Product info
0 Singletracks members own this.
On paper, I shouldn't like this bike as much as I do. It's 13 years old, the suspension travel is mismatched with only 80mm up front and 120mm in the rear, no rear lock-out, and only 26 inch wheels. Add to that the fact that I only bought the frame and fork together, which included original XTR derailleurs, then slapped the rest together with garbage I had lying around: 1st gen Avid mechanical discs, super fat Ritchey downhill bar (because I love the feel of this bar - but it's heavy), single speed Race Face crank, 9 speed cassette, cheapo platform pedals, and an old torn Serfas seat. Total purchase build was $350. And yet it has been 100% reliable and 100% fun! I was an LBS mechanic in a shop that carried Cannondale, Gary Fisher, and Jamis at the time GF started rolling out the 29ers. From then until I bought this Jekyll frame I had been on 29ers, both geared and SS. True, they are fast. But 26ers are just more fun to me. This Jekyll, with the Fatty Ultra Headshok tracks so fast and true that technical trails are way more fun than on a 29er. I actually don't even own a 29er anymore because of this Cannondale. My last 26 bike before going 29 was a GF Sugar which was also a sweet ride, but even it didn't handle the way this old Jekyll does. If you're looking for a good, do-everything FS mountain bike and you ride for the fun of it more than for the race times or exercise, I can't recommend these 1st gen Jekylls enough. It's easy to find them cheap now that the new Jekylls are out, ride the original components until they wear out, then upgrade your replacements.
Loading reviews...View more