Road Cycling - Question Cannondale vs Raceline

I'm looking to buy a bike with decent (meaning reliable) componentry and frame and that is nice to ride and will last. I'm 6'4" and about 250lb - maybe if I ride this thing enough I'll shave 10..20lb off that. I'm looking at a Cannondale R600 vs a Raceline Ultra Comp. On the Cannondale I like the proven CAAD5 frame but dont like its mix of componentry (though I should be able to get it upgraded to straight 105 within the budget). The Raceline I'm not so sure about the frame, but it is all Ultegra (9 speed) componentry instead of the R600s mixture of 105 and cheap bits. Whichever way I go I intend to get a decent (ie strong) set of wheels in place of the standard ones.

Specific questions are:
Anyone have actual experience with the Raceline frame (especially with a rider of similar size)? Over the years I've only heard good things about the Cannondale CAAD5 for larger riders - but any info to the contrary appreciated too.

Do these frames last? Does the warranty work if it breaks?

Is there much practical difference between 105 and Ultegra? If so are there any key components that I can upgrade selectively?

Recommendations for good wheels appreciated too. I'm thinking Mavic Open Pro 32 spoke should be a reasonable choice in a weight vs strenght tradeoff (and easy to fix/true if I do break a spoke) ?

Thanks
greed

I slightly overstated my weight - in trying to make things easier for the metrically challenged I managed to convert my weight to troy pounds. As I'm not made of gold, or silver, I magically lose 30lbs.... I weigh 95kg - about 210lb....

Gee, I wish I could lose 30 pounds that easily. Sorry, though--don't know anything about the Raceline. I weigh what you thought you weighed and ride an aluminum Fuji Roubaix, which holds up to me just fine.

i own a cannondale R600 '03, i have never heard of raceline either. The cannondale is a great bike, the '03 cranks sucked but they are better for '04. The '04 uses alot more ultegra than the '03 also.

I belive Raceline bikes are cyclocross bikes?

And go for the 36 spoke Open Pro wheels and not the 32. I had no problem at all with two sets of 36 spoke Open Pro wheels when I weighed 230. My riding companion had a set of 32 spoke and he was always tweeking them. When he went to 36 spoke his problems went away. That said, I now weigh 200 and have spent the last 4,000+ miles on Ksyrium Elites. Great wheel. Every bit as reliable as the Open Pro (so far) and not only better looking but a tad lighter, as well. The Ksyrium is by far the most popular wheelset in our club and no-one has had any problems, including a couple of 250 pounders like yourself.

Like the others, I have never heard of Raceline. Stick with a brand-name like Cannondale if anticipate any problems.

After much thought and research I bought an '04 R600 just a few weeks ago. I've only put about 250 miles on it because the weather here has been awefull but most of that has been in hills. I love almost everything about the bike. I liked it even more when it was delivered with an Ultagra rear derailer. All of the of the other components that're important to me are at least 105 or Theata.

At 255 lb. durability of the frame is a big concern. The Cannondale manual talks a little about this stating that all other things being equial a heavier frame will generally be more durable then a light one (dah). Their warrently exempts fatuge and stress cracks as a form of wear and tear, although I have to think that if a frame fatuge cracked in just a couple of years they would honor their warenty. If not my LBS has it's own warrently I might be able to fall back on.

I'm resigned to the fact that any bike I buy isn't going last as long as it would with a smaller owner, but that seems to apply to most of the sporting gear I own.

Raceline must be an Australian brand:

www.racelinebikes.com

I have ridden the Ultra Elite and found it was a nice bike. Can't really give much more than that. They seem to be a reputable company.

Thanks for the info everyone. I should have realised that Raceline was going to be an unknown quantity outside Australia anyway. However, the fact that I haven't seen anything negative about the Cannondale reinforces the way I was leaning anyway.

Regards
greed.

...
At 255 lb. durability of the frame is a big concern. The Cannondale manual talks a little about this stating that all other things being equial a heavier frame will generally be more durable then a light one (dah). Their warrently exempts fatuge and stress cracks as a form of wear and tear, although I have to think that if a frame fatuge cracked in just a couple of years they would honor their warenty. If not my LBS has it's own warrently I might be able to fall back on.


You bring up an interesting point about frame durability. Has anyone had or heard of experiences heavier riders have with the Cannondale CAAD7 (or Optimo for '04) frames? I ask because I know this is thinner-wall tubing and was wondering how durable it actually is for bigger riders. In a previous post, one guy (who worked at or owned...I can't remember... a LBS) mentioned he would not recommend a CAAD7 to a bigger rider. I talked to my LBS and then said it was bulletproof and that it would not be a problem. I wonder which is true and if anyone has had any experience that can prove or disprove these comments.

Check out zinncycles.com

Lennard Zinn is a large person and specializes in building frames for large people. I recall his stating that he likes the large tube aluminum frames for large people (that is, if he isn't building your bike himself). That would include C'dale. He is also the technical column editor for Velonews. His website has good info for large people.

In addition to the wheel suggestion (an excellent one by the way) you might also think about a heavier gauge spoke. Normally they are 12's, but if you are having (especially) a rear wheel done, you might look to go to 14's.