Cannondale bikes

[twozeronine]

Hi

I'm looking into upgrading my entry level Trek 1.2, and this Cannondale has caught my eye: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad-8-105-cd-2011-road-bike-ec025287 What's the general consensus on Cannondales? I must say the welding looks fantastic.

 

[ianrauk]

Team Liquigas seem to like them
And a Cannondale won the Cycling Plus yearly shootout.

 

[upsidedown]

Can't vouch for road bikes but the mountain bikes are fantsatic, if expensive. The Bad-Boys are great looking bikes too, they ooze quality.

 

[twozeronine]

Well alrighty then. Any thoughts on the bike I linked to? I was kind of tossing up whether to go for the CAAD 8 or the Synapse equivalent.

 

[Rob3rt]

The Cannondale CAAD series are pretty much the best alu frames on the market in many peoples opinion. If the bike suits you when riding it, then you needent doubt the pedigree.

Ride before you buy though, these things are not made for comfort!

 

[twozeronine]

I did notice the welding on the CAAD looks a lot better than the Synapse. I know that's not the only consideration in what makes a good frame though. But then the Synapse has a slightly more upright riding position, which might make it more comfortable. I'm leaning towards the CAAD, but like you say I'll try it out first to make sure it suits me.

Thanks

 

[lukesdad]

Ive had a cannondale ali for 20 years, superb frames but they are stiff, so if comfort is what you are after Id look somewhere else.

 

[aberal]

You will have absolutely no problems whatsoever if you buy a Cannondale bike. They are quality machines and always have been and tend to be a bit more expensive to reflect that quality. Traditionally their aluminium frames were always beautifully made, double or triple butted and tapering where required to respond to the stresses on the frame and all TIG welding was machined down to give smooth butt joints. Nowadays their cheaper machines seem not to have the smooth joints but exposed TIG welding, which is a pity.

 

[twozeronine]

OK, thanks everyone. I'll go and check out the CAAD when they have some in stock.

 

[postman]

Cannondale caad 8 with 105 ,a very nice bike .I looked at this but i only saw it as a compact .With my knees i needed a triple .

A very good choice .

 

[Rob3rt]

BTW you can pick up a CAAD9 '10 with 105 for the same price at the CAAD8 '11 with 105.

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks, hope I like it. Yeah, I have a triple at the mo', but I'm ready to do away with the small ring, as I never use it.

 

[twozeronine]

Where did you find that, Robert, out of interest?

 

[Rob3rt]

http://www.tredz.co....s&f2=Cannondale

Its a triple as well, since some people arent a fan of the compact version.

 

[twozeronine]

Thanks for that. I think I prefer the look of the CAAD 8 though, and I'd rather have a compact.