Cannondale R600

Price Paid:  $1900.00 at Velo

Favorite Ride:
Rotorua

Bike Setup:
Full ultegra groupset, brakes etc. Prorace carbon seat post, WTB speed saddle.

Summary:
Great bike, love the colour, decided to get this cheaper than 04 model, and upgraded groupset, for less than new model. Love its stability, speed & smoothness. Love the tangerine paint job too.

Strengths:
Smoothness, lightness

Weaknesses:
stock componentry is a jumble of different specs, Cannondale BB grinds.

Similar Products Used:
Avanti

Price Paid:  $975.00 at Bike Lane

Favorite Ride:
Every Ride

Bike Setup:
Stock rims and wheels,Sella Gen Gel seat, Look 247 pedals, Stock shifting system for now but will upgrade to dura Ace rear and Ultegra front.

Summary:
Ok this bike is great. I had a Peugeot P8 that I purchased in 85 before this bike. We are talking old down tub shifters here so this is like a wonder to me. I love this ride from the color to the way it handles. The only thing I had to change was the seat but we all know that is personal. I can deal with the shifting system but I will upgrade it cuz I am a snob. It is so quite going down the road it is scary. All in all I can not praise this bike anymore.

Strengths:
Great frame,Paint job rocks, Fantastic bike for the price.

Weaknesses:
Shifting system is kinda weak, but I cant complain because it works better then what I had before.

Similar Products Used:
looked at specialized,Trek, and every other bike I could find withing price range.

Price Paid:  $1199.00 at Bannagans

Favorite Ride:
all around new england

Bike Setup:
Ultegra crank and front derailler
Dura ace BB
Dura ace cassette
New Stem and Bar
Need new tires and I am done

Summary:
This is my second road bike and so far it has done me well. I am have a small frame so I purchased the 48 cm bike. The bike that wieghts right over 20 pounds with up grades. I have found that with the group I ride with and their 4000 dollar bikes I do quite well. It does nicely in climbs I feel that I got my moneys worth for the price. I have replaced the drive train as it was very heavy. I replaced the stem to get a longer reach and I now have a fast comfortable bike.

Strengths:
The frame
The carbon fork
Climbing ability
The yellow color is really nice

Weaknesses:
The tires and wheels are heavy
The front cranks and the BB are really heavy

Similar Products Used:
1998 Cannondale R500

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
smooth road

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
Great bike all over! Quality frame is stiff but won't kill you. Responsive to input and acceleration. Good bike for clydesdales (I'm 6'3" 210lbs). I also rec'd the selle royale wing saddle and took a while to tolerate it (looking for another) but probably a preference thing. cool color! Shifters work well, brakes stop you like they should. Great beginner bike that can be upgraded for years.
The rear tire had a huge bulge in it when I picked it up new (LBS switched out with another wheel) but hasn't held up wear-wise. Front blew out after 2 weeks and I replace it with a different model tire. Maybe manufacturer provides lesser quality in bulk to C'dale. Love the wheels though! Great bike!

Strengths:
quality frame
rocketship
manufacturer rep

Weaknesses:
Continental 3000 tires wearing too fast, flat prone
That dang mystery creak from BB?
tiagra front derailer
Price (can anything be called cheap at over a grand? :)

Similar Products Used:
Huffy 12 speed (Dont laugh, it was 15 years ago in Jr. High)

Price Paid:  $1099.00 at Dunbars

Favorite Ride:
The Open Road

Bike Setup:
All stock 2004 model except the Vetta wireless computer and Profile Aero bar.

Summary:
When I test rode the bike it sang to me. Everything was perfect. I actually opted for the 2004 model(yes, you can get it now) There's a couple of changes from 2003. Still a Caad 5 frame and carbon fork, they dropped the 105 cranks for Truvativ. Front Derailler is 105 and the rear is Ultegra. Oh the paint scheme is different too, blue from the front fading to white towards back w/ black & yellow graphics.

Strengths:
Caad 5 frame, Carbon fork, the upgraded parts from 2003 model. I like the seat too, not too harsh Fi'zi:k Pave.

Weaknesses:
It's not a steel frame.

Similar Products Used:
Test rode Trek 1200 & 2200, Giant OCR1 & OCR2, Fuji Roubiax, Lemond Bueno.