Review Of Cannondale Trail 8

Cannondale Trail 8 is an affordable mountain bike that helps develop a passion for the trails and serves as the perfect first off-roader. 

Having a limited budget does not mean you can’t get a real trail bike and have some fun exploring local dirt roads and bike trails.

Cannondale Trail 8 comes with all the necessary features to do this — front suspension, disc brakes, wide tires — and leaves enough money in your pocket for other important stuff.

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Cannondale Trail 8 Quick Overview

The 2020 model Trail 8 costs less than $500 but comes with some seriously dirt-ready components. It’s a versatile bike that works great for commuting, off-roading, casual daily rides, losing weight… you name it!

To achieve such a low price, compromises had to be made in certain areas, but that’s nothing an average rider would notice and should be worried about.

Key Specs:

Frame: SmartForm C3 alloy aluminum
Fork: SR Suntour M3030, 75mm
Front Derailleur: Shimano TY300, 34.9 clamp, 3-Speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano TX800, 7-Speed
Number of Gears: 21
Brakes: Tektro mechanical disc, 160/160mm rotors
Rims: WTB SX19, 32h
Tire Width: 2.25″ (F), 2.20″ (R)
Weight: 32 lbs. 8 oz. (14.74 kg)

Trail 8 Main Features

Cannondale Trail 8 is slowly becoming one of the most popular mountain bikes in the under $500 price range.

It does not come as a surprise that so many people like it, as it is a good-looking package that includes everything a beginner rider might need and nothing that would raise the price unnecessarily.

These are some of the things that stand out about it.

Lightweight Aluminum and Front Suspension

Cannondale Trail 8, like all other Trail models, is built around a lightweight and high-performing
SmartForm C3 aluminum frame. This is a tried and true frame that has proven its worth time and again.

Internal cable routing

It features internal derailleur cable routing, two water bottle mounts, and rear rack mounts. The graphite gray paint job suits it well and makes it look like a higher-priced hardtail.

The combination of a lightweight and compliant aluminum frame and a plush Suntour fork make Cannondale Trail 8 a capable and comfortable trail machine.

The SR Suntour suspension fork is fitted on the front, offering 75 mm of travel. This fork is on the heavy side due to a coil spring, but you’ll be happy it’s there when you steer off the paved roads and the terrain beneath the tires turns less than ideal.

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Introductory Shimano Components

One of the things that make Cannondale Trail 8 an entry-level mountain bike are its components. The front and rear Shimano Tourney derailleurs are definitely not made to be abused.

However, as long as you don’t intend to do serious trail riding, jumping, and dropping, Shimano Tourney will do the job well.

The 11-34T, 7-speed cassette and the 42/32/22T crankset put a total of 21 gears at your disposal. The range of gears is pretty wide, so this bike will climb well.

Dependable Mechanical Disc Brakes

Mechanical brakes

A proper mountain bike can simply not be imagined without a pair of disc brakes. Cannondale Trail 8 more than checks this requirement with its Tektro mechanical discs. 

These brakes are paired with 160 mm rotors front and rear, which translates to plenty of stopping power on demand, whenever you need it.

Disc brakes show their true advantages in wet and rainy weather, so Trail 8 is ready for all conditions. 

Variable Wheel Size: 27.5″ & 29″

Depending on how tall you are, Cannondale Trail 8 can roll on either 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Namely, this bike is available in four sizes:

S: 5’2″ – 5’6″ (27.5 inches)
M: 5’6″ – 5′ 10″ (29 inches)
L: 5’10” – 6’1″ (29 inches)
XL: 6’1″ – 6’4″ (29 inches)

Therefore, the wheel size depends on the size of the frame you choose.

The variable wheel sizing on Cannondale Trail 8 ensures that you’ll get the perfect fit and end up with a bike that feels good in your hands and rides swiftly.

The front and rear tires are not equally sized either. The front tire is 2.25″ wide, whereas the rear is 2.20″ wide. This setup means more grip in corners and better descending capabilities while making the bike faster on straights.

Versatile Trail Bike

Versatility is one of Trail 8’s main properties. It’s a bike that can suit the needs of the entire family, acting as both a day-to-day commuter and as a proper trail bike for dirt, gravel, and forest roads.

Of course, Trail 8 will feel most at home staying off paved roads and getting dusty and dirty. But thanks to its progressive, upright geometry, it also rides well when taken on long leisure rides on bike paths and tarmac.

Is Cannondale Trail 8 for You?

Cannondale Trail 8 is an entry-level bicycle with lots of introductory components. As such, it’s most suitable for beginner riders and those who are still learning the ropes of off-road riding.

If you want a two-wheeler to spend more time outside, get fit, improve your health, and explore the area, you’ll be riding Trail 8 with a smile on your face.

However, if you are an experienced mountain biker and you want to improve your off-roading skills, Shimano Tourney components and a low-level Suntour fork won’t cut it for you.

Other Trail Series Overviews

• Trail 1 – MSRP $1,850 – Top model with excellent components and a 120 mm air fork travel, intended for trail enthusiasts.
• Trail 2 – MSRP $1,600 – High-specked mid-range model with a 1×12 SRAM SX drivetrain and an air fork, made for intermediate trail riders.
• Trail 3 – MSRP $1,300 – A reasonably priced model for trail beginners and enthusiasts with excellent value for money, 120mm of travel, hydraulic disc brakes, and 12 wide-range gears.
• Trail 4 – MSRP $1,000 – Excellent introductory model with a 100mm Rockshox coil fork, 10-speed Deore drivetrain, and tubeless-ready wheels and tires, good for on and off-road rides.
• Trail 5 – MSRP $750 – Entry-level trail bike with a solid aluminum frame, decent Shimano components, and 100 mm of travel, that all trail beginners will love.
• Trail 6 – MSRP $650 – Affordable bike with quality branded parts, front suspension and hydro brakes, perfect for beginner riders wishing to get a taste of the trails.
• Trail 7 – MSRP $560 – Versatile MTB with 24 gears, excellent for trails, gravel, and dirt roads, aimed towards casual and recreational riders.
• Trail 8 – MSRP $485 – Cheapest Cannondale Trail model with reliable and durable components for the money, ideal for budget-conscious cyclists.

Verdict: Is Trail 8 Worth the Money?

Trail 8 costs just $485, which is hard to believe considering the attention to detail that apparently went into making it. Sure, it has some entry-level components, but it also has both 27.5″ and 29″ wheels, disc brakes, durable quality tires, and phenomenal looks.

Therefore, Trail 8 is definitely worth the money. If you fit into the rider profile we depicted above, there’s no reason not to buy it. It should serve you well for miles and years to come.

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Cannondale Trail 8 (2020)

$485.00

8.4

Components

7.5/10

Price

9.5/10

Weight

8.0/10

Quality

8.5/10

Durability

8.5/10

Pros

• Excellent price
• Great looks
• 27.5" and 29" Wheels
• Mechanical disc brakes
• Capable wide tires

Cons

• Entry-level components
• Heavy Suntour fork

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About The Author

Jeff Balton

Jeff’s been riding and racing road and mountain bikes for most of his life. It all started when he was seven years old and received his first mountain bike. It was a Japanese Nishiki with 21 speeds. Jeff studied printing engineering in university, which still comes in handy for him. He likes to write about bicycle-related stuff, help organize events for the community, and he dreams that one day there will be more free time for everyone. You can often find Jeff riding with his kids. At the moment, they’re either in the child bike seat, or he’s running next (read: far behind) their balance bikes