It's been over three years since Cannondale released the last version of their Habit trail bike. With modernized geometry, 29" wheels, 130mm travel, a new Proportional Response suspension design, droppers across the board, and traditional forks, this is a very different bike from the one introduced in 2015. Cannondale says that their goal with this new bike is to deliver more control, more fun, and more efficiency.
The new Cannondale Habit is available with a carbon, a carbon/aluminum blended, and a full aluminum frame, with six different men's and three women's models, in sizes ranging from XS through XL. All models come with a flip chip and can be ridden with 29" or 27.5+ wheels. Cannondale has also launched a new version of the "Bad Habit" alongside the Habit for those who want their bike to come with the 27.5+ wheels.
Cannondale Habit 2 Details
• Intended use: Trail/all-mountain
• Wheel size: 29" (27.5"+ compatible)
• Head tube angle: 66 deg.
• Rear-wheel travel: 130mm
• Boost 15x110mm & Boost 12x148 spacing
• Carbon & Aluminum available
• Size: XS - XL
• 30 lbs. (no pedals, Medium)
• Price: $2,100 - $7,900 USD
• www.cannondale.com Construction BallisTec Carbon front triangle: The Habit 2 we feature here shares the same structure, lay-up, and shape as Cannondale's Hi-MOD carbon, but the stiffness and ride feel are dialed in with multiple layers of intermediate-modulus fibers, rather than the more expensive high modulus fibers. Cannondale says that the additional material adds a slight amount of weight, but delivers similar stiffness and deflection as the Hi-MOD versions.
SmartForm C1 Alloy swingarm: C1 uses every technique in Cannondale's arsenal to eliminate excess material and create optimized tube shapes. This includes hydroforming, swaging, mechanical shaping, forging, ultra refined taper butting and smooth, double-pass welds.
Asymmetic Integration Offset Drivetrain: This offsets the drivetrain by 6mm so that the rear-wheel's spoke angles and tension are symmetric. The Habit has clearance for 27.5+ wheels and the offset also assisted designers to achieve their desired chainstay length. In this case, 435mm chainstays across the board for all sizes.
29 or 27.5 Compatible: A “flip-chip” allows riders to convert the Habit from 29" wheels to 27.5+” wheels.
Directline Cable Routing: Internal cable routing that uses a carbon tube to direct the cable exactly where it should go.
Water bottle mounts: Find your bottle exactly where you would expect it - easy to reach, on the down tube.
Frame Options & Build Kits The Cannondale Habit is available in nine different build kit options, in both carbon and aluminum. They all have Maxxis tires, wide bars, powerful brakes with 180mm rotors, and dropper posts.
The top of the line Cannondale Habit 1 comes with a Kashima-coated Fox Float Factory 34 fork, a Fox Float Factory DPX2 EVOL rear shock, a Shimano XTR drivetrain, XTR brakes, a 780mm carbon handlebar, and a Fox Factory Transfer dropper. It sells for $7,900 USD.
The Cannondale Habit 2 that I rode had a Fox Float Performance Elite 34 fork and a Float Performance Elite DPX2 EVOL rear shock, a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, Guide RS brakes, 780mm carbon handlebars, and a Cannondale DownLow dropper post. It retails for $5,300.
The women’s models come in XS, Small and Medium, while the rest of the models come in Small through XL. The women's models have women’s saddles, shorter crank lengths, and smaller diameter grips.
Geometry The seat tube angle on the Habit is 74.5 degrees. It's partnered with a 66-degree head tube angle, which is 1.5 degrees slacker than the previous Habit. The reach on the size-medium we tested is 430mm, which is just 10mm longer than the previous generation that came out in 2015. The sizing ranges from a tiny, 366mm reach on the XS, to 490mm on the XL. The seat tubes are long at 440mm on the size medium.
SuspensionThe biggest change from the previous generation of the Habit is Cannondale’s new “Proportional Response” suspension system. When starting development of the new bike, the design team found that feedback on each bike varied based on the size of rider that was testing it. That discovery made them look more deeply into how a rider’s center of gravity influenced suspension performance.
The “Proportional Response” suspension system uses a four-bar, Horst Link suspension platform, configured around the average rider’s center of gravity for each frame size. The designers have adjusted the kinematics to react the same for each size so that every rider enjoys similar suspension performance. Most companies have one suspension design for all different frame sizes, so having a specific suspension kinematic for each size is unique.
| All other bikes use the same pivot locations across their size ranges because it’s easier to design. One-size-fits-all is not the optimal approach for suspension. A rider’s center of gravity has a big impact on how the suspension reacts to inputs like braking and pedaling. With Proportional Response, rather than simply changing the stack and reach dimensions of the frames, we’ve custom tailored the suspension pivot locations for each size bike and rider, so no one is left behind. They all get the perfect ride.—Luis Arraiz, Cannondale frame design engineer |
My first ride on the new Cannondale Habit was in Whistler on a variety of singletrack. When setting off, the big thing I noticed was the tall seat tube. I’m 5’7” with a 27" inseam, and I couldn’t use the 150mm dropper at full extension. There are plenty of medium-sized bikes out there with shorter seat tubes, so there’s no excuse for this.
Once I started climbing, I found myself leaning far over the bars to make sure my front wheel didn’t lift. I moved the saddle forward and didn’t have any issues after that. In fact, I really liked the way the Habit's suspension sucked up the small bumps while I was climbing. I had tons of traction and not much pedal bob. I felt like it was a really reliable climber and I could trust it not to go off line or spin out. I also liked that it came with a 30T chainring for the steep climbing around Whistler.
Sarah MooreLocation: Squamish, BC
Age: 28
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 160lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @smooresmoore When the trail turned downward, I was confident on the 130mm Habit. There was amazing small bump compliance. The bike felt super plush going over small and medium roots and rocks. The one thing I noticed was that, under braking, I found that the front end would dive initially and so I found myself riding farther back on the bike to compensate.
Overall, the Cannondale Habit 2 had a great component selection, especially when it came to the tire selection. I think the seat tube height could be lower, and the seat tube angle could be a touch steeper to put more weight on the front tire, but I'd feel comfortable taking this bike out on a long pedally day and even doing a marathon event like BC Bike Race on it. The Habit 2 might not be the lightest, fastest bike out there, but it's a reliable climber, has a good aggressive spec, and is able to take anything most trail centers would throw at it.
Seems like a good plan. Make a bike people wanna ride and get your hands in the current “coolest scene” in Mtb’s as much as you can.
- fixed
jokes apart, solid looking bike, must be fun as hell to ride. love the dual color rocker link / yoke in green / black..
People do not realize Cannondale is run by a marketing department and has the same level of investment in the industry as Walmart.
Dont believe me? just look at who owns Cannondale. you might find yourself asking who is "Dorel industries?"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannondale_Bicycle_Corporation
I like how everyone’s hyped on this bike now that they think ratboys going to be on it though.
That aside, there's a strong contingent of Yeti lovers out there, the only reason Rude races enduro is because they don't make DH bikes anymore.
Not to mention all the Santa Cruz lovers... And they are sellouts too.
It's just business. If I gave a shoot about history, I'd never have bought half the bikes I currently own....
Secondly, I was never talking down to anyone, I was agreeing with another comment on the post. (You basically just hijacked the convo and inserted yourself.)
And finally, YOU HAVE ZERO humility and have done nothing but namecalling since we started tagging each other in responses. Just re-read what you have typed. You have called me and everyone else who disagrees with you and idiot in some fashion or another. You are as embarrassing as you are shameless.
I’ve got a judge frame in my garage still. My arse is covered when I slink back to Cannondale on the quiet.
@thenotourismic: it is hard to determine the numbers how many Bronsons Ratboy sold but considering that at least in Europe most of them ( as well as Yetis and Intenses) are bought by people in German and Swedish SUVs I cannot imagine Ratboy speaking to them in any way. The whole concept of 50to01 riding shiny carbon Santa Cruzes seems alien to me. It’s like Chris Froome racing at Malverns, it just doesn’t work.
Cannondale where a big successful company before they where bought but, they made all types of bikes. DH DJ trail XC. I had a Chase that was awesome, I really put that bike through some shit an it held up for a good few years.
When they where bought out, they dropped DJ an DH/FR an dorell used the Dale name as s brand to focus mainly on XC then later Enduro when they could make a buck. Its mass marketing, its the dictionary definition of selling out.
You asked, I offered an opinion, an no. I don't use amazon.
kinda.. MTB has a finer balance point so less movement once its found, as apposed to with BMX you can really play with the balance point but its gonna flip out quicker
hope that makes sense
www.instagram.com/p/BXgRLjsgrqW/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1fbzx58tmgkdb
Like I said, it's mass marketing of named brands. Aiming products at target demographics etc etc....
Loved it Especially as at RRP of £1200 I picked it up for £700 same year model but end of season sale........
This was back when Dales where US made. All the £ was in the frame.
As for the Geo.. how many other DJ'ers came in 4 frame sizes? I'd put the frame quality up there with something like a Santa Cruz Jackal
Though.. If I was going into the woods for more MTB style stuff I'd rather have the Chase....
Thing is... (as far as I know) NS are still NS, from their early DJ hard tail roots to thier modern DH,FR an Endurbro bikes. They've sucseeding in coming a LONG way as a company an all the time put out quality products at all price points. Octane One was NS's budget brand? If I'm correct? And they've done that, like I said as far as I know . Without selling out..
I guess that's the best way I can say as to why I'd rather put my £$£$ into a company like NS. Than Cannondale
Cheers. Happy hucking
This bike, GT Sensor, Norco Fluid FS 29er, Stumpjumper ST etc...
The weight was given for the Habit 2 which costs $5.3k. The $8k bike will be significantly lighter on swingarm, wheels, groupset and dropper before even diving into smaller components.
Anybody who regularly needs a 34x10 top gear knows exactly who they are and what gearing they need
Meanwhile I do love my 30T ring with 50T cog while making that 3rd ascent of the day up the 18% section of forest road.
27 inch inseam? Sounds like the frame is too big and the suspension setup is incorrect. Not blaming her, we all know new bike/ suspension setup is not always easy or quick to find what works.
Instead of leaving it up to just anyone they should have a factory tech on hand to assist in optimal bike setup for the reviewer so the reader doesn't leave the review with more questions than answers.
Even the tester discovered that the chainstay length is important: "Once I started climbing, I found it was a bit hard to keep weight on the front wheel. I found myself leaning far over the bars to make sure my front wheel didn’t lift."
Guess what would help that? Slightly longer chainstays! And that's on a Medium. The L and XL are going to be a huge pain to climb steep stuff on!
“The one thing I noticed was that, under braking, I found that the front end would dive initially and so I found ....”
Rather than citing this as a negative, I'd suggest this bike simply didn't fit the tester well. At the other end of this statement, the continuing trend for lower seat tubes means that, for me at 1.97m tall (about 6'6ish), most XL and XXL bikes now have seat tubes that are too short, even with a 170-200mm dropper. Doesn't mean they're bad bikes though.
Medium reach is 430, very close to the 435 chainstay, so riders on M frames should feel well centered.
XL reach is 490, about 2 inches longer than the Medium reach and the chainstay, for automatic backseat riding relative to the Med.
Meanwhile, XS reach is only 366, about 2.5inches (!) shorter than the medium reach and the chainstays! Riders on the XS are going to feel like they're going OTB much easier than a rider on the Med.
Norco is one of the only companies doing actual size specific geometry (and geo is more than just head & seat angles and reach & stack), with different length chainstays to match the different reaches, and they're made in Canada, both of which are reasons they're high on my list of next rides.
For me, this does look like a fun bike that mear mortals could afford to ride and enjoy. Isn't that what it's all about at the end of the day anyway?
Is Mark Weir still with Cannondale? Would love to see him crush a field on this bike. I would als like to ride it.
Double pass oh yeah. Quality.
As for the bike over all. It's missing something.
Cannondale is notorious for doing things thiere way.This bike looks a tad too much like every other plastic bike in this catagory.
Are you serious???
After rebuilding the one on my bike I realized what a bodged system it is, plastic press in cups, thin bearings, plastic shims between the bearings and axle, preload adjuster and sometimes washers and wavy springs to remove slack. It's a shame they put all the great work in designing a frame with great geometry and suspension linkage then they put this bodged bodged system on it.
Heck, my 2014 Enduro 29"(carbon) weighed 28lbs without pedals , and it had 160mm Pike forks and 155mm travel.
Why does this short-travel, carbon-framed, what...$6k(?) bike weigh so much [for what it is]?
"No one under 45 and outside of the XC market cares or respects our brand"
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"Let's get some of the 50:01 crew on board!"
...
"Brilliant... but what about the Lefty and our weirdo propietary pull-shocks etc? They are panned at best"
...
"F it... just do horst link, make it look like the YT Jeffsy"
I don’t think you should buy this bike.
Except the two models without droppers
so if you have long legs, your ass is going to end up very rearwards very quickly.
So as I said, if you have long legs, you ass is going to end up very rearwards very quickly.
The fact that most "First look" articles mention the front wheel being light on climbs confirms this.
the reason the seat tube has an angle of 66.3 is becasue thats the angle of the seat post, however if you measure it from the center of the BB like you would measure your saddle height and saddle set back from, it measures as an EFFECTIVE SEAT TUBE ANGLE of 74.5.
if you look at pretty much any full sus mtb the seat tube is offset forward of the bb to allow for a shorter rear end.
i think this should answer any doubt you have on the issue of seat tube angles. if not perhaps this might help www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zx9qh39/revision/1
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Mic drop.....
However, the EFFECTIVE seat angle is taken with the seat at a specific height.
This vaires with manufaturer, so can be anywhere from the top of the head tube (ie level with stack) to the stem.
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Lets say it's taken from the top of the head tube as they have listed the stack height and we can run some numbers...
Size L has a stack of 625mm. and an assumed EFFECTIVE seat tube angle of 74.5 at this point.
Rider A has longer legs than 625mm, and runs his saddle approximately level with his bars. He runs 25mm rise bars and a 50mm stem with 10mm of spacers underneath. A Renthal Apex has a 40mm stack height, with 6 degrees of rise... Coupled with the 66deg head angle gives 61.7mm height ( www.pinkbike.com/photo/16447007 )
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So 25 + 10 + 61.7 = 96.7mm.
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Since this is at the actual seat angle, you end up with 2 triangles. one with an angle of 74.5deg and one with 66 deg. Combine the 2 of these and you end up with a larger triangle with an angle of 73.3deg.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/16447025
This is a pretty moderate example and it only gets worse with longer legs, hence my earlier comments.
The fact a light front end under climbing is mentioned on more than 1 first ride article across Bike media confirms it's too slack.
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So simmer down and pucker up.
The Actual angle is the angle the tube in the frame really is. Because the tube is offset forward (ie not in line with the BB) it creates an effective seat angle which is steeper than the frame tube.
With a slack Actual angle, the more you raise the saddle, the slacker the effective angle becomes.
This is because as the seat tube extends above the height where effective angle is measured from, it does so at 66 degrees because that's the angle the tube is.
So the longer your legs, the higher you need your saddle, the slacker the effective seat angle.
Now a Dorel shell that makes decent riding bikes but screws over customers and routinely refuses to honor their lifetime warranty. Simply by calling clear manufacturing defects and poor frame alignment "crash" related despite the bike being free of any crash related damages. But they will offer you crash replacement on your brand new bike that was poorly made... a new full bike at an amazing 20% off of MSRP (read basic retail)
I have owned 8+ Cannondale bikes 2002-2013 but I am done with them. I will never own any dorel bike again and cannot recommend them to anyone who is not a sponsored pro who will get unlimited free replacements.
#grabpopcorn
Marketing power.
geometrygeeks.bike/bike/cannondale-habit-2019
So, Cannondale is short changing tall women and short men (no L/XL for women, no XS for men)....
Chad
I think both of them are lightyears ahead of the Cannondale althoug the Habit is a solid Looking bike
Will never own any dorel bike again.
So yeah f cannondale an dorel