Road Cycling - What's your opinion of this Bike?

Years ago I rode a steel road bike and my hands and rear-end always ached even after a short ride. I'm thinking of buying a Road Bike this summer and noticed the Cannondale R800 Sport Headshok.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/03/cusa/model-3RS8Y.html

What I liked were the suspension seat post and headset but have never ridden a bike with the Headshok. What is your opinion on this suspension fork? Does anyone have any experience on this bike or the "Headshok" in general? Does anyone have a negative experience with the "Headshok"?


Steve.

You will enjoy it. It's really comfortable--really comfortable. Cannondale licenses the headshock out so I've seen Merlins with Headshocks. It's a good short travel setup.

For a road bike, it is a bit heavier but if youre willing to accept that for the comfort, you will be very happy.

Ditto!

L8R

I don't know about the shocks, but the kinds of soreness you describe can almost always be traced to poor fit, rather than harshness.

If the bars are too low, or the cockpit is too long, you could well end up overbalanced towards your hands. The same set of conditions could pull you forward onto the nose of the saddle, putting your weight on exactly the wrong places.

A properly sized bike, perfectly fit, won't cause pain or discomfort for most riders beyond the sort of initial soreness you get from any new activity.

Even if you buy a bike with shocks, don't expect it to be comfortable if it doesn't fit right.

RichC

road bikes with shocks on the headset bAd Idea, would rather have a carbon fiber fork on the bike will have almost the same result, road vibration dumping....

I ride a '98 XS-800 with a headshock for road use. Personally I like it. I'm not worried about the weight because I'm not a racer. It's nice because you can lock it out and go rigid if you want. But when the road is rough (as it often is around here) just turn the suspension on and you're good to go. Best advice is to see if your bike shop will let you test ride one and evaluate it yourself. As far as reliability goes, I haven't had any problems with mine.

If you want a better ride on a road bike, instead of going for a cyclocross, why not just switch to tubulars??

Originally posted by D*Alex
If you want a better ride on a road bike, instead of going for a cyclocross, why not just switch to tubulars?? Sure, and messing with tubulars and goatheads is everyones idea of a good time.

Because when I bought the bike I had the self awareness to realise that sometimes if the road ends I don't stop. Though I do spend most of the time on the road I do go off the road from time to time. I like the versatility and the comfort.

Sure, and messing with tubulars and goatheads is everyones idea of a good time.

A man that has obviously never tried Tufo S33 specials........

Originally posted by D*Alex


A man that has obviously never tried Tufo S33 specials........

You and pokey should rap battle instead of just arguing...wouldn't that be cool?

Edit: Hey, I made that dream a reality...check out my rap battle thread! battle it out! (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20250)

Sorry orguasch but they are different.I have both.My cannondales shock is great and really makes a difference and you can also lock it out and my new bike has a carbon fork and its nice but the cannondale was less shock to my hands and arms.The cannondale hybrid is for sale to.