Hi all,
I've got the opportunity to buy a Cannondale Prophet frame with a Fox 36 fork, shock (not sure what make/model) and Stans Arch Ex on Hope Pro2 hubs wheels for around £250. I've got a few bits in the garage to add to it, and would probably need to spend a further £150 or so to build into a fully working bike.
I know its a bit old school now (#26aintquitedead!), but wondered whether it was worth it? A mate has one and loves his, light enough to handle XC stuff OK, slack and capable enough for steeper and bigger terrain.
I don't have a FS - the only MTB I have is an OnOne 45650b, which has been fine for all my MTB uses. I don't have, and likely won't (ever) have the funds to spend £1500-£3000 on a new FS. And actually, I wouldn't probably have, say, £700-£1000 to buy a newer (but used) FS bike ... so realistically, its the Prophet built up .. or nothing (other than the 45650 covering all MTB bases).
My thinking is that £400 seems OK to spend on something that was rated pretty well at the time, and that I can have some fun on for say 3-5 years? It won't get used a lot, so its life expectancy can be prolonged ...
So, Yes? Or is there something else I should consider?
ace bike, loved mine, sounds like an MX version?
check it carefully for any cracks, especially around the swingarm.
medium is quite cramped IMO so check the fit with your mates bike.
This is a M frame; I would usually take a M frame, I'm only 5'9". My mate is really tall so expect his is is at least a Little, so not sure trying his will tell me much.
Just realised, if I get this, I'd need to change my Singletrack username ... Would be my first FS!!
Had one loved it still kinda miss it.
Great bike at that price. Short stem, wide bar & dropper post all top upgrade. Miss mine.
I've still got one, great bikes
Never heard a bad word said about them. Could even say they were a bit ahead of their time...
1.5" steerer and frame that can accept a 650b wheel.
It'll still ride well, as above they were ahead of their time.
I'm 5'9" and my medium fitted me perfectly.
Bearings are easy to change but last a long, long time anyway.
Loved my MX. One bike as soon as I sold it I regretted it. Has it got a bolt through rear axle and a small gusset on the downtube if so then its an MX and they were warrantied for 160mm forks.
Loved mine from two years ago, built as a project and turned out brilliantly.
Scroll down;
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/prophet-reborn
Cornered really well (the slight flexy nature of the frame helped it), nailed it round BPW a few times and it was great. Only sold it buy a cheap Pauls Jekyll (which was utter crap in comparison).
Mine was an XL / 20" and was a good size for me (6'5").
For £250 I'd go for it, especially so if it's an MX model (as above - downtube gusset and bolt thru back end)
I have one, they are great bikes, my first FS it has been faultless, they are an easy bike to recommend.
With a 36" fork it might be the MX version, as others have said already, which is hard to find.
At £250 with wheels it's an obvious buy 🙂
I have one large frame, wide bars, short stem, 1x10, a hi-lo dropper post, bolt through fork and nice set of hope wheels. Don't see any reason to upgrade to a modern bike. It will go down anything I'm prepared to point it down.
I bought one secondhand two years ago. Great for anything from xc to Alpine trails. I might want something a little beefier for Antur Stiniog or the blacks at BPW though.
So good I bought a small for Mrs spw. Beefed up with big rotors, tyres coil shock and a Lyrik up front she uses hers in the Alps.
I killed the stock manitou radium shock in one ride and hated the Fox RL I replaced it with. Fox DHAir seems to suit it really well though.
I'm 5ft9 and medium is perfect.
Another recommendation here - I owned one for the best part of 10 years and didn't have to touch the pivot bearings in that time.
I've always regretted not buying one of these over the last few years, they always come up at good prices and as pointed out above, they get great reviews. Will be interested seeing build pictures, Stans and 36s will make for a great foundation!
Thats a bargain, just got a second hand frame for £130, bit tatty and shock needs new bushes, been looking for a while for an FS frame to add a bit more comfort for my Dad when we go out for a spin
Built up yesterday from parts off the hardtail.
Its a medium and I am 5'10" quick spin on the road and it feels a bit cramped, feels steep even at the 67.5 setting and front end feels quite high with risers but I have been riding a geometron recenty by comparison.
1.5 headtube great, 27.2 seatpost less so, if it can take 650b wheels that would be awsome, got one with a 135 qr rear which I needed for the alfine wheelset, the only weird thing is the grommet/sleeves used to capture cables in the cable guides.
Liking it so far, with a few tweeks may be the new winter hack 🙂
Great ... So lots of favourable comments.
It's a Prophet 2 apparently, not from the same year when they had the MX and SL. What does that mean? Still worth going for (assuming all in good working order ... Going to see it tonight)? Anything I should be looking out for or wary of re. the frame and the fork?
2 just refers to where it sat in the range . it's probably not an MX .
If it has a 160mm fork fitted this exceeds Cannondales recommendations for the frame . I would be looking hard for signs of stress and/or cracks in the frame .
150mm fork (2012). Overall light use reported. Fox RP23 shock. Again, relatively light use, and bike hadn't been ridden at all in last couple of years.
140mm is the max for a standard Prophet frame .
But 150mm will be fine. Right? The frame is going to be out of warranty presumably, and 10mm is not all that much?
I used mine for a couple of years with a 150mm Revelation without anything bad happening.
When you go to see it give the frame a good look over for any cracks.
If you are struggling with that fork, I have a Lefty Max 140mm and wheel from my ex Prophet 2 that would suit the frame perfectly. I wish I had never sold that frame, it was possibly the best bike I have had and looked great too! Based in north Manchester if you were interested in the Lefty.
Viewed and bought this evening, very happy with the condition of it all,nicely looked after and the forks look like they've barely been used. Thanks all for the advice 🙂
You got a bargain there I think 😀
Had mine since 09ish. Fitted a 150mm Rev - no issues, abused it for a week in the Alps - no issues. I wouldn't have any worries about fitting a 160.
Enjoy!