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Average Rating
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4.64/5
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# of Reviews
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73
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MSRP
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$ 2600.00
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Weight
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More Products from Cannondale
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Description:
- Frame: Prophet
- Fork: Lefty Max SPV+
- Rims: Mavic XM819 Disc, 32 hole
- Spokes: DT Champion
- Tires: Maxxis High Roller UST, 26 x 2.35"
- Pedals: Shimano PD-M520
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Bobsled / Little Dingo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand classifieds | | Strengths: | Looks great, a All Mountain beast. Top line SRAM. Life Warranty on frame. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes need constant adjusting and cleaning. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first dual. Nuf said | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I ride a combination of trail, X Cross and medium downhill. This bike handles it all. Sure there are bikes of equal or better out now, but this bike was bought 2nd hand with about 1000KM and needed not much to get it in top notch condition. I hammer this bike and it has not let me down other than a buckled well after a particularly gnarly touchdown. The lefty is no problem other that very minor issue of taking off the wheel. (takes all of about 3 minutes). Even then it fitted into my car better than a standard twin fork. Now I have a rack so no issue at all.
Problem in Aust is these are expensive bikes off the shelf..but hey if money aint an issue go spoil yourself. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, ACT, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand classifieds | | Strengths: | Looks great, a All Mountain beast. Top line SRAM. Life Warranty on frame. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes need constant adjusting and cleaning. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first dual. Nuf said | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I ride a combination of trail, X Cross and medium downhill. This bike handles it all. Sure there are bikes of equal or better out now, but this bike was bought 2nd hand with about 1000KM and needed not much to get it in top notch condition. I hammer this bike and it has not let me down other than a buckled well after a particularly gnarly touchdown. The lefty is no problem other that very minor issue of taking off the wheel. (takes all of about 3 minutes). Even then it fitted into my car better than a standard twin fork. Now I have a rack so no issue at all.
Problem in Aust is these are expensive bikes off the shelf..but hey if money aint an issue go spoil yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Trevor
a Cross Country Rider
from Pfäffikon, SZ, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$4097.00 | | Purchased At: | Tower Sports in may 2005 | | Strengths: | Low weight, the feel and responsiveness and the look. | | Weaknesses: | Lefty is not so practical and the brakes. The suspention is a bit bobby. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Giant and Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock (european model), http://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/05/ce/model-5VE1.html
Front tyre Panaracer xc fire pro tubeless, back tyre Schwalbe Racing Ralph tubeless.
Selle Italia prolink gel flow saddle
| | Bottom Line: | I wouldn’t buy this bike again and wouldn’t recommend it. your hard earned money could be used more wisely.
I was very happy with this bike when I first bought it, all decent bikes started around $4000 back then (in Switzerland), but now not so happy with it. After having it for a little over three years and only having done around 2500km on it there are a few problems. A friend bought a Specialized Enduro around the same time and his bike is problem free. My biggest gripe is the brakes. I have spent countless Francs trying to get them not to bind just that little bit, permanently. Going uphill is really disheartening when you know your brakes are fighting against you and in Switzerland going uphill is a given. I am now thinking of replacing the brakes, but I only have the option to choose disc brakes again.
The lefty is cool but not practical, having your front wheel permanently attached to your bike makes it kind of difficult to get into your car. Having to take off the disc brake calliper if you want to take the whole wheel off is stupid and who carries the right size allen key in their pocket all the time?
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Lehfeldt
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigs list- used | | Strengths: | Plush ride, strength, build quality | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy compared to my Super V, | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, Yeti 575, Titus motolite | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Kenda 2.5" front and 2.35" rear blue groove tires. | | Bottom Line: | I was pretty sure it would take a special bike to replace my Super V, but after riding the Prophet I hardly want to ride the old bike anymore. The super V feels almost rigid (not a big suprise, but it feels stiffer than it used to). I like the fact that they are still making the bike in the US and haven't shipped overseas (like the Yeti, Titus). I also really liked the Yeti 575, but it doesn't seem to climb as well- although I didn't have time to play with adjustments. Also, this bike was WAY cheaper than the Yeti. I believe this has to be one of the best all around bikes out there- will update review over time. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy
a Weekend Warrior
from Falls Church, VA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Schaffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Cush ride, great brakes, clearance. | | Weaknesses: | None really, but if I had to say one it's that the lefty is sometimes hard to transport b/c it can't fit on some racks. | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, Giant Trance | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Sram x.9 der. upgrade, climbing bars, and Panaracer 2.1's | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike. The ride is increcible, very cushy with all that travel. Brakes are phonominal. Clearance is awesome - i rarely touch my bash gaurd.
You get a lot of bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from kankakee il
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | hamcreek.com | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1825.00 | | Purchased At: | beverly bike and ski chicago il | | Strengths: | Rigid single pivot,easy to maintain,long travel,adjustable head tube,weight,good brakes and rear der,mavic wheels,LEFTY!!!I could praise most of this entire bike!!! | | Weaknesses: | The fire hub seems kinda clunky and i've had to service it more than the spokes,there'se a wee bit of pedal feedback but being clipped in i'm immune to it or the tiny bit of bob i don't even notice it anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | gt i drive 5,iron horse mk3,mongoose teocali,trek fuel ex7,jamis xlt'kona dawg | | Bike Setup: | add ignitors,bontrager carbon riser bars,time pedals, wtb gel saddle,grips | | Bottom Line: | The bike is an all around good performer. Don't ask it to do an xc race. Do ask it to perform on any all day ride on any terrain. Buy this bike and it will reward you with predictable rock solid performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Guy B
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Yarkon Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand | | Strengths: | suspension (although bobing). frame. brakes (although a bit squeacking).and most important - how easy it is to get attention with those bike. just having those amazed looks at the Lefty suspension. Feels like having a Ferari.Well..almost | | Weaknesses: | may be my fault that i din't check them well before purchase, but the air runs out of the tubeless every day.frustrating. squeacking breaks. | | Similar Products Used: | K2 attack 2. cost 600$ used. can feel the differnce, but doesn't worth the money i spent on the prophet. well...may be yes...depends on your pocket status really | | Bike Setup: | crank-shimano lx. | | Bottom Line: | good bike, with small-to medium problems of used bike. fun to ride. new pair cost 3750. i got it for less then 50% after 2 years. wouldnt spend on it 3750$, or even close. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stefan
a Downhiller
from Vacaville
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockville | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | The Pedler, San Pablo | | Strengths: | Great value for the money. Gives alot of confidence to a new rider! | | Weaknesses: | The Maxxis High roller tires give no lateral grip. Great in a straight line, but slip alot when cornering. | | Similar Products Used: | 99' Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Lefty red spring to handle my 180lb wieght. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for all mountain trails. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch, Walker Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Lefty is the quickest fork out there for 140 mm. It does not pull left no matter what people say, you can ride it no handed all you want and it will go straight. Since it is coil sprung it has smooth, consistent travel only rivaled by the maverick which is a $700 fork. This bike is incredibly well balanced, and eats up anything, the gnarlier the terrain the more this bike shines, and it is quick, this bike handles like a XC bike with a little more squish. The Juicy sevens are incredible even with the stock rotors, and the stock tires aren't too bad, although they are not a true 2.35 (my friends specialized 2.0s are just as wide) but they get the job done. Tubeless tires are the sickness, they ride awesome. The frame is beautiful, every frame manufacturer should grind their welds since it gives such a clean look. Looks funny. | | Weaknesses: | If you want to put it on the top of a car and you have to take off the front wheel, you need to get a fork up, but thats about it. | | Similar Products Used: | Test road only - RM slayer, Yeti 575, Specialized Enduro, Scott Ransom, Cannondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | stock with Specialized Enduro 2.4 rear tire | | Bottom Line: | Ride it, everyone badmouths the lefty but they have never ridden it. It is one of the stiffest, quickest forks out there. This bike shines in technical situations where the more ass kicking the terrain the better the ride. Very predictable and balanced and that makes it fast. And once you get going the suspension will soak up everything so if you miss your line you wont pay for it, the bike will just charge through and keep tracking where it needs to go. Looks weirder than most other bikes and that makes it fun to look at. This is one burly bike that will take what you throw at it, and it climbs pretty darn well for a single pivot five and a half inch bike. Five chilis all the way around for a quality bike that comes spec'd better than anything in the same price range, and for the quality of the frame fit and finish. Makes you want to ride everyday, and that is a good thing to have in a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy reslewic
a Weekend Warrior
from ny
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | MTA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bryan's Bikes | | Strengths: | Tubeless tires and rims. Lefty absorbs everything and is super adjustable. Handles great on XC singletrack. Light weight for full-suspension | | Weaknesses: | There has been a constant clicking noise that can only be the welds on rear of frame. On big hits it is a bit shakey on the landing. | | Similar Products Used: | 1990 Diamondback XC | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO shifters and derailure. Magura marta hydrolic discs. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike, or all-mountain bike. Best suited for XC singletrack, not so grat at DH, but then again it is an XC bike. Four chills for the 05' Prophet 1000 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G.P. Kelley
a Cross Country Rider
from Fortuna, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything new | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Prosport Center | | Strengths: | Soild, simple and nimble for such a tall ride. Plenty of travel that seems to role over anything. Single pivot rules! Coolest looking thing I could afford. Mostly made in USA. | | Weaknesses: | Tires! They are narly but slow. It feels like I'm on a motorcycle dirt bike. I couldn't get going full speed on some well traveled hills just due to resistance. You set higher then most bikes of this weight. I can't raise the seat enough to get full pedal extension for XC. Climbing was good teel it got steep. I'm taller and need more extension on the stem. Little bumpes were felt with the SPV Lefty. The Lefty pulls left, imagine that (try to ride with no hands). | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler, Super V 900 | | Bike Setup: | Left Max SPV, Juicy 7, Scram X-9 | | Bottom Line: | Single pivot rules. My son has a 2000 Santa Cruz Heckler that feels similar. My 97' Super V 900 Comp's pivot has never let me down. The Fatty 60 and the Fox Vanilla didn't have a lot of travel by today's standards but it is all you need when your 15 to 20 miles from any help by yourself in the off-season. The Super V gave me the confidence to push myself to the next level of climbing and descending and not worry about integrity of the machine not matching my growing ability. It final got a creak just this last year in the main pivot which I've never taken apart in its six thousand plus miles. The Prophet feels like it will last a decade with little maintenance but only time will tell. I'm going to upgrade the Fatty 60 to the new 80 on the Super V and keep riding it XC and get my roadwork in on the Specialized M4, but my son and I are fighting for the Prophet when we're going downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Tunder
a Weekend Warrior
from Carroll County, Ohio
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | 2400 | | Strengths: | Lefty, adjustable geometry, Made in USA | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub-cannondale fire, pure junk on a 2400.00 bike. Avid Juicy 7 brakes, problems with the wavy rotors, Avid replaced with clean sweep. Would prefer BB7 mechanicals-185's- would be a better choice than 160's | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro Expert-Turner 5-Spot | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of a Hadley rear hub & Syntace VRO stem. | | Bottom Line: | Since trying the 5-spot I must say I have a better idea of a good bike and an OK bike. The Prophet is an OK bike, nothing great. With the Turner I am faster and more of an I'm in control feeling going downhill. The Prophet may climb just a little better. If you could find one for 1800 dollars go for it but for 2400 plus you could build some thing better. I have since transfered most of the parts worth keeping to a Turner 5-spot frame, including the Lefty with an adaptor from Project 3.2.1. You would be far better off finding a decent frame & buying the components you like and build your own bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Khody
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale,Ca
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Handles like crazy, light weight, adjustable geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Lefty started leaking in the first week. Front derailer just does not get tuned in. Cannondale customer service has been the WORST ever. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz, Bionica (german) | | Bike Setup: | small | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike, except if something goes wrong cannondale does not give a damn about it. It took cannondale over 2 months to fix the left... and this started the first week I had the bike. They did not even try to fix the front derailer. They do not answer to emails or phone calls. I can tell you my next bike will NOT be a cannondale. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Weekend Warrior
from North East USA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Case Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1740.00 | | Purchased At: | bought last year's model new. | | Strengths: | Lefty fork and air shock with SPV. SRAM shifter and rear derailluer. Juicy Seven brakes. Tubeless rims. Stiffness and adjustability of the Lefty fork. 140mm of travel front and rear. Rear derailluer cable routed through the frame. | | Weaknesses: | My Lefty fork was leaking. When I took it apart I found a machining chip in the damper rod o-ring groove. I installed a new damper rod "quad" seal and the bike is working great. Water bottle mount under the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820 (bought it to ride with the kids when they were young) | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike! I am now over the disappoinment of the quality escape. I don't think you can do any better than the Lefty fork. Being able to easily adjust the spring preload, change springs, adjust the hydraulic dampening on the fly and adjust SPV pressure and volume really allow you to dial in your fork. Glad I bought the bike, wish I didn't have the leaking fork problem. I've decided to give up on using the water bottle cage mount under the frame, I keep smashing it on logs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Lansing, MI
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | burchfield | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Riverfront Cycle | | Strengths: | Awesome bike. I have no complaints about the bike. Rides smooth and takes a beating quite well. | | Weaknesses: | the stock tire, High Roller super tacky, suck for this bike. These are more of a DH tire. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I love it. I would buy it again. Despite the cold weather, I've been on the trail as much as I can. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Campbell
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn, California
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones at home | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Auburn Bike Works | | Strengths: | Great looks, awesome handling, the most bang for your buck. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock except for crank bros mallet pedals, and wtb saddle | | Bottom Line: | in the 7 months ive had the bike, i've put over 1100 miles on it. i'm in the army, stationed in germany. when i'm out on the weekends, people (mainly germans) come up and ask me about the lefty. and since it's an american model, i had one guy offer me 4000 euro (about 5000 dollars, depending on the exchange rate). having this bike has gotten me interesting more and more in freeriding. i've had no problems with it. i take it off 7-12 foot drops and pit sucks them up like a champ. it's the perfect all around bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkton MD USA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Wooden Wheels | | Strengths: | Great all around bike. Will last a long time. It feels like this bike can take on terrain that you don't think you can handle. It really inspires confidence.
Another plus (that may justify the higher price than other brands) is the "Made in USA" frame. My feeling is that I'll by American products if they are "world class". This bike is world class. | | Weaknesses: | Handlebars too wide for cross country, and LX shifters encroach on hand placement. Can't cut bars down as fat portion of bars is too wide to be able to move the shifters inboard much.
I had a lot of trouble seating the spokes. They kept loosening up on me. Keep checking the tension, as it's important with all the torque of the disk brakes going through the spokes.
Tires seem a little too fat and heavy for my cross-country trail riding preferences, but they're not too bad. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS-1 full suspension, Stumpjumper 98. | | Bike Setup: | Truvativ bars with 2" cut off length for X-country. | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike, even after 1 year of riding it. It is 500% better and more confidence inspiring than my older $2700 GT LTS-1 (Piece of Junk and lots of maintenance and pivot squeaks on that 4-bar linkage!)
With how easy it goes downhill, I'm amazed how good it is going uphill also. There's no undue bobbing that causes loss of traction on uphill grinds.
I like the promise of low maintenance with a single pivot. The pivot bearings seem strong with no lateral flex. The bike rides like a dream.
I wasn't sure that I'd like the Left fork, without all the upgraded control doodads that are on the more expensive bikes. After 1 long ride, I'm very impressed with the Lefty fork - no lateral flex, spring rates and damping are very good. Don't worry about the Lefty looks. It's not a gimmick- it works.
Rear air shock seal holding up fine so far with minimal cleaning (no protective boot on the shock). Zero air leaks. Shock action is fine, with no harsh stiction effect like the early days of air shocks.
Highly recommended for an "all around bike". It's fine for casual, all day cross country use (not racing). I don't "freeride", but there's tons of confidence when going fast downhill- nothing willowy about this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Soquel Demonstration Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclepath | | Strengths: | Climbs well, descends amazingly. There seems to be little or no suspension bob while climbing, if you remain on your saddle you don't even have to adjust the suspension. | | Weaknesses: | tires? there seems to be a great deal of problems that can arise from the lefty. | | Similar Products Used: | I had been riding a 90' stump jumper hardtail, which i still use for xc. I've also ridden a friends stumpjumper fsr 05. | | Bike Setup: | stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | The prophet is truelly all mountain. It can be pedalled up pretty much anything. And can descend with the best of them. The bike has given me so much confidence on the downhill its simply amazing
Everyone complains about the tires but there have been times im glad ive had them they've given me traction in places where my friends and fellow riders were forced to hike a bile(some back country over some fields of foxtails)
Were planning a end of summer trip up to some downhill lift assasited stuff and im looking forward to trying the "freeride" setting and im planning on putting on some flats for trip.
My leftys rebound dial was locked which took a week to fix. Since then its been great.
Its a much differnt ride than the stumpjumper fsr so the best advice i can give is go out there and just ride as many bikes as you can then make a choice.If you can only afford one bike the prophet is far from a bad choice. The trails in the bay area are not lift assaisted so you gotta get yourself to the top of anything you wanna go down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eitan hai
a Cross Country Rider
from tel aviv -israel
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | ben shemen | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3600.00 | | Purchased At: | daa | | Strengths: | lefty sps, rear manitu swinger 3 way,rims, crank sram , going up and down any thing | | Weaknesses: | heavy tires that ive changed to cintinental/[faster}noisy brakes{avid juicy 7}grips are bad | | Similar Products Used: | k2 | | Bike Setup: | 140 mm lefty, manitu 3 way continental gravity+vertical. odi rough grips{will be soon}selle italia seat | | Bottom Line: | the best one 4 me. i love them. this bike made me a better rider. they gave me extra platform 2 show what i can do. i feel better and better with any riding on/ they climb anything,they are going down and make u happy and satisfied u got them. very special and uniqe- many people stop and ask me whats that?the option i can change geometry is a great advantage.it is the bestttttttttttttt.
no bike is perfect but the prophet 1000 are very close 2 it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Wollongong
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | manly dam / Trails around the gong | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Spearmans | | Strengths: | Reliable, great feel on climbs, drops and downhills. Lightweight and good gear spec | | Weaknesses: | Nothing after a yr other than price | | Similar Products Used: | Giant xtc2, Gary Fisher hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock xcept changed seat | | Bottom Line: | First duel suspension after all hardtails. I was finding the hardtails a bit limiting for what I wanted to do. This bike enabled me to do the tracks I was enjoying before much faster and with more enjoyment. I feel much more confident on it, hitting jumps and taking the technical stuff faster. To me, this is a very expensive bike, but I am more than happy with it. Very versitile bike. Great for riding all kinds of trails, and climing the hills as well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve powell
a Weekend Warrior
from blue mountains australia
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere in the blue mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Burwood cycle world | | Strengths: | all of it except... | | Weaknesses: | stock tires are a little slow | | Similar Products Used: | lots of different bikes (demos, friends, ect) | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike, makes me want to ride bigger and longer trails every time I get on it. Love going down hills on it, makes me think that I can actually ride.... Would say to anyone buy this bike (and maybe change the tires) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HRC
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Lefty fork, frame, SPV rear shock, overall feel for the bike, playfulness, and stability. | | Weaknesses: | Tires are slow, crank is weak, handelbars are junk, brakes are average and make alot of noise. | | Bottom Line: | I point out a few negatives, but overall the bike is very solid. I love the feel of the Lefty, and the solid frame of the bike - the extras will be replaced in time with some tweaking, but this is a good bike to build with for a while.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry, suspension, ride quality, descending ability, brakes | | Weaknesses: | Lefty issues, stock cranks, stock tires, seatpost doesn't stay without tightening the crap out of it | | Similar Products Used: | Owned a Giant VT and a Bullit before this bike, tried a handful of others. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT cranks, Michelin tubeless 2.2s and Holzfeller bars | | Bottom Line: | I should mention that this is a review of the 2005 model.
I love this bike. It climbs pretty well and descends amazingly. The slack head angle and solid suspension help out on the downhills. The overall ride quality is great.
I did have some problems, however. The stock tires were TERRIBLE. They rolled incredibly slow and just felt sluggish and heavy. The Michelins I put on were a huge improvement. They grip better and roll faster. The stock cranks' bearings wore out very quickly and developed some kind of spindle length/alignment problem. My LBS was very good about it and gave me a set of XT cranks for nothing, but it was annoying. I replaced the stock bars in favor of wider ones for better control and leverage. The stock bars were decent but should have been designed with more room for shifter and lever placement.
The biggest complaint I have is about the Lefty. The first one I had, the rebound knob didn't work at all- it just spun and changed nothing. I got a replacement off another floor bike, which worked okay but developed a clunk and some play at the top of the travel. My shop and I have tried to fix it, but nothing really works. The performance of the fork is quite good, though. The issues I have are annoying, but do not change the overall performance. The fork is well controlled and takes bumps pretty well even with the SPV.
I still give the bike a 4 because I love the way it rides overall. Compared to my VT, it may not climb quite as well (particularly in the slack setting, which is where I keep it) but it certainly descends better and is probably more fun to ride, which is really the point. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Ruiz
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The Snake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | All around goodness in all types of terrain. Riding skills have really improved. The bike takes 4 to 5 foot drops, stable around berms and clibs. Jumps and flys like a feather. Downhills are insane. Climbing OK. | | Weaknesses: | Switched stock tires to Maxxis High Rollers. Exchaged large ring to bashguard recently. | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll, F600 | | Bike Setup: | Somewhere between freeride and trail bike | | Bottom Line: | Amazed with the Lefty MAX SPV front end. Cannot wait to take bike to Moab this September. Any rider ready to step it up, and maintain a lightweight machine this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff H
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Section 16 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 2500.00 | | Strengths: | It is built by Cannondale. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. For all mountain riding it rocks. I would prefer a heavier bike for downhill extreme. Cannondale is the best manufacturer in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Coomer
a Cross Country Rider
from Sammamish, WA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Tolt McDonald Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycles | | Strengths: | Great frame and suspension! Very good components and wheelset. Lots of clearence under the BB. | | Weaknesses: | OE tires didn't grip well the first few times I rode in the wet. Slipped on wet stuff, especially tree roots. | | Similar Products Used: | First fully suspended bike | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded front rotor to 185mm, removed Maxxis tire for Specialized Enduro Pro (?), swapped stem for one with same geometry but for 25.4 bar and added Easton Monkey XC. Bike is otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I had ridden a friends Prophet briefly before I bought one and I am so glad that I did. This bike makes me feel invincible on the trail. The suspension allows me to pick my line and pedal. Any obstacles in the path are quickly eaten up by the suspension. The factory recommended settings are a very good place to start when setting up the supsension. I've gone 5 lbs lower on the SPV air on the rear but everything else is set to factory recommendation. I also upgraded the front rotor to 185mm but probably could have left the 160mm in place. I've done a lot of trails and some moderate downhill with this bike and I can say that I'm slightly slower climbing but much faster on the trail and slightly faster on descents than on my other bike. Drops are a lot easier to negotiate now with 140mm of travel. Truly a great frame and suspension!
The bad: I immediately took a disliking to the stock tires. It had rained the day I bought my bike and I found that the tires hated wet tree roots. I dropped the pressure a bit but couldn't find a place that made them happy. They also seemed to load up with mud pretty easily. I changed them that night for a set of Specialized Enduro Pros with a less densely packed tread pattern and I've never looked back. Those tires let me crawl right over roots and logs. I also swapped out the stem for one that would let me mount a 25.4 bar. The stock FSA was too fat for me to mount the clamp for my lights and it was was wider than the bar on my other bike so I was banging off trees that I knew I would have gotten past on my other bike. A new 110mm 20 degree neck and an Easton Monkey XC and I was back in business.
If you buy this bike you won't be disappointed! I give it 5 chilis for value and 4 for overall satisfaction. There are more expensive bike than the Prophet but I will stack this against them anyday. If it weren't for the tires and the wide bar I'd give it 5 for overall satisfaction. Gotta give them something to work on I suppose. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeman Mt
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Straight from Cdale | | Strengths: | I thought it climbed just as well as my hardtail. The SPV makes for a smooth ride. Changing the headtube angle gives a much differnt, but good feel. Fairly light after swapping out tires | | Weaknesses: | The stock tires, High Rollers, are heavy!!!! Putting the lefty on my rack is a pain to have to take off the tire and release the front brake, but the forks performance makes up for the inconvenience. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a very nice ride for the price. The lefty tracks incredibly through the single track. Overall the bike is sweet. Love the sram shifting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Roberts
a Cross Country Rider
from Tryon, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pisgah Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | First off let me say thanks to Andrew Schiffer at C'dale, without him, I would not be riding this kick ass bike. This bike is light and still able to suck it up. I have now pedaled this Prophet 1000 on my favorite trails in Pisgah Forest and it is an unbelievable bike. It pedals up hill very well on those famous rocky, steep technical climbs. It also descends without missing a beat, very balanced front and rear, no shimy's, shakes or anything but confidence inspiring flow. The Lefty rocks, I have "missed" plenty of times while descending at high rates of speed, through very rocky sections and this thing sucks it up. The fairly light weight and Manitou Swinger 3 provides great pedaling for the uphills. | | Weaknesses: | Not really anything glaring. When bike is set up in the "freeride" position (67.5 degree), the bottom bracket is a little low, but with a little getting used to it, I am not noticing it anymore. | | Similar Products Used: | Ventana El Saltamontes, Santa Cruz Heckler, Kona Coil Air. | | Bike Setup: | Stock - except for the stem, which I changed out for an 80mm instead of the 100 or 110mm (not sure) that it came with. It is a Large frame. Lefty SPV, Swinger 3, SRAM, Juicy, etc., all great choices and work well. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden quite a few bikes in alot of places, and the Prophet is definately fighting for the best one ever. For the steep and long climbs of Bent Creek, Pisgah and Dupont, and rippin' back down, I have never ridden a better bike. I know there are better climbers and there are better descenders, but the Prophet's ability to do both really well is awesome. Nicely done Cannondale, and it is made in USA! | <
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