2023 Cannondale Habit trail bike is more capable than before
Cannondale has dropped the covers off the 2023 version of its best-selling trail bike, the Habit. This is the brand’s ‘do-it-all’ mountain bike model, designed to be confident both going up and down the hills. Let’s have a look at what’s new with the 2023 Habit.
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Cannondale Habit 2023 - Geometry
Cannondale says the new Habit nails the sweet spot for trail geo with modern geometry, meaning it’s got the ‘lower-slacker-longer’ treatment. This means a slacker 65.5-degree head angle, a steeper 77.5-degree seat angle, around 20mm more reach, and a shorter seat tube for longer dropper insertion. The Habit now also has a lower standover height across the board.
The two models - Habit and Habit LT share the same frame, but the LT is slightly slacker due to the longer fork, enjoying a 64.7-degree head angle, paired with a 77-degree seat angle.
The Habit features Cannondale’s Proportional Response Geometry, which in essence means that everything has been tailored to suit the size of the bike, from the chain stay length to reach, stack and front centre. This also extends to the suspension kinematic which is adjusted differently for each size, based on the riders’ average centre of gravity, “so that every rider gets the same dialled balance of braking, pedalling and bump absorption,” Cannondale explained.
The new Carbon Habit models get the full Proportional Response treatment with custom geometry and suspension for every size, and the new Alloy models get a split. There is three kinematics: the smallest XS size gets has its own unique one as it uses 27.5-inch wheels front and rear. The small and medium share one kinematic, and the L and XL another.
Cannondale Habit 2023 - Components
Cannondale says it’s built the Habit models with easy, straightforward components. The new models get an industry-standard headset, threaded BB, industry-standard shock mount, and Universal Derailleur Hangers. Cable routing on both alloy and carbon is internal - the carbon gets full tube-in-tube cable routing and also a bolt-on StrapRack tool and stuff carrier.
In terms of travel, the Habit gets 130/140mm travel. Inline shocks, Pike or Recon forks, light trail wheels and tires, 180mm rotors.
The Habit LT is built for the rowdier side of trail riding with 140/150mm of travel, piggyback shocks, Lyrik forks, send-wheels and tires, and 200mm rotors.
Cannondale Habit 2023 - Models and pricing
The 2023 Cannondale Habit is available now as the following models:
Habit Crb LT 1 - £4,750
- Carbon frame
- 140mm rear travel - Super Deluxe Select+ shock
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain
- RockShox Pike Lyrik Select 150mm fork
- SRAM Code R 4-piston hydraulic discs / DownLow dropper post
Habit LT 2 - £3,500
- SmartForm C1 Alloy Frame
- Shimano XT/SLX 12-speed drivetrain
- RockShox Pike Lyrik Select 150mm fork / Super Deluxe Select+ shock
- Shimano SLX 4-piston hydraulic discs / DownLow dropper post
Habit 3 - £2,950
- SmartForm C1 Alloy Frame
- SRAM NX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain
- RockShox Pike Select 140mm fork / Deluxe Select+ shock
- SRAM G2 R 4-piston hydraulic discs / TranzX dropper post
Habit 4 - £2,300
- SmartForm C1 Alloy Frame
- Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain
- RockShox Recon RL 140mm fork / Deluxe Select shock
- Shimano hydraulic disc brakes discs / TranzX dropper post
You can see the full spec details on Cannnondale's website.