Cannondale 1999 R2000

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Berkeley Bicycle Cen

Bike Setup:
52 cm CAAD 4 with Ultegra 6500 components. I wish I had a triple chain ring so I could go with a tig

Summary:
Great value for the money. This bike is really light (~18 lbs.) and stiff. The Slice carbon fiber fork dampens the ride, so it isn't too harsh on longer rides.

Strengths:
Light and stiff. What a frame for the money!

Weaknesses:
The Ultegra 6500 components are fine, except for the brake lever/shifters. The end caps rattle and they feel like they are going to break when down-shifting. The rattling has been addressed in the newer Ultegra 6510 gruppo.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5500 OCLV (friend's bike), which was great.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at Bike N Hike (compone

Favorite Ride:
Gates Pass, Tucson AZ

Bike Setup:
63cm CAD3 frame, carbon fork, full Ultegra, Velocity Deep-V rims w/ DT spoke (And Spinergies, too),

Summary:
I don't have a '99 R2000, but this is the best place to review what I've got.

1998 CAD3 frame, full ultegra components. All the CAD3 frames are the same, R1000-4000, the paint just differs, as do the components.

I wanted to post a reivew on this bike because it is the best bike I've ever ridden. I am a pretty tall guy, at 6'5". I have had a horrible time finding a bike that fits, and was not overly flexible. I'm riding a 63cm frame and this thing is rock solid. It sprints wonderfully, very little flex in the BB. It climbs great, too. I can stand up, go crazy, and I just can't flex it. This is very refreshing. Another review posted that he didn't see any difference between the Cannondale he rode and his Fuji Team. He must have been riding a dinky frame. I have a steel Fuji Team, 64cm, and it's so flexible I had to pre-flex the frame before I dove into high speed turns. And when I'd sprint or climb like mad the thing would flex all over the place. If you're a big guy, and you break stuff all the time, get a Cannondale. After three years, this bike is still rock solid.

Strengths:
light, very strong and stiff. looks very cool, too.

Weaknesses:
100 miles on very bumpy roads, ouch. It's a little rough. I hear the CAD4,5,6's address this.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team (steel columbus tubing), Trek Aluminum (don't remember model), old Bianchi, Redline Conquest.

Price Paid:  $1050.00 at Lake District

Favorite Ride:
Llanberis Pass

Bike Setup:
1999 R800 unmodified

Summary:
A very fast bike with the inherent harsh CAAD 3 ride. Essential upgrades from factory (hubset, aheadset, wheel set) where performance counts.
Had it upto 53 mph down the Llanberis pass on the 53x12 at 155 RPM and it felt more stable than what it did at 30 mph.
Flight deck upgrade in the shop worth every penny.

Strengths:
The bike is a R800 - but it has a CAAD 3 frame and the newer 105 9 speed group set. A better group set compared to the old ultegra. I like the hubset - the sealed cartridge CODA 800's and the bombproof Aheadset. The bike is fast, giving little away to the more expensive models. Carbon fibre slice fork is great.

Weaknesses:
Must say that i have experienced corrosion around the water bottle mounts, and curiously on the underside of the big fat down tube. There are similar corrosion points right under the seat stays around the bottom bracket area. I dont really know what is going on here as alloy does not corrode like steel.
Had to get the rear wheel rebuilt after the cross spoking on one side only started to creek. The rear wheel was radially spoked on the other side so it was only 'pulling' on one side. The spokes are the black anodised type which contributed to the creaking spokes.
Now i have got DT rev spokes on the back, cross laced on both sides and am smiling once again.
After 8000 miles the 105 groupset is still in good shape, but the rear shifting has got really lazy.
Cannondale should of specced the flightdeck computor as standard.

Similar Products Used:
Giant Cadex CFR 1

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at a fellow biker

Favorite Ride:
calm sunny day.

Bike Setup:
Full Dura ace, cane creek cronos(stock), flite, thomson seatpost, cinelli bar

Summary:
It's a performance bike. Can't have everything so it's a little short on comfort on long hauls. Otherwise, for the money, very very good bike.

Strengths:
Light frame, responsive, climbs really well. The carbon fork has a very nice feel gives very good damping especially in the roads we have here.

Weaknesses:
a little harsh on the ride. No matter how meticulously clean the bike after every ride, corrosion still shows in the fork where the brakes are attached to and areas around the water bottle holders. My friends with c'dales all have the same problem whether mountain or road frames.

Similar Products Used:
First road bike.

Favorite Ride:
lyons to estes park

Bike Setup:
stock ex. for WTB sst saddle

Summary:
I bought this bike as a cross training tool for mtn bike racing. I got it as a previous years model for $1450 delivered from a shop in Chicago. As nice as the bike has been, $2400 would have been too much to pay. But then, I'm a tight wad and don't pay retail for anything. I've put about 700 miles on the bike since Feb. People who "know" told me I would regret getting a C'dale of this caliber. It would be too rough, stiff, my knees would explode. Hell, put 23mm tires with 120# on my stumpjumper and the ride would be pretty similar! I have been very pleased with the ride and handling. The previous reviewer hit it on the head with the chip seal roads, however. Avoid those if at all possible. I can hang with most of my friends on the climbs and in the line, but most of them drop me on the steep decents, could be they all run 20's and I have 23's. The bike has been to 46mph and felt solid, too.
I realize I have little road background and my opinion is thus lessened, but the agility and handling, the fit and finish (oh those welds and fade paint!) are par excellence. My value rating takes into consideration what I paid, not retail.

Strengths:
light, light light!
climbs very well - quite stiff
corners on rails

Weaknesses:
9 spd rear causes chain to drag on front der.
stiff frame and cheesy coda seat combine to make my ass hurt
most of the weaknesses are mine, not the bike's.

Similar Products Used:
first real road bike, all my other are mtn.