First Ride | Cannondale Habit Trailbike | ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

It has been a long wait but worth every second; last week the crew from Cannondale presented the Habit, their brand new trail bike, and invited us to Freiburg for a test ride. This was an opportunity we weren’t going to let pass us by, so we grabbed the chance to get our own first ride impression of this bike.

Let’s be honest for a moment: we think it’s just as cool to either thrash through our home woods on the ultimate race-orientated XC bike (where weight is everything) or on a chunky enduro rocket (where travel is key). But is there not something that each bike lacks? What about uniting the best characteristics? We’re more than sure that the XC crowd would perhaps benefit from trying a bike with more travel and stability, and the enduro crew could try less travel and more agility. But up until now, this almost lovechild of XC and enduro hasn’t existed.

With the Habit, Cannondale are hoping to conquer the rapidly growing market for short travel trail bikes. In any doubt? With 10 models in total, and an entry-level price of 1,799 €, the Habit is a decent option for price-conscious riders. We’ve gone to the other end of the scale though and tested the Habit Carbon 1, which retails at 6,999 €. With 120mm front and rear travel, the Habit has fun as its number one priority.

Das Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 im auffälligen „Berzerker Green“. — The Cannondale Habit Carbon 1 in the bright “Berzerker Green“.

Der neue Cannondale CZero-Laufradsatz mit Carbonfelgen soll 1.600 g bei 23 mm Felgeninnenbreite wiegen. — The new Cannondale CZero wheelset with carbon rims (23mm inner diameter) weigh in at 1,600 g.

Race technology

Compared to Cannondale’s popular race bike, the Scalpel, the top of the range 11.65kg Habit (size medium, minus pedals) is slightly heavier, but does score higher when it comes to technology. The Habit features the ECS TC (Enhanced Centre Stiffness – Torsion Control) pivot system, as well as the Zero Pivot seatstays and a carbon rocker link.

The geometry

The Habit has been designed to excel at the occasional marathon as well as long all-day rides on mellow terrain – fun is the motto. And as a result, the bike comes with a compact 429mm rear, a 427mm reach and an agile 68° head angle.

Der Antrieb besteht aus einer SRAM 11-fach-Schaltung und einer leichten Cannondale Hollowgram SL-Kurbel, an der ein selbst entwickeltes Kettenblatt mit von SRAM lizensierter X-Sync-Technologie montiert ist. — The drivetrain comprises of 11-speed SRAM gearing, lightweight Cannondale HollowGram SL cranks, and their own chainring design that features SRAM-licensed X-Sync technology.

Die Hinterradbremse ist schön integriert im hinteren Rahmendreieck untergebracht. — The rear brakes are tidily integrated into the rear triangle.

The spec

Would Cannondale ever put anything but a Lefty for the front suspension? Naturally, given that this is the top of the range model, this one is made of carbon. The rear is serviced by a RockShox Monarch DebonAir XX, which can be locked out alongside the fork by the PopLock lever. Gearing comes courtesy of a mix of SRAM XX1 and X01 components, and the cranks of Cannondale HollowGram SL. Another highlight comes in the form of the Cannondale CZero Carbon wheels, which weigh 1,600 g and have an inner diameter of 23mm.

Mithilfe des PopLoc-Hebels von RockShox lassen sich Gabel und Dämpfer auf einmal blockieren. — The PopLoc levers from RockShox permit you to lock-out both the fork and rear shock at once.

Im Hinterbau kommt kein Gelenk zum Einsatz. Der Flex der Druckstrebe kompensiert das fehlende Gelenk. Beeindruckend: Selbst die Modelle mit Aluminium-Hinterbau kommen ohne Gelenk in den Sitzstreben aus. — There’s no joint at the rear where the seat and the chainstay meet, but they flex to compensate. Impressive: even the models with an aluminium rear come minus the joint in the seatstay.

The first impression

The well-balanced riding position is what you notice first on the Habit. With a reach of 427mm (size medium), you’re central on the bike without being overly stretched. As a bonus, you’ve also got the space to play with the bike. And thanks to the design that keeps the chainstay short, the bike is effortless to manual – something to impress the kids with!

Uphill

The 73° seat angle place you slightly behind the bottom bracket, so pedaling is satisfyingly efficient. Climbing is eased thanks to both the PopLoc lever allowing you to simultaneously lock-out the fork and rear shock, and the SRAM XX1 shifting system that never fails to provide precise and rapid gear changes.

Das Habit lässt sich äußerst zügig bergauf bewegen, bei steilen Rampen fehlt jedoch etwas Druck auf dem Vorderrad. — The Habit is a treat to ride uphill but as your weight is further backwards, the front wheel is prone to wheelie on steep climbs.

It’s wise to deactivate the lock-out when on rocky ground – perhaps less efficient, but you’ll notice significantly more traction and comfort. In general, the bike is a nice handler, riding well on climbs and the flat, which renders it an ideal companion for long, hilly rides. However, the steeper those climbs, the more the front tyre misses the pressure on it, and the higher the likelihood of impromptu wheelieing.

Descents

The Habit is in its elements riding swooping downhills, and the suspension willingly absorbs small to medium-sized bumps, effortlessly tempting you to play with the trails and dare to jump. The compact chainstay allows direct and rapid exits from tight corners and berms.

Das Habit ermuntert dazu, den Trail als Spielplatz zu nutzen. — The Habit urges you to use the trail as your playground.

The bike is at home on technical terrain too, as its 1,134mm wheelbase lends it agility and maneouvabilty. Fast and bumpy sections do reveal the side effects of such agility though – as it is noticeably twitchy, and the rider is the direct recipient on big hits. Active and aggressive riders who crave defined suspension will love this though, but others, expecting comfort and constant reserve in the suspension on bumpy ground, might be less enthusiastic.

Both the forks and the rear shock keep high in their travel, which is a great characteristic. And while the fork’s travel is fully used at times, the spring line at the rear is exceptionally progressive which makes jumps easier and prevents bottoming out.

Kurven sind durch den kurzen Hinterbau des Habits ein Kinderspiel und Spaßgarant. — Fun guaranteed: The Habit’s short rear end makes corners little more than child’s play.

Conclusion

The Habit marks Cannondale’s mentality to find something new, creating the best of both world and finding the middle-line between an XC rocket and an enduro speedster. For post-work rides, all-day routes or days in the mountains, the Habit is a strong contender. Not only an efficient climber and flat terrain friend, the Habit has a playful side that emerges on swooping, flowing descents and technical sections. Its limits can be reached at really high speeds and on super bumpy ground, but these don’t fall under the remit of where it’s advised to be ridden anyway.

Text: Martin Stöckl Bilder: David Schultheiß

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First Ride | Cannondale Habit Trailbike