Comments on: Cannondale Rize Three Mountain Bike Review

By: megan Boyer

megan Boyer — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:16:37 +0000

HEllo, does anybody have advice on buying a used demo Rize. I just rode it for the first time and loved it. I am considering dropping 1200 $ for a used one with approx 200+ mijles on it. Is this a good deal or should I buy new?

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:12:20 +0000

You are correct on an active rear suspension being a more capable climber, however that doesn’t always mean more efficient. The rear end of the Rize is definitely active and able to hook up under all conditions. I just felt like the front end could be a little lower, thus steepening the head angle and putting the center-of-gravity a tad forward.

Lots of great climbers in the XC and AM bike world!

By: Gregory Ceconi

Gregory Ceconi — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:33:47 +0000

I think it is considered a good climber because the suspension is always active and keeps the rear wheel in contact with the ground all the time, provided you are seated. I also test rode the Scalpel on the same day as the RIZE and I actually rode faster on the RIZE. The Scalpel was too stiff and the rear susp. almost felt as if it was not really active, leading me to believe that you should just go to a straight hardtail without the weight penalty of a rear shock. They did set the shock pressures for my weight too. The RIZE has a very upright geometry very much like my old C-Dale “Beast of the East” frame I used to have in the 90′s. Thus, the front wheel is unweighted as you say, but a comfortable riding position. I just rented a 2009 Specialized Epic Expert with the new mini-brain and was impressed with that bike as well. The Brain works very well on climbs and is just right in terms of being active when needed. You can also play with the activation levels of the brain as well.Nice very balanced feel on the Epic, but they are two totally different bikes obviously with the Epic being a X-Country bike and the RIZE a longer travel, all mountain machine.

By: Gregory Ceconi

Gregory Ceconi — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:18:41 +0000

Thanks. I see the spokes are DT Swiss competition which I think probably means double-butted spokes. As long as the wheelset is somewhat light, the perceived weight always seems less. I heard there are wire bead tires? That has to be replaced with some nice folding beads!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:39:57 +0000

Hey Gregory

You’ll dig the Rize 3… nope… doesn’t feel heavy, but it will be a bit heavier than the full-carbon beauty. Enjoy!

By: Gregory Ceconi

Gregory Ceconi — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:31:23 +0000

I test rode the bike last fall(top line Rize Carbon 1) and found it to be quite light and an excellent climber. Nice machine. I thought it climbed like a tractor!
I never had the opportunity to take it on tight, technical stuff really though. I’ve asked to order a Rize 3 alloy now. Does the Alloy 3 model feel heavy?

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:20:01 +0000

@Olly

Unfortunately, the Lefty doesn’t have travel adjust… just lockout. I’m confident that a travel reduction would eliminate the wandering tendency as well.

I’m still a bit baffled because others have found this bike to be a straight climber and I did everything I know to reduce that and it still wandered a bit much.

By: Olly Horne

Olly Horne — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:47:19 +0000

Hi Jason,

Interesting review.

I’ve got a (large) Euro spec Rize 3 with Fox forks. I found the bike had a tendency to wander on steep climbs until I worked out how to dial the forks down to 100mm travel – that sorted the problem right out.

I don’t know if the lefty has the same adjustment capabilities, but if it does – that’s your solution!

By: Jason Mitchell

Jason Mitchell — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:03:53 +0000

Well… try as I might, I could not get the front end to stay put consistently. I only had the bike for 3 weeks, so I wasn’t able to tinker with cockpit bits, etc. as much as I think I’d like to, but out of the box, I felt it wandered too much.

It shows you that riding styles and body positioning has a lot to do with ride quality. As much as I try to be as objective and thorough as possible, it’s always subject to each rider’s individual impressions. Take a bike out for a demo (if possible) to get a personal feel for it. Sometimes you may agree with my views and othertimes not. Lots of great bikes out there.

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:45:16 +0000

Sorry Jason,

I’m with Sharon. I own an aluminum Rize one in size Large. It out climbs any bike I’ve ever ridden, especially on steep technical climbs. It is far faster on any trail than my 09 Anthem X 1, or my Team Rush Carbon. And how can you not love a 5.1 inch travel 24lb. trailbike?

Thanks for listening