Cannondale R900 Si

Price Paid:  $1060.00 at cycling store on e-b

Favorite Ride:
breakfast club ride

Bike Setup:
ultegra through out with mavick wheels.(shweet!!)

Summary:
Awsome bike!!The handling is superb,coners like a champ and is very comfortable.I'll have this bike for years to come!!

Strengths:
rigidity,conering and comfortable geomtry is outstanding.It realy leaps on a bunch sprint when you lay the "hammer down"!!

Weaknesses:
sadle sucks.changed out to my terry.

Similar Products Used:
khs flite300,tomasso scillian

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Bike Barn

Favorite Ride:
25 mile course along South Shore of Boston

Bike Setup:
Mavic wheel set
Ultegra

Summary:
I purchased the Bike 3 months ago, and am extremely happy with it. Very comfortable, particulary with the hour glass stays. Components, particularly the Mavic wheel set is great and very durable.

Strengths:
Comfort for long rides
durability
components for the price are great
never had a problem with the seat even though many others have upgraded

Weaknesses:
none so far

Similar Products Used:
Mountain bikes; Trek F900; cannondale lefty f900sx

Price Paid:  $1199.00 at Oakley Cycles, Cinci

Bike Setup:
Changed saddle, added aero bars; everything else stock.

Summary:
I am a marathon runner who recently made the leap to Ironman triathlons. Purchased the 2002 model (new) in 2003 for significant savings. Oakley Cycles (in Cincinnati) did a superb job of fitting me on the bike; takes time, but worth it. Bike is very comfortable and durable. Wheelsets have been a pleasant surprise, taking the abuse of some not-so-smoothe country roads without a problem. Moderately light weight bike (FYI, you can get the actual weight for the European models on the Cannondale website, but not the US models; strange). Glad to see Cannondale has emerged from bankruptcy as it is nice to have the option to buy a hand-made frame at a reasonable price. Some complaints I have heard about Cannondale (and noticed in their 2003 lower end models) is that they mix in too many of their own components. I have heard that a lot of other bike frames from other companies on the lower end are ALL actually manufactured at the same Giant facility in Asia at the same plant; so, take your pick. I personnaly prefer the custom frame.

Strengths:
Great components for the price paid. Ride seems very comfortable compared to other bikes tested; rear seat stays (hourglass shape) really seem to absorb some of the road vibrations. Very durable and reliable

Weaknesses:
A little heavy, maybe, but durable. Don't even try using the stock saddle (no kidding); numbness from a test ride is definitely not a good sign!

Similar Products Used:
N/A. First road bike.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Ciclo Guilly, Santa

Favorite Ride:
Alto del Indio, Quitirrisi, San José Costa Rica

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 component group except for the front derralieur which is a Shimano Tiagra, Grippeme wheels, Continental tires, Campagnolo head set, Shimano SPD clipless pedal.

Summary:
I purchased my R900 Si a treat for my 38th birthday, for belly busting and overall physical conditioning purposes. I have found cycling happiness with this bike besides mountainbiking. This ride is very retro, conservative, no compact design, no dropping saddle post, very American plus superb workmanship in the package. The Europeans should be envious of this bike. Today I did a 3 hour climb to the fabled Alto del Indio near my home in the hills of Santa Ana, in good climate some overcast, a slow breeze and 25°Centigrade temperature riding with a group of experienced riders. All of them liked my bike even a "pro" that rode a red chromoly Bianchi and passed me away in the climb, said "nice bike", however I did perform well, felt well and returned wanting for more. I have been training every day at 5:30 A.M. since the 6th of March after many months of inactivity and my companions were riding a Colnago, Lifespeed both with Campagnolo Record components and a Cannondale R600 with Shimano 105's which I consider more expensive bikes, except for the R600 which is fairly equivalent to mine except for the frame. The Grippeme wheels on my R900 Si with sets of three radii are great, however last Sunday my front wheel caught a crevice in the break down area of the road where I train and it punctured the chamber, scratched the front rim and put it out of alignment. I sanded the scratch with #125 sanding paper and took the wheel to the shop to have it trued. Since then I ride with more concern of the road, which I didn't do with my mountain bike. This is my second Cannondale. The first one is an M400 that I still conserve as a relic, perhaps as an amulet. This was a trouble free bike and the components are still working. My R900 Si came with Shimano Tiagra in the front derralieur, however, but unless it fails, I do not plan to trade it in. The stock seat is gone and I have a lighter one with a chamois top. This bike is a safe and classy bet. The pebble and blue finish is classic and I look forward to many years of enjoyment. I hope the belly goes but I forsee long rides and chocolate ingestion abstinence also

Strengths:
Very comfortable ride even in sloppy tarmak, very strong frame, very solid.

Weaknesses:
Wheels are too thin for costarican poorly covered tarmak.

Similar Products Used:
Benotto 27" 10 speed.

Price Paid:  $1900.00 at City Cycle

Favorite Ride:
Anything long

Summary:
Excellent bike all around for price. 1st road bike, but extremely comfortable for any length ride.

Strengths:
In 1 year wheels are in true.

Weaknesses:
Replace the saddle! Triple chainring with 12-25 in rear cassette not needed. Better to go to 11-23 or 21.

Similar Products Used:
T2000 Cannondale Touring