Cannondale has released another entry-level mountain bike at a very tempting price. Cannondale Trail 6 comes from the Trail group of Cannondale’s mountain bicycles which vary in price quite a lot. The Trail 6, however, is one of the affordable models and is great if you are on a limited budget but still want to get a decent bike.
The Cannondale Trail 6 is a bike with a great money to value ratio!
The Trail 6 comes in two wheel sizes, both 27.5” and 29ers, depending on the size of the frame you get. S comes with 27.5″ wheels, M, L, and XL come with 29ers. If your idea of a bicycle is a machine that can take you down some paved trails or take you on a fun smooth single-track, the Trail 6 will not disappoint you.
Cannondale Trail 6 Main Features
Let’s go over some of the main features of Cannondale Trail 6 and see why this bike is a great choice if you do not want to splurge and buy too much bike, but still, get decent components for your investment.
- Frame: Smart Form C3 Alloy
- Fork: SR Suntour XCT 100mm (w/ lockout)
- Gears: 24 (3×8)
- Wheel Sizes: 27.5 / 29
- Derailleurs: Shimano Acera & Altus
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Brake type: Disc
Frame
The Cannondale Trail 6 comes with a frame that is well balanced and produced of the improved C3 Alloy, which was reinforced and optimized for the trail. Cannondale boasts that their frame technology absorbs a lot of the vibrations from the road, making the ride as smooth as butter.
The frame is light and strong, double-welded, with a weight that is evenly distributed. Moreover, it’s good to know that this is the same frame that is fitted on some of the more expensive Trail models, so you get a lot for your money.
All seven Cannondale Trail bikes, both low-end and high-end models, use the same well-designed aluminum alloy frame.
Fork and Steering
The fork that Cannondale Trail 6 comes with is a Suntour XCT, 100mm, with coil springs. It has a preload option, as well as a hydraulic lockout feature that is remotely handled. A switch is fitted on the handlebar so you can engage or disengage the suspension at any time.
The suspension on Cannondale Trail 6 is responsive and it will work excellently for moderate trail rides and even take some reasonable beating.
The fork on the S-sized frame has a 42 mm offset, while the ones on the bigger models come with a 46 mm offset.
The ergonomics of Trail 6 are not too aggressive. Being that this is an entry-mid level bike, this is a good thing. The rider feels well-centered in the middle of the bike, so an amateur MTB rider will feel balanced and confident.
Related: Other mountain bike reviews
Drivetrain & Derailleurs
This bike is fitted with a Shimano 3×8 drivetrain which offers a great selection of gearing for trail rides. The chain that powers the drivetrain is a KMC X8, 8-speed, which is pretty standard at this price range. If you take care of it, clean it and lube it regularly, it will serve you well for a long time, like any other chain.
The shifting system on the Trail 6 is pretty standard for this amount of money. It comes with a combination of Shimano Acera (rear) and Shimano Altus (front) derailleurs and Shimano Altus shifters.
While these are not state-of-the-art parts, they are still a good choice for a bike intended for beginners. If you maintain them well and abuse them sparingly, you’ll get years of fun out of them.
Tires & Brakes
The tires that the Trail 6 runs on are WTB Ranger. Depending on the size of the frame that you choose and your preference, you can choose between the 27.5” and 29” diameter. Note that on the S-sized model, both tires are 2.25″ wide. On larger models, the front tire is 2.25″, whereas the rear one is 2.0″.
The tires have a micro-square thread so they give you lots of traction. The knobs are pretty small. So, excessive traction will not slow you down too much on paved roads. However, due to low-profile knobs, it is questionable how they will perform in wet conditions.
The stopping power on Cannondale Trail 6 is well distributed and you will feel like you have a lot of control in your hands when you press the levers.
If you buy an MTB that can tackle some more serious terrain, like Trail 6 is, you expect it to have lots of stopping power as well. That’s exactly what you get with this Cannondale since it comes with Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes. 160mm rotors are on the front and rear wheels.
Related: Hybrid: Cannondale Quick Series Overview
Saddle and Pedals
The saddle and pedals are pretty much standard models across most Cannondale bikes in this price range. People who rode the bike and reviewed it didn’t complain about the saddle but this is an individual thing. The pedals are Cannondale Platform, flat pedals as it is clear from their name. They are great for beginners. However, if you prefer clipless pedals, you can easily fit the bike with a pair.
Other Trail Series Overviews
- Trail 1 – Top model with excellent components and a 120 mm air fork travel, intended for trail enthusiasts.
- Trail 2 – High-specked mid-range model with a 1×12 SRAM SX drivetrain and an air fork, made for intermediate trail riders.
- Trail 3 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – Versatile MTB with 24 gears, excellent for trails, gravel, and dirt roads, aimed towards casual and recreational riders.
- Trail 8 – Cheapest Cannondale Trail model with reliable and durable components for the money, ideal for budget-conscious cyclists.
Consider also: Cannondale Trail SL Series
Do We Recommend it?
Yes!
The Trail category of Cannondale’s mountain bicycles has a wide range of models that suit different types of rides.
The strongest points on Trail 6 are definitely its frame and its brakes. Its disc brakes have shown to be quite durable and to perform well under stress. The fact that the fork has a remote lockout option is a big plus on the trail as well.
If you are a beginner on the trail, but you plan to stick with it, Cannondale Trail 6 will serve you quite well.
After some time, if your riding becomes more serious, you might want to invest in better derailleurs and some knobbier tires, if you ride in muddy conditions a lot of the time. However, these are pretty standard upgrades on most trail bikes.
Therefore, as you can see, Cannondale has built another decent bike and offers it at an attractive price. If you are just entering the trail life, definitely give this model a try. If you are a more experienced rider, though, check out some of the more advanced Cannondale Trail models instead.
Cannondale Trail 6
Pros
- Exceptional frame
- Reliable hydraulic disc brakes
- Remote lockout feature
Cons
- Lower end derailleurs
Hey I was going to upgrade my pedals on this bike but I don’t know what size it takes, I’m confused in pedal sizes like 9/16 and stuff like that
Hi Luis,
Most of the pedals these days are 9/16. Here’s a good link to give you an idea how to tell if your pedals have 9/16.
Deal all, I’m going to buy a cannondale trai 6 model year 2020, but I also have the opportunity to buy the 2019 model year. I have seen comments above, but they are not exact as the transmission system is identical on both models year. with the exception of the graphics, the only coss that I noticed is that the rear brake tube passes differently between the two my (in 2019 under the oblique tube of the body, in 2020 under the horizontal tube of the body). can anyone tell me what exactly the differences are and which model year is worth buying regardless of the price? (I found the shop that sells them to me for the same price)
Hi Giuseppe,
There are exciting reviews about this model via YouTube if you have the time. Here’s the complete specs. You can compare it to your 2019 model. Cannondale Trail 6
2020 trail 6. Can you suggest a fork and do you Railer upgrade? Can I buy a remote switch for my forks on the trail six?
You can get SR Suntour XCR or RockShox 30 Gold RL, for example, it’s just important for the fork to have a straight steerer. You can get a remote switch as well if the fork supports it.
I bought a large cannondale trail 6 (2019)
And a medium trail 4 (2019) . I’m 5’9 1/2 and the large tube is right there in the area. The medium gave me more room. I am loving the trails but noticed knee pains and a slighter hunch on the medium . Can I adjust the handle bars ? Which one should I keeps, is the tubing size a big factor . I have started riding the trails all of the time
Hi Omar, Trail 4 is a much better bike in terms of components, but I think size L is a better fit for your height. You could put a longer stem on your Trail 4 to extend the reach, but don’t overdo it as it will also affect your handling. Knee pain could be related to the saddle height or saddle fore/aft position, check if those are adjusted correctly.
Between a trail 4 and trail 6… what do you prefer for a beginner on this MTB world!?
If you’re an absolute beginner and you plan to take things slowly, Trail 6 will do the job more than well enough. However, if you want to pursue mountain biking, ride the trails often, and improve your skills as time goes by, then it’s better to go for Trail 4 straight away.
Difference in Marlin 6 2x Drivetrain and Trail 6 3x Drivetrain? Bike will be rode on both pavement and trails with pavement being more often
Hi Robbie, 2x drivetrains are much more common on mid-range trail bikes nowadays because they lower weight and simplify things. You usually still have the same min/max range of gears as on a 3x setup, though you lose some gears in-between. For your needs, I recommend going with the 2x option.
Are the hubs sealed bearing? Is it a cassete on the rear? Will it accept an 11 speed cog?
Hey Charles, the bottom bracket is a sealed cartridge, but not sure about the hubs. I believe the freewheel will accept only up to 10 cogs, you’ll need to replace it if you want to fit an 11-speed cog.
I can get a 2019 Trail 6 or a 2020 Trail 6 for the same money. Which would you suggest?
Both are good bikes. You should decide whether you prefer a 2x or a 3x drivetrain and choose relative to that preference. 🙂
Jeff, how would you compare 2019 Trail 6 vs. 2020 Trail 6? The pictures of 2019 show a tapered headtube (I could be wrong, new to bike world). What are the other areas do you think makes a difference from 2019 to 2020? 2X9 (2019 model) vs. 3X8 (2020 model). 2019 model is nearly 2 lbs lighter than 2020 Trail 6. Thanks for your help.
2019 model ($825) is also priced higher on Cannondale website as compared to 2020 model ($650)?
As you’ve noticed and mentioned yourself, a lot has changed since 2019 for Trail 6. It’s no longer the same bike compared to the 2019 model. Trail 5 2020 is now much more similar to Trail 6 2019, so you can get that one if you want a new 2x setup. I prefer the 2019 model because of the 2x, but it’s also more expensive.
I was looking into getting a bike to take on various trails and also use for a 4 mile daily commute on the streets. Which would u recommend? Thank you! Cannondale Trail 6 Bike – 2020 vs Cannondale
Quick CX 3 Bike – 2019
If you plan to spend more time on the trails, I’d recommend Trail 6. If you plan to spend more time on paved roads and just occasionally hit some tame trails, then Quick CX 3 is more suitable for you. Hope that helps!