Touring - Cannondale T 2000

My wife has decided that after 23 years, it's time she got a new tourer. She really likes the T2000, but I'm a bit concerned that, as it's aluminium, it might get damaged too easy to be a serious tourer.

anyone have any experience of them?

I don't have one, but I know a lot of people who love their Cannondale touring bikes and have had them in service for many years.

I would be concerned -- as with any bike -- with fit, comfort, and ride quality, not frame material.

A couple of my Cannondale-owning acquaintances would also probably caution you to make sure the wheels are stress-relieved and re-trued by hand before you accept delivery of the bike. They had trouble with premature spoke failures, not uncommon with machine-built wheels from any manufacturer.

RichC

Good point.

We have already checked out fit etc. and Sandra has ridden the similarly framed T 800, but I was a bit concerned about handling damage when touring abroad. My steel bike has picked up the occasional ding when being manhandled by baggage handlers at airports and at least if a steel (lugged) bike gets damaged it is possible to repair.

i'm concerned that ali frame may be a write off if gets a decent knock.

Might be academic, as the LBS can't get hold of a small framed T 2000 for love or money.

Might have to consider going the custom build route.

I too have been eyeing the T-2000 frame, I have some concerns about the aluminum also, I worry about the harshness of the ride since I'm used to older cromoly frames, I also worry about durability of the frame itself and primarily the derailure drop while on the road. I like the fact that it can't rust and I like the look of the frame. I've been lusting over this frame for about 3 years, some day I will have one, I think it's bigger than me.

I'd take a close look at the Orbit and Thorn products - Both in my opinion are better quality than the Cannondale and also maybe cheaper

See any of the cycling press for details

I think the web addresses are:
www.sjsc.co.uk is Thorn
www.orbit-cycles.co.uk for Orbit

Thanks Brains.

Sandra actually contacted bob jackson Cycles and Roberts, but has been looking at other sites too.

Now she's starting to think about colour (or color!!)

I recently when through the entire process of looking for a new Touring/Commuter bike, having filtered out all the 'mainstream' bike manufacturers, mostly on the basis that they are providing a product to fit within a certain budget, and therefore cut corners which the buyer will end up paying for. I therefore ended up with the UK based companies that specialise in touring bikes, and build them to a spec not a budget. The spec is also totally upgradable as you (or your credit card) see fit.

http://www.condorcycles.com/data/flash/index.html
Excelet company, based in London, v good road bikes, not so good on the tourers (still goood bikes though)

http://www.orbit-cycles.co.uk/
Good touring bikes

http://www.robertscycles.com/
I didn't really give them a fair crack of the wip

http://www.sjscycles.com/
I bought a Thorn Nomad, so in my opinion the best.

http://www.dawescycles.com/default2.htm
Good cheap touring bikes, but i hear delivery can be a nightmare, also the company is in the process of being bought out, so no gurantees on stock - also old designs, but they do produce the standard Galaxy touring bike.

All will deliver UK or World Wide

As for colour, black. Boring but it tends to stop your bike getting nicked.

Dales are very strong and robust and dont just break. In fatigue testing they are amongst the best frames of any material, and they have been used for some serious expedition cycling.
My brother's used 'dale had a ding in the top tube, but he used it for years.
Dales are probably a bit stiff in the smaller sizes, but for large riders they are great.

The fixability of steel on-tour is a bit academic. You need to take it to a proper frame builder, not an agricultural welder. The real advantage of steel is that you can change the braze-ons and add to them with relative ease. I had some pannier rack mountings brazed onto my frame by my LBS. Can you do that with Al ?
Steel is also the material of choice for all those scores of small framebuilders who make great touring bikes.

I really like my Bob Jackson tourer. It cost a bit more than the Galaxy but I think it was woth it. The metallic Burgendy paint job is really classy.