Mountain Biking - whats the difference between Cannondales SL2 and Raleigh Talus 5.0?

they both are hardtails, 100mm front shocks, 26" wheels. the only difference i see is the raleigh is 24 speed and the cannondale is 27 speed. but why is the raleigh only $580 while the cannondale is $1,070? what am i missing?

The Cannondale has 1 level higher drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes versus the Promax DSK720 Mechanical Disc on the Raleigh.
The Cannondale has a Rockshox Recon suspension fork, the Raleigh has something that kinda looks like a suspension fork.


That's just for starters. (I'm not a C-dale fanboi...quite the opposite...but it's spec'd better than the Raleigh)

The Cannondale has a Rockshox Recon suspension fork, the Raleigh has something that kinda looks like a suspension fork.

what do you mean by "something that kinda looks like a suspension fork?
also which one is for starters? both? i would invest in something higher quality like a specialized enduro or something but i cant afford that right now and i was just looking for something better than my K2 im selling.

what do you mean by "something that kinda looks like a suspension fork?
also which one is for starters? both? i would invest in something higher quality like a specialized enduro or something but i cant afford that right now and i was just looking for something better than my K2 im selling.

He means that the suntour forks are about as entry/low-end as you can get without owning a big box bike. He pretty much said that both bikes would be ok and decent starter bikes. However, the Cannondale will be a much better bike. Pretty much every component on the C-Dale is better than the raleigh and that is why it is 2x the price. What type of riding are you doing? You probably don't need anything close to a Enduro unless you are planning on getting into professional racing! Yes having all the bells and whistles and the highest end everything is very nice, but either the Raleigh or the Cannondale would both probably be fine for you and give you plenty of enjoyment. What K2 model do you have? Some of the higher end K2's have pretty much the exact same component group as the Talus 5.0. Infact, the K2 Zed 4.0 is actually a lot better than the Raleigh, and even slightly better than the C-Dale in my opinion. However, the frame might not be as good, I've never ridden either of them so I don't know how they actually handle.

He means that the suntour forks are about as entry/low-end as you can get without owning a big box bike. He pretty much said that both bikes would be ok and decent starter bikes. However, the Cannondale will be a much better bike. Pretty much every component on the C-Dale is better than the raleigh and that is why it is 2x the price. What type of riding are you doing? You probably don't need anything close to a Enduro unless you are planning on getting into professional racing! Yes having all the bells and whistles and the highest end everything is very nice, but either the Raleigh or the Cannondale would both probably be fine for you and give you plenty of enjoyment. What K2 model do you have? Some of the higher end K2's have pretty much the exact same component group as the Talus 5.0. Infact, the K2 Zed 4.0 is actually a lot better than the Raleigh, and even slightly better than the C-Dale in my opinion. However, the frame might not be as good, I've never ridden either of them so I don't know how they actually handle.

gotcha. i do a little of everything i think i can say. i dirtjump every once in awhile, trail bike, downhill, but nothing to an extreme. as to getting into professional racing, i was looking towards there but no plans right now. i have a K2 zed24. i upgraded alot of components though. Jagwire rear brakes, KoolStop MTB front pads, Tektro caliper brakes, 24"x2.125 Kenda Klaw tires, Y2000 rims, gripshift SRAM max, and Shimano alivio crankset with metal alloy pedals.

i was just looking for something better than my K2 im selling.
How is your z24 spec'd right now?



He means that the suntour forks are about as entry/low-end as you can get without owning a big box bike.
Well said.


He pretty much said that both bikes would be ok and decent starter bikes.
I never said anything like that.


However, the Cannondale will be a much better bike.
Yes


Pretty much every component on the C-Dale is better than the raleigh and that is why it is 2x the price.
:thumb:


You probably don't need anything close to a Enduro unless you are planning on getting into professional racing!
Are people racing Enduros?



gotcha. i do a little of everything i think i can say. i dirtjump every once in awhile, trail bike, downhill, but nothing to an extreme. as to getting into professional racing, i was looking towards there but no plans right now. i have a K2 zed24. i upgraded alot of components though. Jagwire rear brakes, KoolStop MTB front pads, Tektro caliper brakes, 24"x2.125 Kenda Klaw tires, Y2000 rims, gripshift SRAM max, and Shimano alivio crankset with metal alloy pedals.
For the love of crap little man...learn to shift. (when you type)

How is your z24 spec'd right now?
I was also wondering this.


I never said anything like that.
So you don't feel that either of them would be decent starter bikes?
I know if his bike is better than the Raleigh he definitely shouldn't get the Raleigh, but you don't think the Raleigh would at least be a decent bike for a starter just getting into biking?



Are people racing Enduros?
Professionally, I honestly don't really know. Yet I am sure someone (even if not professional) is, I have a friend who races a Trek Mamba (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/29er_sport/mamba/#) (just not professionally, just does the occasional race around here in STL). However, I was over-exaggerating a bit, and when I first did a quick bit of research on the Enduros all I found were the $6000-$7000 Carbon models :rolleyes:, so I though they were all $6000+ carbon, and one of those would be major overkill for the average rider. However, the EVO or Comp seems more reasonable:p and pretty good for someone wanting to do more technical DH trails. Yet even the EVO or Comp would be a bit much for the average rider.

So you don't feel that either of them would be decent starter bikes?
I could think of better options for the money, but I feel they would be good starter bikes. I just never said anything like that 'til now.


Professionally, I honestly don't really know. Yet I am sure someone (even if not professional) is.
I could assume there are some Super-D's out there with Enduro's..but I've not seen any. I was just wondering.


when I first did a quick bit of research on the Enduros all I found were the $6000-$7000 Carbon models :rolleyes:, so I though they were all $6000+ carbon
Rule of thumb...(this is what I do anyhoo)...my first destination is the mfgr's site. Usually has all the models listed, like the $2750 bottom of the line Enduro. Then I branch out from there with user reviews, Interbike stuff, random Google hits, magazine articles. When push comes to shove, as a last resort I'll go to a bike forum and ask someone. :roflmao:



Kidding.


Ed out.

How is your z24 spec'd right now?
Its down below...
Jagwire rear brakes, KoolStop MTB front pads, Tektro caliper brakes, 24"x2.125 Kenda Klaw tires, Y2000 rims, gripshift SRAM max, and Shimano alivio crankset with metal alloy pedals.



For the love of crap little man...learn to shift. (when you type)
I was on my phone... thats why I didn't shift... sorry.

[QUOTE=dsprehe89;13297572]I was also wondering this.

Jagwire rear brakes, KoolStop MTB front pads, Tektro caliper brakes, 24"x2.125 Kenda Klaw tires, Y2000 rims, gripshift SRAM max, and Shimano alivio crankset with metal alloy pedals.

Here's some pics of my K2 bike for those out there wondering what it is...

DL: http://imageshack.us/g/684/p1250960v.jpg/

WP: http://img684.imageshack.us/slideshow/webplayer.php?id=p1250960v.jpg