Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE editor
If you take a closer look, the facts show that the new Bad Habit is not a fully-fledged enduro bike, but rather an all-mountain or even trail bike. Only 160 millimetres of travel, a short rear end and mullet tyres - there are much more powerful bikes competing in the Enduro World Cup. However, professional racer Ella Conolly has proven that the concept also works on the race track with her successes. And who knows: maybe there really is more enduro in this bike than you think. A detailed practical test will clarify this - you can look forward to it!
Not a successor, but a completely new bike
The Bad Habit is not a further development of the current Habit or the Habit LT - it is a new platform in its own right. Cannondale has positioned it between the massive Jekyll, the thickest enduro bike in the portfolio, which is even approved for double bridge forks, and the classic Habit trail bike.
The bike was developed according to downhill and gravity standards - not trail standards. And because it is designed to withstand even the toughest enduro racing conditions, Cannondale offers a lifetime guarantee on the frame.
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160 mm front, 155 mm rear - in mullet setup
The key data: 160 millimetres of travel at the fork, 155 millimetres at the rear - combined with a mullet wheel setup: 29-inch front, 27.5-inch rear. Cannondale sees this as the optimum compromise between smoothness and agility for enduro use and has designed the bike exclusively for this setup. Conversion to a 29er rear wheel is not possible.
The frame is made entirely of carbon - newly developed from front to back, without Cannondale's own standards. The product managers have also specified a threaded BSA bottom bracket, a metric rear shock, a UDH derailleur hanger and a 55-millimetre chainline standard. No more Ai offset because the industry has now followed suit with the 55 mm standard.
Proportional response: Size-specific kinematics and geometry
The core competence of the Bad Habit is proportional response technology: kinematics and geometry are customised depending on the frame size. The aim is to achieve a uniform riding experience - regardless of the rider's height. Anyone sitting on an SM should experience the same characteristics as someone on an XL bike. This is Cannondale's approach.
The geometry is clearly designed for enduro use: 64 degree head angle, an effective seat angle of 77.7 to 77.8 degrees (depending on size) and a reach of 430 millimetres (SM) to 515 millimetres (XL). The wheelbase increases from 1,195 to 1,295 millimetres - enough width for different rider builds. The chainstays are very short by enduro standards and measure 430 or 425 millimetres depending on the frame size
Coil-compatible ex works and for the first time with storage compartment
The Bad Habit is compatible with both air and steel spring shocks ex works. Cannondale even provides information on the correct spring rate in the user manual. What's more, the Bad Habit is the first mountain bike from Cannondale with a storage compartment in the down tube - until now, this feature was reserved for road and gravel bikes. Both complete bikes and the frameset come with two bags of different sizes specially designed for the storage compartment. There are also attachment points on the underside of the top tube for mounting tools or a pump.
Optional angled headset
The Bad Habit comes with a standard Acros headset as standard. If you want to fine-tune the geometry, you can switch to an Acros Angle-Adjust headset with plus/minus 0.5 degrees - available as an aftermarket retrofit kit. This enables a targeted change to the steering and seat angle.
The models and equipment at a glance
Bad Habit 1 - 7,999 euros
The top model relies on a complete high-end setup: RockShox's brand-new Lyrik Ultimate (160 mm) at the front, RockShox Vivid Ultimate at the rear - each with the matching custom bad-habit tune. The drivetrain comes from SRAM: 12-speed XO Eagle AXS T-Type, operated wirelessly via the AXS pod controller. The brakes are TRP EVO Pro four-piston brakes and 220/200 mm discs. The wheels are from DT Swiss (350 hubs, Reserve 30 HD rims in aluminium) with Sapim D-Light spokes. Cannondale relies on Continental Kryptotal tyres in the Enduro Soft compound: 29x2.4 inch front, 27.5x2.4 inch rear. Dropper post: OneUp V3 with 180 mm travel (S) or 240 mm (M-XL). Weight: 15.6 kilograms.
Bad Habit 2 - 4,999 euros
The entry-level model has the same carbon frame platform, but saves on the fork and shock: RockShox Lyrik Select+ (160 mm) at the front, RockShox Vivid Select+ at the rear - also with custom tune. The drivetrain comes from SRAM: Eagle 90 T-Type. Braking is provided by the SRAM Maven Base. Dropper post: Cannondale DownLow Dropper with 170 mm (S) or 210 mm (M-XL). Weight: 16.0 kilogrammes.
Bad Habit frameset - 3,499 euros
The frameset includes the frame, a RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock and the Acros headset. According to the manufacturer, the carbon frame weighs around 3,370 grams without the shock and is available in sizes SM to XL.
Max Fuchs
Editor
