Strengths: It is light.
It was cheap.
It feels fast.
It has this slick Blue/Blue/White paint scheme that looks both bad azz and pansy azz at the same time. Heck, it might be a chick frame for all I know. It has chick pedals I know for a fact.
Weaknesses: I don't get to ride it as much as I would like.
Cannondale shipped their builds overseas.
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame for two reasons: I wanted a lighter frame than the steel bike i was riding, but i also wnated a frame that fit me better than the Al frame it would be replacing. Cannondale amde the announcement they would no longer be building in the US, so I decided to start looking for a used CAAD frame.
I was nervous the ride would be harsh, as Al is known for that, and the Al frame i was replacing was pretty bone-jarring. And Cannondale is notorious for having strong, but harsh, frames.
After winning the frame, I swapped all the parts over (ulegra9, FSA brakes) and added the RaceFace compact road crank and some Look Keo peadals. Added Aksium wheels. The build was pretty easy, and went without too much trouble. Getting a cheap Campy-style headset took a lil work. And finding the right bottle cap for the YAWYD helped.
While not as "plush" as my steel bike (it has Open Pro wheels with 25 rubber which plays a part), it is not harsh at all. It is the lightest bike I have owned, and it feels very balanced. The frame doesnt flex around the BB like the frame it is replacing, and it seems to accelerate better. Who knows how much of that is in my brain, but at least there is something in that brain!
The handling isnt "twitchy" per se, but i can see it getting away if you don't pat attention. However, I can attack corners and feel railed to the road better than on my other frames. You don't fight it; you get an "at one with the bike" feel.
I do feel the bumps in the road, and really dont like going over RR tracks, but that's par for the course. I was surprised it wasn't as harsh as I had expected. Even with a thin Nashbar saddle. I had expected to hate this frame, but I don't. I really like it.
After riding this old frame for one year, I thought about saving up and getting one of the final USA-built frames from Cannondale. But this frame is far from toast.
Similar Products Used: Flyte Al frame (CX version)
Fetish Al frame (harsh ride! noodle BB)
Salsa La Razza (steel roadie, classic geometry, all day bike)
Bike Setup: Ultegra shifters and mechs, FSA brakes, RaceFace Compact Crank, Keo pedals, Aksium wheels, white Sette bars/stem'seatpost, currently looking for a white/blue fizik saddle.
Strengths: Very light, now under 16 lbs with FSA crank, DA 12-23 carbon post etc. Handles great in corners and rock solid at 40+ down hills, rockets up hill too. Ride is solid, quiet and smooth, not mushy.
Looks: 'Dales are hot looking bikes with great paint schemes, hourglass stays, oversized tubes.
Weaknesses: I wish all bikes makers would not paint the drop outs - at least the fork. Alum always chips too easy.
Bottom Line:
I bought my 2002 Saeco Team on Ebay a few months ago. At $800 and change a great value - even if it's 4 years old. It was stock except for the seat and Spinergy SPOX wheels/Mich. pro race tires. Put my Flite ti seat on filled the tires and was off to an amazing ride. I had the biggest grin on my mug 60 secons into the ride! I've riden soft and harsh frames, this one hits the sweet spot! Corners like on rails, quiet and smooth ride. This bike weighed in at under 18 lbs when I got it (52cm) and the first big hill I hit felt like half the grade... this bike is light and tight.
I think the wheels with PBO spokes and tires tame any hashness there may have been (via others comments). I love this bike, the hot red paint, team logos make it look as fast as it is. Makes me have to back it up too! What a great 1st Ebay buy! I based my value rating on my price paid, full retail would be hard to fork over.
HINT: I recommend either wheels and tires I listed if you think the ride is harsh. They are very quiet and smooth, great for training or road racing, maybe too soft for crits.
Similar Products Used: Trek 2100. Many other steel and Alum bikes back to '73.
Bike Setup: R2000, 52cm, 2002 Saeco Team rep. Ultegra except for FSA team issue cranks, DA cassett, Selle SLR, Spinergy SPOX and Xearo Lite wheels, Mich. pro race rubber, Welco TI pedals, Alien carbon post...
I purchased the r2000 last year on ebay. Was looking at the Trek 5200 but got such a good deal, could not pass it up.
The bike is stiff and fast as others have suggested, and the components (especially the mavic wheels) are top notch.
All this being said, this is not a bike for a leisurely 25-50 mile weekend ride. I never road a Cannodale before, so maybe the CAAD 7 frame is more forgiving then prior models. Even if true, for this Cannodale newbie, the ride is pretty jarring.
My prior bike was a 1985 italian frame. Suprisingly, despite all of the bike tech of the Cannodale (including the fact that it weighs 5+ lbs less than my old bike), I am only about .5 mph faster than on my italian model (I think there is a bigger difference thought on the hills).
My plan is to swap out the frame with a trek 5200.
Submitted by
mercierfils
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2005
Strengths: Weight, driveline, combination of comfort and responsiveness.
Weaknesses: seat; yup.
Bottom Line:
I finally replaced my 1988 Cannondale Criterium 400 with a slightly used R2000. Solid triple componentry and a cutting-edge version of my faithful aluminum frame drew me in. Got a good deal, too. Others feel that CAAD7 is stiff, but coming from the straight crit frame, this bike rides cushy by comparison while even more rock-solid honking up hills and descending. It's a miracle! The Elites are more appropriate for my 190 lbs.
Similar Products Used: Trek 2300, various CAAD 5 models
Bike Setup: Stock (Ultegra triple group) except for Ksyrium Elite wheelset, downgraded from SL. Look A3.1 stones.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
claskrcker05
a Recreational Rider
from
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2005
Strengths: Fork, Crank, handling and looks.
Weaknesses: Stock saddle.
Bottom Line:
Sweet Ride! Fast out of the blocks, fluid
and handles well. I,like others, got rid
of the saddle fast. The Cad 7 frame is the best Cannondale has made, up until the new 6-13's. I highly recommend this
bike if you or someone is looking to step up to a true "road bike".
I am new to road bikes and am looking to buy one pretty quick. I was looking at the new R2000, but I came across a used one for a little less. I was wondering what the differences Read More »
I really like the component mix and frame of the new
[URL=http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RC2C.html]Six-13 - R2000[/URL]
Does anyone have any idea on the pri Read More »
I've been looking for a road bike (with all your help). I've got two choices staring at me:
2003 Trek 5900 (Dura Ace set, carbon, MSRP $4,730) with approx 2000 miles put on by a Read More »
I have a immaculate 2003 Cannondale CAAD7 frame and carbon fork. Not a blemish on it, only ridden a few hundred miles. Was going to build it up, looking at selling it. I can't f Read More »
