Mountain Biking - Cannondale MTB suggestions...?

I have a buddy that rides trails, and I'd like to join him sometimes... i have a road bike which obviously isn't going to get the job done...

I'd like suggestions on a beginners MTB that I will be happy with for plenty of time to come... I don't want to spend more than $1000-$1200...

I made a mistake when i bought my first road bike, and skimped on a groupset to save money... luckily the shop i bought from put me on a bike that was 2 sizes too big for me... so i went out and got another road bike with better components, and am going to be able to return my original purchased bike for full credit towards another bike...

i don't think i'll need any crazy suspension as there are no real severe trails we'll be taking on...

Thanks for any suggestions...

maybe i even want a hybrid...?

maybe i even want a hybrid...?

no.

I would suggest a hardtail because they're very versatile, and low maintenance. All of these bikes should fit into your budget (based on MSRP). You might find better bikes if they're on sale somewhere.

Kona Caldera (http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=caldera)
Trek 6500 (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6500/)
Gary Fisher Tassajara (http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/tassajara)
Cannondale F4 (http://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/model-9FS4.html)

what size would translate to a 56cm in standard sizing...? Treks only show measurements in inches...

Did Pennsylvania suddenly change to the metric system? Just go to the Trek store and sit on a bike or two.

that's how i ended up with a bike 2 sizes to large to begin with...

i guess i could have just googled up the conversion... looks like 22" is the equivalent... Trek looks like they make a 21.5"...

Do you ride a 56cm road bike? Because if so, you don't ride a 22" mountain bike. My road bike is a 48cm, but I certainly don't ride a 19" mountain bike...I'm much happier on something around 15" (or smaller, depending on its purpose). Go to a store and ride some bikes and see what feels right.

I have a 58 cm road bike and have MTB frames from 16" to 21" (depending on riding style and bike fit). Translation - go to your LBS and try out several sizes of various brands.

Thanks for that input.

56cm road for me, 19 or 19.5 mtb (usually)

get a 29er and then put 700c roadie wheels on it!

that is all the craze!

How 'bout a cyclocross bike?

F5 either Medium or Large, retails for $799.

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeej440/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/DSCN0516.JPG

How much better are the components on the F4 vs F5...?

Is it worth the extra change...?

How much better are the components on the F4 vs F5...?

Is it worth the extra change...?

Well it is more than just the components between the F4 and F5. The F4 is a different frame and uses the Headshock. I am buddies with the GM of my LBS and I asked him if it was worth it to go with the F4 and he VERY quickly said NO. He said the current Headshock is no longer made by Cannondale and the quality is lower than it used to be.

I think he did well by me...saved me a couple hundred bucks over the F4 and the F5 is really a very nice mid level bike. FWIW I was also looking at the Rockhopper in the same price range as well as the Giant XTC and of those bikes he recommended the Cannondale.

I agree with grasschopper, The f5 is an amazing bike. I have the 09' f5 and looooooove it. And If you get the f5 you will have money to get accesories and stuff.

I don't know why, but Roadies tend to think in terms of exact sizing and try to make the direct transition from road bike to MTB. You can't do that. If anything, you should buy a MTB that's one size smaller than your "ideal" size. At 5'9", and 29.5 inch inseam, I ride a 54cm new road bike and 56cm vintage road bikes. All the bike shops wanted to put me on a 19" framed (large) MTB. No way. I ride a 17" frame and so does my 6' tall son.

Well that's why I came here asking before going out and buying something and making a mistake again.

Keep the advice rolling in.

You may find some deals out there if your patient. I found this last week and jumped on it.
2007 Cannondale F4 Mountain Bike, rarely used, over a thousand dollars in upgrades including:


Hayes Nine Brakes Front and Back
Shimano XT Rear Deraillleur
Shimano XT Crankset
Shimano Deore Front Deraillieur
Shimano SPD's
Rear Cassette
Shimano Shifters
Cane Creek Thudbuster seat post
Koobi Seat
Cateye Comp

I bought it for $600. And as far as the Head Shock not being as good as the fork shock is a matter of opinion. I took the bar ends off!

no.

jy is offering useable advice???:twitchy:

jy is offering useable advice???:twitchy:

Crazy. I can even elaborate on my opinion. In my experience, a hybrid can handle the road and can handle mild trails. However, at best, it handles these two situations marginally well. Per the original post, the OP already has a road bike. This means, the OP would rarely use a hybrid on the road and would be left with a marginally performing hybrid when on dirt. Thusly, the wise move is to purchase a dedicated mountain bike. For the pricepoint being discussed, I agree with the hardtail suggestions.

jy for mod!

man that f5 is S E X Y !

jy for mod!

The grassroots campaign is underway.

With your budget, I'd hold out for something with a better fork than the F5. Better forks make all the difference when riding trails.

i decided to get an F5... for what i will use it for, it will be good enough at this point... if i take a real liking to trail riding and dare to get more adventurous, i'll upgrade at a later date...

18.7" is the Large size, so i think that will work just fine...

Thanks for the input guys...

i decided to get an F5... for what i will use it for, it will be good enough at this point... if i take a real liking to trail riding and dare to get more adventurous, i'll upgrade at a later date...

18.7" is the Large size, so i think that will work just fine...

Thanks for the input guys...

I think you are making a good choice. The one in my photo is a Medium...I am 5'10" and ride a road bike with a 550mm-560mm tt. I rode both the large and medium and honestly couldn't tell much difference in size other than the amount of seatpost sticking out.

How about this?
'09 Giant XTC 1 (http://offrampbikes.com/product/09-giant-xtc-1-48432-1.htm)

Reg: $999.99 Closeout: $799.95

Wow, ^ that giant is sweet.

Unless the situation changed in the past few months, Cannondale does make their headshoks. They're an excellent fork for xc type riding; much stiffer and lighter than the stock F5 fork fwiw.

Unless the situation changed in the past few months, Cannondale does make their headshoks. They're an excellent fork for xc type riding; much stiffer and lighter than the stock F5 fork fwiw.

I am just passing along what the GM of my LBS said to me. Why would he rather not sell the more expensive '09 and get it off the floor vs. the less expensive '10? He had both bikes in my size.

I think the biggest difference between the F4 and F5 is the frame. The Caffeine frame on the F4 is a USA handmade frame, whereas the CO2 frame on the F5 is made in Taiwan.

If you can afford the F4 (which uses the same frame as the F3, F2, and F1), then i would definitely go for that. You will not be disappointed with the headshok either. When you come to upgrade, you will have a much better frame to do it on. Also you go from mechanical disc brakes to hydraulics from F5 to F4

The f5 is a good choice. Once you get it you will need to post some pics. Are you getting the 09 or 2010?

It's a 2010 and I should be picking it up tomorrow. I'll post some pics when I get it.

I ride a 56 road bike and went with a 17.5 mtb frame. Actually I have a 17.5 FS, 17.5 hardtail and a 19 hardtail and much prefer the 17.5.

As far as bikes, consider a new leftover model bike. I picked up a brand new 2008 Giant Trance X2 FS for $1299 a few weeks back. The bike has the same Maestro frame and the exact same components as the 2009 X3 at $2K.

http://www.watsonfx.com/trance.jpg

Congratulations.

Getting to this thread a little late. What size did you get? I also ride a 56 road, and was about to get the Large F5. Unfortunately, it was at the time of the 2009/2010 changeover. There were no Large F5's in the dealer stock or pipeline, with production on 2010 that were about to be introduced.

Then I stumbled on this Janis Dakota Sport for $699 in a size 19. While it was a new 08, the specs were almost identical and perhaps better brakes than the 09 and definately out-speced the F5. Rs Tora fork, Deore/xt drivetrain, and shimano hydraulic brakes (the 09 had Tekro).

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee258/ibhim/DSC_5015.jpg

picked up the F5 today, i still need to set it up for me... i got the saddle height pretty close now, but still have adjust the saddle fore aft position...

riding it home from the shop was awkward after being on a rode bike for a month now...

definitely meant for trails and not tarmac...