When you’re looking for the top mountain bike on the market, you want to be sure that you invest in the one that offers everything you need. Once you have access to the best possible bike, you can have a lot of fun on the roads, out on trails, or wherever else a journey takes you. However, it’s not always easy to determine what the top bike is, especially if you are new to the mountain biking scene.
Two of the largest manufacturers of mountain bikes are Cannondale and Specialized. While you might see people searching for Specialized vs. Trek and Trek vs. Cannondale, the top debate still is Cannondale vs Specialized. When you want a bike that can provide a means to handle all your cycling requirements, these are the brands to keep at the top of your radar.
However, that may still leave you wondering which of these mountain bike brands truly sits at the top. Throughout this article, we’ll be looking at the differences between the bikes so you know whether you should go with Specialized or Cannondale. By the time you finish reading, you’ll likely have a good idea of which of these manufacturers offers the bikes that will best fit your needs.
Cannondale vs Specialized Mountain Bikes - Essential Characteristics
When it comes to Specialized vs Cannondale, both are highly popular bike manufacturers with a ton of fans. Each of them also has a reputation for offering excellent products that customers want. Because of this, both Cannondale and Specialized offer flexible and innovative bikes that are suitable for cyclists of all ages and ability levels.
When you look at bikes at the same price point from the two brands, Cannondale often offers slightly better components, but this isn’t always true. It’s impossible to say that one is clearly better than the other by merely considering this generalization. That’s why we want to delve deeper and offer all the information you are looking for.
Specialized Mountain Bikes
Specialized Inc. has been around since 1974 when the company opened in California. While it started as a small manufacturer of bikes, it has grown since then and is now one of the most popular brands you can find. The brand focuses on offering innovative designs to create some of the best bikes on the market and has done a great job of providing that.
This brand has put a lot of work into providing testing and researching to offer the best mountain bikes. Specialized is also known for creating bike activities and programs to get more people cycling around the world. The brand prides itself on the fact that the company is meant for cyclists and was started by them to begin with.
Cannondale Mountain Bikes
Cannondale Bicycle Company has been around a bit longer and was formed in 1971. It’s underneath Dorel Industries out of Canada but is part of the U.S. division and is located in Connecticut. One of the things that Cannondale bikes are best known for is their innovative designs that keep the cyclist in mind.
Rather than a typical iron and steel frame, most bikes offered by the brand are made of carbon, which makes them more durable and lighter. Carbon provides an agile and sturdy ride with bikes that can be taken into all sorts of different environments. When it comes to Cannondale vs. Specialized, both are some of the best bike brands in the world.
While you may be looking for a mountain bike, this company offers a wide selection of options, including exercise bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, and bikes for children. The brand is well-known and has been featured by many international and national media and news outlets for the contributions it has made to the bike world.
Types of Frames
When it comes to bike frames, both of these brands are known for offering lightweight choices. One of the major selling points of both lies in how excellent their bike frames are. If it comes down to choosing one brand based on frames, it would be nearly impossible to choose. Either Cannondale or Specialized will offer the bike you need.
Available Bike Chains
Next to the frame, the bike chain is probably the most essential component. However, it’s not always something that people consider in much depth. Researching the chain on a mountain bike is vital to ensure the best quality since looks aren’t everything. The bike you choose should offer extra rust protection since a mountain bike often comes in contact with mud and moisture.
Specialized bikes typically come with an anti-corrosion coating on the chains, which makes them less likely to rust. A bike from this brand also usually comes with reusable links, which means that Specialized bikes toe ahead of the line in this category.
Bike Components
While frames are a huge consideration when choosing between Cannondale vs. Trek or other bikes, the other components are vital to consider too. Different models by the two brands often have parts from various brands, so taking a look at a specific model and what it has to offer is a good idea.
It’s hard to say Cannondale or Specialized offer better components; they’re merely different. When looking at bikes that cost around the same amount, looking at the specific parts may help you break a tie. Otherwise, the quality is similar, even if the brands vary between the two manufacturers.
Extra Parts
Both Cannondale and Specialized provide a means of acquiring extra parts for their bikes. Also, both mountain bike manufacturers offer an extensive line of products for cycling, which range from water bottles to helmets, chains, water bottle holders, and more.
While Specialized offers extra gear like kick paddles, these parts for bikes don’t tend to be the same quality as those from Cannondale. If you want the most durable parts for bikes, Cannondale slightly edges out the competition in this area.
Choice of Designs
While there are differences between these two companies, one thing they also both do well is design. However, most cyclists would say that Specialized offers a more modern and flashier style. On the other hand, the competitor has bikes with a more rugged kind of look.
The Specialized bikes tend to have a slightly better paint job. However, this is one area where you’ll need to choose for yourself since taste is subjective.
Level of Performance
If what you want is a bike that can handle whatever you need it to, either of these brands will fit the bill. When going with bikes of a higher price point, you’re going to get plenty of performance for your investment. It can easily stand up to comparisons with other quality brands available.
However, keep in mind that the performance will drop at lower prices. If you aren’t looking to purchase a bike that will last you for years in all sorts of conditions, you could choose to go with a budget bicycle instead.
The Price Point Variation
When it comes to Specialized vs. Cannondale, both are considered premium brands that are producing bikes. Each of the brands has bikes that range in price from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. While some of the mountain bikes might seem expensive, they offer a satisfying product that will last.
Be aware that the lower priced models are not as high quality since more focus is put into the high-end options. Those who are willing to spend $1,500 or more for a bike will likely find that the quality is quite good for both brands. Anyone who wants a bike that is capable of anything and will last the distance can count on either Cannondale or Specialized.
Selection of Bike Sizes
There are many different styles of Cannondale bikes, just as there are several sizes. This means that cyclists can select the bike that best fits their body height and size for a more comfortable experience. The sizes available include extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large.
With Specialized bikes, you also get another option that may be useful for some riders. Cyclists can choose the appropriate bike based on gender, as well as their weight and height.
Differences in Warranties
Like most other bikes on the market, the ones from these brands are available, but they only cover defects during manufacturing. Wear and tear or damage from riding the bike isn’t going to be covered, so any repairs or replacements will come out of your own pocket.
While the warranty on these bikes doesn’t apply for most parts due to riding, there is an exception. Both of these major brands offer a lifetime warranty on the bike frame, so you can swap out parts when needed and avoid having to purchase a new frame.
Reputation Differences
Both of these brands are highly reputable and have a large following, but one does have more to offer in this avenue. Specialized has been known to sue companies for trademark infringement, which has dipped popularity for some cyclists. However, others don’t care one way or another and simply want the best bike on the market.
Bike enthusiasts are often fans of Cannondale, but there are exceptions. When you step away from worry about the opinions of others, both brands are out there, offering some of the best bikes in the world.
Wrapping Up
When you’re choosing Cannondale vs. Specialized, be aware that you will get a quality bike no matter which brand you go with. The mountain bikes from these two manufacturers have several similarities, especially when it comes to performance and frames. Specialized does excellent with some aspects, while Cannondale pulls ahead in others.
Our recommendation for the best brand is Cannondale, but there’s not a lot that separates Specialized from it. What it comes down to is considering all the options and paying attention to the components the bike you choose has. Regardless of whether that’s a Cannondale or a Specialized bike, we’re sure you’re going to be happy with the choice.