Submitted by
HauntedMyst
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2007
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.
Bottom Line:
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.
Submitted by
bad_bad_leroy
a Commuter
from Waterdown, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003
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).
Bottom Line:
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.
Similar Products Used: 'cross bikes from Brodie, Lemond, KHS and Kona.
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.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daryl
a Road Racer
from Webster, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2003
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.
Bottom Line:
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.....
On Hed's website, [url=http://hedcycling.com/ardennes/default.asp?content=CL]HED Cycling Ardennes CL[/url], the Ardennes CL is listed as a tire suitable for cyclocross. It also s Read More »
It just snowed here so I plan on taking my CX bike out tomorrow. Hopefully the roads will be mostly clear of the snow but they'll probably be some patches of snow, slush, and ice. Read More »
if you live in or are visiting the greater Sacramento area, i offer up a challenge to all comers. in the vain of this climb in the uk[url=http://vimeo.com/30273999]The Catford Hill Read More »
:17: My Kish Ti frame has arrived. Took some snapshots to show off this awesome frame for you guys to drool on. This frame was designed with the intent to do it all; road, CX, and Read More »
