Cannondale R5000

Price Paid:  $1200.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2005

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
Awesome climbing machine. I bought this bike hoping to get more into road riding and it has exceeding expectations.

Strengths:
climbing, sprinting, stiff

Weaknesses:
Is a little heavy compared to newer carbon models but still very efficient.

Price Paid:  $2500.00 at Helen's Cycles

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Calm Winds

Bike Setup:
Full DA (including crank).
Specialized Alias saddle.
FSA Carbon K-Wing handlebars.

Summary:
Second road bike I've owned. Definite upgrade from the R400 in bought in 2003. What a difference! I had thought that faster riding was solely the result of the fact that pros rode on the full Dura-Ace set-up. My ride times improved by 2-3 mph immediately. Very durable for a 275-lb rider although I had to replace the FSA carbon crank (Helen's gave me a DA crank!). I broke a spoke on the rear wheel only once while training for Solvang Century. No other problems.

Strengths:
Light weight, full Dura-Ace components, stunning appearance (hi-gloss "silver"), durable construction.

Weaknesses:
FSA carbon crank not designed for heavy rider. Didn't help that it wasn't securely installed.

Similar Products Used:
R400 (2003 model)

Price Paid:  $2250.00 at Findley Lake Sportin

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Presque Isle State Park

Bike Setup:
Now as of 2007 got Full sram force group and it all works great and looks great.

Summary:
Great bike, and love the color, especially since I got a freak production color. Same Blue/black color as in catalog except mine came in a matte finish not gloss. All Dura ace except for fsa crank.

Had to do a few mods to the crank, since fsa cranks have some problems. The stock seatpost and bar/stem combo are crap. Bar tape and tubes were awful. Bought a new matching saddle, fsa wing bar, and carbon stem and a real carbon post and I'm happy. Ksyrium elites rear came out of true pretty quick. Also carbon Fork, mine was last year for all carbon steerer, was made in China. Overall a great bike package, but with the changes I made, bar stem, saddle and post, a custom bike built up with the same groupo would of cost about the same, about a tad under. The 2005 model had a fsa stem, bar, and carbon post, with the fizik saddle that has ti rails, mine came with mg. All only for $100 more. The changes made for 2006 spec surly were worth more than $100.

2007 caad spec 9 worse, lower end fizik seat, ultegra brakes and cassette, and same fake carbon post, and generic bar stem. The catalog showes Ksyrium equipes, but I still think they come with elites.

Strengths:
Great stiff, light, smooth (by aluminum standards) frame. All dura ace group, except for crank, even chain and cassette.

Weaknesses:
Stock bar, stem, and fake @$$ carbon seatpost.
Fork made in China.
Fsa crank needs to have red loctite on anchor bolt, and the BB was loose on one side causing pre-mature wear.

Similar Products Used:
trek 5500, Specialized M4 allez.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Soller in Majorca

Bike Setup:
Good old fashioned handbuild DT swiss with sapin spokes and Ultegra hubs
Dura-ace mechs
Thompson seatpost
Crank Bros pedals
Specialized Toupe seat
SRM's

Summary:
I got the CAAD 8 as a warranty replacement! Hard work from Cannondale europe indeed. In fact, riding RAAM with a boil would be easier!

That aside, the CAAD 8 frame is excellent value for money. It's functional, stiff, comfortable and the black n blue is well cool. it would climb well if I could and handles nearly as well as my Rex Pro.
Why spend a fortune on some spangled carbon thing (I'd buy a Time VXr or whatever it's called as that is amazing but it's cost x 4)

Strengths:
Good all round design.
Functional
Value for money

Weaknesses:
Cannondale limited warranty!

Similar Products Used:
Principia Rex Pro
Quintana Roo

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at American Bike

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
Crit Racing

Bike Setup:
Stock, Dura Ace, FSA, Ksyriums

Summary:
I bought this bike through my team a little over a year ago. At the time I had heard all of the rumors. (Crack and fail, Creek and Dale etc). I can say I was a bit hesitant but have since been pleasantly proven wrong. The bike and performed wonderfully. I've riden several bikes over the years and can say this is one of the top performers for crit and short road races. Overall I think it's an excellent value for the price you pay. I have noticed a few flaws along the way which i will further explain.

Strengths:
Full Dura Ace!!! You just about pay for that in the price alone. Nice stiff ride yet forgiving. Love the wheels. I've been out of the loop on some of the newer wheel sets and have come to love the Ksyriums. Almost indestructible.

Weaknesses:
I found it very hard to size. Either a 57 or 55. The 55 was way too small. The 57 "works" for me. I feel a little over extended which makes me feel a lag in cornering. Overall the value make it worth it.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first aluminum frame. Prior to this I rode a custom Hot Tubes Foco Steel frame, Trek 5500, and a Aegis carbon.