Cannondale Bad Habit 27.5 Plus bike first look
Bad Habit includes a dropper.
Introduction
Plus bikes are hot, not just because they are the new, shiny bikes on the display window but because they really work for a lot of riders. The extra traction and cushioning of the big tires at low pressure helps riders ride safer, go faster and have more fun. Cannondale joined the party around December of last year with the Bad Habit 1 and Bad Habit 2 aluminum models at $3200 and $2660. They’ve earned quite a following as seen here on this huge thread about the two bikes Bad Habit 1 and 2.
What is it?
The aluminum models were a good entry but they were a quite heavy with the Bad Habit 1. Showing its commitment to the platform, Cannondale introduced a much lighter Bad Habit Carbon in Park City, Utah last week. The all-new Bad Habit Carbon takes the spot-on trail manners of the Habit and supercharges them with 27+ wheels to create the ultimate technical trail bike. The Ai offset drivetrain delivers super short chainstays for superior traction and tons of clearance for full 3.0 tires. The Bad Habit Carbon gets the latest Cannondale racing tech featuring lightweight BallisTec carbon, SmartForm C1 swingarm and a super light carbon link.
Carbon Swingarm and Fox EVOL shock are featured.
It is interesting to note that the Bad Habit Carbon is spec’d with Schwalbe 3.0 tires. Most full suspension makes are now opting for smaller 2.8 tires to optimize traction and agility for fs bikes. The good news is the buyer can always try 2.8 tires on this bike and the 13.1 inch bottom bracket height will drop to 12.9, making it ideal for those areas that don’t have the rockiest climbs.
Geometry is optimized for plus bikes.
A 68 degree head angle and 74 degree seat angle are spec’d here and we think that is ideal these days, specially for a bike with a dropper post where the steep seat angle does not get in the way when descending with the seat dropped.
Chainstay is 17.4 inches and that is pretty good for a bike that can take a full 3.0 tire. Bottom bracket height is a low 13.1 inches so this will carve up terrain nicely. Putting a smaller 2.8 tire will improve handling but will put the bb at 12.9 making tech climbs more difficult.
Pricing has not yet been finalized but is projected to be in the $5500 range.
Bad Habit only needs a right hand shifter.
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