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Cannondale Catalyst 4 Review

By Sam Millers   /  Last updated - November 16, 2023   /  Cannondale, Mountain Bikes, Reviews

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If you want to get a taste of riding the trails and put your adrenaline addiction to the test, then Cannondale Catalyst 4 is just the right choice for you.

BEST FOR Beginners
FEATURES: 100mm front suspension travel, disc brakes, 100mm front suspension, 27.5″ wheels

Cannondale Catalyst 4 Main Specs

You will get a good deal for the money that you spend on this bike if you decide to buy it. You won’t get much more compared to some other bikes in the same price range, but you won’t get less either.

  • Frame: SmartForm C3 alloy, 6061
  • Fork: SR Suntour M3030-27
  • Tires: Innova, 27.5” x 2.1”
  • Crankset: Prowheel, 24/34/42
  • Cassette: Sunrace, 14-34, 7-speed
  • Front Derailleur: Shimano Tourney
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tourney, 7-Speed
  • Shifters: Shimano EF41 Easyfire
  • Brakes: Jak-7 Cable actuated disc, 160/160mm
  • Saddle: Cannondale Stage 2
  • Pedals: Cannondale Platform
  • Number of gears: 21

Catalyst 4 Sizing

S – 5’2″ – 5’6″
M – 5’6″ – 5′ 10″
L – 5’10” – 6’1″
XL – 6’1″ – 6’4″

Cannondale Catalyst 4 PROs & CONs

PROS:

  • A good and light-weight frame
  • Reliable build by Cannondale
  • Excellent for beginners on the trail
  • Great value for money

CONS:

  • Entry-level fork and derailleurs
  • Narrow tires

Cannondale Catalyst 4 Full Review


Have you just recently discovered the beauty of mountain biking? However, you are not sure if your newly-found passion will survive the test of time? If you are reluctant to splurge a lot of money on an expensive MTB, but still want to get a good idea of what an MTB can do, you should keep reading.

Cannondale Catalyst 4 is a bike that will give you exactly that. It’s an affordable, entry-level bike that is just perfect for beginners. It has a good base for future upgrades, so if you decide after some time that you have ‘outgrown’ it (technically speaking), you can easily fit it with some more serious components. Let’s take a look at some of the most important parts of this mountain bike.

Before anything else, you need to be realistic about this bike. At this price, your expectations should not be too high. However, you shouldn’t keep them too low either since Cannondale is known for building good-quality and durable bicycles. This is what you get with it.

Cannondale Catalyst 1

Cannondale Catalyst 1

Frame & Drivetrain

The frame on Cannondale Catalyst 4 is a SmartForm C3 Alloy, 6061 aluminum frame. It is lightweight, durable, and one of the high points on this bicycle. It will definitely survive the beatings that you put the bike through on the trail. Moreover, it is a great base for upgrading the bike in the future, if you decide to go a step forward with the components.

The drivetrain offers you a nice range of gears for an entry-level bike and it will be enough for most beginners. However, many cyclists agree that perhaps a 2×10 combo would be a better choice, as the three cogs on the crankset just add unnecessary weight. You probably won’t even use the largest cog if you ride trails most of the time.

Derailleurs & Brakes

The derailleurs are one of the weak points on this bike. They are part of the Shimano Tourney groupset, which is one of the lowest rankings in the Shimano hierarchy. If you want them to work properly and last for a long time, be careful not to shift gears under too much tension. Otherwise, they will do their job well. The brakes on Cannondale Catalyst 4 are pretty standard mechanical disk brakes, with 160mm rotors on both wheels. Mechanical disk brakes are a bit trickier to adjust than hydraulic and V-brakes.

However, they offer a lot more stopping power than V-brakes, especially when riding in wet and muddy conditions. So, even though they are a budget model, you will have good braking support in tough situations.

Tires and Rims

Some people who bought this bike and rode it report that the tires could be a bit wider. Having 2.2” or 2.4” tires would better suit the trails and off-road conditions. The rims on this bike are Alex DC 6.0, which is known to be heavy, but it is also quite strong. Since the wheelset contributes a lot to the overall durability of a bicycle, you can rest assured that these can take some beating.

Cannondale Catalyst 3

Cannondale Catalyst 3. Quite similar, isn’t it?

Saddle

The saddle on this MTB is a Cannondale Stage 2. It’s hard to say whether a saddle will fit you well or not, since it’s a personal preference. Some users online reported that this saddle was too narrow and that it didn’t provide enough support for them. However, it’s an individual thing, so for you, it might work out just perfectly.

Weakest Link: Fork

If you ever choose to upgrade the bike, the fork should be the first thing to look into. It is a cheap SR Suntour model, powered by a coil spring, without a lockout function. However, there is a preload function, so you will be able to set it up at least partially to your own preference. People who rode it report that it sometimes makes loud noises and feels like a pogo stick.

Other Catalyst Models

In case you are looking for something else for your MTB, you should take a look at other Cannondale Catalyst models. See the differences below.

  • Cannondale Catalyst 1 (2019) – This is the most expensive of all Cannondale Catalyst models. It comes with a fork with 100mm of travel, and Shimano Acera and Altus components.
  • Cannondale Catalyst 2 – This model is similar to the one above but the difference is the lack of hydraulic lockout feature that Catalyst 1 has.
  • Cannondale Catalyst 3 (2019) – Compared to Catalyst 4, this model has a preload option on the front suspension and 24 speeds.

Should You Buy It?

If you have a nice set of trails in your area or you want to be able to explore the nature around your home, the Cannondale Catalyst 4 is a great choice. However, if your idea of an MTB is to take it to its extremes and test your own limits as well, then this bike is maybe not the best choice for you.

Cannondale Catalyst 4 is a great mountain bike for casual rides on trails and gravel roads but will take a limited beating in extreme conditions. 

If you choose to invest your money in this Cannondale’s model, it will be money well spent. You get a decent frame that will bind all of the components together and a reliable build that Cannondale is famous for. The fork and the derailleurs might give in first under too much load that this bike is not designed for. However, it’s important to note that this is a pretty standard setup in this price range.

Cycling enthusiasts sometimes like being too nitpicky and going into excessive detail about their bikes. And this is fine. However, if you are a beginner, the standards do not need to be that high. It’s a good, all-around bicycle that you will have a fun time on the trails behind your house or exploring the paths in a local forest.

Buy Cannondale Catalyst

REI.com

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About the Author

Sam Millers

Sam Millers is the guy behind Bikexchange.com. From the early days of three wheels to conquering challenging mountain trails, Sam's love for cycling knows no bounds. With a background in web development, Sam seamlessly combined two of his greatest passions – cycling and technology. As the creative force behind Bikexchange.com, he shares insightful stories, expert tips, and engaging content for fellow cycling enthusiasts. When he's not exploring new biking routes or tweaking website codes, Alex enjoys sipping on a post-ride espresso and planning his next cycling adventure. 

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