Cannondale Cannondale Six Carbon 6

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Cycling forum

Favorite Ride:
Bobbin Head, West Head

Bike Setup:
Ultegra groupset (upgraded to Ultegra cranks and brakes)
Upgraded Fulcrum 5 rims

Summary:
This is review for the 2010 C'dale Six Carbon 3. The difference comes down to groupset with this Carbon 3 with Ultegra groupset.

This bike came with upgraded rims (Fulcrum Racing 5) and change from FSA BB30 crank to Ultegra cranks.

This bike has geometry that's less aggressive than the CAAD9. It's smooth, less road "rumble" and certainly more comfortable in terms of absorbing the bumps on the road.

It feels stiff and certainly the bike has more ability than my fitness. Handles well and really stable at high speed and cornering.

Strengths:
Smooth, comfortable ride.
Feels as stiff as the CAAD9

Weaknesses:
Rims not up to the price of bike

Similar Products Used:
Cannondale CAAD9 R5

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Williamson Bikes, Ma

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any country road, with hills and no traffic.

Bike Setup:
Read the description and you have it.

Summary:
The Six Carbon 6 is a beautiful bike for many reasons--lightweight 100% carbon frame with a combination of stiffness and ride comfort. After 1,900 miles two words come to mind--comfort and speed. This bike moves beneath me on rolling terrain and up hills with relative ease, and I'm not the worse for it after 4 hours in the saddle due to the shock resistant carbon and Cannondale carbon technology--hourglass shaped seat stays, oversized tapered headtube. My only complaint has been with the FSA Omega Compact Crank/Chainrings--whether because these items are less intuitive than Shimano 105 or because I'm a neophyte roady (or both) I have had nothing but headaches with shifting my front chainrings until I upgraded to Shimano 105. Now it's all an afterthought, very intuitive, and almost shifts for me. The delay in this upgrade caused me not a few headaches & trips to the dealer who basically blamed me for the mishaps. Since the upgrade I no longer patronize this bike shop.

Strengths:
100% carbon monocoque frame down to dropouts, stiff yet shock absorbent for a speedy yet comfortable ride, excellent power transfer with the BB30 technology.

Weaknesses:
FSA Omega Compact Crank/Chainrings were a nightmare causing numerous trips to the shop for adjustments, replacements. Only peace of mind came with an eventual upgrade to Shimano 105 bottom bracket, compact crank/chainrings, and chain.

Similar Products Used:
1st road bike.