Cannondale Trail 5 Review
Quick Jump Links: Full List of Specs | What’s good | What’s not so good | Our Verdict
Where to buy 💵
$960.00 REI.com
Type: Mountain Bike | Frame Material: Aluminum | Number of Gears: 10
YesCycling Score – 9.1/10
Full List of Specs 🔧
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Best Use | Mountain Biking |
| Mountain Bike Style | Trail |
| Frame | SmartForm C3 alloy, 1 1/8 in. headtube, dropper post compatible |
| Bike Suspension | Front Suspension |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCM, 100 mm travel, coil, 42 mm offset (27.5 in.) 46 mm offset (29 in.) |
| Fork Travel | 100 millimeters |
| Crankset | Prowheel, Charm 30T |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge square taper |
| Shifters | microSHIFT Advent X, 10-speed |
| Rear Derailleur | microSHIFT Advent X |
| Rear Cogs | microSHIFT, 11-48T, 10-speed |
| Number of Gears | 10 |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
| Brakes | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc, 160/160 mm RT10 rotors |
| Brake Levers | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc |
| Rims | WTB SX19, 32 h |
| Front Hub | Shimano HBTX 505 |
| Rear Hub | Shimano FHTX 505 |
| Wheel Size | XS: 27.5 inches |
| S: 27.5 inches | |
| M: 29 inches | |
| Tires | WTB Ranger Comp |
| Tire Width | 2.25 inches |
| Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
| Handlebar | 6061 alloy, 25mm rise, 8 deg. sweep, 6 deg. rise, 720 mm |
| Stem | 6061 alloy, 31.8, 7 deg. |
| Seat Post | 6061 alloy, 31.6 x 350 mm |
| Saddle | Cannondale Stage 3 |
| Pedals | Cannondale Platform |
| Headset | 1-1/8 in. |
| Chain | KMC X10, 10-speed |
| Weight | 32 lbs. 6.4 oz. |
| Bike Weight | Bike weight is based on median size, as sold, or the average of two median sizes. |
| Gender |
What’s good 👍
- Reliable 1x gearing: This provides a wide range of gears for different terrains, and many users appreciate its smoothness and responsiveness.
- 100 mm of front suspension: This allows for a comfortable ride on rougher terrain.
- Sturdy and lightweight aluminum frame: The SmartForm C3 alloy frame makes the bike durable and easy to handle.
- Stable handling: The slack 68° head angle provides descending stability and confidence.
- Reliable brakes: The Shimano hydraulic disc brakes offer strong stopping power and control.
- StraightShot internal cable routing: This feature ensures clean lines and easy maintenance.
- Wide handlebar: Users have praised the effortless control provided by the wide handlebar on technical trails and rough terrain.
- Large and grippy tires: The 29″ tires provide great traction, which boosts confidence on wet or muddy paths.
- Good value for the price: Users have mentioned the bike as an amazing value, offering good performance for its cost.
- Positive customer service experiences: Some users appreciated the assistance they received from customer service representatives.
What’s not so good 👎
- Front suspension fork: Some users reported that the front suspension fork is not strong enough for overcoming larger obstacles, such as big rocks or drops, making it unsuitable for highly technical trails.
- Composite pedals: The bike’s pedals have been criticized for losing their grip after a few rides, requiring replacement.
- Gear differential design: One user found the gear differential design with a small front gear unappealing, stating that half of the low gears would never be used, while additional high gears would be preferable.
- Uncomfortable handlebar and saddle: Some users found these components uncomfortable, noting the lack of a saddle slot and the need to replace the handlebar and handles.
- Potential shipping issues: There were instances where the bike required tuning or repair due to damage that occurred during shipping.
- Might not be suitable for more intense mountain biking: Although it performs well on moderate trails and for casual riding, some users noted that it may not be robust enough for hardcore trails or more intense mountain biking.
Our Verdict 🎗
Should you buy it, avoid it or shortlist it?
We think that you should definitely shortlist it.
Cannondale Trail 5 Hardtail Mountain Bike presents a strong case for those looking for a reliable, well-constructed mountain bike at an affordable price. Its dependable 1x gearing, stable handling, and robust frame make it an excellent choice for those who engage in moderate off-road biking or wish to venture onto more challenging terrains.
However, it’s important to note the bike’s limitations, including potential shipping issues, an uncomfortable handlebar and saddle for some users, and a front suspension fork that may struggle on highly technical trails. The pedals also seem to lose their grip after a few uses, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
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