Road Cycling - Cannondale 613

Does anyone have any riding impressions, feedback, etc. on the new Cannondale 613? How it compares to the Trek 5500 or similar bike, Cannondale's full alum Optimo, or even a ti bike as far as stiffness, comfort over 50 mile rides, etc. They were supposed to be available April 15 so I assume some have taken delivery and are logging some mileage.

Not my impressions, just from another user of a board I browse.
Link (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1774&highlight=six)

I'm honestly not too impressed by it. The supposedly featherweight frame isn't really all that light compared to other lightweight frames that cost much less. In all, I’d say it’s rather gimmicky (despite it being done before). Not too sure I like the carbon dropouts on the fork either.

The reviews I've read in magazines are very very good, but as people say it's not a really lightweight frame and if you want a really lightweight frame you should be looking at Storck or Scott or similar. However there is more to a bike than weight. I love the way the bike looks too. If my Caad7 broke I'd consider it strongly just because I wouldn't be able to resist going for a ride on it (I'd want to swap the wheels out though). On the other hand I'd be tempted for a Time VXRS too. Now all I need to do is be able to afford either of them.

Not my impressions, just from another user of a board I browse.
Link (http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1774&highlight=six)

I'm honestly not too impressed by it. The supposedly featherweight frame isn't really all that light compared to other lightweight frames that cost much less. In all, I’d say it’s rather gimmicky (despite it being done before). Not too sure I like the carbon dropouts on the fork either.

I am curious...have you ridden one or seen one? Up close?

I have...

BTW...they are not available until June.

It's a lot more lively than either LeMond spine or OCLV120...I'd put it up there with the Look 481SL.

I rode a finished out bike with Record...a lot...because I am in the bike business..

Since the loaded bike does not meet UCI weight minimums (thus the "Legalize My Cannondale" campaign and the need to add weight to Simoni's bike last July), and we know that Record or Dura Ace on other frames DOES met weight minimums, how are there lighter cheaper frames?

What's the issue with carbon dropouts other than it adds stiffness to the front end of the bike?
I love mine....best fork I've ever ridden.

Does anyone have any riding impressions, feedback, etc. on the new Cannondale 613? How it compares to the Trek 5500 or similar bike, Cannondale's full alum Optimo, or even a ti bike as far as stiffness, comfort over 50 mile rides, etc. They were supposed to be available April 15 so I assume some have taken delivery and are logging some mileage.

I have an R3000...Optimo with Dura Ace 7800...and I have ridden the Six13...great bike...lively, light, comfortable...but it's a racing frame, not a heavy rider beat it up on the Sunday club ride frame. If you don't like a racing feel, it will not feel good. Light, stiff, absorbs road shock as well as any racing frame does. Racing frames are built to efficiently transfer energy from the pedals to the wheels to go quickly. Not to give you a cushy feel.
My only crit is the head tube drill outs...I just have to wonder about the frame strength up there..but these racing frames have a shelf life..in other words, they are not designed to go 80-100 miles a day, every day, for 10 years.

BTW...I have the full carbon fork on my R3000 and it's the most responsive fork I've ever ridden. Hands down. The front wheel sticks in turns...

Since the loaded bike does not meet UCI weight minimums (thus the "Legalize My Cannondale" campaign and the need to add weight to Simoni's bike last July), and we know that Record or Dura Ace on other frames DOES met weight minimums, how are there lighter cheaper frames?

I believe the six13 is about 1130g and there are quite a few frames out there that are less than 1kg. I accept your point that most bikes are above the UCI limit, and that most have the same campy record and the same ksyrium ssc sl wheels, so I don't know where the weight reduction comes from. The parts on the six13 aren't that lightweight either, the handlebars could lose 100g, the wheels could lose 500g, the seat could lost 150g. On the other hand though the cannondale cranks and BB are lighter than nearly all other cranksets, and the USE Alien post is as light as they get. I can only think that maybe seeing as there is a minimum weight limit that parts are chosen that are slightly heavier, more reliable and stiffer. Plenty of manufacturers could build a sub 6.9kg bike if they wanted. I believe Trek wanted to but didn't see any point due to the regulations. See the Giant protoype bike on the weightweenies site, that comes in at 4.6kg, which is a big weight saving. Teams often have to use a sponsors parts which may not be the lightest either, e.g. the mavic wheels. So yeah I'm not sure where the lack of weight comes from, all I know is it's a sexy bike (with the exception of the headtube) and I'd like one.

a guy at the nyc bike show last thursday was walking around with one, it was sweet. he had a cannondale shirt on so i guess he worked for them. the cheap bastards couldnet get a table, they had their guy walking around. i am not suprised.

helens cycles in santa monica has one on the floor... you can tell that thing has been test ridden by a thousand butts already...

The 613 is very cool. I think I'd rather have the Look 481SL given the choice. They've been doin the carbon thing as long as anyone. Keep in mind it was Simoni's bike that had the weights added. He's like 5-3 140 lbs so his frame size is probably very small.

I believe the six13 is about 1130g and there are quite a few frames out there that are less than 1kg. I accept your point that most bikes are above the UCI limit, and that most have the same campy record and the same ksyrium ssc sl wheels, so I don't know where the weight reduction comes from. The parts on the six13 aren't that lightweight either, the handlebars could lose 100g, the wheels could lose 500g, the seat could lost 150g. On the other hand though the cannondale cranks and BB are lighter than nearly all other cranksets, and the USE Alien post is as light as they get. I can only think that maybe seeing as there is a minimum weight limit that parts are chosen that are slightly heavier, more reliable and stiffer. Plenty of manufacturers could build a sub 6.9kg bike if they wanted. I believe Trek wanted to but didn't see any point due to the regulations. See the Giant protoype bike on the weightweenies site, that comes in at 4.6kg, which is a big weight saving. Teams often have to use a sponsors parts which may not be the lightest either, e.g. the mavic wheels. So yeah I'm not sure where the lack of weight comes from, all I know is it's a sexy bike (with the exception of the headtube) and I'd like one.

1130g if they actually report the correct weight. Superlite at the weight weenies forum found a 151g difference between cannondale's listed weight and actual weight in his 54cm optimo frame and like all listed weights, it's probably for some really small size and the lowest out of 100 frames or so. For the most part I agree with everything you said, while certainly not the lightest parts (that would cause the price to rise significantly, and a low maximum rider weight), it's certainly not some glorious achievement that other companies can't match if they wanted to create a very expensive and lightweight bike.

looks nice...my lbs will have a couple more soon .... the owner reports they are super compfy

Local Bikeshop had the Cannondale team in today, let folks ride the Six13. Gotta admit was not impressed. Good bike but didn't seem to have the 'feeling'. BTW- I ride a litespeed and a calfee (time trial).
LBS loking for orders @ $6500.

one of my local shops had one a few weeks ago in saeco team finish, record 10, hollowgram cranks, etc. nice looking bike. feels quite lightweight.

as others have posted, you can build, or even buy readymade, a lighter bike (hell, my steel serotta is around 18.5 and the components are nothing to brag about - if i made a point of putting the lightest everything on it, i bet i could approach the uci limit). the al/carbon bonding details look cool, but again, certainly nothing to write home about. overall, seems to be a nicely done package, and more importantly, very nicely marketed.

i was told the chorus-equipped model is around 3k. that seems too cheap to be true, but if it is, that's a very nice deal.

anyway - the icing on the cake:

i hadn't been looking at it more than 3 minutes when it was whisked away to show to a guy in a nice suit who - all joking aside and without riding it, said "holy s@$#! it's my size.i'll take it."

when i asked the shop manager if the guy was seriously buying the bike without riding it, i was told that this guy buys "3 or 4 bikes in that price range every year"

i love manhattan.

An LBS I stopped at today said they still were in tight supply, although they had one available as a demo. I think I will try it out.

i was told the chorus-equipped model is around 3k. that seems too cheap to be true, but if it is, that's a very nice deal.


edit: wrong pricing.

I rode a finished out bike with Record...a lot...because I am in the bike business..
i don't want to pick a fight roadwarrior, but do you realize how pedantic this sounds? in fact, i can think of two other occasions on which you have assured users that you have gone out of your way to say that you are "in the bike business." what gives?

i'm in the bike business, too. what do you do?

5 bucks says he's a Cannondale sales rep! :lol: 2300 frame and forks? For a Cannondale? *rubs eyes*

I like the Six 13 alot. If I were in the market that is one of my top choices.

5 bucks says he's a Cannondale sales rep! :lol: 2300 frame and forks? For a Cannondale? *rubs eyes*

Yeah, I checked a few (foreign, so not completely accurate) sites and they all seemed too low. Edited it. I really wish companies would stop *****footing around the price and just tell us how much they're charging.