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Cannondale HabitAll mountain or still a trail bike?

Ludwig Döhl

 · 08.10.2018

Cannondale Habit: All mountain or still a trail bike?Photo: Hersteller
Cannondale Habit: All mountain or still a trail bike?
The Cannondale Habit gets an update: downhill-heavy geometry, grippy tyres and 29-inch wheels allow the former trail bike to poach in the all-mountain segment.

In the last two years, Cannondale has revised all its mountain bike models. FS-I, Scalpel, Trigger and Jekyll have been given a new frame. Even the in-house Lefty fork was relaunched at the beginning of 2018. Despite the flood of new products, the Americans have not sent their engineers on holiday. Because even if the Cannondale Habit only since 2016 in the bike shops, it has gathered a bit of dust compared to the other bikes. So: curtain up for the new Cannondale Habit.

Shifted range of use for the new Cannondale Habit

The technical facts first: The new Habit has 130 millimetres of travel at the front and rear, comes exclusively with 29er wheels and dispenses with the in-house Lefty fork. The new Cannondale Lefty Ocho is now only used in the cross-country sector.

Comparing the figures with the predecessor model (120 millimetres of travel and 27.5-inch wheels), it quickly becomes clear that the new Habit wants to be more than just a typical touring bike. With chunky 2.5 mm front tyres, telescopic seatpost and downhill-heavy geometry, this bike is already poaching in the all-mountain category.

The Cannondale Trigger has competition from its own ranks with its 27.5-inch wheels. However, the Habit does without the elaborate Gemini damper systemwhich works in the Trigger and Jekyll and allows the rider to adjust the suspension travel and geometry at the touch of a button. According to Cannondale, the new Habit has focussed on offering an attractively priced bike with well thought-out details.

The detailed solutions of the new Cannondale Habit

The frame of the new trail bike will be available in three different versions. The top model comes with a full carbon frame, the mid-range models only have a carbon main frame, the rear triangle is made of aluminium. The entry-level models are even made entirely of aluminium. Photo: Hersteller The frame of the new trail bike will be available in three different versions. The top model comes with a full carbon frame, the mid-range models only have a carbon main frame, the rear triangle is made of aluminium. The entry-level models are even made entirely of aluminium.
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The new Habit also uses Cannondale's typical Ai rear triangle. The rear hub is positioned off-centre to equalise the inclination of the spokes on both sides of the wheel. This ensures a more even spoke tension and therefore a more stable wheel.Photo: Hersteller The new Habit also uses Cannondale's typical Ai rear triangle. The rear hub is positioned off-centre to equalise the inclination of the spokes on both sides of the wheel. This ensures a more even spoke tension and therefore a more stable wheel. The new Habit frame even has an ISCG mount for chain guides. There is no longer a mounting option for front derailleurs. All bikes come with a single drivetrain.Photo: Hersteller The new Habit frame even has an ISCG mount for chain guides. There is no longer a mounting option for front derailleurs. All bikes come with a single drivetrain. The developers have placed particular emphasis on the internal cable routing. Small, completely continuous guide tubes are therefore incorporated into the frame. The cables can simply be routed through. Although this puts some pressure on the scales, annoying fumbling and fishing for cables in the frame should be a thing of the past.Photo: Hersteller The developers have placed particular emphasis on the internal cable routing. Small, completely continuous guide tubes are therefore incorporated into the frame. The cables can simply be routed through. Although this puts some pressure on the scales, annoying fumbling and fishing for cables in the frame should be a thing of the past. The geometry of the Cannondale Habit can be changed using a flipchip on the seat stay/rocker link (left in the picture). The adjustment of the bottom bracket height and the steering angle makes the geometry of the Habit compatible with both 29-inch and 27.5 Plus tyres.Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the Cannondale Habit can be changed using a flipchip on the seat stay/rocker link (left in the picture). The adjustment of the bottom bracket height and the steering angle makes the geometry of the Habit compatible with both 29-inch and 27.5 Plus tyres. Cannondale does not experiment with the geometry. All dimensions are within the range of what is currently common on the market. The 66-degree steering angle is not excessively slack. An effective seat angle of 74.5 degrees allows an active pedalling position. * Specifications are identical to the previous columnPhoto: Hersteller Cannondale does not experiment with the geometry. All dimensions are within the range of what is currently common on the market. The 66-degree steering angle is not excessively slack. An effective seat angle of 74.5 degrees allows an active pedalling position. * Specifications are identical to the previous column

How does the Habit perform on the first tour?

Uphill, you notice the bike's downhill-heavy spec. The rider's position on the new Habit is comfortable. At 13.8 kilos, the bike is by no means a lightweight. On the other hand, the rear suspension remains stable when pedalling. The shock platform is superfluous.

We have already tested the Cannondale Habit Carbon 2 on the trails around Freiburg. In frame size L, the bike with carbon main frame weighed 13.8 kilos (including pedals). This equipment variant costs 4999 euros.Photo: Hersteller We have already tested the Cannondale Habit Carbon 2 on the trails around Freiburg. In frame size L, the bike with carbon main frame weighed 13.8 kilos (including pedals). This equipment variant costs 4999 euros.

Downhill, the bike is bursting with confidence. The tyres are grippy, the handling is balanced and line choice is intuitive on the first ride. The first detailed test in BIKE will show how many points the new Cannondale Habit can score.

The bike works very well downhill.Photo: Hersteller The bike works very well downhill. The handling is intuitive. The 2.5 mm front tyre ensures a high level of safety.Photo: Hersteller The handling is intuitive. The 2.5 mm front tyre ensures a high level of safety.

Cannondale launches 5 different models of the new Habit

The Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 will be the top model in the new range. For 6999 euros, the customer gets a complete Shimano XTR equipment and the top suspension from Fox.Photo: Hersteller The Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 will be the top model in the new range. For 6999 euros, the customer gets a complete Shimano XTR equipment and the top suspension from Fox. The Habit Carbon 2 has an aluminium rear triangle and is functionally equipped with a mixed 1x12 gear system from Sram. The price: 4999 euros. We have already ridden this model.Photo: Hersteller The Habit Carbon 2 has an aluminium rear triangle and is functionally equipped with a mixed 1x12 gear system from Sram. The price: 4999 euros. We have already ridden this model. The Habit 3 also has a carbon main frame, but an aluminium rear triangle. The 12-speed gear system is almost identical to the Habit 2, but you have to make do with cheaper suspension from Fox. On the other hand, the bike is significantly cheaper. It changes hands for 3799 euros.Photo: Hersteller The Habit 3 also has a carbon main frame, but an aluminium rear triangle. The 12-speed gear system is almost identical to the Habit 2, but you have to make do with cheaper suspension from Fox. On the other hand, the bike is significantly cheaper. It changes hands for 3799 euros. The Cannondale Habit Al 4 costs just 2799 euros. With its telescopic seat post and grippy tyres, this model is already fully capable off-road.Photo: Hersteller The Cannondale Habit Al 4 costs just 2799 euros. With its telescopic seat post and grippy tyres, this model is already fully capable off-road. The entry-level Habit model costs just 2299 euros, but has no dropper post and only a cheaper 1x11 drivetrain. The frame is made entirely of aluminium.Photo: Hersteller The entry-level Habit model costs just 2299 euros, but has no dropper post and only a cheaper 1x11 drivetrain. The frame is made entirely of aluminium.
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