. Check your bolts!!! Several bolts backed out after first ride, e.g., all bolts on the fork, including the axle and the two main bolts that attach the fork. Also, as great as the Lefty rides, it is a royal pain in the butt to remove the wheel due to the lack of quick release. If you plan on removing the front wheeel to put bike in your car think again, you will hassle with aligning brake and rotor. Lefty also presents major hassle for roof rack with fork locks. LX shifters are okay if you always keep your chain spotless. Top tube is a little short for a large frame, it puts you way up on the bike, but you get used to this feeling after a while. Spokes loosened up after a month of riding in both wheels. Needs a better wheelset for the price of this bike. Codal clipless are a pain in the butt to release--get Time. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized rockhopper(own), tested Schwinn HomeGrown Pro, Giant XTC DS1 (Marzochi Fork), Cannondale Superv 700, Specialized FSR, Schwinn Rocket 88, GT I Drive | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much as is, except for the suspension seat post and saddle. | | Bottom Line: | One awesome fork! Incredible speeds descending, handles fantastic, and climbs like a super light hard tail monkey. Be warned, as great as the Lefty is, this bike is a very light aluminum hard tail and it rides like one on your butt. Get the Coda suspension seat post or your butt will be like ground beef. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicolas Keller
a Cross Country Rider
from Reston, VA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | River to Rails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Brakes that stop, plush yet stiff fork, light. Unique look... | | Weaknesses: | Paint scratches too easily... I wish that Cannondale was creating longer suspension seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Replaced suspension seatpost with a longer RaceFace XY | | Bottom Line: | Handsome, very fast bike on any kind of terrain with awesome stopping power (even under water). Climbs great. Great for Xcountry rides on single track. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakwood, IL
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The lefty fork is awesome! I have found no flaws in it. The bike is very light too. Disc brakes are much better that v-brakes. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing compares to the lefty! | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I love the light weight of the bike. The lefty fork looks weird but works great. You just have to get the air pressure adjusted to suit your weight. The fork rides over bumps and roots without really feeling much bouncing. I love that you can lock it out to that helps a lot on uphills and sprints to the finish line. Overall I have no complaints on my bike, except for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guido
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical and not crowded | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight, stiff, killer brakes, looks sweet | | Weaknesses: | stiff, cheapo no name rims | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I tried to find a flaw with the Lefty. I pushed it as hard as I could to try to make it flex. I couldn't do it. I love this fork. Until I tried to put it on my roof rack.... I think a suspension seatpost would be a good addition to this bike as the stiff aluminum hardtail is too much for my damaged vertebrae. Also, I'd prefer a bar a bit wider than 24", but that's not too hard to swap. I think the top tube is a bit short for a large sized bike. The coda discs are great once broken in. Overall, I'm really impressed with the F900SX, except for one thing-the price. For about 5-6 hundred less you can pick up a GT Avalanche, which comes with the same level of components, except you get the awesome LX hollowtech cranks instead of the Codas, and an impressive 2.5-4" adjustable Judy Race fork. Realistically, all you lose is the rear disc and a crazy looking "fork". | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterford, Mich
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland Rec | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Disc brakes, Lefty, Suspension seatpost, sports car like handling. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Digital Nite Owl and eTrex GPS | | Bottom Line: | Great handling and climbing. Super smooth on rough trails. Disc brakes have awsome stopping power. Lefty fork is plush and stiff. If you take a test ride you will buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl aka DH Simoneau
a Cross Country Rider
from Halifax Canada
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | wrandees | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Does drop offs really well, awesome at urban assults. | | Weaknesses: | initial disc brake break in period. Lefty fork tops out sometimes, saddle sucks | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Cycle San Andreas | | Bike Setup: | Easton monkey-lite bar, shorty stem 80mm/20 deg, SDG saddle | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for X-country racing, but I have found a lot more versitile than I thought. My dually is at the paint shop, so it is the only bike I have to ride and it handles everything the dually can handle. It rocks...... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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