Cannondale Prophet 3?

turnercraig

I have about £1,000 to spend on a full susser. I am interested at the moment in a 2008 Cannondale Prophet 3, does anyone own one or know if it is any good? Also can you suggest any other bikes? Possibly a Trek Fuel EX 6.5?

Ciaran500

I wouldn't bother with the Fuel Ex 6.5, it uses the same suspension design as last year which didn't do to well in reviews. Treks new suspension design which is getting nothing but positive reviews starts on the Fuel Ex 7 and above.

turnercraig

Ye I see what you mean, no evo link. Unfortunantly the EX 7 is stretching my budjet a bit too far. I have also seen a Kona Dawg Deluxe 2007 for about a grand, spec looks ok to me, any thoughts on that?

Prowlus

the 2008 prophet 3 is essentially a retooled prophet 4 07 for 08 with baseline components but slightly better spec than its predescessor. The frame is very good for expansion and upgrade because of its travel tolerance . My prophet 4 now looks more like a prophet 3 (07) thanks to the frame's future proofing

turnercraig

Thanks for your advice Prowlus, I would prefer to buy a bike with a better frame with a view to upgrade in the future. Anything that is underspeced on the 08 Prophet 3 that you think would need upgrading quickly?

turnercraig

How about a Scott Aspect FX 15?

Prowlus

turnercraig wrote:

Thanks for your advice Prowlus, I would prefer to buy a bike with a better frame with a view to upgrade in the future. Anything that is underspeced on the 08 Prophet 3 that you think would need upgrading quickly?

well I'd first start with changing the tyres towards maxxis ignitors (they were standard on my p-4 ) . Next mod derailers and shifters to a x-9 groupset , Then removing the deore chainset towards and XT one . After that upgrade the brakes towards a juicy 7 , then mod the wheels to ones that can take a thru axle at the front (you'll need that later) Hope hoops are perfect . Next the toras can be swapped out for rs pikes . and maybe later the shock can be upgraded towards a fox rp23

I did my upgrade 6 months after recieving my prophet and now heres its following spec before and after



Original Spec

RS tora 318 130mm
Sram X-7 rear mech X-5 shifters
Shimano lX front mech
Truvativ Square taper chainset
Mach 1 2.30, 32 hole rims
Avid Juicy 3s
cannondale c3 stem, saddle and handlebars
manitou radium shock

New Spec

RS Pike 426 140mm
Sram X-9 Rear mech X-9 shifters
Shimano XT Front Mech
Shimano Xt m760 chainset with integrated bottom bracket
Hope DT 5.1 rims
Avid Juicy 7s
FSA Gravity carbon handlebars (08 upgrade)
Bontrager racelite seatpost (08 upgrade)
Thomson elite stem (08 upgrade)
Fox rp23 shock (08 upgrade)

.

Heres a link to thread showcasing what I did to my prophet by the end of 2007


http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

turnercraig

Looking good!

Looks like it was well worth the effort, and I bet it is a serious bit of kit on some sweet technical singletrack.

Pretty sure I am going to buy this Prophet, I just keep seeing loads of good deals on 07 bikes! Need to make my mind up soon, have the money burning a hole in my pocket and trails to be ridden!

Any last suggestions from anyone!

Prowlus

Personally , I'd bag the p-3 2007 version if i were you , Its probably the same price as the 08 version by now except it has better bits such as a pike fork(409 version), maxxis tyres, and better wheelset(sunwich). In a sense it can be a better shortcut for you

Heres a recent image of my rig to get a better idea on its upgrades





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