Cannondale Adventure 400S

Price Paid:  $550.00 at Bicycle Garage Indy

Favorite Ride:
Hilly Hundred

Summary:
Bought bike new Aug 02. Fairly new to bike riding. wanted something comfortable for occasional rural rides with wife. Turned out I liked road riding alot.

Strengths:
Nice overall quality. Suspension works great.

Weaknesses:
Major problem - and I mean major - the dealer could not keep the rear brakes from squealing - in shop numerous times - new pads - adjustments - the problem is that the rims are anodized black and as it wears off it creates foreign material under the pads. Cannondale does not have a acceptable remedy. Also the shifter is too hard to operate.

Price Paid:  $500.00 at Back Bay Bicycles in

Favorite Ride:
Anything including Elf Hill in Amherst

Bike Setup:
Factory w/ just the seat changed.

Summary:
This is actually a bike I bought for my wife. She loves the bike. I bought it with the idea in mind that I could get her into biking. I bike a lot, but she has been reluctant to go with me. I wanted to get something versatile, reasonably quick, and comfortable. This was a good choice. She loves the riding position and it's fast enough that when we do road rides I ride my mountain bike and things even out. It's not a bike for someone more hard core, but it's perfect for her.

Strengths:
Comfort, versatility, quality of frame.

Weaknesses:
A little heavy, components are just ok.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hybrid

Price Paid:  $460.00

Favorite Ride:
Adventure 400

Bike Setup:
I have a rack, fenders, and ride with paniers.

Summary:
I have a bad back so I went with this hyrid. Initially I thought it's slowness was just me not used to a new bike, but this is just a slow bike. Slower than my junkie Giant MTB with smooth tires. I think it has something to do with the geometry (I bought a jumbo and I'm 6'3') If you don't want speed, it's a good deal for the money.

Strengths:
Very smooth ride, the shifting is smooth also. Can haul a lot of weight. Good mule.

Weaknesses:
Saddle is awful (hurt my testicles and weighs about 3 lbs.)easily replaced though, bike is slow and very heavy when weighted down with rack, fenders, and paniers. Good for an older person or for someone who isn't concerned about speed.

Price Paid:  $529.00 at Erik's Bike Shop, Bu

Favorite Ride:
Paved trail along Minnehaha and Minneapolis lakes

Bike Setup:
Factory.

Summary:
I am an amateur biker, so I can't intelligently discuss why I love this bike, but I do! I was looking for a quality hybrid for under $500. I looked at the Trek 7300, Giant Cypress, and Specialized Crossroads. I was about to buy the Trek 7300 when I decided to go slightly outside the $500 limit I had set for myself and test ride the Cannondale 400s. The Cannondale just felt better than the others. It's comfortable, solid and it seems like I can get good speed on it (although I really don't have a frame of reference).

Strengths:
Comfort, control, stability.

Weaknesses:
Seat is perhaps too bouncy. I might be able to adjust the tension, but I haven't tried yet.

Similar Products Used:
None.