Road Cycling - Buying a new bike ($1500)

After a 10 year absence I'm now getting back into riding again and have decided to upgrade from my Reynolds 653 frame ('88) to possibly a Trek 2200 or a Cannondale R1000. Both seem to be around $1500-1700. I'm a little concerned about the cannondale's frame holding up over the years. I'm looking for a bike that climbs well since I live right near the cascades. I'd like feed back on these 2 bikes and maybe some other possibilities.

Cheers

Personally, I'd lean towards the Trek between those two bikes. I test rode the Cannondale and the rear end felt a little noodly (yes, an odd thing to say about Cannondales but there you have it). However, you might want to check out other possibilities such as LeMonds (yes, I know they're owned by Trek but they will still be different), Bianchi, Giant, Felt, Fuji and Specialized. I also wouldn't give up on steel. Steel frames as those of other materials have come a long way since 1988. Also, you mention that you're close to the Cascades. Do you live in the Seattle area? There are some really great smaller local frame builders in the Seattle area. Rodriguez Bicycles seems to very popular. Also check out Co-Motion, Ti-Cycles and Habanero Cycles (okay so they're in Florida but they do have great titanium frames for low prices).

After a 10 year absence I'm now getting back into riding again and have decided to upgrade from my Reynolds 653 frame ('88) to possibly a Trek 2200 or a Cannondale R1000. Both seem to be around $1500-1700. I'm a little concerned about the cannondale's frame holding up over the years. I'm looking for a bike that climbs well since I live right near the cascades. I'd like feed back on these 2 bikes and maybe some other possibilities.

Cheers

Unless you are a clydesdale, over 200lbs, the R1000 can be very twitchy, especially on descents. The frame life is a touchy subject in some circles. Some Cannondale owners love it, and some previous owners hate it.

I'd check the LeMond Buenos Aires, a steel/CF hybrid frame that is very strong, very forgiving, and smooooooth. I have the Zurich, which goes for about $2200, and it is a fantastic bike. Bicycling tested the Zurich and said you might get snazzier bike, but not a better one.

Check out Felt and Giant. They both have great values in that price point.

Well, I am a big rider. I have put quite a few miles on Cannondale frames (over 40,000 miles on 3 different frames). I really have not had frame related problems. The frames hold up just fine. The paint will bubble and flake after about 2 years if you are like me and sweat profusely on your bike but the frame does hold up. I have the paint problem in FL but I did not have it in MI. It is hot and humid in central FL. The components get obsolescent before I can "wear out" a frame. Of course, Cannondale puts out new frames almost every year, I think this is to get people to rush out and get new bikes. But they do have a good testing program. I have also heard that if a frame is going to fail, it will fail pretty quickly because of some sort of manufacturing flaw. I am not sure what Cannondale's warrenty is now, but it used to be if the frame failed, they replaced it. If it holds up for 10,000 miles, it will probably last virtually forever.

None of my frames, after 40,000 miles, ever showed any apparant wear and they all seemed to look as if they had another 40,000 miles in them.

20,000 miles on a CAAD 4 in three years, no problems.

I have about 800 miles in about six weeks on a CAAD 7 Optimo R3000, no problems.

I sell hundreds of these bikes. Never had a single one come back. Never seen one single frame problem.

The back of the bike is STIFFER and LIGHTER than the 2000 series Treks and the stays weigh half as much. The difference is that they will give UPWARD if hit from below (a road bump for example) maybe 1/16th of an inch. Carbon stays will not give at all. Not at all.

Now....which do you think will be more comfortable?

They are all nice bikes...but only one of these is one people make their living, riding.

It really depends on how good of a rider you are and how used to a racing frame feel you are which one you will like better. But don't dismiss a frame because people are parroting things they have read on the internet and think are facts.

They aren't.

I sell them.

Thanks for the feedback,
I raced for a few years in England so love the racing setup. My LBS is building up a Cannondale on Monday so that I can give it the hammer and see how it feels. I will also keep my options open and check out the other suggestions as these all seem pretty good bikes. I think it's a matter of getting my leg over as many bikes as possible to make a good decision. :beer:

Thanks for the feedback,
I raced for a few years in England so love the racing setup. My LBS is building up a Cannondale on Monday so that I can give it the hammer and see how it feels. I will also keep my options open and check out the other suggestions as these all seem pretty good bikes. I think it's a matter of getting my leg over as many bikes as possible to make a good decision. :beer:

They designed the back of the CAAD bikes to have a bit up upward give, but to be very stiff, laterally. This is what you want. It will make the bike handle like a champ. With a good carbon fork to sharpen the steering, you can realy stick the bike into corners.
I can ride whatever I want as I am in the bike sales business. I chose Cannondale for my last two road bikes.
But if you don't like the feel, buy what feels best...

After a 10 year absence I'm now getting back into riding again and have decided to upgrade from my Reynolds 653 frame ('88) to possibly a Trek 2200 or a Cannondale R1000. Both seem to be around $1500-1700. I'm a little concerned about the cannondale's frame holding up over the years. I'm looking for a bike that climbs well since I live right near the cascades. I'd like feed back on these 2 bikes and maybe some other possibilities.

Cheers

I rode the R800 had thought it was too stiff for me. To me it was like moving a big rock. I love my Trek2200. It flies up hills and across straightaways. It does all come down to personal preference. But the Trek feel/geometry is right for me. I understand that Cannondale's frame is a racing frame but the Trek just fit me better (I do not plan on racing anytime soon).

After a 10 year absence I'm now getting back into riding again and have decided to upgrade from my Reynolds 653 frame ('88) to possibly a Trek 2200 or a Cannondale R1000. Both seem to be around $1500-1700. I'm a little concerned about the cannondale's frame holding up over the years. I'm looking for a bike that climbs well since I live right near the cascades. I'd like feed back on these 2 bikes and maybe some other possibilities.

Cheers
why would you spend 1500-1700??? i have a giant ocr3. i always speed by losers with 2500 dollar bikes. and as for that "aluminum is harsh"....that is for ppl that are more into "fashion" than actually riding. There is no reason to spend more than 1000 on a bike.

For the Cannondales, one of my friends purchased an '04 R2000 (against my advice) and dented the toptube shortly after, when he swung his leg over the toptube and the LOOK cleat hit the toptube... Cannondales also have a very harsh ride. Good for racing, but not much else IMHO.

I had the same goal - a new bike for 1500 to 2000. Coming from a Trek 520, I knew I'd be giving up some ride softness. I looked at the Trek 2200 and 2300 and also the Cannondale R1000. At 6'4" and 225 pounds, I was fortunate to find a bike shop with a 63cm R1000 in stock. I test rode the R1000 for about 7 miles and then immediately took my Trek 520 on the same ride. The 520 was softer over some of the harsh pavement but the 520 also felt SO heavy (which it is). I bought the R1000 and have put about 425 miles on it. It's a great bike and I thoroughly enjoy it. My rides involves some bad pavement (New Hampshire) but the bike is doing OK.

Considering that Cannondale is sticking with its aluminum seat stays in their new carbon/aluminum bike, I think what we've read here about the seat stays is true. They're just very well engineered and they do the job. So the carbon stays on the Trek are probably not much of a benefit.

If you can ride them both, do it and pick the one that feels best. Please report back what you decide!

So I rode the R1000 last night and was impressed. It felt great climbing in & out of the saddle. The aluminum seat stays seem to work well. It was more responsive than what I'm used to but that's ok. I tried the 5200 last weekend and also felt good but there were no climbs in the area so I'll be going back this weekend to a different store to check it out again. I think I'll also try Bianchi & Giant to mix it up a little.