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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1199.00 | | Purchased At: | Keswick Cycles | | Strengths: | Sweet paint job, Magura Louise disc brakes, very light weight, great value for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Coda wheels, Coda saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale M800 (rigid - quite old). | | Bike Setup: | Switched out saddle for Specialized Comp MTB, Onza bar ends, silver Cateye cyclometer. Had the shop swap the fork lockout rotary knob for the lockout lever on the newer Cannondales. | | Bottom Line: | You get a TON of value for the money with this bike! Wow! Climbs like a billy goat on crack. Coming from a full rigid Cannondale I was used to a very precise ride. I test rode this bike and an F900SX with a Lefty for $200 more. The Lefty felt less precise in steering. The F900Z was razor tight. Given my East Coast x-c riding I did not feel I needed the travel the Lefty offered. In addition, most of the other Cannondales in this range had Coda discs which *everyone* complains about. Magura has a great reputations and the Magura Louise setup has not disappointed. The first time I rode the bike I was all smiles -- the bike was so awesome and was perfect for single track and x-c trails. The only negative I have noticed is the bottom bracket height - which is normal compared to other bikes. My old Cannondale had an extremely high BB specific to the M800 and Beast of the East. Hard to beat that. Anyway, the BB thing is minor. This bike ROCKS! And I got some $$ off due to this being a 2000 model closeout. Keswick Cycles bought a big batch from Cannondale and still has several left. BTW, did I tell you all the people hiking or riding by saying 'NICE bike!' yet? Shocked me that this flat black bike would attract attention but it does... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Califon, NJ
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Strengths: | Great bike. BBQ black color is awesome. CAAD4 frame is light but strong. Incredible value for the price, any similar setup is $500 more. Magura disc brakes work great (even if rim gets bent! - see below). | | Weaknesses: | CODA compnents. As someone else mentioned, also bent the front rim on a spill, but was able to finish the ride w/ the use of the front brakes! The CODA clipless pedals are not the easiest to get into. The Mosquito tires are terrible for any wet or slippery areas. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for: Changed to Hutchinson Python tires, replaced front rim w/ MAVIC X317 disc, am looking to change pedals. | | Bottom Line: | A great deal on a bike w/ Magura disc brakes and a CAAD4 Cannondale frame (if you can find any left)! Special edition F900 made by Cannondale for trade show. Regular F900 sells for $1,700 (only difference is brakes). Some shops still may have a couple lying around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ozzie
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverdale, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | off road | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike store | | Strengths: | Magura Louise Disc Brakes, DL Headshok w/Lockout, Relatively Light Weight, Stealth Black Matte Color | | Weaknesses: | Various Coda Components (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek | | Bike Setup: | Coda suspension seatpost, Trico Power Saddle, Easton Low Rise CT2 Monkey Bars, Control Tech Stumpies Bar Ends, Hurly Burly Bar Caps, ATAC Carbon Pedals, All Components XT or upgraded to XT, Sachs chain, Salsa Skewers, Black Panaracer Fire XT Pro Tires, Cateye Enduro 2 Computer. | | Bottom Line: | A GREAT value (around $1250 stock) includes light weight, disk brakes, and great Stealth look.
Predictable, responsive handling in most all conditions. Late 99/2000 "Limited Edition" of around 500 produced (excluding the "Bad Boy" road bike).
This bike is awesome for an avid cross country recreational rider like myself. I've put on 1000 great miles with no problems other than the normal early tweaks and adjustments you make on a newer platform. I've ridden it in most all conditions and it just keeps going...I have yet to be disappointed in its capabilities (wish I could say the same for its rider sometimes).
My following remarks may be somewhat lengthly, but some of the things I've done to make it an even better bike (my opinion) may be of interest (many of these ideas are from other reviewers of components/bikes that I have also implemented):
The stock Magura Louise Disc Brakes are really sweet. I did upgrade the plastic levers to black alloy for a more durable feel. These give awesome stopping power and work wet or dry (I do adjust these as needed...but I guess this is the story with all brakes). Once I experienced these disk breaks, it would be tough to compromise with just regular brakes.
The dealer exchanged the round shock lockout knob with the one used on the Lefty fork...makes for easier switching (and checking which mode you are in).
Upgraded to the 2000 model of the Coda suspension seatpost (don't get an earlier year model...I understand they weren't too great). This is probably one of the best on the market...no lateral give whatsoever due to a triangular shaft and it's based on the headshok roller bearing technology...really smooths out the ride when you're in the seat.
After trying several saddles, the Trico Power Saddle seemed to fit my seatbones the best and with a pair of padded shorts, I don't even feel the seat. Perfect color scheme for my bike too!
What the shock and seatpost don't dampen (road and trail vibration-wise), the wonderful Carbon Bars do. Normal bar ends are not cool on carbon low rise bars, but the "Stumpies" (approved by Easton for their bars) work and look great. For added assurance that I wasn't torqueing the bar ends too tight, I added black machined Bar Caps by Wooley Fabrication and they complete a good package.
IMPORTANT: I would encourage anyone using the CODA skewers to replace them with Salsas or Kore or the like. Mine were loosening dangerously fast and often, and I am lucky I didn't have a bad scene as a result. I base this on other reports that I have also heard.
And the Black Panaracer Fire XT Pro Tires...these are incredible when used for their intended purpose...all-around cross country trail riding...not a specific need...but overall conditions. See my 3 month, 600 mile review of these under the tire section if of interest.
This bike is a great ride for XT fans and what is so special is that with this frame, you can continue to upgrade as time goes on and always have a good, light bike. I know we all feel our bike is special and I am no exception, so I stop now except for one quick comment:
You probably won't be able to find this bike anymore, but except for the Coda disk brakes, the paint job and maybe the wheelset, the straight F900 is pretty much the same bike as the 900Z except maybe $400 more. Not stealth black but it is still one pretty paint job of red fade-to-black. You may want to trade out and upgrade a couple components like I did at the get go...and anything else when it wears...AND replace the skewers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trey
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Magura Brakes
Light
Cool color
great price | | Weaknesses: | Anything Coda
Very Cheap Tires | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F400 (96) | | Bike Setup: | In the process of getting rid of all Coda component and I switched to an Easton Carbon riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | Overall a good bike except the Coda components. In the first month I taco'd the front rim (Coda) on a minor wreck. The Hutchison tires were worthless after 2 months, and I did have some problems with the HeadShock (stripped bearings). But for the price it is a very good bike; the black is awesome, it is very light, and the frame is rigid and stable. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellport
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Point | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Updated review:
Maggie discs - still great after 700 off road miles
Light - Great CC bike
| | Weaknesses: | CODA Crank - Splines stripped after 6 mos. Cannondale has replaced it fast but I am worried about what will happen in the next 6 mos.
Coda Rims - They blow, swap them out before you buy if you are over 200 lbs. I need to true the rear one every 20mi. or so.
Wellgo Clipless pedals - lasted aboout 100 mi. until the plates snapped. Swap the for a pair of Times
| | Bottom Line: | Still a great bike at a great price. I just cantstand the CODA components | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVE
a Cross Country Rider
from PALMER PA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | PRICE,PRICE,PRICE!ITS A CANNONDALE.MAGURA DISK BRAKE,ITS ALL BLACK/STEALTH.CANNONDALES BEST KEPT SECRET,KNOW ONE KNOWS ABOUT!SMOOTH SHIFTING CLIMBS LIKE A CAT!22 LB LIGHTWEIGHT FLASH!AWESOME!DID I SAY PRICE $1250. | | Weaknesses: | NONE SO FAR,SWAP OUT PROBLEMS BEFORE HAND!SEATPOST,HANDLEBARS,PEDALS,BAR ENDS!NOW 22 LB LIGHTWEIGHT ROCKET!LET U KNOW ANY FUTURE PROBLEMS! | | Similar Products Used: | TREKS,TREKS,TREKS.TREK 820,850,8000,Y-11 | | Bike Setup: | F900Z,MAGURA DISK,EASTON CARBON HANDLEBAR,SEATPOST,LP CARBON BAR ENDS,TIME PEDALS,AWESOME 22 LBS | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS THE BEST BIKE MONEY CAN BUY,BAR NONE!F900 COSTS $1700.OO F900Z COSTS $1250.00 PLUS U GET MAGURA DISK INSTEAD OF CRAPPY CODA!IM LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND THIS BIKE NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT,EVEN SOME DEALERS.CAAD 4 FRAME,HEADSHOCK DL WITH LOCKOUT,MAGURA DISK,SMOOTH SHIFTING AND TIME PEDALS,WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE.OH 22 LBS.BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU CAN FIND ONE ANYWHERE,BUY IT!YOU WONT REGRET IT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mundo
a Cross Country Rider
from Rogers, AR
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Leather Neck | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight
Magura Louise Disk Brakes
DL Head Shock | | Weaknesses: | Hard Saddle
Came with Short Stem
Rachet action sound on rear hub while coasting. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M80
C-Dale F500 | | Bike Setup: | Swiched out Mosquito 1.85 tires for 2.1 red Panaracers
Swiched out C-dale "short" Stem to 15 degree 130mm
Added C-dale Bar Ends | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike. XT Rear, LX Front, Rapid fire, wicked light even with the 2.1 Pararacer tires. It took a little work to get the Louise Disks squeal free, but once I got the correct amount of spacers set up, it runs totaly silent and extremly powerful(even in h20). Nice 70mm DL Head shock with lock out feature. Good goat climbing manners and nice downhill beating preformance. Black/black ltd. color looks very clean and naughty. A fast stealthy bike race ready out of the box. Five hell fire peppers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from Sugar Land, TX
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strengths? Price, bad boy BBQ black finish,stiff frame, the price, Magura brakes, light, traditional bike look, and oh, did I mention the price? =)
| | Weaknesses: | Chintsy plastic Magura brake levers | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Escape, pre-suspension Marin | | Bike Setup: | Stock as of this writing, go-fast goodies on the way in the Big Brown Truck. | | Bottom Line: | This is my initial review, and will repost as I get some saddle time:
What can I say? The Zulu (as I've taken to calling it) is a down-right steal. Magura Louise discs, light weight out of the box, limited edition appeal - all for $300 LESS (according to MTBR's MSRP listing) then the regular F900? I feel criminal.
And the funny thing is, I wanted the traditional bike look and the flat black finish for the attention it wouldn't bring - but I get approving comments and glances from the real riders out there. Too cool.
As others have mentioned, the brake levers look suspect but aluminum ones are available - minor quible really.
Bottom line: If your looking for a XC mount, this is it. Simple, elegant, yet bad a@@ at the same time. If you can find one, get one. I had to wait almost two weeks, but it was definitely worth it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Bower
a
from Clackamas
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Magura disc brakes
23.5 lbs. on scale
stealth black / not flashy
headshock with lock out feature | | Weaknesses: | Brake levers seem breakable
none other noticed
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale SM2000 (old school)
Cannondale F900
Cannondale F900x | | Bike Setup: | Coda hubs, crank, seat, XT derailer, Lx front derailer & levers, Hutchinson Mosqito Tires, Disc Brakes | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike more each time I ride it. I've owned 3 Cannondales and the improvements over the 10 years I've owned them are encouraging. An incredible value considering the weight, the shock, and the disc brakes. Very responsive handling, great climbing power with the low weight, stopping power is incredible. I like the fact that its limited edition (only 500 made) and the fact it's not neon. Sure, I wish it came with all XTR or even XT, but I'll replace 'em when I break 'em. If you can find one I would highly recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Stillwell woods | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Magura Discs
Headshok Lockout
Hutchinson Mosquito Tires | | Weaknesses: |
Paint scratches easily
CODA Cranks
Resin Brake Levers | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 8000 | | Bike Setup: |
Stock out of the box - swapped straight bar for riser bar | | Bottom Line: | For riding in wet, muddy conditions nothing beats the disc brakes, the bike is an awesome climber and very stable at high speeds. Having the ability to lock the headshok is a great feature. The headshok setup is stiff, fantastic concept. You have the ability to use 700c rims, so you can road ride when you want. All in all for the price this bike is awesome! | | Overall Rating: |
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