Road Cycling - Can't decide: Felt or Cannondale?

I am buying a new bike from my LBS. I am willing to spend <$1200. The manufacturers I have are Cannondale, Felt, Litespeed (obviously, no), or Giant.

The Giant frames don't fit me (I'm 6'2"), it just felt wierd.

Now I'm down to the Cannondale R600, http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/04/cusa/model-4RR6T.html

the Felt F60,
http://www.feltracing.com/2004_bikes/f60.html

or the Felt F70,
http://www.feltracing.com/2004_bikes/f70.html


Is the carbon fiber rear triangle worth it to dampen vibration on the F60??

I'm a mountain biker who lives in Florida. I have to go road...

Thanks to all who respond

I would buy a Felt, but I am biased. The F60 has a good frame and the components are nice too. BBarend ordered an F60 in a 60cm and it took 2 months to find out he wasn't ready to wait any longer so he got a Trek 2200.

I don't know if the carbon stays help but they can't hurt. Good luck getting one.

This is a double post from "best $1000" thread b ut I will say the Cdale is excellent

Remember the CAAD5 frameset was Cipollini's under multiple wins within his career when Cdale sponsored Saeco. With Dura-Ace or Record, the CAAD5 frame is a world class bike! It's a bit old now with CAAD7 out but the CAAD5 is still a really good bike! You can always upgrade the components on this very high quality frame.

Besides, it is MADE IN THE USA. That means something to some people. Not that I necessarily care but I like the integrity of this American company.

The felts are very nice but the low end models look junky, go with the R600.

I like the caad5 frame, I like the amount of road feel transfered through the seat stays without being too rough, after riding a couple of bikes with carbon stays I saw no advantage. Having said that the felt F60 has some sweet components, ride them both thats the only way to tell.

Buy a Bianchi :D

I've read alot on bike frames and talked to a lot of knowledgeable people and what I hear is that companys who incorporate carbon stays into their frames are trying to make up for deficiencies in their frames. Go with cannondale their a proven manufacturer with a very good product.

I find it hard to believe that any company that adds carbon to the stays is trying to cover up crappy frames...maybe Felt, Trek, LeMond, etc,etc. are crap. HMMMM, seems to me that LeMond (although a Trek co.) is NOT crap. Then again, neither are the others who use new technology to lighten/soften traditionally harsh aluminum.

PJ

Felt.Rides the same as a cd and you get more bang for your buck.

Annother vote for Felt. Either the F60 or F70. Very nice bikes for the money.

I've read alot on bike frames and talked to a lot of knowledgeable people and what I hear is that companys who incorporate carbon stays into their frames are trying to make up for deficiencies in their frames. Go with cannondale their a proven manufacturer with a very good product.


Well you need to read "alot" more. That is just and all around ignorant statement.

Make up for poor quality frames. Of course, and I thought it was to get the best of both worlds. Frames with carbon stays are designed to to cut down on high frequency vibrations yet still be stiff when it counts. Trek's race proven geometry (i.e. 5 Tour de France Victories), ZR9000 Aluminum, and OCLV (Optimal Compaction Low Void, technology developed in missile research) make for a pretty nice frame. The fibers in the carbon fiber can be alligned to be stiffer in certain directions. I am not defending one view or the other since I have a Cannondale MTB and a Trek road, but to condemn something just because it is not what you own is not a good idea.

I like the cannondale better because 1. i own one 2. i think the frame is a better frame, and it outweighs the difference in components.

Thanks to all for your opinions (except the conspiracy theorist, ie. their pulling the wool over your eyes with the carbon fiber and the black helicopters....).

I really like the way both the F60 and R600 ride. The F60 has slightly better components, however, only a 3 year warranty. The cdale has a lifetime. That was the MAJOR straw that broke the camels back. And since we have no other good lbs in town (west Florida), the R600 it is.

Bring on the spandex...



(obviously the 'newbie' title is warranted, sorry for the new thread)

Good luck and I hope you many great miles ahead.

I rode a CAAD5 for a year and loved it. It's a great bike

Good, I am glad you made your decision. You will be happy for sure. That is one thing I forgot about with the Cannondale, it has a lifetime warranty.

When did Felt drop to a 3 year? Mine has a 5 year which is standard on most aluminum frames.

A word of advice, buy bibs.