Road Cycling - Info about Cannondale

Hi guys, I've been watching your posts for some time, and got a lot of good info from here. I am looking for a new bike, between 1000 -1300, and narrowed down my choices to the Cannondale R600 or the Trek 2100 (the C'dale is the 1st choice). I would consider a Giant, but don't like the classic geometry.

However, I saw here and in some other bike forums (Bicycling magazine, etc) that Cannondale is doing bad stuff, like requiring dealers to double their orders to support the company, not honoring the warranty and having a bad customer support. So my question is: is this all true? is C'dale turning into a bad company? Did the chapter 11 influence the cycling sector also?

Also, does anybody have the 04 Trek 2100, , if so, how do you like it? I haven't seen a single review about it yet.

Thanks!

Luis

I chose the 2003 Trek 2000, this is about the same bike as the 2100/04, over the Cannondale last year. I have been very pleased with my purchase, but have been foaming at the mouth for an 04/2100 (the wife would KILL me if I bought one) because of the seat stays being OCLV CF now. That being said, I think you will get a fine bike with either.

Just bought a Cannondale Cylocross 800. I am very pleased with it. Have many friends who have Cannondales; in fact, one just recently got his frame replaced after a wicked race which broke the down tube at the seam. Cannnondale had no questions, just a new frame. That was enough to restore any lost confidence I ever had. But, Trek makes a good product too.

Cheers,

Urbanmonk

I bought a Cannondale last year and have had nothing but great customer service from Cannondale (mostly in form of emails).
Personally, I would go with the Cannondale. You could try to find last years R1000 in your price range. It's a CAAD7 frame and is biult up well (Mavic Elites etc.,)
I would'nt worry about Cannondale, check this out:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2004/news/feb11

i thought only cannondale's motorsports division was hurt by the ch11. true?

oh another vote for them too

There is one big difference between the 2 bikes (which may or may not matter to you)

The Cannondale CAAD5 was C'dale's top frame. It has been proven in Div 1 Saeco and Cipollini's hands as well as many regional and Div3 teams.
The CAAD7 has the same pedigree.

The Trek aluminum bikes have no such "breeding". Doesn't mean they are inferior though.

All I'm saying is that the CAAD5 used to be Cannondales best frame, compared to Trek OCLV's and all the other pro peloton bikes- and reviewed very favorably against them.
The CAAD7 frame is no different.

In my experience on a high end Trek and a high end 'Dale (all high end in their respective times, mind you) I'd say that it's almost a draw. You do have to remember that there are still many bitter towards Cannondale for past sins (that predate the bankruptcy by a decade or more). I would be comfortable with either company, and fully believe that Cannondale is just fine. ONe thing to bear in mind is that warranty claims are sometimes mishandled by the shop that a customer takes their frame to. Ultimately, it comes down to the ride and fit of the bike. That should always be paramount in a bicycle buying decision.

Thanks a lot for all the replies. Both ride great and I think I will go with the C'dale, it looks better (red). But then I'm not sure, I was told that the blue ones are always faster...

I agree with geist; get the R1000 if you can get an '03 in your price range. The frame is the CAD 7 just as in the higher models. Jump to the R2000 so you can get the ultegra if you can. P.S. Red is faster than blue.

Been riding Cannondales for 20 years now. Have strayed a few times, but always come back.

However, I saw here and in some other bike forums (Bicycling magazine, etc) that Cannondale is doing bad stuff, like requiring dealers to double their orders to support the company, not honoring the warranty and having a bad customer support. So my question is: is this all true? is C'dale turning into a bad company? Did the chapter 11 influence the cycling sector sales.

I work in the bike business. This is not true. The Chapter 11 was for the motorcycle business....in fact, the first Dura Ace stuff we got was Cannondale. We are still awaiting Madone's and 5900's.

They honor warranty issues, stand behind their goods and we sell a couple thousand of their bikes every year. We carry the whole line.

The company went bankrupt several months ago due to losses at the motorcycle division. It was sold out of bankruptcy, let some people go, and only the bicycle operation was kept open. They still make a great bike, and I read that they are doing pretty well financially.