The Habit comes with a completely new look: the standard 27,5″ has been abandoned for the 29″ with a slightly longer travel (130mm) and a trail destination (so says Cannondale even if we will discover together that it has much more margin). And, as on the Trigger and the Jekyll, the Lefty has been abandoned, which remains very popular in the Cross Country sector.
The new Habit seems to have abandoned various virtuosity (see 27,5 ”wheels on Trail / All-Mountain or Lefty excursions) and went straight to the point, launching a product that follows all the guidelines of a perfect all-rounder bike. The Habit comes with 130mm front / rear travel in 29 "format (the last Habit was in 27,5" with 120mm rear and 130mm front travel). Possibility of having a bottle cage (never underestimate this) and we do not find proprietary standards for easy maintenance / replacement. As on the Jekyll, here too we find the asymmetrical carriage that requires an ad hoc bell wheel, precisely an offset of 6mm (for the record, this is an easy and fast operation for a good mechanic).

FEATURES
The geometric dimensions of the frames have been modified according to the size: most of the bikes use the same pin positions for all frame sizes, because it is easier to design them. The approach of using one size fits all sizes is not optimal for suspensions. The rider's center of gravity has a huge impact on the suspension's reaction to inputs such as braking or pedaling. Instead of simply changing the stack size and reach of the frame, with Proportional Response we have adapted the suspension pivot positions to each size of bike and rider. Thus, everyone has the opportunity to have the perfect bike. This made it possible to eliminate the negative feedback related to the sensations that often have small riders (suspension work during braking) and large riders (suspension performance when pedaling). In recent Cannondale models, we find the asymmetrical rear stay with 6mm more space on the drive side (crankset). This allows to reduce the undercarriage thus making it more reactive and with ample clearance for the tires. In terms of performance it is an advantage, but the downside is in case we have to mount an emergency wheel or make us a second set of wheels, which we should therefore have to re-bell with this offset (you can turn the same even with standard wheels, we would have less on the side opposite the crankset, but Cannondale states that they could incur damage to the frame in case of intense and prolonged use). On the Habit we find the new Cannondale DownLow seatposts that equip most of the setups.
Distinguishing features, PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE - The pin positions are customized for each size, so not only the classic Reach and Stack change, this to make the bike perfect on each frame size
VERSIONS AND COMPONENTS
The Habit is offered in 6 versions: 3 in carbon, 2 in aluminum and, in the European market, only 1 dedicated specifically to the female world (in carbon). The model that we were able to try was the one just below the top of the range and is offered at € 4999 in the price list (assembly on the last page of the test). The entry price for the carbon model is version 3 (€ 3.799) with Fox Perfomance DPS Evol at the rear and Fox 34 fork at the front. The brakes are Sram Guide R. The gearbox is mixed Sram GX and NX. The top, € 6.999, is a dream with all the best you can find including the new Shimano XTR complete 12v. The aluminum version starts at € 2.299 and reaches € 2.799 for the Al4, mounted with an assembly similar to the Carbon 3: Sram GX and NX mixed group with Sram Guide T brakes. the same price of € 1) with specific suspension tuning (less progressive), different grips / saddle and an additional XS size with differentiated offset and 3 ”format. The coloring is unique for each model. Habit Carbon 3.799 - € 27,5 Habit Carbon 1 - € 6.999,00 Habit Carbon 2 - € 4.999,00 Habit 3 - € 3.799,00 Habit 4 - € 2.799,00 Habit Carbon Women's 5 - € 2.299,00.
INTERNAL CABLE PASSAGE - Very accurate internal passage of cables both aesthetically and functionally: in fact an internal channel guides us from the entrance to the exit.
GEOMETRY
Cannondale has created a truly badass Trail Bike with geometries and dimensions that can be compared to some enduro models, but all with 130mm of travel in 29 ”. The phrase that often echoes on sites: "long, low and open" fits perfectly here. The head angle is 66 °, the saddle angle of 66.3 ° (effective 74.5 °) while the reach (in size M) measures 430mm with an abundant 606mm top tube. Ground clearance of 339mm with a wheelbase of 1176mm. Compact dimensions, in line with the current trend, but very stable thanks to open angles and low center of gravity. A trail that, already from these measures, makes it clear that perhaps it is much more (if we mean trail in the sense of the Italian market). Super compact 435mm carriage and optimized internal cable routing with relative channel.
Sizes XS, S, M, L (test), XL
Steering angle Inline
Vertical tube 480 mm
Head tube 125 mm
Rear wagon 435 mm
Wheelbase 1210 mm
Bottom bracket height 339 mm
Reach 460 mm
Stack 625 mm
FLIP-CHIP - Flip-chip in case the Habit is converted to 27,5 ”+: it allows to keep the geometries preserved.
THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST
After trying size M at the Habit launch (late last year), we got a nice size L sent to me as the M felt a little too right. In fact, the reach is very compact even if the seat tube remains abundant. To see the saddle height value they are from size M but the reach of 430mm calls L (I remember my height of 1.74 but very abundant crotch of 88cm. Yes I know, I am full leg, the girls always tell me). I anticipate already that, after trying the L, I realized that it is my size: much more stability but especially more balance; I feel much more centered on the bike. But beware that, despite my abundant horse, I have not advanced many cm in the seat post (the risk is not to stay there but, in this case, you can always replace the seat post with one with less travel).

So pay attention to the size: if you are an advanced biker think about it, it requires a slightly more aggressive ride on the front but you ride much better. In pedaling the Habit behaves very well: the suspension "sits" on the sag value and, with the hydraulics closed, it does not break down and allows you to pedal effectively. The suspension, a quadrilateral with Horst, has a low anti-squat value and therefore does not excel (but neither does it fail) in very technical climbs when we are forced to climb with open hydraulics. Excellent 175mm cranks that allow an optimal pedaling, against the current theories of mounting 170mm in order not to hoe the ground ... against any law of biomechanics! However, this, combined with a ground clearance of 339mm, occasionally leads to touching the ground more than necessary. The choice to mount the 2.5 "DHF at the front and the 2.3" High Roller II at the rear, make him acquire points in a use more all-mountain / enduro than trail. A somewhat counter-current choice, given the Trail nature declared by Cannondale. The 66 ° steering angle slows it down a bit as reactivity but the whole, well studied, make it very easy to pedal and in line with the average of trail / All-mountain bikes (always if we use some tires less aggressive). The braking of the suspension is very decisive and allows vehement shots both in sliding climbs and stretches on asphalt, without feeling marked watt losses. Even the rigidity of the frame is at the highest levels, denoting an excellent build quality of the same.

In terms of pedaling, he convinced us even if the term trail given by Cannondale is a bit underestimated, especially from the downhill point of view, since the Habit project can give much more: downhill the bike is granite, very stable and gives an idea of solidity (in fact the scale stands on Enduro weights - 13,7kg without pedals). The 29 ”wheels help and the open steering angle make the front truly stable. In the fast and banked corners, it gives its best while it suffers a little in the tight and decisive insertions: the front, as we have said, is very stable but requires decision in the insertion. It turned out to be less playful than its other competitors or, remaining at Cannondale, compared to the Trigger, much more fun and intuitive (but less performing on the stopwatch in my opinion). The rear is responsive and requires low speed adjustment more towards the open in order to soften it up a bit. To make the Habit travel strong downhill you need to be well present on the bike otherwise its conservative nature comes out: in fact it has not turned out to be a playful bike and prone to virtuosity downhill, but also stable and solid. Note on the new Cannondale seatpost: fluid and precise with a functional remote control, even if the lever could have been rounded more (it can be annoying to rubbing).
Weight (without pedals) 13,7kg
Fork FOX Float Performance Elite 34, 130mm, FIT4 Dam-per, 3-Pos adj; 15 × 110, tapered steerer 51mm offset
Shock absorber FOX Float Performance Elite DPX2 EVOL, 130mm, 3-Pos adj.
wheels STAN'S NoTubes Arch MK3, 28h, tubeless ready with Hollowgram 15 × 110 front hubs, Hollowgram w / DT internals 12 × 148 rear w /
Service MAXXIS Minion DHF 29 x 2.5 "WT front, High Roller II 2.3" rear, 3C compound, Max Terra, EXO puncture protection, tubeless ready XD driver
Rolling mill chocks TRUVATIV Stylo 7K, 30D
Rear gearbox SRAM X01 Eagle, 12s
commands SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed
Brakes SRAM Guide RS hydro discs
Buy Boxes SRAM XG-1275, GX Eagle, 10-50, 12s
OFFENSE CANNONDALE C1, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy,
1-1/8”, 31.8, 0°
dumbbell CANNONDALE C1 Riser, Carbon, 15mm rise, 9 ° sweep, 4th rise, 780mm
seatpost CANNONDALE DownLow Dropper Post, internal routing, 31.6, 100mm (S), 125mm (M), 150mm (L-XL)
Sella FABRIC Scoop Shallow Elite, cro-mo rails
Color Gray (SGG)
29 "/ 27,5" + - Fox 34 fork compatible with both 29 "and 27,5" plus, thanks to a large gap under the headband.
Verdict
A TRAIL-ENDUREGGIANT
The new Habit is a bike that pedals well and has very high limits on descents. It is stable and fast on descents, but it does not appear to have a playful nature: during the insertion phase you have to be decisive to bring out a bit of grit. Ideal bike for technical all-mountain tours or for those looking for a MTB for long tours in the high mountains. The Habit manages to handle itself very well in any situation, whether it is an Enduro outing or an outing that winks at Cross Country.
+ | - |
• Stability in the fast sections. Position of the biker on the bike (central) • Excellent climber (provided use a little more tires "between") | • In case of abundant out of the saddle, the seat post is not very fluid, blame the tilt a lot accentuated seat tube (which leads to a position set back in case of off-seat generous). • High seat tube in all sizes compared to the value of limited reach. |
