Dguy

In case anyone is still following this thread, I just bought a Cannondale Hooligan 8 and took it on a 15 mile test run yesterday. The verdict? Fast and fun is how I would describe it. Capable of explosive acceleration, responsive, but able to burn a trail in a straight line. Very rigid, feels (and is) much tighter than a folder. The supplied seat is a loser, but aren't they all? The ride is comfortable thanks to the chubby tires, but unlike what some people might believe, the tires don't feel heavy at all, possibly because their circumference is so small.
This is more of a cross between a city and a road bike than a city and a BMXer, although Cannondale is stressing the BMX aspect of it more. Having the axles less than a foot off the ground gives it a low center of gravity, which takes some getting used to, but it also feels much more stable for that very reason. I'm glad I got the eight instead of the three because I found myself using the whole range of gears. Only at the highest speeds did the lack of a large front chain ring become noticeable, but this is a bike to be driven more like a sports car than a cross country cruiser anyway.

Lalato

Thanks for the review!

werewolf

...........................

Pat McCarthy

Thanks for this review, sounds great! Any way to transport a KID (or two) with the Hooligan????

I love my Brompton, but:

- roads here in Brussels are so bad it sometimes feels like I'm going to break the B. in half
- tram rails have a gap significantly wider than the B. kevlar tires
- when the subway cars are crowded, even a folded B. is too big.

Dguy

Pat, you might be able to attach a child seat to the back of the Hooligan - the frame is definitely sturdy enough, and the low center of gravity would make it more stable than most bikes with such a hook-up. But I don't think there are any braze-ons (maybe in the back? I forgot to look), so you would have to attach it to the bike some other way. Plus I don't think you will be able to fit this bike into any crowded subway cars. However, as far as rutty streets go, this bike could handle some fairly fat, knobby tires if that's whay you wanted. I was thinking of buying a set to go mountain biking with - I think this bike would be a blast on the trails!

Pat McCarthy

Hey Dguy, thanks for that extra info, appreciate it!

Just spoke to the LBS, and they think you could attach a trailer bike or trailer to the seatpost. And that it would look hilarious (wiseguys) :-)

But hey, I just want something with a step-through frame that I can carry the kids with, but that rides more aggressively than those 5-million-lb. Dutch-style city bikes.

Let us know how that mountain biking works out. Happy trails!

newsjeff

How much does the Hooligan weigh? I might like to get one, if its fairly lightweight...

NormanF

Its the first American mini-velo. Its a definite break from the conventional mini-velo we see on the Asian market and in the US-based Silgey Piccolo mini-velo. The frame design is certainly unique.

snafu21

I'm going to retract what I said about the Hooligan, because suddenly I want one.

(dynarider - I have no complaints about your disk brakes, but the Shimano cable disks on my 26" Matrix were pants compared to the V-brakes on my CAAD 9.)

And now, back to the suddenly desirable hooligan.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNN8nMY9JTc

ShinyBiker

Now on the REI site:

https://www.rei.com/product/798527

Azreal911

Holy crap that's a sturdy bike, well also cause it's a non folder. Anyone else trying that with a folder is risking their life. It's not a folder but more of the moultonesque type bike. But You wouldn't see anyone do that with a moulton either. It seems like a nice small bike where removing the wheels would make it small enough to slip into the boot of a car.

One question for Dguy, how easy is it to remove the front and rear wheels? is there a quick release? I don't know anything about those mono forks cannondale makes. If the wheels come off easy would make it a quick getaway bike that you throw into my car trunk when I feel like going for a ride.

Dguy

Azreal, sorry about the late response. Yes, the bike has quick releases, but I have the standard fork version of the Hooligan, so I couldn't say what it's like to remove the wheel on the single fork version. With the wheels off, you could probably fit this bike into a decent sized trunk, but once again, I have a hatchback, so I can't say for sure. I don't bother taking off the wheels when I pack my bike, though, because it fits into the back of my car as is (but then again, I have a ScionXb, which has a pretty roomy interior with the seats folded). The one snag might be the tall seatpost, which puts the saddle at the same height as a normal sized bike in relation to the pedals. The Hooligan feels a little heavier than you might think it would feel from the size of the tires, but the frame is made of some VERY beefy tubing in terms of size. I think you would bend the rims before you could dent the frame, and the rims are rock solid.

Azreal911

Thanks Dguy. that's pretty good to hear, and cannondale makes some pretty solid frames that world class racers use so I doubt the frame would brake before the wheels on a bad landing.

newsjeff

Dguy, just another question... Does the seat post have one of those quick release latches? I might need to lower the seat to fit into my vehicle. Also, did you ever determine how much your Hooligan weighs? Just trying to get a handle on whether I want one, or get a similar size folding bike. Thanks loads!!

mlau

Guys, ever try a Swift?

I have a feeling that you might be happier with one.
Stiff, fast acceleration, and it folds.
That being said, this Hooligan looks like a lot of fun.

Dguy

Newsjeff, the seatpost does not have a quick release. I don't know how much the Hooligan weighs (I gave my scales away because I thought I didn't need them!), but it is heavier than a folder - it's built for rigidity, not ease of transport. That said, it feels lighter than the older model cannondale city bike I also own. I wish I could give you a more specific answer, but I never paid much attention to bike weight before. As long as I can pack it into my car that's all I care about.

brommie

It's no Cannondale, but it might be an alternative . . .
https://www.koga.com/nl/bike.asp?coll...=94&id=3655513

Abneycat

I've actually decided that the Hooligan 3 will be my next bike, so i'll put up my own review of it in a few weeks.

I've been looking to trim it down to 1 bike. Personally, i'm a huge fan of discs, small wheels, and tough stuff. Now, if only it weren't such an ugly duckling.. I'll work on that, too.

The Hooligan 3 has an eccentric bottom bracket. Looking forward to measuring it up for an I-motion 9. Going to see about some Big Apples too. Maybe fit a rack, throw on my On One Mary bars, it'll go from an ugly duckling.. To the ugliest duckling.

Oh yes, and braze ons for a handgun holster too. Yippie Kay Yay!

Abneycat

Hey, just a quick update, I called Cannondale and found out a few more things about the bike:

1. Seatpost should be fine. Its a 31.6mm, and the Hooligan has a longer Seat tube length than most folders (14.6")

2. There's a pair of threaded eyelets at the dropouts. You should be able to fit a rack with long stays and p-clamps, or a 20" rack and some p-clamps.

3. Hooligan 8 does not have an eccentric bottom bracket, only the 3 does.

4. The black hooligan 3 is a hard bike to get a hold of. I'll be waiting until late June for mine -_-

Edit: Oh yes, also decided that i'm going to try this chain guard with it: https://www.chainrunner.de/index_en.html

(That's the chain guard they're using on the new Dahons. Interesting to see if its any good or not)

austin-rider

I just got mine an hour ago. I love it!

coolio

Woo-hoo!

Congrats!

What's the weight? How many speeds is that IGH. Where'd you get it?

austin-rider

I think about 24 lbs.

It has three speeds.

I got it at a Schwinn dealer in Pasadena, TX. It was the last one they had. It could be the only one they had.

Abneycat

Congratulations on finding one! I got a glance at the computer when the sales guy was checking availability, Cannondale only had 4 bikes left for their June 12 refresh.. That's right, they've got more coming in on the 12th of June and they're almost all already sold out.

Availability looked good on the other colour, and the other model. Just the 3 in black seemed popular.

Tell me, does that fork have the steerer exposed at the bottom of the crown? I was thinking about machining some mounts for a fender, but a suspension fork fender would just be an easier fix if that's possible.

airwulf

Schwinn dealer in SW Houston has the 8 model for $599. I test rode it 2 wks ago and it was a blast. My only complaint is the stem (110mm) is too short for me even when it is fully elevated but fortunately the dealer has a 135mm stem.

Dguy

I've had my Hooligan for a few months now, and I have a few more observations to make:

1) Don't overinflate the tires. The wheel base is short, and too much air will definitely harsh your buzz. I've found 55-60 PSI to be a good compromise between rolling resistance and comfort (unless you've got really good roads, which I don't).

2) The front disc would not take alignment, and kept rubbing. I had to loosed the grip (it was too touchy anyway). Problem solved.

3) You have to keep your left foot reasonable straight or your heel will bump into the rear disc brake, which sticks out slightly from the frame. Again, not a major problem, unless you are bowlegged.

4) You won't be doing any stump jumping, but this bike is great for twisty mountain bike trails. The ride can be bouncy, but never uncomfortable.

5) I kind of wish I had bought the 3 instead of the 8, because after riding my friends internally geared bike, I realize they are not the gimmicky contraptions I thought they were, but quite sturdy and smooth. Oh well. Next time.