Six13 or Team SC

Mercxx is only a name. The Cannondale is a top notch design, owing to the difficulty of making such a frame. Carbon seat and chain stays are a bandaid for poor design, making a frame easier to weld and heat treat but not offering much in the ride department.

I wouldn't worry about the future of Cannondale. The new investment group knows the bicycle line is a good profit maker. Ditching the MX group was the key as they could never compete with Japanese and European brands like KTM, Husky and Yamaha.

VMILLER said:

I am looking for some objective opinions about these bikes.
I will be purchasing either the Cannondale Six13 or the Team SC in the next couple of weeks and want all the opinions I can get.
Both bikes will be set up with DA 10 and ksyrium sl wheels.
I have riden the Six13 a fair amount and really like it. I have not ridden the Merckx, but the idea of owning one really makes me drool!
The pros I see to owning a Six13 are:
-Light as a feather
-Road shock absorbtion with out the loss of snap.
-U.S. company.
-Life time warranty.

The cons:
-Cannondale history and questionable future.

The pros for owning a Team SC:
-Light as 2 feathers.
-Eddy history.

The cons:
-Dont know how the bike rides over rough roads for long distances.
-Only 2 year warranty.
-Not a US company.
-Light as a feather

Any insight anyone has would be appreciated. This is my 1st new bike in close to 10 years and I want it to be what I want given the cash it will take to get it.

Haven't ridden either, but if you've ridden that the Six13 at your LBS, and like it a lot, seems hard to go wrong vs the unknown....why not give them your business? Plus, I like high-quality US made frames, which the Cannondale certainly is.

I'd suggest you ignore weight in your buying decision. An extra 100 grams doesn't matter unless you're an elite-level racer. Wouldn't worry about Cannondale's future vs. Merckx either since the components that you'll replace don't come from them.

Also would ignore the Cannondale "lifetime" warranty, since it doesn't include normal wear out of the frame (ie, fatigue). Suggest you ask your LBS for a copy of C'dales notice or warning statement about the lifetime of these frames. They are very upfront about telling consumers that their sub 1300 gram frames aren't made to last forever, but for a "season or two of aggressive racing". Merckx and other race builders are just being more honest up front with a 2 year warranty.

VMILLER said:

I am looking for some objective opinions about these bikes.
I will be purchasing either the Cannondale Six13 or the Team SC in the next couple of weeks and want all the opinions I can get.
Both bikes will be set up with DA 10 and ksyrium sl wheels.
I have riden the Six13 a fair amount and really like it. I have not ridden the Merckx, but the idea of owning one really makes me drool!
The pros I see to owning a Six13 are:
-Light as a feather
-Road shock absorbtion with out the loss of snap.
-U.S. company.
-Life time warranty.

The cons:
-Cannondale history and questionable future.

The pros for owning a Team SC:
-Light as 2 feathers.
-Eddy history.

The cons:
-Dont know how the bike rides over rough roads for long distances.
-Only 2 year warranty.
-Not a US company.
-Light as a feather

Any insight anyone has would be appreciated. This is my 1st new bike in close to 10 years and I want it to be what I want given the cash it will take to get it.

you may find reviews at www.rbr.com Take em for what they are worth. Many are just BS,cuz who shells out big bucks for a ride and then admits it's anything but the greatest. ...Not the best source of info,but no worse than the opiniion and BS you will get here.

You can find a review of the Six13 on the www.pezcyclingnews.com site. Just click on the Tech N Spec section and scroll down and then click MORE at the bottom of the page until you find the review. Don't know if this will help.