Road Cycling - Thanks for all your help! And the new bike is......

Thanks everyone for all the advice! It helped a lot. I rode a bunch of bikes, but it was hard to find them in my size at the LBSs(60cm).

I ended up picking the Cannondale R600. Went to the LBS that hooks up my co-workers and test road it for a third time. The price was right $1000 for the double with the wicked yellow and orange paint job. Then he says he just got in the new 2004 R800 and would let me have it for $1200. Well let's see $200 for a better wheel set, full 105 group, and a CAD 7 frame, it didn't take me long to make a choice. He built it up and I rode it today. Man what a difference over the R600. It was so much lighter and such a smooth ride. This bike is light.

Ended up adding a Cat Eye computer and Look PP206 pedals

So now I am all ready to get into becoming a "roadie." Going to go for a long ride on Sunday, and I'll post how it goes!

Did I mention how light the bike is!
:D

Wow, that's a good looking bike. Congrats on the new wheels. :D

im also looking for my first bike! wow dude! i want to get one of those! :D

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! I have a 2003 R800. I paid $1350 and it is a CADD5 frame with the same wheel set. Are you telling me the newest ones are CADD7 for less money?

The guy at my LBS said it was a CAD7. It uses the same Optimo aluminum alloy, but it doesn't say "CAD 7" on the bike. I can't find any information about the 2004 models on the Cannondale webpage.

As far as he was saying, the 2004 is the same as the 2003, but with a different frame. I was really suprised that he would let a 2004 model bike go for so cheap considering the bike retails for $1500.

Nice bike! I had to purchase a bike online because the bike shops around here want to, for lack of better words, bend ya over! Full retail on everything! No discounts no nothing! So i spent my money somewhere else! I am glad you got a good deal! Very nice looking bicycle! Congrats!

Originally posted by nivek
Nice bike! I had to purchase a bike online because the bike shops around here want to, for lack of better words, bend ya over! Full retail on everything! No discounts no nothing! So i spent my money somewhere else! I am glad you got a good deal! Very nice looking bicycle! Congrats!

i just hope you didn't buy online after you pestered your bike shop experts for advice.

Nice ride, I've got an older R800, Caad 4 frame and I like it, but I hear the Caad 7 really rocks!

SWEET BIKE Van! LOVE the rims!

:) nice bike...although personally I'm not too big of a fan on those rims.

If you take a closer shot of your seat stays and your down tube...I'd probably be able to tell you if it's a CAAD7 or not (I bet you it is though :D).

Enjoy your ride. I ride a 03' R1000...good stuff.

I made a deal with my wife recently. If I continue to ride like I am now, I can get a new roadie on my next birthday, next May. I am banking all the spare change I can find. Depending on my final budget, I have three lists of bikes, which include, the Cannondale R400, R600 and R800. I love the tangerine color of this years R600, but thing the R800 is a much superior bike. I also have the Trek 1200, 2000, and 2300 and LeMond Tourmalet, Alpe D'Huez, and Buenos Aires (with a wistful eye on the Zurich) on my list.

Keep us informed on how it performs and how you like it.

Spify bike. I like it! Like the wheelset and gotta have the STI shifters!

-Dan the Man-

Gorgeous! :beer: