Mountain Biking - Cannodale Jekyl 2000 for the year 2003

Does anyone have any feedback with respect to this bike?

Good bike, adjustable geometry to suit your needs and/or trail conditions, new design for the shock mount and they've eliminated their problem prone bonded swingarm. Good bike, slightly higher cost, but top quality!

You pay more for a Cannondale because of the frame. There is a lot of attention to detail and things are done to a Cannondale frame that few other take the time to do. For example. The frame is welded, then the welds are sanded smooth, then the complete frame is heat-treated so the welds and the tubes essentially become an integrated piece. Plus, this is done all in the USA, and as a result costs more to make. For some that's a big deal, others it's not.

Your components will be 1/2 to 1 step below comparable bikes at the same price point. Cannondale's theory is you want the best frame (heart of the bike) and parts wear out & are easily replaced.

Note: A lot of people have a negative perspective of Cannondales just b/c they're Cannondales. If you've owned/ridden one, your opinion is valid. If not, shut-up!

I've owned several and still own two!

L8R

I own 2 cannondales. OK, they're both road bikes though. I absolutely love both of them. I never tried one of their mtb's though. If they're mtb's are as good as they're roadbikes, you might see me on a Gemini in the future.

I almost bought a Gemini. Came really close to getting a Geminin 2000. I ended up getting my dream bike: an Intense Uzzi SL for about the same price! O.k., my Intense was used and the Gemini was an Employee Purchase price, but I debated and debated and went for the Intense. I'm very happy with my decision!

L8R

As you can see by my sig, I'm an avid Cannondale fan. I'm building up my third one. I own a Jekyll. While I'll admit that the parts spec sucked, the bike rides like a dream. Climbs well, and is an AMAZING descender. Gives me all the control I need... probably too much. I had to swap to disc brakes because the bike tended to make me want to go fast, and when I needed to slow down.... the v-brakes wouldn't cut it. Alot of people may bash Cannondale, but most of the people that do have never ridden one. I got my F500 when I was 15. I'm 19 now, and the bike has been stripped of all the components it had... but the frame is still as stiff, light, and fast as it was the day I bought it. I've really got nothing negative to say about Cannondale at all. They back their product 100%. I think the fact that I own 3 should speak for itself, though :)

My commuter/tourer is a Cannondale, a 97` M900 and i love it!!
Still have the original BB, but thats the only original part :D
The frame is excellent, stiff and reliable!

They cost a lot of money, but you get what paid for, a superb frame.


:beer:

I like them too. I have a Gemini 1000. I pontificated about upgrading the components and I ordered SRAM X.0 shifters and rear der this afternoon. Not cheap, but I rushed to the lbs to look at them and it is really nice stuff. True, another bike at the price I paid for mine would probably have better (XTR?) spec as standard.

Overall, this is my third Cannondale. I saw some super Specialized bikes at the lbs and many of the Konas as well, and between the three I'd be hard pressed to choose, but Cannondale would swing it for me - just a personal choice.

I'm still puzzled why the Jekylls have the Lefty Max but the Geminis do not, though the 2003 models will have? I also cast an eye over the road bikes and there are some really nice options there as well.

Jekylls have good reviews in the UK.

ok it's time for me to chime in. i'll make this short and sweet

Reasons i wouldn't get the jekyll
1) They're almost bankrupt. See GT/Schwinn if you want details. While they'll probably end up like Rock Shox it might be hard in the future when they're restructuring their stuff to get parts

2)The welds on the frame are filed. Some say it adds class, i say dont **** with the welds and do them right in the first place

3) The jekyll is an outdated design, most anything out there has a better system

4) Why pay more for lesser bike? on a hardtail frame the welds metter, but on an F/S i'd be more concerned about the linkages and shocks pivots

5) Crack-n-fail. Need i say more


Ok so maby that wasnt so short:beer:

Crack n fail?


I've had my F500 since I was 15. Rode it hard for years, and mine hasn't cracked or failed. Oh wait... neither have the other 2 I've got... hm.......

I was wonderin when Pete was gonna chime in! Nice to see you still here!

Regardless of what anyone else says about C'Dale, if you like the bike, get it! If you don't, don't.

There are a lot of bikes to choose from on the market right now! Cannondales are just one of many. Are they the best? Depends. What's the best for you may not be the best for me. I could rehash some old arguments, but will spare everyone. (Do a search if you're interested).

I like em! Peter doesn't (BTW, Pete you've got a Specialized Right!) Check them out. They make good bikes, I also really like Specialized bikes. But, they're made overseas. That matters to some! They've also had numerous recalls on their bikes. Make sure the dealer knows about them and the bike you get has been fixed!

L8R

Hey,
I bet you were just waitin for me to bash that huh A2? And yes i have a Specialized, i'm actually getting hope Mini's for it this x-mas. But about specialized i have to say that i wouldnt even look at an epic until next year when it's somewhat more refined. But how's the riding A2? i might be out for the first time in 4 weeks tomorrow

?
the bike has been stripped of all the components it had... but the frame is still as stiff, light, and fast as it was the day I bought it.

it seems to me that the thing to do then would be to buy only the frame...

Does cannondale sell its framesets seperately?

Originally posted by Phatman
?

it seems to me that the thing to do then would be to buy only the frame...

Does cannondale sell its framesets seperately?

Yes, but for extremely high prices. You're almost better off buying the bike and just replacing things as they break/you get the cash. That's what I did. I took in my F500 to the shop, and told them I wanted a larger frame. They said they could do that. I was thinking maybe 400 bucks at the very MOST. I mean.. the F500 isn't even a high-level frame. They quoted me 650 bucks for JUST THE FRAME!! Not to mention it was a lower end frame than the one I had!! I just bought a used frame off Ebay for about 200 bucks, and decided I'd spend my extra 450 bucks I saved on the parts spec I wanted.

Most manufacturer's will sell a frame only, but expect to pay through the nose for them. If you're looking for a frame only and don't want to spend a lot, either go mail-order on some of last season's frame, a generic frame, or eBay!

If you want some cheap hardtails, look to companies like Azonic, Jamis or Haro. I think I can get a Haro ht frame for about under $300.

L8R