Submitted by
Tom Bernard
a Racer
from Las Cruces, NM, USA
Date Reviewed: 8/1/2007 1:00:22 PM
|
| FavoriteTrail: |
Wilson Creek Area, N.C. |
| Duration Product Used: |
3 months |
| Purchased At: |
The Bicycle Company El Paso, Tx. |
| Strengths: |
Everthing is awesome, but the Fox rear Shox.
Lefty is IT! |
| Weaknesses: |
Rear suspension does not work like intended - Fox Shox Sux. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Cannondale Prophet is the most similar.
Started with Pro-Flex 955(in 1995), K2, a few GTs. |
| Bike Setup: |
Bought the frame and SL Lefty. Put on 2005 Crossmax SL, Salsa Flat Bar (risers are for downhills only!) 2006 XTR Cranks, Rotor Rings, Still using 8-speed XTR cassette. |
| Bottom Line: |
I feel for the guy below. This bike was mediocre until I changed out the rear shock to a Manitou Swinger. Once dialed in, I am a gear faster on most everything but the smoothest surface. The Fox simply does not dampen the bumps (if you think is does, you probably came from a hardtail). I only know this because I came from a Prophet whos rear suspension design is identical except for its shock has 1/4" more stroke. To say the least, I was disappointed in the difference between the 2 until I bought a Swinger which is what the rear-end was designed for(and which also comes on the Prophet). It only took me two rides (to get the pressures dialed in) before the smile was back on my face. The Rush is so much better now and no levers to constantly reach back to switch. It is now faster than the Prophet in most situations(I used to race it too).
I wanter to wait to do this review until I did a race on it with the Manitou, and there are not many here in the summer. I did one with the Fox and the quality of the damping cannot compare. I just did a race with the Manitou on an up and down course(ski slope). This thing climbs like I was floating up the hill(no bobbing->SPV) yet took care of the bumps with grace. On the way down, it is like a rocket at everything but the steep bumpy straight sections(where the limited travel revealed its only weakness).
Overall, I was sooo pleased and finished with a big smile(and on the podium).
If you are over 200lbs. I would not recommend the SL version of the Lefty as I am about 190lbs. dry weight and I do notice some flex (The Rush 2 would be a better choice since its Lefty is much stiffer). Albiet way better than any other light weight cross country fork on the market by a long shot.
With the upgrade, it is definitely a 5 chile rating. The best bike I ever owned. Before the upgrade, who cares!
The 4 chile value rating reflets the fact that I had to buy 2 shocks(which includes the one that came on it). |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating: 
|
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Northeast, PA
Date Reviewed: 6/30/2007 8:49:15 PM
|
| FavoriteTrail: |
There are many trails, all different. why pick a favorite? |
| Duration Product Used: |
Less than 1 month |
| Purchased At: |
Sicklers Bike Shop (a good deal) |
| Strengths: |
Incredibly light weight (23 lb's, give or take), top of the line components, climbs like an angry mountain goat, stable at high speed, incredible handling, floats over rock gardens, roots, whatever, and it handles technical sections with ease..... |
| Weaknesses: |
dont care much for the grips... can be a bit expensive, but you dont really need two kidneys now do you? |
| Similar Products Tried: |
GT Ruckus hardtail and i-drive, Haro x-6 |
| Bike Setup: |
stock Rush Carbon 1-
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/cusa/mountain/rush/model-7VM1.html |
| Bottom Line: |
Best bike I have ever ridden, does everything well. Mark at Sicklers took time to help me find what i wanted, then hooked me up with a killer deal. if your in the market for a x-country- all mountain rig this is your bike. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
Submitted by
Simon Thrush
a Racer
from Mclean, VA
Date Reviewed: 6/18/2007 11:29:54 AM
|
| FavoriteTrail: |
South Downs Way - UK |
| Duration Product Used: |
3 months |
| Price Paid: |
$5800 |
| Purchased At: |
Cycle Soth, GA |
| Strengths: |
Top cross country and marathon/Enduro bike. i have now done a number of 100 milers on it and its a great all day bike. |
| Weaknesses: |
None other than getting used to the lefty - looking down and realising that half the suspension is missing can be a bit off putting. !! |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Nothing really. Other bikes are cross country racers - Specialised Carbon hardtail, and Cannondale 1FG SS. |
| Bike Setup: |
Standrard, apart from new Stans No Tubes Crow tyres - awesome set up with great grip. |
| Bottom Line: |
Again, if you can afford this bike and you ride enduro/all day then this is the bike for you. Top ride |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
Submitted by
Edwin Carpio
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, ON Canada
Date Reviewed: 3/26/2007 11:12:24 AM
|
| FavoriteTrail: |
Teocali Ridge (best ever ridden) best locally though is Brunette Park |
| Duration Product Used: |
3 months |
| Price Paid: |
$6500 |
| Purchased At: |
LBS |
| Strengths: |
Very confident inspiring. By far, the most comfortably riding bike I've ever owned. Excellent components: it comes with full XTR if that doesn't say enough, Mavic SLR Disc UST, RP23, Thompson seatpost, FSA bar, Carbon Lefty...basically, everything I would have upgraded to eventually on a lesser equipped bike. The handling is incredible once you feel comfortable riding on one fork leg. It climbs like a crazed mountain goat (propedal engaged), and descends like a paraplegic monkey on X.
|
| Weaknesses: |
Pricey, but I come from the school of thought that 'you get what you pay for' philosophy. Longer wheelbase and lower bottom bracket than anything else I've compared it to. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Kona Fire Mountain, M800 Cannondale, OCLV Trek, GT Zaskar |
| Bike Setup: |
Stock. (See product strengths) The bike comes ready to rock and roll with the best of them. |
| Bottom Line: |
If you can afford it, get it. Use it for what it was designed for though. Trail riding, cross country racing/24hr marathons...If you want something to do trials/stunts or jumps over say...over 3 feet dead then get a Scapel or better yet the Prophet. If you a want the best handling, 24lbs, 4 inches of adjustability front and back, this is it.
I find myself riding further than my usual routes with less soreness on this bike. My other bikes were hardtails though but weighed pretty much the same. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
Overall Rating: