How to Choose Mountain Bikes

A trail bike that's primed for grinding climbs, mashing flats and ripping descents, the Cannondale Habit 4 mountain bike is sure to bring more fun to your rides.
Imported.
Best Use | Mountain Biking |
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Frame | Habit SmartForm C1 alloy, 130 mm travel, 55 mm chainline, ISCG05, tapered head tube, DirectLine internal cable routing, UDH hanger |
Mountain Bike Style | Trail |
Bike Suspension | Full Suspension |
Fork | RockShox Recon RL, 140 mm, Solo Air, 15 x 110 mm thru axle, tapered steerer, 42 mm offset |
Fork Travel | 140 millimeters |
Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select, DebonAir, adjustable rebound |
Crankset | Shimano, FC-5121, 30T, 55 mm chainline |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano BSA threaded 73 |
Shifters | Shimano Deore M6100, 12-speed |
Front Derailleur | N/A |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100 |
Rear Cogs | Shimano Deore M6100, 11-51T, 12-speed |
Number of Gears | 12 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
Brakes | Shimano MT200 post-mounted hydraulic disc, 180/180 mm RT30 rotors |
Brake Levers | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc |
Rims | WTB STX i25 TCS, 32 h |
Front Hub | Shimano MT400, 15 x 110 mm thru-axle |
Rear Hub | Shimano MT410, 12 x 148 mm thru-axle |
Wheel Size | XS: 27.5 inches S: 29 inches M: 29 inches L: 29 inches XL: 29 inches |
Tires | Maxxis Rekon, EXO |
Tire Width | 2.4 inches |
Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
Handlebar | Cannondale 3 Riser, 6061 alloy, 15 mm rise, 8 deg. sweep, 4 deg. rise, 780 mm width |
Stem | Cannondale 3, 6061 alloy, 31.8 mm, 0 deg. |
Seat Post | TranzX dropper, internal routing, 31.6, 130 mm (XS-S), 150 mm (M-XL) |
Dropper Post | Yes |
Saddle | Cannondale Ergo XC |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | Integrated sealed bearing, tapered |
Chain | KMC X12, 12-speed |
Weight | Unavailable |
Gender | Unisex |
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
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Height Range | 5'0" - 5'2" | 5'1" - 5'5" | 5'4" - 5'9" | 5'8" - 6'0" | 5'11" - 6'5" |
Reach | 40.5 | 43 | 45.5 | 48 | 51.5 |
Stack | 57.5 | 62.3 | 63.2 | 64.1 | 65 |
Effective Top Tube | 52.7 | 56.3 | 59 | 61.7 | 65.4 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 36 | 38 | 40 | 44.5 | 50 |
Standover Height | 70.5 | 73.7 | 73.8 | 75.1 | 76.1 |
Head Tube Length | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 | 65.5 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 71.5 | 71 | 71 | 72.3 | 72.5 |
Bottom Bracket Height | 34.2 | 34.1 | 34.1 | 34.1 | 34.1 |
Wheelbase | 112.9 | 117 | 120 | 123.6 | 127.5 |
Chainstay | 43.4 | 43.5 | 43.5 | 44.5 | 44.5 |
Fork Offset | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Measurements are stated in centimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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This bike stock has everything you need to get straight to the trails. The suspension feels like a Cadillac and you’re able to adjust if you want more rebound or compression. The geometry is what you'd find on much more expensive bikes. Brakes work great. This is a bike you can grow into and know that if you want to upgrade components, the frame is best in the business.
I bought my first MTB in ‘87, a Cannondale, still have it and it’s still going strong. Upgraded to the Habit 4 as I’m 67 now and decided it was time for some suspension. I absolutely love this bicycle. It rides like a Cadillac. I ride forest roads in the East TN mountains that consist of gravel, large rocks, washboards, long, moderate climbs done at Level 2 cardio with shorter steeper climbs intermixed for HIIT. With my old bike without suspension I got beat up pretty good running hard back down the mountain. With the Habit 4 it glides over the terrain like a sled on snow. Previously the downhill was dreaded, now it’s relished. The hydraulic brakes are excellent, the suspension heavenly and the ability to drop and raise the seat post with the lever on the handlebar is a function I get a lot of use out off. I’m 5’11-175# and got the XL frame and the ergonomics are just right. REI set up for my weight and it’s perfect. Shout out to the REI tech at the Knoxville REI for the set up and patiently answering all of my questions about the bike upon pickup. From ordering to pickup went without a hitch. I’ve been a member of REI since 1977 and have been using their stuff for everything, including Himalayan MTN expeditions to now a new Canndondale MTB and have not been disappointed in their customer service or equipment. As you can discern from my review I am no technical expert about mountain bikes or anything else. I just want gear that functions properly for my purpose and stands the test of time at a good value for my Buck. For me, Cannondale has hit it out of the park with the Habit 4. The gears shift as they should, the suspension works as it should, and to me it is a work of art. The only negative so far is that the sprocket guard became unattached several times on rough terrain. After the 3rd time I just cut it off. I am hopeful I will get as good of service out of this MTB as I did my first one I purchased in ‘87. If that’s the case it will be the last MTB I’ll ever need to buy. Ride hard, have fun.
It's well rounded bike for the price. For the price you get decent components and the geometry is comfortable. I've taken the bike to a local park bike trail, about 4 miles, and it felt good. I'm 45 years old and have been mountain biking for years. I haven't since covid but decided to get back into it. I looked at several bikes and ended up buying this one. It felt better than the others at this price point. 5 star bike, but I would just change one thing. And that's the wheel set. If you want to be faster and have less resistance look at upgrading. The tires are good so keep those. Other than that I'm stoked for this bike.
First, 5 stars for the REI bike shop. Definitely have them set up your bike per your height/weight. . Second, this is not a 29 versus 27.5 review. Bottom line: if new to mountain biking go straight to the 29. If you have a 27.5, don't upgrade -- gains are marginal. 29 is better over obstacles and climbing without sacrificing much responsiveness. . Third. Save up for a full suspension bike; don't skimp on a hard tail. It's not a mountain bike if not a 1x with a dropper post. . Okay, the Habit 4. Everything is right on target: geometry, suspension, shifting, hydraulics, tires, internal cables, weight. Beefs: 1. Brake lever longer than the previous Habit 4, and longer that Ghost and REI bikes. Lever almost hits the middle finger when compressed. The Cannondale engineers must think that riders are two-finger braking. 2. No gear gauge -- have to look back at the cassette before starting to know which gear you are in, and then keep track in your head after that. 3. Need more teeth on the sprocket to lower gearing -- plenty fast downhill, could use some uphill assist. Caveat: Medium size fits a minimum 29" inseam. . Take an REI mountain bike course. Mountain biking is dangerous and not intuitive like road biking. Also, don't ride without mountain bike shoes and gloves.
Overall a great bike I have ridden this for 3 years across a multitude of trails here are some thoughts . 1. Like other reviews have capture this bike is heavy, which sucks uphill but gives me confidence on the downhill. 2. Paint on this bike comes off very easily which is a shame because the red candy gloss is 10/10. 3.This bike does feel longer than mosts for some reason, the reach is not as big as some other bikes I ride but I always feel a bit stretched out. This bike rides really stable, I have recently bought a longer travel 160/150 bike which is very nimble and twitchy at times, while coming back to this bike feels very stable and stays in the line you pick, but also seems harder to take out of the line once set, as well the added weight does seem to make it a bit harder to clear some technical climbing elements Overall I think this bike is great and will keep it in my quiver for years to come. The confidence I get while descending down on some flowy trails on this bike is the best.
Just about 2 weeks in and I’m loving this bike. I’m 47, and all I can say is wow! Wish I would’ve done this sooner. I had been riding a Cannondale Trail 4, and it’s a great bike. But with that being said, the Habit 4 has gotten me back invested into a great, fun, healthy hobby. I’m now riding more difficult trails than I would’ve with the Trail 4. And it even jumps well.
I’ve been Mtb for about 25 years and just pulled the trigger and updated to this Habit 4. I was previously on a Killer V with 26” rims and old school technology. Can’t say enough about this bike. Excellent geometry and engineering in the gram and suspension. 29er rolls over everything and a very good line of components for the price point. Highly recommend.
Awsome Bike, it is the best bike i could ever ask for
I ordered my bike online to be assembled at the Brentwood TN store. My first 30 miles consisted of constant brake and derailer adjusts trying to make the bike rideable. Finally, I noticed the back wheel hub was extremely loose. Obviously, this was the reason for all of my problems. I'm so disappointed I received a bike that was not assembled correctly!
Handling is nice and the suspension works well. The bike is mostly about as expected which is good, but quite heavy. I'd warn that the medium size not fit some riders who would typically ride a medium because the dropper post is so long. I had to drop it all the way and it make my seat height just right. If it was any longer I'd need a shorter dropped post to be able to set up the seat height correctly. I'd have just as soon have has a 130 dropper instead of the 150. I probably should have asked if they would swap it out for me. Folks at the shorter end of the size range for the medium may want to consider all of that. I'll also say that delivery within the REI system was really slow and there was no tracking info or even notice of where it was shipping from. There was one in stock two hours drive away. On hind sight I should have driven there to buy it. The setup was quick once it was at the local store and the local staff was helpful and competent.