Cannondale Habit LT LTD

    For those who prioritize agility, climbing efficiency, and modern trail bike capabilities, the Habit LT LTD is a bike worth checking out.

    Cannondale Habit LT LTD Bike Review

    Words by Spencer Astra | Photos by Cierra Coppock

    I have a bit of a personal connection to Cannondale. It was the top-tier brand at my local bike shop in Superior, Wisconsin growing up—shout out to Lee at Superior Sports. I still remember the stoke those bikes filled me with. Sometimes, I’d ride over to the shop just to stare.

    Recently, I had the chance to swing a leg over the Cannondale Habit LT. It’s a bike that stands out with a clear ethos of not taking itself too seriously. The Habit LT would prefer to session a trail jump over plowing through while trying to set a new PR on Strava. With 150 millimeters of front travel and 140 millimeters in the rear, it’s squarely aimed at the trail category, offering a playful, agile feel while maintaining stability on rough terrain.

     

    Bike Geometry and Specs

    *Based on a size large in low setting*

    Model: Habit LT LTD
    Price: $9,000 USD
    Wheel Size: 29”
    Rear Travel: 140 millimeters
    Fork Travel: 150 millimeters
    Wheelbase: 1,237 millimeters
    Chainstay: 440 millimeters
    Reach: 475 millimeters
    Headtube Angle: 64.7 degrees

    The derailleur, mounted on a universal derailleur hanger, is SRAM's XO Eagle AXS.
    Canondale's Proportional Response Suspension design alters the rider's center of gravity to ensure an ideal fit for every rider.

    Climbing on the Habit LT is a standout experience thanks to its steep 77-degree effective seat tube angle and well-balanced geometry. This setup positions the rider in an optimal, centered position, ensuring efficient power transfer and excellent rear-wheel traction. The proportional chainstay sizing enhances stability on steeper pitches—in size Large it’s a reasonable 440 millimeters while the slightly higher bottom bracket keeps you feeling on top of the bike, perfect for picking your way through technical climbs.

    Proportional chainstay sizing and a dialed, full-carbon frame design deliver a ride that's both stable and agile.
    A sub-65-degree headtube angle offers a balance of stability and precision, ideal for riders who thrive on active, input-driven descents.
    The RockShox Lyric fork features a 3.1 damper and Buttercups for smoother performance, even in cold conditions.

    When the trail turns downhill, the Habit LT shines as a lively, playful machine. The RockShox Lyric fork with Buttercups and the Super Deluxe rear shock provide excellent damping, soaking up trail chatter without compromising agility. The bike stays high in its travel, maintaining composure on rough terrain and delivering a poppy, energetic feel on jumps and corners. With its sub-65-degree headtube angle, it strikes a fine balance between stability and precision, making it great for riders who favor active, input-driven descents. It’s not at all a plow machine, but it absorbed an impressive amount of energy on my cold venture down Bellingham’s Double Black trail which, over the years, has turned quite raw and bumpy.

    Equipped with the SRAM XO Eagle T-Type crank.
    The Habit comes with the new SRAM Stealth brakes.
    This bike comes equipped with the SRAM AXS T-Type Pod Controller shifter.
    Spec'd with the new SRAM Stealth brakes.

    The Habit LT is equipped with a RockShox Lyric fork featuring a 3.1 damper and Buttercups for smoother performance, even in cold conditions. The Super Deluxe rear shock complements the setup, offering supportive mid-stroke damping and a progressive ramp up that avoids harsh bottom outs. Proportional chainstay sizing and a well-tuned frame design further enhance the ride, providing a stable yet agile feel. Paired with a safe Maxxis DHF 3C tire up front and a perfectly spec’d Maxxis Dissector 3C, this package ensures confidence and control on any trail. However, I would prefer a different set of brakes in this top-end spec. The new SRAM Stealth brakes seem to be more refined than the old Codes, but I’ve been complaining about those brakes for a half-decade now.

    The Cannondale Habit LT is a versatile, all-around trail bike that excels at climbing technical terrain and descending with a lively, jibby personality. It’s a great choice for riders seeking a lightweight, playful ride that doesn’t shy away from rough trails or big days in the backcountry. If you value agility, climbing prowess, and modern trail bike capabilities, the Habit LT is a solid contender.

     

    Learn more: https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/trail-bikes/habit