Cannondale Cyclocross Disc

Price Paid:  $800.00 at c-dale rep

Favorite Ride:
how do I choose just one?

Bike Setup:
Zipp 404 / Chris King / DT Revolution wheels (28h) -- FSA Carbon Cranks -- Dura Ace lever (rear) / Shimano R600 lever (left) -- single chainring w/ dual guards -- Tufo Elite tubulars -- Thompson post -- SLR saddle -- Salsa Moto Ace bars -- bar-top brake levers -- Time ATAC pedals -- Dura Ace 12-28 cassette

Summary:
My bike was an exception- I bought the bike, stripped all the parts, and built it up right (see "Bike Setup"). That said, this was my favorite bike I've EVER had (I race pro XC, CX and STXC- I have gone through a lot of bikes). I used this bike to race Elite CX in Europe in 03/04 before they banned discs mid-season. I can't express enough love for this bike. I could keep up with DH riders while training off-road in Wales, it weighed 16lbs, accelerated like a champ, handles great, and was very stiff/responsive. I had to get rid of it prior to the Sankt Wendel World Cup because of the ban. Worst day of my life...

Strengths:
Frame, disc brakes, responsive, light (frame), accelerates well, rivaled my fiancee for attention

Weaknesses:
Stock parts. Just lose them. All of them.

Similar Products Used:
Redline, Alan, K2

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at 360 Cycleworks

Bike Setup:
Stock 2004 except for: Replaced Hutchinson tires with Ritchey Speed Max CX. Replace Ulterga chain with Dura-Ace chain. Replace Fisiks saddle with Selle Italia Flite Gel, added Crank Bros Candy pedals (awesome!).

Summary:
Overall the Cyclocross 1000 is a lightweight, excellent handling bike. However the non-Shimano parts are el cheapo.

Unlike the other reviews here my biked is raced every weekend in 5 races so far.

Next season I will be stepping up to a proper CX bike.

Disc brakes have been outlawed by the UCI to this thing is of no use to me. Honestly I didn't notice any advantage to disc brakes. They are supposed to be better in adverse conditions but in a supper muddy race the piston froze in the caliper because of mud. If I had cantilevers they would ahve worked fine. Besides, discs weight more, and you need to fiddle with them more.

Here's a run down of the items that have been warrentied/repaired so far:

Race 1: Right brake/shift lever. Stuck in the 2nd largest rea cog. Mud. Warrenty. Rear caliper froze up. Mud. Overhauled.

Race 2: Tru-Vative BB died. Had to be replaced.

Race 3: Front hub seized. Rusted on the inside, water found inside. Overhauled.

Races 4, 5 no problems. Thank goodness.

I don't know if this bike is a fluke but the guy at the shop, where I bought it, said, "Yeah the parts are cheap." Thanks.

I've got a 14 year old mtn bike with hundreds of hours on it with minimal breakage of parts. The C-dale has maybe 12 hours and is falling apart.

For a commuter this bike is fine. For a real CXer look elsewhere.

To bad I really like the frame.

Strengths:
Optimo frame, super stiff and light. Mavic Open Pro rims are strong. Ultegra shifts well with Dura-Ace chain.

Weaknesses:
Cannondale components: seat post, stem, hubs. Tru-vative BB. Disc brakes - Why?

Similar Products Used:
GT Zaskar set up for CX.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Hites Bikes

Bike Setup:
Stock except for salsa saddle and Kenda Kwik cross tires (winter riding) and Kenday Koncept road tires (rest of year)

Summary:
Great all around bike. Use mainly for commuting and touring but works great for cross races and rails to trails rides Mainly bought it because I am a bigger guy and was always trashing a normal road bike. Not anymore!

Strengths:
Frame and fork are sturdy yet not too heavy. Disc brakes were a must on this bike and I do not regret this choice

Weaknesses:
Switched out saddle for my trusty salsa. Tire choice not great. I would have preferred something with a semislick tire.

Similar Products Used:
None but test rode any other cross bike that I could get on before purchase

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at A & B Cycle

Bike Setup:
Stock. Ultegra shifters, rear der. 105 front der. Truvativ cross cranks. Avid road disc brakes. CXP22/c-dale wheels.

Summary:
Superb bike. It handles well, and is very comfortable thatks to the Optimo frame. I even did 2 laps of a 12 hour mountain bike race on it! I thought that the Aluminum fork would be too harsh, but its not that bad. I did a century on it and it did well. Disc brakes are great on a cross bike. When I am on road rides I definitely get some stares. Overall a great bike for cross racing, commuting, or whatever.

Strengths:
Optimo frame. Avid disc brakes.

Weaknesses:
the 50cm was specd with a 40mm bar. too narrow for me

Similar Products Used:
Redline, Specialized cross bikes

Price Paid:  $700.00 at regional C-Dale rep

Favorite Ride:
through the city

Bike Setup:
Stock

Summary:
This bike is perfect for urban commuting and light off-road use. The strength of the frame and wheels allow you to ride with confidence off road and through pot-holed streets of Boston

Strengths:
Disc brakes, strength and weight vs. road bike or touring bike

Weaknesses:
not able to easily mount a rear rack near rear hub. wheels are kind of noodly.

Similar Products Used:
road bikes, mountain bikes