Cannondale R600

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and would like opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly departed
'88 SR500 or my current '98 XR800, it'll probably go like a
bat out of hell with a hotfoot. 😉

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

--
Dan Birchall, Hilo HI - dan.birchalls.netdan.birchalls.netOpen ↗ - images,
words, technology

Thank you, I'll let you know, it's supposed to be here
next week!

"Dan Birchall" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and would

like

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly
departed '88 SR500 or

my

Quoted message said:

current '98 XR800, it'll probably go like a bat out of
hell with a

hotfoot. 😉

Quoted message said:

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

--
Dan Birchall, Hilo HI - dan.birchalls.netdan.birchalls.netOpen ↗ -
images, words,

technology

Thank you for the info, it's very helpful!

"Dan Birchall" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and would

like

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly
departed '88 SR500 or

my

Quoted message said:

current '98 XR800, it'll probably go like a bat out of
hell with a

hotfoot. 😉

Quoted message said:

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

--
Dan Birchall, Hilo HI - dan.birchalls.netdan.birchalls.netOpen ↗ -
images, words,

technology

I have a 2002 super V 500 (cannondale) not a single problem
with it. Love
it.

Jim "Number 9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thank you for the info, it's very helpful!

"Dan Birchall" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and

would

Quoted message said:

like

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly
departed '88 SR500

or

Quoted message said:

my

Quoted message said:

current '98 XR800, it'll probably go like a bat out of
hell with a

hotfoot. 😉

Quoted message said:

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

--
Dan Birchall, Hilo HI - dan.birchalls.netdan.birchalls.netOpen ↗ -
images, words,

technology

The R600 frame was a few years ago the basis of the Profesional Cannondale frame. This is a frame you can use for years to come... if you upgrade to the best components in the world... your frame will be worth it. So for a starter the R600 is one of the best bikes around... as a frame it can compete with the best Alu frames on the market.

Cool, that's what the shop somewhat was saying. Good to hear
it from someone else, Thanks!

"Tuschinski" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

The R600 frame was a few years ago the basis of the
Profesional Cannondale frame. This is a frame you can use
for years to come... if you upgrade to the best
components in the world... your frame will be worth it.
So for a starter the R600 is one of the best bikes
around... as a frame it can compete with the best Alu
frames on the market.

--

I bought a new R600 with a CAAD4 frame. It did indeed ride
fast, and looked great, but the harsh ride on longer
distance rides was tough to take. I was glad to sell it and
build up a steel Lemond frameset which was much more
comfortable. (Oh sure, it wasn't the aluminum, but what
Cannondale did with the material that counted. It still
hurt anyway.)

"Number 9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Anyone have experience with [a Cannondale R600]? I just
ordered one, and would like opinions.

You don't indicate what year or size R600 you are getting.

I'm riding what started life as a 2001 R600, myself. In 2002
I believe, Cannondale changed the R600 from a CAAD4 frame to
a CAAD5 frame. The difference is that the CAAD4 has
conventional headtube, (mine takes a 1-1/8" steerer), and
the CAAD5 has an "integrated" headtube- ie designed for an
internal headset.

The fork which came with my R600 is a Slice Prodigy: carbon
fiber forkblades with aluminum steerer. The fork spec'ed on
the current CAAD5 R600 is a Slice Ultra SI. This has
different cosmetic treatment where the forkblades meet the
"integrated" headtube, but appears to be the same otherwise.

It is an awsome frame. It's light and stiff. It has short
chainstays, fashionable for a modern road racing bike.
Curved seatstays mean that you won't be hitting your heals.
I've never had problems with unwanted flex, or deflection at
the bottom bracket shell. I've never found it to be
uncomfortable on centuries, either. (I'm 165 pounds, riding
the 58cm frame.)

This bicycle has no accomodation for a rack and panniers, or
wide tires. It is primarily a "fun bike", great for
enthusiastic club riding or entry level racing.

I consider it to be a great buy. It is less expensive than a
"built to order" bike, and is a capable performer with
satisfactory fit and finish, on a par with the better
production bicycles around.

The component group on the bike is a very good starting
point. Depending on your level of interest, you may consider
upgrading components in the future, as you wear them out.
Examples: the wheels on the current model are a bit
unconventional, for some people's taste. Also, a Google
search on this newsgroup will yield plenty of complaints
about abbreviated service life from 105 STI levers.

The point here, however, is that the foundation, the frame,
is quite nice.

Some of the standard advice applies, of course- be sure to
have a professional bike fitting session. At such time, be
liberal in trying different saddles, seatposts, stems, and
bars, as necessary.

It's a great bicycle, and set up properly, will give you
many quick miles of enjoyment.

Regards, Nicholas Grieco

Nicholas <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

[...]

Quoted message said:

The fork which came with my R600 is a Slice Prodigy:
carbon fiber forkblades with aluminum steerer. The fork
spec'ed on the current CAAD5 R600 is a Slice Ultra SI.
This has different cosmetic treatment where the forkblades
meet the "integrated" headtube, but appears to be the same
otherwise.

[...]

Looking at their site more carefully, looks like the "Ultra"
in "Slice Ultra SI" refers to a bigger steerer tube. 1-1/4
inches now, instead of 1-1/8 inches.

Is this a new trend for road bikes? ...with a special
integrated/ internal headset, too.

Nicholas Grieco

It is the 2004 CAAD5 frameset. Thanks for run-down of what
you have experienced. I don't know if I'll go past beginning
racing yet, shoot, I just started cycling, so I didn't want
to spend an enormous amount of dollars on something that
might not last. Of course I didn't want to get something
that would make me hate cycling all together anyway!

"Nicholas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Number 9" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>-
...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Anyone have experience with [a Cannondale R600]? I just
ordered one,

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like opinions.

You don't indicate what year or size R600 you are getting.

I'm riding what started life as a 2001 R600, myself. In
2002 I believe, Cannondale changed the R600 from a CAAD4
frame to a CAAD5 frame. The difference is that the CAAD4
has conventional headtube, (mine takes a 1-1/8" steerer),
and the CAAD5 has an "integrated" headtube- ie designed
for an internal headset.

The fork which came with my R600 is a Slice Prodigy:
carbon fiber forkblades with aluminum steerer. The fork
spec'ed on the current CAAD5 R600 is a Slice Ultra SI.
This has different cosmetic treatment where the forkblades
meet the "integrated" headtube, but appears to be the same
otherwise.

It is an awsome frame. It's light and stiff. It has short
chainstays, fashionable for a modern road racing bike.
Curved seatstays mean that you won't be hitting your
heals. I've never had problems with unwanted flex, or
deflection at the bottom bracket shell. I've never found
it to be uncomfortable on centuries, either. (I'm 165
pounds, riding the 58cm frame.)

This bicycle has no accomodation for a rack and panniers,
or wide tires. It is primarily a "fun bike", great for
enthusiastic club riding or entry level racing.

I consider it to be a great buy. It is less expensive than
a "built to order" bike, and is a capable performer with
satisfactory fit and finish, on a par with the better
production bicycles around.

The component group on the bike is a very good starting
point. Depending on your level of interest, you may
consider upgrading components in the future, as you
wear them out. Examples: the wheels on the current
model are a bit unconventional, for some people's
taste. Also, a Google search on this newsgroup will
yield plenty of complaints about abbreviated service
life from 105 STI levers.

The point here, however, is that the foundation, the
frame, is quite nice.

Some of the standard advice applies, of course- be sure to
have a professional bike fitting session. At such time, be
liberal in trying different saddles, seatposts, stems, and
bars, as necessary.

It's a great bicycle, and set up properly, will give you
many quick miles of enjoyment.

Regards, Nicholas Grieco

[email hidden] (Dan Birchall) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and would like opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly
departed '88 SR500 or my current '98 XR800, it'll probably
go like a bat out of hell with a hotfoot. 😉

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

The R600 is a lower end road bike. Probably tiagra level
with low end wheels etc. I dont know if I would say an xr800
goes like a bat out of hell. I have an 01 and yes it it is
faster and more comfy than any mountain bike it still is not
as fast as my Lemond buenos aires. Cannondales have great
frames but their components generally a piecemeal at a given
pricepoint. My 02 Buenos Aires retailed about $1600 new (i
didnt pay that ) with ultegra . You have to go to a R2000 to
get full ultegra at about $2000. I love c'dales and have 2
but they are not a steal or a great bargain

Thank you for your input!

"busterb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] (Dan Birchall) wrote
in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

(Number 9) said:

Anyone have experience with this bike? I just ordered
one, and

would like

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

opinions.

Not that specific model, but if it's like my dearly
departed '88 SR500

or my

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

current '98 XR800, it'll probably go like a bat out of
hell with a

hotfoot. 😉

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

-Dan ("Watch out for that treeeeeeee!"😉

The R600 is a lower end road bike. Probably tiagra level
with low end wheels etc. I dont know if I would say an
xr800 goes like a bat out of hell. I have an 01 and yes it
it is faster and more comfy than any mountain bike it
still is not as fast as my Lemond buenos aires.
Cannondales have great frames but their components
generally a piecemeal at a given pricepoint. My 02 Buenos
Aires retailed about $1600 new (i didnt pay that ) with
ultegra . You have to go to a R2000 to get full ultegra at
about $2000. I love c'dales and have 2 but they are not a
steal or a great bargain

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Busterb


The R600 is a lower end road bike. Probably tiagra level
with low end wheels etc.

According to Cannondale website: It has 105 with low end wheels. The quality difference between Ultegra and 105 aint that big at all.

I dont know if I would say an xr800
goes like a bat out of hell. I have an 01 and yes it it is
faster and more comfy than any mountain bike it still is not
as fast as my Lemond buenos aires. Cannondales have great
frames but their components generally a piecemeal at a given
pricepoint.

This one seems to be ok, even for that price point. Consider that the frame isn't just "great" it is actually a Grand Tour winner. A frame like that cost 2-3k $ a few years ago. Cannondale is AFAIK the only company that let their top-frames trickle down like this.

My 02 Buenos Aires retailed about $1600 new (i
didnt pay that ) with ultegra . You have to go to a R2000 to
get full ultegra at about $2000. I love c'dales and have 2
but they are not a steal or a great bargain

I used to agree, but I actually believe their roadbikes ARE a bargain. The frames are just too good for that price not to be impressed.

No I am not really a Cannondale fan, though my 100kg+ bro in law bought the R600. I like a personalized bike (I would maybe pick the Lemond over the C'dale too!) , but especially for big guys, C'dale is a fantastic offer. Also, there is no other company that equips their low end with a frame that is easily worth Dura-Ace or Record.... because that was actually what Cipolini used when he rode that frame.

So 39 stop talking about it and ride it... rest assured it is a gopod pick for a first bike and stop thinking about it🙂

I'm not a c-dale fan . I owned one years ago. It was an ok bike but it
just never felt right & thats difficult to explain. Felt cheep or
justs blaa.Same with specialized. I like Klein & Lemond. Just my
opinion nothing more 🙂

Thanks, it will be here next week!

"Tuschinski" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Busterb said:

The R600 is a lower end road bike. Probably tiagra
level with low end wheels etc. According to Cannondale
website: It has 105 with low end wheels. The quality
difference between Ultegra and 105 aint that big at
all. I dont know if I would say an xr800 goes like a
bat out of hell. I

have

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

an 01 and yes it it is faster and more comfy than any
mountain bike it still is not as fast as my Lemond
buenos aires. Cannondales have great frames but their
components generally a piecemeal at a given

pricepoint.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This one seems to be ok, even for that price point.
Consider that the frame isn't just "great" it is
actually a Grand Tour winner. A frame like that cost
2-3k $ a few years ago. Cannondale is AFAIK the only
company that let their top-frames trickle down like
this. My 02 Buenos Aires retailed about $1600 new (i
didnt pay that ) with ultegra . You have to go to a
R2000 to get full ultegra at about

$2000.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I love c'dales and have 2 but they are not a steal or
a great bargain

I used to agree, but I actually believe their roadbikes
ARE a bargain. The frames are just too good for that price
not to be impressed.

No I am not really a Cannondale fan, though my 100kg+ bro
in law bought the R600. I like a personalized bike (I
would maybe pick the Lemond over the C'dale too!) , but
especially for big guys, C'dale is a fantastic offer.
Also, there is no other company that equips their low end
with a frame that is easily worth Dura-Ace or Record....
because that was actually what Cipolini used when he rode
that frame.

So 39 stop talking about it and ride it... rest assured
it is a gopod pick for a first bike and stop thinking
about it🙂

--