Pros: Super Fast up and downhill. Great geometry, takes rough terrain really well, extremely solid ride, very light. Rides like a Cadillac on rocks, ruts, etc.

Cons: It comes with the wrong hardware(in my unknowledgable opinion) Shimano top dog carbon derailer, Shimano brakes, lightweigt tires. If this bike came outfitted with the Scalpel hardware, it would be PERFECT!! I am changing stuff out as I go along....

Recommendation: I rode a top dog Ellesworth, same day, same trail when I bought the Rize. No comparison. (To be fair, I have only owned and ridden Cannondale, with the exception of Santa Cruz which I rent out west and thought was a great bike, but the Rize is a whole nother level of bike) If you are a serious rider, or a serious for fun rider like me...this bike kills. Like the new Scalpel, this is an excellent machine, though it costs.....I LOVE it, and I think I ride pretty hard, looking for rough, fast terrain as opposed to forest roads or singletrack.....