Cannondale Cyclocross

Price Paid:  $600.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Cannondale Road Warrior 900

Bike Setup:
stock except for a new saddle.

Summary:
I was lucky enough to pick up this bike NOS on ebay and its been an awesome bike for me. I like the cross geometry, which seems to fit me better than standard geometry racers. This bike has a comfortable riding position but because the frame is performance oriented it is stiff and as a result, it will bang you up a bit over long days. The strengths of this bike though far out weight the very few negatives.

Strengths:
Cannondales frame is wonderful - light, stiff and responsive. The mix of 105 and Tiagra components ride the fine line between quality and economy - neccessary on a cross bike where you may need to replace components broken during a race. They shift cleanly and crisply. Another area that shines is tire clearance. You can put on cross tires and still have room for mud guards for the winter. It makes a great communiting bike.

Weaknesses:
It's greatest strength is also its weakness as the stiffness is excessive at times. The brakes are the other weakness. They don't provide the stopping power you'd expect on a bike of this quality.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1750.00 at Pierik's Cycle in Ha

Bike Setup:
Generally stock. I change up between Kenda 'Kross Supremes' (amazing on snow/ice and through mud - they even roll well on clean roads) and Continental roadies (solid grip and durability). I have a comfy Selle Italia saddle w/ elastomer bumpers, which I would highly recomment to minimize butt-suffering.

Summary:
Mine is an '01 found on sale last spring (but the spec is basically the same for this year); I chose it over offerings from Kona, Brodie, Lemond and KHS which I also test-rode. The frame had a quicker, more agile feel than everything except the Lemond, but it alternatively felt too 'road-ish' - light and flexy. The others felt too sluggish and dull, much like my first (circa-1990) mountain bikes. I've now commuted on it for a year - including through the nasssty Canadian winter we've just experienced - and it has performed beautifully. I've also taken it trailside a bunch, and while each and every ride was a bone-jarring experience, I can't imagine a rigid bike that wouldn't have left me somewhat aching. And when I join my roadie racing friends in training rides, I'm never embarassed, or too sore, either.

Strengths:
Frame. The combo of strength and agility it offers is wonderful. Even in extreme cold, wet, and mud, it responds to very 'nuanced' input, and its rigidity is confidence-inspiring. It handles great across each of the 'genres' i've ridden it through.

Weaknesses:
As is a pretty standard 'knock' against C'dales, that rigidity can add up to a pretty sore body - and not just on trails. It certainly doesn't absorb bumps like my now-ex reynolds 853 road bike, but such is the strength trade-off. Also, the rear wheel 'as-was' from Cannondale kept popping spokes, and wouldn't stay in true for anything. But Pierik's rebuilt it for me (free of charge) with new spokes/nipples and things have been much better since. The CODA cranks are kinda flexy and annoying, and for a CAAD3 frame, the price is still high (I posted in CDN dollars).

Similar Products Used:
'cross bikes from Brodie, Lemond, KHS and Kona.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at WEBSTER BICYCLES

Favorite Ride:
Anything mountain

Bike Setup:
Listed above

Summary:
This bike is a great cross bike for the price. I do believe that some of the other bikes available have more for yur money, but our team uses Cannondale, so I got a really good deal on mine. I have been upgrading everything on the bike since I have purchased it, so once I am done it will be full Dura-Ace with 3T Prima 199 bar, Ritchey WCS stem, King Headset, Velomax Circuit wheels, Shimano 959 pedals, Avid brakes, various Ti bolts, Kevlar beaded tires, etc.....

Strengths:
Stiff aluminum frame, color for '03

Weaknesses:
The parts selection could be better. This bike in a 54 cm weighed 23.8 lbs stock. That is heavy for a cross bike. I like Cannondale, but man the weight of this pig could be cut down. Hopefully they will use the Optimo tubing for the future cross bikes with canti's.

Similar Products Used:
None