Cannondale 2000 R800

Price Paid:  $999.00 at International Cycle

Favorite Ride:
55 miles of straight, hot, flat and no wind

Bike Setup:
Rode stock for first 800 miles.
Now ride 170+ miles a week with Thomson stem/seatpost,
Koobi Si,

Summary:
Very nice bike to break into road riding with. Strong, durable yet light and quick.
Price is right for middle of the road components (105) and the carbon fiber fork is a must for this frame.
If upgrading, first would be the seat, and then the wheels. Rest is exceptional and should stand the test of time.
I would highly recommend in stock configuration.

If upgrading wheels lighter and stiffer, expect more road bumps transmitted to rider.

Strengths:
Well built aluminum frame. Weld quality excellent and finish is beautiful.
Frame stiff and 105 components right for the price of the bike.
Lightweight and durable for racing or long, fast rides.
Good choice for stock tires.

Weaknesses:
Stock CODA seat not comfortable.
Delete seat and associated cost and
sell seatless so buyer can pick with pedals and shoes.
Other than that, bike has never let me down.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Gearworks, Leominste

Favorite Ride:
53 mile loop. Hills in the beginning and at the end.

Bike Setup:
Stock. except new forgie stem. upgraded right shifter to ultegra after it self destructed. I'll pro

Summary:
Good all around bike. Strong, lightweight and agile. I rode many bikes in the same and more expensive . What sold me on this is its ability to climb!

Strengths:
Get on the pedals and go! Good climbing and acceloration.

Weaknesses:
The seat is hard to adjust to comfort. I am a tall rider (63 cm) and had to change the stem and move the seat in about 1mm in order to sit comfortably.
Now its OK (after a couple of thousand miles).
Some of the components could be better, but not for the price. Component upgrades are easier than buying a new frame.

Similar Products Used:
LeMonde Zurich - Also a good mid price bike.

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at Bicycle Sports Pacific, Vancouver, BC

Bike Setup:
Look 206 pedals. The only thing I've changed is the saddle (the standard issue with the R800 is a brutal Coda model).

Summary:
Anyone looking for a well-priced road bike with a high quality frame and components must consider the R800. From my very first ride, it transformed me into a die-hard road bike convert, and other than the saddle I haven't found a single weakness.

Strengths:
This review is for the 2001 R800. I love the light weight (approx. 18 lbs for the 54cm), the bike climbs amazingly well and the frame is beautifully made and very stiff. I have owned this bike for approx. one month, and before that I hadn't ridden for years. The R800 is so addictive that now I seize every chance I get to go for a ride - my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.

Weaknesses:
Coda saddle.

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR 2, Specialized Allez Elite

Price Paid:  $1500.00

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
I can say only great things about this bike. Like many riders, I had heard horror stories about the harsh ride of aluminum frames, and I was reticent about paying so much for a bike that I might not enjoy. But honestly, this bike is worth twice as much as I paid for it.

The ride is so fast and so nimble. I don’t know if it is the splined BB, the sharp wheels or the ultralight frame, but the moment you start pushing on the pedals, this bike jumps forward. The stability of the ride (and the sweet tires) makes even the fastest descents very comfortable.

So far as the parts mix, the rear hub is a little on the loud side, but it seems to perform well. Everyone seems to complain about the seat, but I don’t mind it a bit. The Coda brakes aren’t quite as good as a pair of 105s, but that’s the only drawback, and it’s a minor one. Everything else is top shelf – great headset, great bars, awesome tires and superb rims.

Get an R800, give me a call and we’ll go for a ride.

Strengths:
Extremely light, great components and a super responsive ride

Weaknesses:
None thus far

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi, C'dale Crit 3.0 frame

Price Paid:  $1650.00 at Dave Kane Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Downpatrick Loop, Crisp Spring Morning with no wind and no traffic!

Bike Setup:
As stock (Octavia Gel Saddle)+ Syntace Aerolite Tri Bars and Cateye Comp.

Summary:
I am happy with the bike, a few teathing problems with 105 rear derailleur but shifts smoothly, rides like a dream and is taking seconds off my 40K. I bought the bike as a good compomise between a racer and an everyday bike and it fills this niche beautifully

Strengths:
Light and responsive frame and a cinch @ climbs, the mainstay of this bike is it's great basics.
Coolest colour - Team Blue

Weaknesses:
As everybody says, the saddle sucks! Hard on the back and just impossible to get comfortable on.

Similar Products Used:
Specialised Compact Frame Elite (Unsure about compact geometry) - Jury still out