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Reviews 1 - 5 (7 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
hbcmike
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: October 17, 2003
Strengths: Great frame, components work very well for novices, Cannondale is a TERRIFIC company.Weaknesses: comes with cages instead of clipless pedals, so youll have to buy your own. Stock seat isnt great, but you always need to buy one for your own bottom.Components can be slow or noisy, just trim them well and dont plan on racingBottom Line: I rode this bike on a benefit 4,000 mile tour from New Haven, CT to Seattle, WA this summer and it worked like a dream! I was not a serious cyclist before I began training for the ride in March '03, but the bike turned me into one. First, C-dale is a great company, for the benefit ride we got terrific discounts for our 64 riders (ALL who rode R400s)and the company was easy and accommodating to work with. Its a great ride, but other reviews tell you that. This is a great machine for just getting into cycling, the components work fine, though noisy they are reliable, and you aren't afraid to jump right into your own maintenence and repairs (saving money at bike shops and learning handy skills, you might not try that on a Dura-Ace $$bike). The frame really holds up to anything. In NY my derailer got hit into the rear spokes and dented the seatstay badly, but it held the remaining 3600 miles and though it has become a largish crack, it still hasnt failed like it really should have by now.
Summary - great company and frame. go a grade or 2 higher if you're serious about racing, but rec or commute you won't find anything better.
Favorite Ride: Hwy 20, Washington
Bike Setup: Stock (Tiagra/Sora components) except for a Brooks Professional leather saddle and SPD pedals (Ritchey)
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Submitted by
davy crockett
a Road Racer
from Tokyo, JapanDate Reviewed: September 21, 2003
Strengths: lightweight
quick handling
low level sora components, but better than the stuff on the 2004 modelWeaknesses: Sora shifters
terrible brake pads--see above
squeaky seat on mine
WEAKNESS OF SITE:FORCES ME TO CATAGORIZE MYSELF AS A TYPE OF CYCLIST NO CHOICES FIT.
poop color selectionBottom Line: PAid alot, but natural for Japan. Components--Sora especially a re little low for this price range here. Mont Bell--opening in Colorado soon~- had basically incompetant sales people and idiots for mechanics. Chain was not lube. Front derailleur could barely shift into the big ring because the cable was so slack. SRAM chain^^very noisy substituted for Shimano. Seat was replaced with a cheapo that squeaked horribly (even when I greased and oiled the rails) until I replaced it. Had to replace the front brake pads becasue they had a very hi pitched squeak--even when toed in. They were actually dangerous. could barely stop the bike. I don't know if they were standard pads or some cheap local Japanese substitute.
After I adjucted, lubed and set it up correctly, it runs very nicely. Suprisingly fast and quick handling. Ride is stiff, but about average for a light road bike.
If I were to do it again, I'd got up to the R600. The Sora shifters are a huge nuisance to shift from the drops
Favorite Ride: do you really care?
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: Mont Bell, Yokohama
Similar Products Used: numerous, Giant, Trek others
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Submitted by
mbr142
a Recreational Rider
from Date Reviewed: September 12, 2003
Strengths: Handmade CAAD4 Frame
Stiff feel
Smooth ride
Hour-glass seat stays
Worth upgrading components in the futureWeaknesses: None so far. However, I was not a fan of the Sora shifting.Bottom Line: The R400 has been an excellent starting point for me. As a reformed MTB'r I never knew how fun road riding was. Anyway, I tried several entry level bicycles comparable to the R400. Nothing came close to the smooth ride and superior feel this bike had. For an entry level bike the component group was acceptable. This is a nice fast bike for the money.
Favorite Ride: Every one of them
Price Paid:
$849.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Specialized, Trek, LeMond, Giant (all entry level bikes)
Bike Setup: Ultegra group, Cosmos wheels, Look pedals
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
G Taylor
a Recreational Rider
from Laurel, Maryland, USADate Reviewed: September 8, 2003
Strengths: Light and fast. Great performance for the price.Weaknesses: Some chain noise from the front derailer
when crossing gears (i.e., Large front spocket
and large rear sprocket gear ratio).Bottom Line: I actually got this bike as a replacement to my aging 12 speed road
bike. Given the price of todays average road bike being a grand or
more, this was a perfect step up for me both price and performance
wise. The R400 is a solid investment for a recreational rider who
may look to do an occasional race with those more expensive bikes
out there.
What makes a bike a good one is its components couple with the
fact of it's efficiency in changing gears, stopping power, maneuverability
and comfort. Things to remember when purchasing a bike are what
you are going to use it for and for how long. Remember a $2000.00
investment is not worth its value if it is sitting in your basement acting
as a clothes hanger.
This bike is a great entry level name brand bike that lives up to its
name. The CAAD4 frame is strong yet flexible enough to absorb the
road shock on long rides and ranks as one of the best made by
Cannondale.
My bike has operated flawlessly after a few minor break in adjustments.
This bike is light and fast. On a straight away all out sprint for about
a mile, I've averaged speeds around 25 to 30 mph and have eclipsed
the 50 mph mark on a down hill tuck. Pretty fast on a set of 700x23c tires.
Although I now consider myself a recreation rider these days, at speeds
like that, I may decide to pursue some real competition.
Prior to my purchase, I test road various road bike brand names and
levels and found the Cannondale R400 to be the best choice for me
among all the others. Take heart that I am not a salesman for
Cannondale but a band new hand made road bike for that price and
performance in todays market is unheard of
Favorite Ride: Quiet Back Roads
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At: Bike Doctor of Annap
Similar Products Used: Trek 1000 and 1200.
Bike Setup: Factory
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Triathlete
from HILO, HawaiiDate Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Strengths: I train frequently with Ironman qualifiers, and so far I have kept up.Bottom Line: So far its been a good bike, a little noisy when I cross gears, but no major problems...
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At: Hilo Bike Hub
Similar Products Used: Ironman 5000
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