Cannondale 2000 R600

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Mountain Bike City

Favorite Ride:
backroads around Bragg Creek

Bike Setup:
Already has Mavic rims and Cane Creek headset. Have added SanMarco Arami saddle (big improvement over stock)Easton carbon seatpost(Much lighter than stock!) LOOK 397 Jalabert pedals (Go JaJa !) Michelin Axial Pro tires

Summary:
A very versatile bike.Beautiful design full of interesting performance points (CAAD4).Distinct Black paint job. Smooth welds.Quality name brand parts you wont have to replace right away.

Strengths:
With a carbon fork and s shaped seatstays you get a ride that doesnt rattle your teeth, and at the same time the aluminum frame and the oversize downtube gives you no flex at all when cranking hard.It also handles very predictably.Im hoping to get many years out of this ride!

Weaknesses:
It could be lighter.I have replaced several parts in an effort to lighten up.Also I wish Cannondale had gone with all 105 components. The front deraileur is Tiagra and it does give me greif from time to time.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Wheels N Motion - Ri

Favorite Ride:
windless and dry

Bike Setup:
Aerospoke Wheelset, nice comfy seat, ultegra cassette. Will upgrade weaknesses soon.

Summary:
I almost love this bike. My first road bike was a DiamondBack Interval. I rode it for 4 months before buying the R600. I have an F700 atb and the R600 black paint job matches the F700. I bought this bike from Jeff at Wheels N Motion, he said it was a great bike for the money. He was correct. I have put maybe 4000 miles on this bike. I have rode it at the Hotter N Hell hundred. I weight around 235lbs and feel confident on this bike. I take turns at 25 mph fully leaned into them. This bike rides great and I would recommend it to anyone on a budget. I have to admit that upgrades are in this bikes future though. all the coda parts and the tiagra derailuer will be replaced shortly with Ultegra parts, this can be accomplished for $240 from supergo.com. Dallas riders rule!

Strengths:
Price, solid frame, cool paint job but I wish the letters stood out more.

Weaknesses:
The wheelset, I replaced them first week. The seat, coda breaks, tiagra front derailuer and cassette. Coda crankset.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $1400.00 at local dealer

Favorite Ride:
Any ride is better than no ride

Bike Setup:
Mavic Kysirium wheelset, Continental GP3000 tires, Easton seatpost, Ultegra cranks/BB, Selle Italia

Summary:
I originally bought my R600 with the intent of starting with an overall good ride for the investment. However, I knew I'd start upgrading within weeks of purchasing the bike. The Black BBQ frame is so trick, it's hard to believe they don't offer that color scheme on any higher end bikes. I'm a 220lbs. rider, so I know frame strength when I see it. This frame works well for me under any condition and I've been quite pleased. I quickly upgraded the cranks to Ultegras, the seatpost to an Easton model, and the wheelset to Mavic Kysiriums. I kept breaking spokes on sprints with the stock wheelset, but the Kysiriums have been flawless. I haven't been to a rally/race yet that I haven't been given huge compliments on the bike's appearance. The all black frame and Mavic K's compliment each other well. I also added a Flite titanium saddle, Continental GP 3000 tires, Specialized computer, and Ultegra BB to the bike. Next up on upgrades are the front Tiagra derailleur and the stock Coda brakes. I haven't had any problems with the brakes or derailleur, but...well you know.

I recommend this bike for anyone who is escalating their levels of overall enthusiast activities, or doing the occasional crit or 100km race. I'm still in Cat 4/5, but can foresee this bike lasting me awhile. At 31 and 220lbs., it's not necessarily the equipment that's holding me back!!!

Strengths:
Frame is bulletproof and will put you at the top of the list in the bike club for trick looking machinery. Great bike to move into racing or more serious road riding.

Weaknesses:
I'd have paid a couple hundred extra to get the trick frame kitted out with more 105 stock items. Cannondale should look into the quality/strength of the stock wheels...rims are good, the hubs/spokes are not so good.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Lake Norman Bicycles

Favorite Ride:
Anytime , Anywhere

Bike Setup:
Basic Package that comes from factory except for a specilized stem chngeout and a bontrager seatpost. Look Carbon Pedals also purchased separately.

Summary:
Cannondale makes great frames. Some of the in-house parts leave a little to be desired but this bike is worth the 1500. If you have some extra cash i would change out the wheelset and upgrade the crank to either 105 or Ultegra. This bike is cat-quick on sprints and climbs the way a bike should climb. This frame can really take a beating.

Strengths:
Frame is the greatest attribute for this bike. Cannondale riders all know that nothing rides like a Cannondale. This is my third Cannondale and by far the CAAD 4 is the best frame I have ridden. Very responsive on climbs but even with the stiffness, is comfortable on centuries.

Weaknesses:
I would have been willing to have paid a little more and gotten a better wheel set. The Mavic rims are OK but the CODA hubs and the factory spokes and lacing are trash. Also, I have had some trouble with the Cannondale house crank coming loose after every ride. I plan to upgrade to Dura-Ace as soon as I get the cash. Also be wary of the stem. Have the shop trade out for a better stem. The factory stock stems are pretty weak.

Similar Products Used:
Klein Quantum, Specialized Allez, TREK 2200 and 3200, Lemond Tourmalet

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Bikesport in Dearborn

Bike Setup:
I had the bike shop credit me the stock wheelset with Rolf Vector Comp wheels and this was fine for a while but the Rolf wheels are too damn heavy. I recently bought some Mavic Kysrium wheels and this bike rocks now.

Summary:
This bike is definitely due for some upgrades like a longer and less angled stem and dura ace group upgrade, otherwise the frame is tops and I don't notice any flex with me being a 180 pound rider. I am definitly a Cannondale customer.

Strengths:
General cool aesthetics, the carbon fork

Weaknesses:
Stock bike seat, stock wheelset, Tiagra front derailer

Similar Products Used:
KLein Quantum road bike