Cannondale 2000 R4000

Price Paid:  $3800.00 at University Bicycle

Favorite Ride:
Antioch

Bike Setup:
CAAD6 frame, it is actually a 2001r400si, Carbon fork, Shimano Dura Ace, Kysyrium wheels, Fizik seat.

Summary:
I really did not want Aluminum, I had heard of the really harsh ride. Because the cannondale was such a good buy I purchased. It has been a surprise! It is harsher than the steel I rode, but not much! It is really fast and comfortable. It has improved my speed an average 0f 3 mph on average. The Kysrium wheel set has also surprised me, I thought they would be a problem with my weight (5'10"-200lb),this has not happened. In fact, the wheels are remarkably strong. This bike I would recommend to anyone!

Strengths:
Very-very fast, light, comfortable

Weaknesses:
None so far

Similar Products Used:
Ciocc,Raleigh

Favorite Ride:
The SS loop

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace, Mavic Helium and Specialized comp tires

Summary:
The bike is actually the CAAD6 frame or the 2001 R4000 si with total carbon steer fork which takes out road noise and bumps without giving up performance. The new bottom bracket is integrated Coda parts which makes it very lite but also stiff so no loss of power. Regular bike comes with Mavic Krys. For someone who has the money, enjoys fast hard rides and is looking for a top of the line product, this bike is the cream... BUY IT!

Strengths:
17 lbs!!!, stiff, fast, springy, quick and very comfortable

Weaknesses:
One color offered

Similar Products Used:
Trek 5200 and Italian steel

Price Paid:  $1900.00 at TRISPORT NV

Favorite Ride:
outside the island

Bike Setup:
Stock with SPOX yellow/black wheelset

Summary:
The bike is nice but watchout for the MEKTRONIK
- When I received the bike the computer was dead so I couldn't use de bike for a month
- 5 months later the derailleur was shifting down even if I was shifting up...
- 6 months later, the derailleur was not shifting at all then was shifting all the gears in memory...
No wonder why mavic discontinued this piece of crap.

Strengths:
+ Wireless
+ Black
+ Ergonomics
+ Paint
+ Slice fork

Weaknesses:
- Wireless
- Battery
- Heliums doesn't match the bike's paint

Similar Products Used:
TREK 2300 & 5500

Price Paid:  $1425.00

Bike Setup:
stock except for Rolf Vector Comps

Summary:
crappy mektronic broke and i did get the bike used but it worked when i first got it. i love the idea of wireless but it just isnt durable enough. Bike shop said there are tons of problems and they have gotten ones that dont work right out of the box. luckily i have a shop that has dealt with this problem before and was able to get me a refund out of the warranty and not just a replacement that will break again. so i finished the bike off with all dura-ace and should get it back in a couple days. and only paid a 150 difference or so for the dura-ace parts. of course then i had to pay labor and buy a new computer but thats the breaks. the bike still smokes.

Strengths:
great paint job, super fast, and cool i theory wireless components.

Weaknesses:
days after receiving the bike the mektronic gave out and wouldn't shift.

Similar Products Used:
trek 5200, but with all the hooplah about Lance (as well there should be) i couldn't find one for me.

Price Paid:  $2000.00 at Bicycle Pro Shop - DC

Favorite Ride:
No crowds, no cars

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra 6500 series (brakes, shifters, bottom bracket, front and rear deraillers: Triple front crank w/ 12-27 in back, also has Ultegra 6500 Wheelset w/Michelin Axial Pro's; Shimano Flightdeck computer); Thompson Elite seatpost w/offset; C'Dale CODA Competition seat; Cane Creek C-2 threadless headset; Ritchie Frontloader Stem; Cinelli Nerve bars

Summary:
Lot's of comparison shopping, reading reviews like this and test rides - together with patient local bike dealers - lead me to this bike and set-up. I realize that I could have still gone higher-end than this. However, in my opinion, the increased costs over the $2K to $2.5K level start to climb astronomically for increasingly little improvement for my level of riding as opposed to "talkers" and "more money than skill" riders.

My first battle on selecting a bike this time was the frame material decision: aluminum (stiff, fast, light ...bumpy, jarring?) vs. steel (comfort and lighter than it used to be) vs. Ti (rigid, light, fast) vs. Carbon (hey, it's only money). This tied into price points and ride style, feel, and "how will I ride - what will best FOR ME." I wrestled with the Shimano vs. Campy issue and just came out Shimano (close call but I may ride in remote spots and I am sure "every bike dealer knows Shimano and not all know or have Campy" - also, a buddy of mine rides Campy as as he put it "it's nice stuff, but somewhat overpriced, overrated, and he's "not in love with it.") Next came the Dura-Ace vs. Ultegra decision. I wanted a triple so Ultegra it is. Your reviews did get me into the new Ultegra vs. the old rattling Ultegra. There are now so many good choices out there within a couple of hundred dollars or so for each price point and equivalent set-up that it gets hard to choose. Local bike shop knowledge and committment to a brand entered into my decision more than a bit. Some shops had dedicated KNOWLEDGEABLE full time guys, while others had "knew less about their products than me" part-timer types.

Today was my first "I own it - tuned to me - ride." Wow, what a ride - this bike is responsive, fast, and boy, can it climb. I plan on riding longer rather than faster (50 to 80 miles a ride @ 15/17/19 (20+?!) mph depending on terrain and conditions (hit 35 mph on today's first ride - not too shabby for an older guy (40+), early part of season). I'm a bit over 6' tall and more than 200lbs - so that may be one of the key reasons I just don't feel jarred or roughed up on an aluminum bike w/ rigid wheels. The CADD4 frame design (wishbone tail) with Carbon Slice fork help take the sting (if there is any) out of the ride. I think that I made the right choice ... more miles will let me know if I'm right or wrong. Check out the Bianci Talladega, and LeMond Zurich too - I found it to be a real close call.

Strengths:
Sweet Cannondale CADD4 frame, Slice Carbon Fiber Fork

Weaknesses:
Didn't come with younger legs...I'll have to rebuild those on my own!

Similar Products Used:
Tested against Bianchi Veloce and new Talladega, LeMond Zurich; various Litespeeds, Jamis Eclipse, Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel (Ti and Steel), and Waterfords