Cannondale Capo

Price Paid:  $800.00 at James Vincent Bikes

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
GW Bridge and along Hudson River

Bike Setup:
Totally stock but will be switching out handlebars for bullhorns

Summary:
Its actually the 2008 Model. After doing much research on what road bike I'd want to get, I thought I wanted a Trek Soho S. After testing one, and a Jamis Sputnik, and a Bianchi Pista, I fell in love with the Capo. Already having a Cannondale F5 as a mountain bike, I have a sweet spot for Cannondale frames and how responsive they are. In a matter of weeks I've put over 100 miles on it and just love it to death. I will probably change out the handlebars for some bullhorns, but that's preference for me. I admit the brakes aren't the best, and the bike is a little noisy under strain, it can all be fixed and you still have that great frame and fork. I gave it a 4 for value, because it certainly isn't cheap compared to its competitors, but I still think its worth it.

Strengths:
Super Light Weight
Amazing Frame
Great Fork
Great Gearing for a Fast Ride

Weaknesses:
Brakes could be better
Little Noisy
Like everyone else on here found the carbon wrapped seat post silly.

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Sputnik, Trek Soho S, Bianchi Pista

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Human Zoom

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
16 mile commute including the infamous "wall"

Bike Setup:
2007 Cannondale Capo, flip flop set to single speed, stock parts slowly replaced new brakes, crank, pedals, seat

Summary:
Bike so nice I bought it twice - after the first got creamed, and me along with it by an illegal left hand turn, I stepped right up and bought the same ride again. I wanted a bike that I could both ram around the city streets on, and not worry about locking up outside, and then hop on it for a long scenic ride back, or kick it in and get home through rain/snow - this bike fir the bill with a little something for each occasion. The frame is amazing, the parts do wear, like some other posts have said, but overall it's fantastic bike to do a little bit of everything on, I use it to commute, minor touring, and also just to get around town. Slowly I've been updating parts as the stock ones wear out, or I see something on sale. The original tires, brakes got chewed up in the first 1000 miles, the crank is going to need work soon. The carbon and aluminum is surprisingly smooth.

Strengths:
Responsive smooth ride, great frame, weights nothing, good stock, and easily modified

Weaknesses:
parts wear, but not before you'll want to upgrade anyways, don't read their marketing just try the bike

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Helen's Cycles

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Los Angeles

Bike Setup:
Arione CX Saddle, Thomson Elite Stem, Nitto B125AA Drop Bars, Crosstop Brake Lever (F), MKS Platform Pedals, Soma Quad Gate Cages, Toshi Double Straps

48x17 Fixed Gear

Summary:
I got the 2008 "Race Red" Capo. I have had so many positive comments on the frame & overall look of this bike. It also performs extremely well being so light and agile- even with the somewhat lackluster components it came with. I am in the process of replacing the stock components and with each upgrade the bike always smiles back at me tenfold. This frame is absolutely gorgeous, it is extremely high quality, and it has excellent upgrade potential.

I tried several steel framed bikes and did notice an improvement in ride quality over bumps, but the Capo was still extremely smooth due in part to having such a well made frame with a carbon fork to help smooth out the ride. The pros of the frame & lightness of the Capo outweighed the difference in ride quality compared to the steel framed bikes. However, I don't weigh that much so maybe it would be different for taller/heavier riders. Overall, the Capo seemed a lot more responsive and much quicker to accelerate than the steel bikes in its price-range.

The Capo is an outrageously fun bike to commute with as well as ride on group outings. I highly recommend this bike to anyone who wants to build an aluminum pedal powered ferrari style rocket bike.

Strengths:
-Amazing looks (the "race red" paint & style is great)
-Frame is outstanding for the $$
-Curved seat stays are a really nice touch
-Agile & responsive
-Surprisingly smooth for aluminum frame bike
-Very light
-HUGE upgrade potential

Weaknesses:
None other than the fact that the stock components are rather lackluster (hence the '4' value rating)

Price Paid:  $850.00 at LBS 2008 model full

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any winding mountain road

Bike Setup:
Stock except for mks gr9 pedals with cages, a wtb laser v seat, EAI 16T fixed cog with shimano lockring.

Summary:
This is actually a 2008 model but there wasn't the option. As far as I can tell the specs are pretty much the same as the 2007. I'm 6'4" and have had trouble finding a large enough track bike without having to get one custom built. Thanks to cannondale their size 63 is close enough. This bike rocks for my daily commute in san fran. It's fast, stiff, and takes off like a rocket when I step on the gas. It zips through traffic like a motorcycle. A joy to ride. One thing to note about cannondales in general is that the price you pay is for a quality frame only. They are notorious for building a sweet frame and slapping the cheapest rubbish components that they can find to finish off the build of the bike. I can't see the components lasting more than 6 to 8 months of daily riding. That being said, I still love this bike.

Strengths:
It's stiff, fast, light, and provides power when you need it. If you're tall like me (6'4") ... it's pretty much your only inexpensive option for a stock fixed gear. The frame is just awesome.

Weaknesses:
You'll have to swap out every component relatively quickly and the san marco ponza lux seat is a torture device. I went with a laser v by wtb. nice and cushy yet stiff enough to move.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $450.00 at Evans Cycles (no cho

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
London West to Central in the morning rush hour

Bike Setup:
Dura-ace 17t track cog
White Industries ENO 16t/18t dual freewheel (don't really use it)
Shimano M520 pedals
Drop bars replaced with Profile Design aero bars.
Rear brake removed and front brake lever changed to Cane Creek 200TT aero lever.
SDG Bel-Air saddle

Summary:
Got this bike in July last year and haven't looked back. Been steadily removing/changing bits as I've become obsessed with it!
The Mavic rims are great at taking the numerous potholes round London.
The frame is soooo light, and the bike got even lighter once I replaced the drops.
As everyone else has said the BB is horrendous. Probably have to replace it soon.
This bike kicked my ass for the first 2 months while my spinning developed. Hell it still kicks my ass. You couldn't ask a better bike to beat the London traffic.
I got this bike through the UK's Ride2Work programme so didn't pay the full £800 price. Nice as it is I wouldn't pay £800 for it!

Strengths:
- frame (light with nice welds & curves)
- carbon fork
- wheels can take a serious beating
- compact track-style geometry
- black frame hides the dirt & scum

Weaknesses:
- BB
- probably not a weakness but I'm not a big fan of the 'Capo' graf on the frame.

Similar Products Used:
Bianchi Pista- nice bike but prefer the Capo's aluminum frame. Also a bit too 'trendy.' But anything's better then a Langster.