Cannondale R3000

Price Paid:  $3000.00 at Bow Cycle (Calgary,

Favorite Ride:
Highway 66 near Bragg Creek

Bike Setup:
When I had the R3000, it was fully stock. Not a single change was needed.

Summary:
No quirks and no surprises, just a great, neutral bike.

I test-rode several bikes and only the Cannondale was without any peculiarities. Some had slightly quicker steering, but were nervous at speed; others used heavily sloped top tubes and long carbon posts to achieve more vibration damping, but the lack of damping in the frame made cornering sketchy; and the list goes on. The R3000 (and an R2000) immediately felt right and only got better as I spent more time on it.

The frame is, as you'd expect, very torsionally stiff, yet was more comfortable than other aluminum frames, even ones that had tremendous lengths of flexible carbon seatpost exposed or weren't using super-stiff Ksyrium wheelsets (very stiff). For those who are curious, yes, I did use a standard tire pressure for all tests.

Handling is simply outstanding. Quick, but reasonably stable, with a very neutral and balanced feel up to ridiculous lean angles.

The components are well chosen and all worthy of such a high-end bike, with no "hidden" downspecs (BB, cassette, seatpost, headset, etc.) - it even came with 45g tubes! The fork may be a "house brand" item, but it's light, made by Time, and seemed to be as good as anything out there. Not a single component was a disappointment - quite the opposite, I was extremely pleased with all of them.

Fit was almost perfect for me. Cannondale's top tubes are slightly short for a given seat tube length when compared to some other companies, but my arms are about 1 cm short for my height, so that works for me.

Finally, the bike just looks good. The horizontal top tube is classic and elegant, the seatstays curve gracefully, the tubes have pleasantly varied cross-sections, and the brushed raw finish is very tasteful.

Note that my value rating is low because the R2000 is almost as good, but considerably cheaper. I only went with the R3000 because I got it for such a good price.

Strengths:
- Wonderfully neutral handling
- Frame is torsionally stiff, yet has good vertical compliance
- Not a single quirk or peculiarity
- Light (56 cm is 16.1 lbs, no pedals)
- Great components
- Looks modern, yet slightly classic and elegant
- 1 cm size increments, although odd-numbered frames are special-order items.

Weaknesses:
- Thin tubes dent easily, but no worse than those of any competitor

Similar Products Used:
Tested numerous comparable bikes with aluminum or aluminum/carbon frames.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Vaires, Hills, flats, 50-100 miles

Bike Setup:
swithed out seat, seat post, stem and bars.

Summary:
Very stiff bike yet floats over bumps and has a great power transfer. I don't experience resonating road vibration on this bike. I think the Ksyriums SLs have alot to do with the smooth ride. Geometry fits me very well. Got rid of the set-back seatpost.

Strengths:
light and stiff. great componentry combination except for the bottom bracket. I love the wheels but only have CXP22's to compare it to.

Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket. It's delicate and the right lockring was easily damaged because it was way tight and tough to remove. It was not installed with anti-seize is my guess.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Tony's Bikes

Favorite Ride:
Any with hills!

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace drivetrain/shifters/brakes, SPD-SL pedals, Mavic Ksyrium wheeels, IRD Metawire cable housing, Vetta wireless computer.

Summary:
As I mentioned, I purchased this bike before the Cannondale financial switch so I got it for a great price. This is my second road bike and I wanted to go all out. Cannondale is a good company that makes great bikes! This fact, coupled with the price is I chose this bike. I was a little aprehensive about the wheels but as others have mentioned and experienced the Ksyrium wheels are bomb-proof! I have ridden multiple centeries and while the overall ride can be harsh, the speed and power it can produce is worth every bump in the rear. I am about 200 lbs, so my only concern is how long will the frame last! I ride hard but take very good care of my bikes, so we will see what happens! The bike is wonderful! I gave it a 4 for value as its regular price is a little steep. I then gave it a 5 for an overall rating!

Strengths:
Craftmanship, components, speed! I purchased the bike just before Cannondale publicly announced its financial trouble, so I got it for a great price.

Weaknesses:
Too many Cannondale stickers but other than that none so far, the bike has handled beautifully! I hope the frame lasts, as I am no Gilberto Simoni, ie. small rider!

Similar Products Used:
Jamis Xenith, KHS Flight 2000, Litespeed Tuscany, Trek 5500

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Hamilton 2003 Worlds course

Bike Setup:
Stock 2003 R3000 Spec w/pp396 pedals

Summary:
So, I finally decided to update my road bike, an '86 vintage, low serial number, C-Dale R600 with a steel fork, 6 cluster, downtube shifters, etc.... Ah what memories! And am I glad I did; since getting the R3000, I haven't looked back.

This bike has a perfect balance of strength, compliance, and handling at a ridiculously low weight. Of particular note is the Mavic wheelset and Dura-Ace spec, an excellent package. Personally, I like the burnished alunimium finish. Kudos to C'dale!

As for the R600 - it's been demoted to rollers and bad weather....

Strengths:
Handling!, Weight!, Ksyrium SL's! Dura-Ace, Time Fork!

Weaknesses:
None so far - perhaps the saddle but that's a personal thing. I just hope it lasts as long as my first C'dale!

Similar Products Used:
Cervelo

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Hamilton 2003 Worlds Course

Bike Setup:
Stock 2003 R3000 spec w/Look jalaberts

Summary:
I finally decided to update my road bike, a vintage, low serial number, '86 C'dale R600 in sea-spray green with a 6spd cluster, downtube shifters, etc... ah, the memories.
Since getting the R3000 I haven't looked back. This bike is perfectly balanced in stiffness, compliance, and handling, all at a ridiculously light weight. The mavic wheelset is amazing as is the dura-ace grouppo, Kudos to C'dale!

Strengths:
Superbe handling! Ksyrium SL's! Dura-ace! Time full carbon fork! WOW! Personally I like the burnished aluminium frame finish.

Weaknesses:
none so far - will it last as long as my old R600? I hope so!

Similar Products Used:
My old '86 R600, '02 Cervelo Prodigy