Road Cycling - Some Cannondale Wisdom, Please

Hey folks :)

My search for a road bike has been narrowed down to Cannondale. I've heard good things about their frames what with the CAAD innovations and all.

I've found (what I think to be) a good deal at www.gvhbikes.com.

Specs:

56cm - viper red CAAD4 frame
Full Ultegra gruppo
Mavic Open Pros on Ultegra hubs

Price: $1295

What do you think? Can I do better? The only thing that has me wondering is the CAAD4 frame. Are the improvements made in CAAD5 substantial enough to warrant the extra $55.00 and going with a color that I don't like? They have a CAAD5 in my size, but it's pebble white...don't like it.

The alternative to this is going with an LBS bought R600. CAAD5 frame with 105 gruppo and Cannondale crankset. With taxes it would actually cost more than the gvhbike.com deal.

Take note GVH may no tbe able to provide warranty on any Cannondale as I believe they are not an authorized dealer. So that may be somehting to look into especially on a Cannondale frame. That is why Cannondale has a huge dealer base and allows no internet/mail order sales on any of their goods.

yeah, ordering online is a no-no from Cannondale's point of view. Worries about needing a warranty on that frame over needing one on any other frame are pointless, though. However, just as I'd want a warranty on a beefy ass overbuilt steel frame, I'd want a warranty on a 'Dale, too.

From what I've read about their frames, there's a big difference in ride quality once you go up to the CAAD5. It's supposed to be noticeably smoother.

My advice? Get the CAAD5, as long as it fits, from your shop and rest easy knowing that the warranty is there and you've bought from a shop that will hook you up on labor in the future. (Ignore that last part if you spin your own wrenches, of course.)

I think the difference between the 4 and 5 warrants the extra money.

While I don't know for sure about the warranty issue, GVH Bikes has an excellent reputation. If you're going over the net it's definitely one of the better sources.

I too understand the CAAD frames to be superior but my own Cannonball is a 1986 R600 so I'm a bit out of the loop.

I'm willing to take a gamble on the warranty :)

I'm confused on CAAD4 and 5...I just looked it up on cannondale.com, and it appears that the only difference is an integrated headset and different fork on higher end models. That doesn't sound like a huge deal to me, so is there something I'm missing?

The CADD5 is 300 grams lighter. I ride a CADD5 and love it. I think you should get the 5.

CAAD 5 has a totally different seat stay assembly. The chain stay s are different too. The head tube is machined to reduce weight as is the BB shell. the top tube is double butted and the seat tube single butted.

Go fot the CAAD5, it's a very superior frame

I have ordered 2 bikes from Gary (GVHBikes). He will spend time on the phone talking to you to make sure that the order is right. He talks to a lot of people and they all have different needs and specs. Just let him know. Ask the warranty questions and he will be honest.
I had a warranty problem with my first bike and within 2 weeks I was back on the road. He even answered my e-mail while his site said he was on vacation. Can you tell I'm a fan?
Also, I rode a Cannondale for 4 years and thought it was THE bike for me. I loved the ride, the acceleration and the climbing. As for a harsh ride, I had a carbon fiber seatpost and a CF front fork that must have dampened any harshness or road buzz. That bike got me through a lot of centuries as I slowly got into shape.
Good luck. Push the big ring!

It's all about the seatstays with the Cannondales. Might want to take into account shipping the bike (approx. $50) and assembly (anywhere from $40-$100 if that's not something you can do on your own). Is the LBS offering any sort of free maintenance or other discounts? Our CDale sales rep has indicated that online sales do not include their warranty as well.

I have an R1000 CAAD 4. And I love it. But if the difference is $50.00 I would deffinitely go for the CAAD 5. Is that the only C'Dale dealer in the area? Maybe you can find one at another LBS in the next town over. If there is a next town over. Don't know where you live so i'm just throwing out a suggestion. Any way the search is half the fun of buying a new bike.

I have put a fair bit of miles on a CAAD 4 and ride a CAAD 5 now. The CAAD 4 and CAAD 5 have awfully similar rides to each other, at least they seem to to me. The CAAD 5 is a bit better. But the CAAD 4 is a perfectly good frame.