To say it turned into a featherweight carbon climbing machine would be false, but it happily chugged up climbing trails and fire roads. Despite its hefty weight, the Habit 4 is a very good technical climber. In theory the Ai offset’s dish provides a better drive-side spoke bracing angle than boost’s standard dish—a good thing. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. The matte “murdered out” paint job might be a signal by Cannondale that the Synapse Hi-Mod Black Inc. endurance bike means business. It doesn’t shy away from being tossed sideways on loose natural trails and it’s equally fun carving berms and popping off lips. The Habit uses Cannondale's Ai offset rear end. Despite the shorter reach, the 435mm stays, 66 degree head angle, and 51mm offset fork create a wheelbase that's on the longer side considering the short (by modern standards) reach. Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but at the time of publishing the Cannondale Habit 4 is only available nationwide at REI Co-op (for in-store pick up). Both bikes have similar amounts of travel (130mm for the Habit and 135mm for the Hightower), their geometry is quite comparable, and both roll on 29-inch wheels. However, some riders wished for more mid-stroke support, and found it bottomed too easily. It feels supple and deep, and offers great climbing and braking traction. It is light, smooth and easy to ride, with an exciting race-bred edge. Review: Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Black Inc. Maxxis tires offer great grip and reliability. There’s no Lefty and not a whiff of proprietary technology. Cannondale’s interpretation is one of best-working examples of this design. However, Cannondale also offers a more budget-friendly option in the form of the Habit 6 ($2,100), which includes a downgraded 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain. SRAM Eagle NX Drivetrain Many bikes uses size-specific frame design. So where do they differ? If you’re familiar with Cannondale's popular Jeykll, then you're aware of the rat's nest of cables stemming from the cockpit. Cannondale’s white paper on the merits of Proportional Response details the brand’s experimentation and performance monitoring during the development of the Habit’s four-bar linkage. I originally had my doubts with the budget offering, but I’m happy to report that it has performed admirably and I’ve had no issues to date. We glad to introduce you a Cannondale Habit 6 2020 model year. In order to reach the overall score we use a combination of expert product reviews, customer feedback and a range of other criteria, including brand reputation and 3rd party review scores. Yes and no. The frame levels are offered. In breaking from tradition, the color and graphics package is pared down, and you’ll no longer be able to count up to 30 Cannondale logos on the frame, which I don’t think anyone will miss. Cannondale Habit Carbon Alloy 3 2017 Mountain Bike | Black scored 9.3 in our review which makes it one of the top products available in the Cycling category. The old Habit was considered by most to be an aggressive XC bike with its 27.5 wheels, 68-degree head tube angle, and 120mm of travel. It’s still quite good, but something in the 30mm range would allow you to increase grip by running the tires at a lower pressure. It's very sensitive off the top, and eases through its travel with a gentle progression. Arguably, it’s one of Cannondale’s best-ever full-suspension designs. The riding position is centered and the feel is stability forward, though it has a nice bit of pop. To be frank, Cannondale’s new Habit 4 was a tricky bike to nail down, and one that continued to confuse me deep into the testing process. With that said, if Cannondale continued the above trend throughout the rest of the bike, then I would have probably described the geometry as fairly progressive. For this review, I rode the 2019 Cannondale Habit 4, which comes with an aluminum frame, SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, Fox Float Rhythm 34 fork, and SRAM Guide T brakes. It is fitted with 27.5-inch wheels wrapped in 2.6-inch tires; this size cannot fit plus tires or 29-inch wheels. Modern geometry and good parts help too. But the Stumpjumper ST is the superior climber (a very positive trait among short-travel bikes) and has a more lively feel in general. It makes complete sense to optimise different frame s… This one switches from Di2 to mechanical XTR 1×11 with Magura brakes. Cannondale served us a 400 m climb for breakfast. 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