CO2: Cannondale Oversized and Optimized design. These hardtails are a starting point for appreciation. When a rider experiences the lightweight, efficient ride quality and beautiful craftsmanship of a Cannondale frame - there's no turning back!
Submitted by
Woody 24
a Weekend Warrior
from Cirencester Date Reviewed: July 30, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Noahs - UK
Strengths:
Light for the price, strong, good parts for the price with no compromises made. Love those hydraulic breaks. Gears function well and the standard Hutchinson tyres cut through the crud, though they are not the best in the wet on tarmac - control your speed there.
Weaknesses:
Rockshox 2 forks are okay, they do the job, but you may want something more groovy. Cannot fault everything else.
Bike Setup:
As standard.
Bottom Line:
Well worth going the extra cash for a decent entry level bike. if I had spent 300 pounds on a heavier bike with comprises on parts then I would have been dissappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RAS
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, UK Date Reviewed: May 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
North Downs
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$457.00
Purchased At:
Evans
Strengths:
Cheap and good frame.
Weaknesses:
Drive chain a bit clunky. Forks slightly unresponsive.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Caldera, Marin Muirwoods, Ridgeback.
Bike Setup:
Intially factory setup, upgraded crank + mechs to Deore.
Bottom Line:
Great value and relativey rugged. Struggles a bit on technical rides. Saddle hasn't bothered me too much - but I must admit I am well padded myself.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dbong87
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, ID Date Reviewed: February 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Redtail Ridge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Nice frame (fat tube), great component, lightweight.
Weaknesses:
None I can think of, maybe make it a little bit lighter, but then the price would go up. so NONE.
Similar Products Used:
cheap bikes.
Bike Setup:
Everything stock, except a wellgo clipless pedals.
Bottom Line:
Great beginner bike, you won't regret buying this bike. The frame also great to build on as you go along. It is compatible with disc and v brake. My plan is when the rims is about done, I'm going to put a new wheelset with a disc brake. This bike is worth the dollars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
UncleMonty
a Cross Country Rider
from UK Date Reviewed: December 5, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Evans
Strengths:
Great frame - with life time warranty, Avid 3 discs, RockShox dart2 forks
Weaknesses:
Shimano drive train could be better
Bottom Line:
The frame should last me a long time, I'll upgrade the forks first then the drive train at some point. The forks are good for a bike at this price range (most have Suntour), however they are still entry level and a frame this good deserves better forks and a lighter crank.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Industrok
a Weekend Warrior
from Berlin Date Reviewed: August 14, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Evans
Strengths:
Bought an F6 Disk, surprisingly came with Juicy Three. Great "upgrade" from my tired '03 Specialized Hard Rock Pro "V brake" (and really basic TT Shocks).
Weaknesses:
Can only find fault with the seat, it ain't comfy! The handlebars might be a bit wide. Luckily I ordered a XL frame as the size is actually smaller than Specialized frames. The Cannondale XL is about 20inch, while I rode a 21 Specialized "L" frame. I am 6.1 feet.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hard Rock Pro.
Bike Setup:
Dart 2, Juicy Three.
Bottom Line:
Worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bigboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Perpignan Date Reviewed: June 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Força Real
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Veloland
Strengths:
Strong frame which doubles as artwork, good paint, great price for a Cannondale. The components are tough. The wheels are strong. A really sweet ride that just keeps on going...
Weaknesses:
Tyres, grips, Dart forks are not durable. The wheels are tough but the hubs have no seals so they need repacking with grease every 500 miles or so. Especially if you are silly and jetwash or hose your bike...
Similar Products Used:
Marins, Decathlon 500, Trek 6000. Caloi MTB.
Bike Setup:
Original apart from grips and tyres which I didn't like. I put up with the saddle which is tolerable.
Bottom Line:
I had wanted a Cannondale hardtail for 20 years. My wife got me this last year for my birthday and I use it instead of the car doing about 25 miles a day in the week. I am 6 foot 1 inches and have a "large" frame (read 18 inches)which is on the small side I feel, with the seat post up and the saddle back, but thats how I like it. I have used this as a taxi and shopping caddy with a rack on the back and hammer it all day long. The "cheap" parts have held up for 800 miles now, I thought I was going to have to change stuff sooner... As the F6 "only" has V brakes thieves don't seem interested (so far) and I can leave it locked up downtown while I go about my business. I can lock both wheels up at speed so I don't feet the need to upgrade to discs either. The only thing I will change are the Dart 2 forks. After about 400 miles the 2 adjusters broke and they have become very stiff on bumps.
This my dream luxury tramp runabout come offroader.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Carlos Otiniano
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Oleta state park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$534.00
Purchased At:
Miami Bike Tech
Strengths:
Solid frame, shimano components. Great entry-level bike.
Weaknesses:
saddle
Similar Products Used:
Giant Yukon, Jamis, trek
Bike Setup:
factory stock
Bottom Line:
I ride local trails close to my home with small to medium gravel and it performe well. I love the white and blue color. The v-brakes work as well or better than the disc brakes on the f5. So far very happy with it. Will recomend to anyone on a budget.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Brash
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
munda biddi
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
tbe Willetton
Strengths:
Rides well, good fit, components work, does what I expect from an entry level bike. Good components for the price. Better than the competition.
Weaknesses:
none so far. I have no misconcepions that this is any thing other than an entry level bike. It does what is meant to do well.
Similar Products Used:
Giant Boulder. Shogun. Avanti Escape.
Bike Setup:
Standard
Bottom Line:
As I say above this is a great entry level bike. I have been out every weekend for the last 3 months mainly on single track with some rocky downhill and gravel uphill. The bike has done very well. I ride with a guy who has a Trance X2. Five times the price but I am not sure it is five times the bike. I am more than happy with the bike and would recommend it for anyone on a budget who wants an entry level bike which will take in most moderate trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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