as far as i can see they are both "just the same" single pivot 5" trail bikes. can any owners out there shed some light on the differences in the real world? im in the market for a new fs bike/frame and after breaking every linkage run one i have had im thinking less is more.
on btw if any one has a small one they want to sell let me know!
let the constructive criticsms begin............
I had a Prophet and spent a week riding the South Wales centres and a tour round the Gower with a few friends, one of whom rode a 5. We were both interested in how the other bike rode so spent a bit of time chopping and changing.
Our conclusion was;
The prophet was lighter and climbed a lot better but when compared back to back felt 'flexier' than the 5.
The 5 with its slightly slacker angles felt a bit more planted on the downhills.
The Prophet was definitely easier as an all day bike, but the 5 just about edged it round the centre's
The prophet looked better.
At the end we both decided that we were happy with the bike's we had, although we've both now got Trek EX's
At the end we both decided that we were happy with the bike's we had, although we've both now got Trek EX's
Genius!
Orange 5 slacker?
In its DH mode, the 2008 Prophet has a 67 degree head angle, pretty slack in my book.
There's a fair old difference in the price as well isnt there?
its slacker than that with the reducer headset cups and pikes - the angles are measure with a shorter "Lefty" fork iirc and no reducer headset cup
Cannondale Prophet is in this months MBR - scored a "10" I think.
FWIW - might be worth a flick through at the news stands - which is all I did, btw. Honest.
In its DH mode, the 2008 Prophet has a 67 degree head angle, pretty slack in my book.There's a fair old difference in the price as well isnt there?
Mine had a lefty on it, which is a short fork but it was in its FR/DH setting. My friends 5 had some Fox 36 Talas which were set at 160mm for the downhill bits
Price wise both bikes cost about the same (mine was very highly specced)
Genius!
I only got the Trek as the Prophet was stolen and i got a good deal on it from my LBS, Friend wanted something a bit more XC
Had both - the 5 wins hands down
I bought a Prophet as it was cheap and specced it to my liking. Orange is prettier IMHO but I like having 1point5 headtube and forks on the Can'ale.
keiran your turning into a mine of useful info. i have been offered a trek ex8 09 for a good price. what are your views on this compared to your dale?
it was the lighter, stiffer tech on the trek which is appealing.
i only buy a new steed every 4-5 years so if im going to splash the cash i need to know im making the right choice. i am planning on taking a few test rides but at £30 a pop i need to narrow it down as much as poss
cheers
No problems, happy to help.
Personally I've been blown away by the performance of the Trek, although its 20mm less travel it actually feels like its got more, I presume this is down to the 'free floater' design. It climbs far better than the prophet did, even with propedal switched off. The Trek is also far stiffer than the prophet.
My only small issues with the trek have been the slightly flexy (compared to the lefty) front fork, but if your looking at an 09 bike it should have the 15QR fork, and the slightly wide rear stays due to the ABP.
In '08 Five pipped the Prophet to MBR's trail bike of the year review - both got 10s but the Prophet got it's 10 due to value (and wasn't without some flaws) and the Five was supposedly the more complete and better handling bike.
thanks once again mate. what size trek do you run? im a touch confused about the whole virtual/actual frame sizing. im 5'8" but i have quite short arms. if the 17.5 is actually a 16.5 then that would be the one.
£30 FOR A TEST RIDE???!!! I thought they were free? well they are round here anyway.
You usually get a refund if you buy the bike. My LBS used to do free test rides but you'd get too many test pilots once word got round so they had to start charging...
yep thats the deal with either stif or all terrain. if i want to try 2 bikes though im going to end up £30 out of pocket even if i buy from them!!!!
When your spending that sort of money, it's still money well spent to make sure you buy the right one though...
Buy the Prophet now that GWB is out of office. No reason to hate the Yanks.
Orange 5 slacker? In its DH mode, the 2008 Prophet has a 67 degree head angle, pretty slack in my book.
The standard 5 has a 67 degree head angle now, the Five AM has a 66 degree head angle.
