Submitted by
Gene Wilson
a Racer
from Australia NSW Date Reviewed: March 11, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any with good hill climbs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The strenghts of this bike are hard to list in my short time,Having owned it for 3 months im still finding many areas of my riding a improving. Decending is one great strenght, Having what i think is a rather short end it still controls well at high speed. i have found my self keeping up with many other rides that are using f/s bikes. As well as speed, slow tight and techo decents are made easy with the frames geo's. holding smooth lines throughtout switch backs are a dream, i have found that with a little light braking shuttle weight shifts with the rear of the bike will pull time between you are your riding group. Climbing is truely the best part of the whole ride. once you have worked your ways into a climb the lefty forks with the frame will be forgiving will rought lines. like decending, climbing this bike throught switch backs and single trails is something that i feel Cannondale is able to product in a bike.. The power transfer and contact to the ground is fantastic, the wheel set (been tubeless) is the best i have riden, coupled with this frame it feels like your riding 1"-1.5" f/s frame, smooth as silk...
Weaknesses:
The biggest down fall of this bike is the mental worry that coms from forking out so much money for a hardtail. Carbon has been around for a long time,Canonndale has been refining this marteiral, but it doesn't hold up to falls and rock been thrown up at it during riding like cromo or ti..Iasure you that Canonndale is a company that stands by its bikes and have a great team of people to help you when it comes to warrenty. Avid has to fix the brakes no power!!!
Similar Products Used:
I have had heaps of bikes and this is a one off for me.
Bike Setup:
Mt bike setup is as standard, There is not a great deal that i would change on this bike. just make sure size selection is correct.
Bottom Line:
This is a amazing bike and you do get what you pay for. If your looking fo a bike that will help you to that finish line in first spot this is the ride for you. Whilist this is a great bike, its not the best if your planing on riding trails where you are likely fo have falls (you can't fix carbon like cromo or ti). For short course racing and general xc races this is the pick. I have raced from Bmx to road and everything inbetween, i love every minute on this bike great riding and a lot of fun. If your a smooth rider with a flavour for the hardtail i would point you in this direction.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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