Road Cycling - Cannondale R400 - frame - is this a good deal?

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bezzo
06-24-03, 12:47 PM
Hi -
I'm looking to get a road bike to complement my Mt. Bike. I'm pretty tall (6' 5" about 230 lbs) and would classify myself as a fairly strong rider on my Mt. Bike. It has been a while since I've had a road bike, but want to get one that would be a good all around bike for some longish rides and possibly commuting a couple of days a week.

Anyway, I was at an LBS the other day and the owner pointed out an Orange Cannondale R400 frame that he has hanging on the wall. He said that it is a 66 CM frame and that he could sell it to me for $500. He stated that the frame usually runs $700 - but that he got a deal on it from the Cannondale rep. I'm a bit skeptical about his clames for a couple of reasons. First, I haven't been able to find a 66 CM R400 on the Cannondale site and secondly, the R400 bikes that I've prices go for about $850 or so. If the complete bike costs ab out $850, could the frame really cost $700? Somehow the numbers don't seem to compute in my head.

He did say that they could set it up with a Shimano 105 group, wheels, saddle, etc for about $1100 or so.

Thanks,
Lorenzo

don d.
06-24-03, 01:07 PM
The 2002 Cannondale r400 sold for ~$840.00, but since Cannondale technically doesn't set a MSRP, the dealers can charge whatever they want. The 2002 is a CAAD3 frame with threaded steel fork, bottom of the line in their road bike line-up. If it has a threaded steel fork, it is a 2002. The 2003 model has an Ahead set, threadless design. Personally, I think it would probably be a good frame for you, assuming this is your correct frame size, it will be strong. What value it has to you I can't say, but suffice to say that I bought my complete r400 bicycle new on sale for $710.00. I would say the frame/fork is worth maybe $3-400.00 to me. A full 105 equipped bike for $1100.? I think that's getting close to reasonable depending on the other parts. I see 105 bikes priced between $900-1000.
deliriou5
06-24-03, 01:43 PM
caad3 is kinda cheap.... i wouldn't pay that much for a caad3 frame. my LBS was offering a caad5 frame with 105 components for 1100. and the difference in the frame feel is significant. they used caad5 on top of the line cannondales up to last year... now the top models wear caad7.