Cannondale R700 Si Triple

Price Paid:  $1365.00 at Bicycle Village, Col

Bike Setup:
Ritchey stem, Specialized Alias 143 saddle, Michelin Pro Race tires, Specialized tubes, Shimano SPD road pedals.

Summary:
This was a 2005 model. Very fast and manuverable. Usually ride between 10-50 miles, works very well. Bought it to get back into road cycling. Well satisfied. Unlike the earlier models, the front derailur is now a 105, as are the shifters. Has held up well. Really like the flat grey color. Don't usually use the small cog in the front (I like on the largest flat area in the world - West Texas), but is handy in the mountains.

Strengths:
Good wheels, excellent crank and bottom bracket, Ultegra rear. Frame is really outstanding - handles bumps well, climbs very well, is fast and light.

Weaknesses:
Brakes are poor (But I also ride a mountain bike.) I changed the pads out for Shimano Dura-Ace, which makes it stop much better. The stock seat was a Sella Royal gel 'Viper'. Seemed OK but after riding 25 miles a few times realized it was not that great, so I now have a Specialized Alias - far superior. Changed the Hutchinson Top Speed tires out as I had 3 flats in 800 miles - the Michelin Pro Race has yet to have a flat, although I have ridden them about as far.

Similar Products Used:
Masi Nuevo Strada, Trek 1000 and 1200, Giant OCR 1, 2, 3, Giant TCR composite, Bianchi Veloce.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Bike Pro Shop

Bike Setup:
Look pp396 pedals, Ritchey pro 105 degree-90mm stem, prolink gel saddle.

Summary:
Aside from the poor seat, this bike has treated me well, I have made some upgrades (Selle prolink seat, look pedals). The ride is smooth and has a solid feel despite its light weight. Still can't figure out why a Tiagra front derailleur is standard as the 105 is only $20 more. My LBS put on 105 brakes and cranks. A new stem was necessary b/c I'm in between sizes.

Strengths:
Good feel. Stiff. Light.

Weaknesses:
Tiagra? Worthless stock saddle. Replaced after one ride.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Farina's (Watertown,

Favorite Ride:
Minuteman Trail (for now)

Bike Setup:
originally silver on black, now blue/black on "pearl" with the original black fork and components (l

Summary:
Just getting into riding and the great folx at farinas (had to plug em!) convinced me that this was the bike i should start with! i absolutely am addicted to riding! any day w/o riding is like a day w/o sex!

Strengths:
great combination of frame, components, and value. love the weight and the versatility. im 6'2" and 220 and the bike handles it fine - sprints, uphills, downhills, everything is SCHWEEET!

Weaknesses:
get that saddle off!!!
pinched the top-tube week one ... on a spill while stationary (believe it or not!) had the frame swapped (CAAD5 but with the r900 markings) and love it!

Similar Products Used:
old schwinn (bought it for $20 and rebuilt it piece by piece)

Price Paid:  $1150.00 at Saybrook Cycle Works

Favorite Ride:
NYC century

Bike Setup:
105s shifters and rear de-railer
(tacky) Tiagra front deralier.
standard Mavicc wheels with Contin

Summary:
Ive riden 0ver 3,000 miles in the last year on a Giant Tcr 2 and loved it. Though a second bike was in order...the R700 triple with the USA paint caught my eye.
I do prefer the Giant to this Cannondale!!!! Corners were cut using a Tiagra front de-railer with full 105 setup...(cheap)!!

Strengths:
Paint job is nice. Thats about all!!

Weaknesses:
Im short...bike is a size 50...took some very experience mechanics hours to get the front de-railer right due to short chain stay. I have seen otheres with cannondale tripples on size 48 and 50,s have the same problem. Thanks to the GREAT mechanics at Saybrok cycle works, my shifter now works with accepable limits...not perfect...but close.
The seat is NOT for and experienced rider...going any distance! ...changed seat for selle italia flight max, the ride improved dramatically.
The brakes are Cannondale expert brakes...again 105 brakes would have been a better choice.
Overall...my Giant tcr2 rides much nicer and seems to more reponsive....however the Cannondale with its special paint job does have a better profile....so do I ride for comfort and performance,or do I ride to style?...Well...with 2 road bikes....at least I have a choice!

Similar Products Used:
Giant Tcr's
Rented Trek 2200

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Supergo

Favorite Ride:
Usery Pass

Summary:
Great Bike and i can't believe what you get for the money. I am a big lad tipping in at 250, but this bike handles it without a single groan!

Strengths:
Great up hill and down. I rode 33 miles this morning and it felt like 5, well nearly but you get the drift. It eats up the miles.

Weaknesses:
The stock saddle should be put in a museum of medival torture. It is not fit for human 'consumption'. I changed after one ride. A great relief! If your thinking of getting the R 700, don't leave the store with the stock saddle, you'll live to regret it!

Similar Products Used:
Trex 2200, Jamis