Cannondale Trail
Summary of Reviews
We have read all expert and user reviews on the Cannondale Trail. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
15 reasons to buy
- The lightweight aluminum frame was said to offer outstanding ride-quality.
- Reliable components were a balance of durability, quality and affordability.
- Ride quality was said to be solid on cross-country style trails.
- WTB Ranger tires compromised well between rolling resistance and strength.
- Climbing was aided by upright geometry, a light frame and a remote lockout.
- A remote shock lockout made things easier on asphalt roads and climbs.
- The Trail 6’s 2x9 drivetrain sufficed on all gradients.
- The Trail 4’s simple 1x11 setup offered good range for the urban rider.
- Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes were great value and halted effectively.
- The raw metal look on the Trail 6 was described as ‘nice and subdued’.
- Shimano Altus and Acera worked well for the Trail 6, on climbs and descents.
- Rack mounts equip the Trail for short-distance commuting.
- Many owners considered that the Trail range represented great value.
- The Cannondale brand saddle was said to be comfortable, ‘once broken in’.
- A threaded bottom bracket was a boon, helping to guard against dust.
9 reasons not to buy
- Some entry-level components seemed out-of-their-league on hectic trails.
- The SR Suntour shock bottomed out on moderate trails.
- There was no dropper-post on the Trail 6, to adapt to changing terrain.
- A tester said the Trail 6 rode too upright to cope with serious descents.
- The Trail 6’s wheels seemed heavy and warranted upgrading.
- No clutch rear derailleur meant noisy and frequent chainslap.
- On the Trail 6, quick-release thru-axles were outdated.
- Standover on the Trail 7 was said to be too tall, on correctly-sized frames.
- The seatpost on the Trail 7 was too long and needed to be cut down.
Bottom line
The Cannondale Trail is a modestly priced mountain bike with reliable mid-range components. One of the considerations that Cannondale has made on the Trail, is to fit 29” wheels on larger sizes and 27.5” inch wheels on sizes extra-small and small. This made for a better frame fit. Owners really appreciated the remote shock lockout, which reduced bob and made the Trail easier to ride on roads, commutes and climbs. This feature, coupled with the bike’s light alloy frame and an upright stance, meant that the Trail was lauded for its climbing ability. One expert said the Trail 6 was overwhelmed on serious trails. Higher-end models were seen as a good step between a starter ride and something more advanced and expensive.BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. Prices constantly change and it’s impossible to compare them all yourself.
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Facts
Expert Reviews
74/100 based on 3 rated expert reviewsCannondale Trail 5 Review
Cannondale Trail (2019) Review
Cannondale Trail 1 Test: The Game Begins [Spanish]
2019 Cannondale Trail 5 Review
Cannondale Trail Review Part 2
Cannondale Trail 6 – 2019 Review [Portuguese]
Review of Cannondale Trail 7 2019 [Romanian]
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