Mountain Biking - Canondale Prophet 400, 600, or 800?

In Australia they cost:

400: $2400
600: $2900
800: $3600

I am no expert on componentry, so it's hard for me to decide which model would be better to get.

But the 2 things that stand out to me are:

- The 800 is the only one with Hydrolic disks (the 400 and 600 have cable disks)

- The 400 doesn't have a lefty fork, but a Marzocchi AM III, 150 mm, instead.

Are these things to be concerned about, or would it be better to save money and go for the cheapest option?

All the specs can be seen at: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/cusa/cats/mtn_am_prophet.html

Also does anyone know why the 2006 prophets have 2cm less travel than the 2005 models?

Cheers.

sscomp

You get what you pay for. The 800 has lock out but i would want BB7 disk breaks instead of hydralic. I would go with the 600. It has some better stuff than the 400 but the price jump to the 800 just seems like too much. You get a better rear deraillier for the 800 but you can buy a 2003 (i think) model XT on Jenson for $39. I couldnt find right now the weight for each bike, see if the 800 is lighter. It might be heavier because i could have beefyer components. I would go with 600.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm not sure that the 800 has lock out though, on the front or rear.

Oops sry you are Right. I read TCP and thought lockout not TPC twin piston something business.

SScomp, I just got back into cycling a couple of months ago, learning to ride MTB, because street traffic is too dangerous for me at my age of 53, lol! The Cannondale Demo Rep was at a local park with about 30 bikes, half mtb and half for rode, so I spend a couple of hours checking out the equipment. I rode both the Prophet and the new Rush. I had never heard of a 'lefty' and I was quite impressed with the design, so much so, that I decided to order a 'lefty' bike. I preferred the Rush over the Prophet because I am just riding trails and learning as a beginner to ride rough terrain. The Rush was lighter and more nimble, seemed to accelerate quicker, and didn't stand as tall as the Prophet. Can't wait to get my bike completed, I ordered a frame to build up but the Fox Terralogic fork that I ordered has not arrived yet.