{"id":15364,"date":"2019-08-07T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/2019\/08\/07\/review-cannondale-habit-r7929\/"},"modified":"2024-02-13T12:29:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T10:29:30","slug":"review-cannondale-habit-r7929","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/review-cannondale-habit-r7929\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Cannondale Habit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unveiled in late 2018, the Cannondale Habit<\/a> is presented as a versatile mid-travel 29er trail bike. We spent a few weeks on the bike to get a feel for what the Habit is all about.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most obvious change, aside from the looks is that the latest Habit iteration drops Cannondale\u2019s signature Lefty in favour of a standard fork. While the frame might look a little more mainstream, Cannondale has packed in some interesting touches, most notably something they call \u201cProportional Response suspension design\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-64037400-1565161571.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Through this approach, the engineers have tailored the kinematics to ensure riders across the size curve experience a consistent suspension feel. Where many bikes will have a single suspension design across all sizes, the Habit has unique pivot points per size to optimise the response.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-59398800-1565161601.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Habit 2 frame that we tested features a BallisTec carbon front triangle with an alloy rear triangle. It provides 130mm of rear travel enabled by a Fox Float Performance Elite DPX2 EVOL shock (that\u2019s a mouthful!) while upfront is a trusty 130mm Fox Float Performance Elite 34. A flip chip allows the rider to switch between 29\u201d or 27.5+ wheels with clearance for up to 2.6\u201d and 3.0\u201d tyres on the respective wheel sizes (brand depending).<\/p>\n

Visually, the frame is a significant evolution on the departing Habit. The angular tubes and contemporary aesthetic are finished off with a unique, understated paint job and a touch of flair in the green anodised linkage. Cables are all routed internally via carbon tubing and yes, there is room for a water bottle mounted on the down tube.<\/p>\n

\"ccs-2-0-80254100-1565161929.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Specifications & local availability<\/h2>\n

Before we get stuck in let’s get some details out of the way when it comes to specifications and availability. Our demo bike was a close proxy for the stock Cannondale Habit 2, aside from the carbon wheel-set, tyres and rear derailleur, but is a higher spec build compared to what’s currently available in our market. The Cannondale Habit Carbon 3<\/a> is available in South Africa as a complete build with the same frame in a stealthy ‘Black Pearl’ colour-way, SRAM Eagle GX\/NX groupset, SRAM Guide R brakes, Stan’s Arch rims and a lower specification Fox Float Performance DPS EVOL shock. Weight wise, it sneaks in just under 14kg and you can expect to pay around R 60 000 for the Habit Carbon 3.<\/p>\n

Specifications – as tested<\/strong><\/p>\n