You can quantifiably feel them biting into the terrain as you chug upwards towards the top of the climb. More traction, more comfort, more capability to make every trail easier. Will big tyres and playful geometry equal more smiles per pound spent?Supplied in a bold colour with 2.8in-wide plus tyres and ‘playful’ geometry I can see what Cannondale is hoping to achieve with this bike.Made from its SmartForm C2 Alloy, which sports the famous CAAD logo – a name that has a very reputable history in the cycling world – it has a Boost QR rear axle and two bottle mounts, rear pannier mounts and internal dropper post cable routing with a standard threaded bottom bracket (BB).There’s a mounting plate for front derailleurs if a 2x setup is your tipple. Already have an account with us? The bike feels plush and forgiving and doesn’t come across cumbersome when you’re just cruising along.Thanks to the excellent Recon fork, coupled with the lower pressures you can afford to run in the 2.8in-wide tyres, it gives the bike a smooth-feeling ride from the get-go.Despite the dropper post’s relatively short 120mm of travel – especially given the trend for droppers increasing in travel – it doesn’t feel like the bike needs more.The drop on offer is adequate to get the post far enough out of the way on descents, while still extending to full height for climbs and when you’re riding the bike on undulating trails, rather than using it for a winch-and-plummet style of riding.This also increases the potential for flow compared with bikes that don’t have droppers.

GBP £1,000.00 RRP

Want the same geometry and features as the Cujo with a women’s specific frame?

Alex started racing downhill at the tender age of 11, later going on to compete internationally representing the UK.

2019. The Cannondale C3 bar was wide enough to throw the Cujo around. This website uses cookies for analytics, personalization, and advertising. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5 | The Recon RL fork’s 120mm of travel is well damped and controlled and the extra travel helps the bike to make light work of larger bumps and compressions, while being exceptionally supple and flattening trail buzz.The XT-SLX mech and shifter combo provided faultless gear changes even when I was shifting under power. The 11-42t Sunrace cassette, when combined with the 30t chainring, contributes to a worthy partnership that won’t see you running out of gears on even the steepest of climbs.With traditionally-sized tyres and a SRAM NX 1x 12-speed drivetrain, the Trail 1 could suit those with a little more cash.

Advice Everything you need for good times in the dirt. Alex then moved back to the UK when he landed a job working for Mountain Biking UK as their Features Editor — BikeRadar's sister title — as their features editor.

Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences Light, simple 1x drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. The Cujo 1 is Cannondale’s range-topper in the ‘more fun, less faff’, trail-focussed hardtail range that shouts loud and proud about its aim of increasing smiles. The Scarlet might be for you. Features | The 11 speed drivetrain provided an ample gear range for trail use. Short chainstays for agility and traction, a slack head angle for unwavering stability, plus wide bars and a short stem for total control. The rather modest tread pattern on the WTB tyres struggles to penetrate the earth or deform around harder elements such as rocks and roots.Start to descend and the rounded, balloon-like profile of the tyres made it difficult to find a cornering edge, reducing the tyre’s ability to bite in turns.

It’s also got a 308mm BB height.On paper, at least, the Cujo’s geometry does make it a somewhat tricky bike to define.

... A TransX dropper post is included and internally routed on the Cujo. Increase speed, however, and there’s less grip on offer.Up your pedalling cadence and the deformation of the tyres over bumps and through holes can create a bouncy feeling that hinders progress. Despite the conservative geometry and somewhat compromised tyres, if you can master the more frenetic style of riding the bike is suited to, you’re bound to have a blast

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