Submitted by
chelliewiles
a Cross Country Rider
from Jackson Hole, WY USA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Blacks Canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3200.00
Purchased At:
Edge Sports
Strengths:
Strong, Agile, Nimble, Tight. If you are a responsive aggressive rider through cross country and minor downhill terrain, this bike will Eat! up whatever you through at it. That bike is capable of things your mind can not fathom.
Weaknesses:
Lack of weight (only 24lbs.) makes this bike a bit treacherous through intense downhill activity. Jumps or drops for than a few feet could possible break something. though I have dropped 5 feet and less, it was against my better judgement. the bike held, i landed a little stiffly, but it rode it out. after checking for any breaks or cracks, i was surprised that there were no stress fractions of any kind anywhere on the frame. gave me more confidence in my decision to ride this bike.
Similar Products Used:
cannondale rize team , specialized stumpjumper , gaint anthem advanced , rocky mountain element 10
Bike Setup:
full xtr components; deraillers, dual control shifters, brakes, wheel set, front hub, rear hub, cassette, quick releases. syncros riser carbon, ritchey foam grips, cane creek extenders, thompson seat post, fox float rp23, lefty speed carbon front shock with fox guts.
Bottom Line:
this bike is made for a majority of riders whether they believe it or not. it would fit well into any extreme rider's arsenal. if you switch out the 2.25 tires and slam some slicks (like some 1.5s with knots) it turns into a single-track eating machine. the balance of 4" of travel all around with the propedal adjustment on the rear (for maintaining rear wheel contact with minimal bounce)turns this machine into a powerhouse in terms of speed, maneuverability, and control. don't forget those xtr hydraulic disc brakes. they will stop you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jasontech
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Augustine, Florida Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Hanna Park, FT Clinch, Graham Swamp
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Bicycles Etc. The be
Strengths:
Everything. I sold my 2008 Scott Spark 30 and bought the Cannondale Rush 2 and I must say it was the best thing I have ever done. It came with the Lefty Speed Carbon FOX RLC front shock and it ROCKS!!!
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Rush 3, Scott Spark 30
Bike Setup:
Lefty Speed Carbon FOX RLC, SI SL Cranks, XTR Lefty Wheel set, Sram XO Twisties, Sram XO rear Derailleur, XTR Front Derailleur, Avid Juicy Carbon Ultimate Brakes, XTR Coggs. 22.8 LBS.
Bottom Line:
This bike ROCKS I recommend this bike to anyone. You will not be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Redcorn
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston Texas Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Local trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Purchased At:
Bay Area Schwinn
Strengths:
The front fork is really nice. Seems like all the effort put in the pedals goes forward. Climbs well, I dont get out of the saddle as much as i do on my other bikes.
Weaknesses:
Seems like the pedals bottom out (hit stuff) more on this bike than my others. It would be nice if the front fork was air adjustable. Made in China?
Similar Products Used:
cannondale super v's and raven
Bike Setup:
Stock setup. xtr wheels & drivetrain, xtr brakes. I changed the tires to wtb wierwolf.
Bottom Line:
The bike is very efficient, it goes where you point it. The ride is smoothe and inspires confidence. I wash it daily after my rides (95F at 100% humidity piles up the sweat)and my bottom bracket is not waterlogged... I love the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Redcorn
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston Texas Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3800.00
Strengths:
Smooth ride, Handles very well, Confidence inspiring, handles like a very light bike, goes where you point it. The riding position is very comfortable.
Weaknesses:
It wont hook up to the bike mount in my truck. Bottom bracket is low, pedals hit stuff on bottom of revolution. I would like it if the carbon fork had air adjustment, I really dont want to take the for apart to make it stiffer.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Raven 1999, Cannondale Super V 700, tested Rush 3Z.
Bike Setup:
Stock except tires; I put on some wtb weirwolf ust's
Bottom Line:
The bike just goes! It floats over the trail. Im riding more and riding further. Carbon cranks, carbon fork, carbon frame, carbon xtr, sweet. So far I really like the bike i have always ridden C-dales and this is the best yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Filipe Gomes
a Cross Country Rider
from Barcelos, Portugal Date Reviewed: May 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$7150.00
Strengths:
Confort, Ergonomics, very easy to ride
Weaknesses:
Water infiltrations (bottom bracket and fork)
Bike Setup:
Only change the pedals to Shimano XTR and the saddle to a Selle Italia SLK
Bottom Line:
After 6 months riding my dream, just one word: Nightmare. I explain: after a saving effort to buy a dream, finally the dream comes true with the January buy. But the first problems with water appeared just after the first ride, with water on the Bottom bracket. After that, on every ride with rain here I go to the bike shop for dismount the bottom bracket for water cleaning. This piece is like a little water tank (every single water drop that enters, stays). In Portugal the winter and spring are very raining, now you can imagine my nightmare. A Bike on this price and trade level with a stupid problem, which the seller says that are no solution for it. Last, on a ride during four days (with rain) a have to change the entire bottom bracket and the information that is water inside the fork. I sell my Cannondale and I don’t want, even, ear the Cannondale name.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Demetrius Karos
a Weekend Warrior
from Frankfort, IL USA Date Reviewed: February 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Palos
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Plank Road Cyclery
Strengths:
Light, great ride, great components, cool color and look.
Weaknesses:
Price.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
Stock as per catalog.
Bottom Line:
I was also nervous about carbon and thought was a little too obsessive about being gentle. I got over that and embraced the material.
With the light weight and clipless pedals, I crush other riders on the hills. I mainly do road riding and wanted to get into mountain biking. This bike really got me into mountain biking.
I used to be a shimano type of guy - I am now sold on crank brothers.
I toyed with getting the XTRs but stuck with XTs. For me, it wasn't worth the extra cost for XTR.
I love tubeless tires. No more pinch flats.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eddy siegers
a Cross Country Rider
from woodruff sc usa Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
south side
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
bike worx
Strengths:
light,fast,makes me climb faster and its pretty
Weaknesses:
had some trouble with the front fork leaking but was soon replaced and bent one of the factory installed pedals replaced it with crankbros sl's
Similar Products Used:
cannondale f1000 hardtail
Bike Setup:
stock changed the factory crank bros to sl's
Bottom Line:
awsome bike after geting my first suspension bike i dont think i could go back to a hard tail
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dennis Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Georgetown Indiana USA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Brown County State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4400.00
Purchased At:
Clarksville Schwinn
Strengths:
Supple suspension/front lockout. No noticeable pedal bob.
Weaknesses:
None yet
Bottom Line:
This bike ROCKS! I am new to MTB and previously only ridden borrowed bikes. I don't even know what they were except that one was a hardtail and one was full suspension. Both had issues shifting and were not comfortable for the entire ride. This bike fits me PERFECTLY (5' 11" 161lbs) and handled everything I encountered on the trail. Obstacles I had been unable to get over previously just disappeared under me like melted butter on this bike. The shifting was flawless and the bike was nimble AND comfortable for the duration. All my energy went directly to the dirt and I was even able to restart (stopped to give the person in front of me time to make a little room between us)on an uphill 15 feet from a fairly large log obstacle and power over it with ease and plenty of speed. I would think this bike would be great for experienced riders being carbon and rather expensive but it worked beautifully for me the novice as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marco
a Cross Country Rider
from Caraca - Venezuela Date Reviewed: March 26, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Latin Bike
Strengths:
Light, rigid and very fast...Nice set of components... Goes Up as well as Down, great looking and superb finish paint job
Weaknesses:
Cost.
Similar Products Used:
SC Superlihgt maybe .... no comparison
Bike Setup:
Originaly like Cannondale Catalogue (Frame L)
Bottom Line:
Extremely efficent pedalling, is amazing when you hammer the pedals..all the energy goes into forward motion rather than suspension..(no bob at all)... Inspires confidence up and down the trail... A very fast XC Bike with dual suspension... an excellent handling... overall great geometry.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jun Vargas
a Cross Country Rider
from Bacolod, Negros, Philippines Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Negros Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Tote-our local Cannondale Dealer
Strengths:
Light, stiff, comfortable, supple and quiet on the rocky trails. Paint job is also superb!
Weaknesses:
Nothing that I can see nor feel yet. Maybe too early to notice anything.
I have finally found the best bike that is suited for the trails we ride here in our place, truly a mt. bike heaven. Imagine a city where one enjoys most of the amenities of a metropolis, yet the avid mt. biker may hit the trails in just 15 min. from his place of residence. The trails are as varied as can be! We usually ride 25-30km trails w/c are mostly rocky w/ gradual to semi steep gradients. The Cannondale Carbon Rush just takes anything we ride w/ so much grace! Its so easy and relaxing to ride and very fast too, makes one too over confident at times. Its almost unfair to the other riders w/ similar skills, strength and endurance. Nevertheless, I feel so blessed to have found such an awesome & HAPPY to ride bike. Thank you Cannondale!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bluetongue
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra Date Reviewed: December 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Majura Pines / Sparrow Hill
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Lonsdale Street
Strengths:
Light and strong - amazingly light (so light that it initially feels flimsy - but wait until you take it for a lap). The carbon lefty and frame make it incredibly light and the stiffness / strength is unbeleivable. The standard set-up is perfect.
Weaknesses:
??? Wasn't built with any!!! None that I have discovered - price is a little high - but you get what you pay for..
Standard - XTR rear, XT front/brakes/shifters, Fox RP23, Mavic XM819 Rims, - see the website for exact set-up..
Bottom Line:
For the price - you get an amazing bike. You tend to treat the bike a little gentle (being carbon), but after a while you realise that it can take as much as standard heavy metal frames. AWESOME!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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