Mountain Biking - Cannondale Jekyll Sizing

Hello, all! Can someone give me some guidance? I'm a former (17 years ago) mini-triathalon-er. My mount was a Cannondale R500. I've also owned a C-dale mtn bike since then. I've always liked Cannondale, and want to get back into riding, specifically mountain biking. I'm on the threshold of buying a Jekyll, but I'm not sure what size I need since I'll be buying it sight unseen from eBay. I'm 5-9 with a 30" inseam. A previous post advised someone of a 5-7 stature that they'd need a medium.

My questions:

Will a large fit me and my dimensions without being too long, or should I go for medium?
Also, when I asked a co-worker about her opinion of Cannondale, her reply was, "Oh. You're getting a crack-and-fail?" I'm a die-hard Cannondale fan, but are my sentiments unfounded by Cannondale's standards of today?

Thanks.

Jim
tkdeadaim@aol.com

I'm 6'1, and have a medium super-v, the predicessor to the jekyll. It fits me okay, possibly a bit small but it doesn't feel uncomfortable.

I don't know about the size thing but I have heard the crack-n-fail thing before. Not sure where it came from though, I also ride a cdale super v and I have put the frame/parts through PLENTY of abuse and it's still going strong.

I'm guessing it's from people who have misused the bike(like I'm doing). Maybe they bought a bike like the Jekyll or another of cdales all mountain bikes and used it for drops and jumps(which I don't think it was meant for) and when the frame broke they got mad. Just a wild shot in the dark though as I really have no idea.

Im 5'7" and have the same inseam as well and ride a specialized Medium, fits well.

I'm sure it's just someone who thought it would survive a nuclear blast...and when it didn't...blah blah blah...

Anyway, thanks for the insight. I've just placed an order for a C-dale Jekyll 1000. Take care.

Jim

I am a big guy - 5 10 and 190 pds, and I ride a medium jekyll, have done for two years. I dish out a lot of abuse and never had an issue. Saying that I prev owned a f900sl, and cracked the rear stays, but cdale replaced it in 2 weeks with a new frame (the 02 jekyll 700).
I reckon medium for you would be about right. My first Cdale was alrge f700 and when I changed to a medium f900 I really noticed an improvement in handling and climbing.

I'm also around 5'9-5'10 and i wiegh 190... i have a Medium Scalpel, it fits me perfectly. I tried out the Jekyll at my LBS and i used a medium, The med fit me perfectly... although i didnt like the feel of it in the way the shock was mounted. you should probably check out the prophet as well as the jekyll