Cyclocross - Cannondale X7?

Anyone know anything about the 2008 Cannondale X7? My shop has a couple NOS that have been deeply discounted.

Entry level with disk brakes, CAAD 8 based frame (I think). If deeply discounted, might make a nice poor weather bike. Not sure about disk brakes for CX.

Would I be better off going with one of the newer Cannondales, a tricross, or building up a crosscheck?

It really depends on what type of riding you will be doing. If you are strictly racing, I would get a CX9. The X7 would be a great commuter and occasional racer if your local races allow disks.

the surly will be the most expensive. the pre built one for hte moeny is old technology compared to a tricross or cannondale...the surly has barends and it will also be a twich heavier. but it goes with the whole attitude of cross very well.

the specialized would be a GREAT cross bike out of the box. innexpensive compared to the surly for the technology given. and you get a large company that backs their product.I love mine I ahve the 09 expert.

the issue with the cannondale is that it has disc brakes. in uci races disc brakes are illegal. so you could race it just fine and do the open class but if you are seriously going for podium status and are racing hard you will not be able to race the cat'd races or be eligible for uci points/races. so if your looking to race cross for the fun and the scene id get the cannondale if your goal is to win and get to higher levels I would go with the tricross.

the surly will be the most expensive. the pre built one for hte moeny is old technology compared to a tricross or cannondale...the surly has barends and it will also be a twich heavier. but it goes with the whole attitude of cross very well.

the specialized would be a GREAT cross bike out of the box. innexpensive compared to the surly for the technology given.

The Tricross is dressed up to look tough and modern and the Surly retro - but the truth is that the Surly with its cromo frame is the MUCH tougher bike. The glued CF/alu forks that make the Tricross look tough are actually a liability, as is the seat post. There's no way in which the Surly is obsolete compared to the Tricross except in styling.

As the OP is considering special ordering a frame he might consider the Cotic Roadrat also - cromo again, but a more modern sloping top tube design than the Surly and able to run rim or disk brakes.

Besides greater crash resistance, the Surly's retro cromo tubes score against alu or CF because for resistance to getting dented by clumsy idiots locking their bike next to yours or stumbling over your bike. I'm not at all comfortable locking a thin walled large tubed alu bike against a public rack.

Either a Surly or a Rat could be built up with IGH (poor choice for racing but good for everyday use) or SRAM or Campag (arguably better than Shimano for cross).

If the OP was to get a complete alu cross bike, then I'd suggest looking at the Raleigh RX for its SRAM powertrain, and the Kona Jake series for their long record of success and versatility. My own crosser is alu and it's great - I just wouldn't denigrate the worth of cromo and a little extra strengthening in a user bike.

Reviews of X7 here:
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/cyclocross-bike/cannondale/PRD_290960_5670crx.aspx

- I think I'd buy one if the price was right. You can always try asking for a bit more of a discount too.

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu11/khbrown1/100_2266.jpg

This is my current road/cross bike. A 1987 Bianchi Axis. Would it be worth the expense and effort to upgrade drive train? I've been thinking of upgrading. Its a 7 speed and I have a nice 105 rear deraillure and Shimano 7 speed index bar end.

Hell, you could race that as is with new tires if you wanted to. Oh, and pedals.

Nice bike. If that fits you there's absolutely no reason to look at a new surly, your axis' frame is at least as good.

id throw a rival groupo on it and you would have a killer cross bike one tht is also still very road worthy you could probably also aford a new wheel set and then have a road and a cross wheelset. that way you have a cross tire and more mtn like cassette and a road tire with a road cassette. with all th emud involved in cross im not sure I would race that saddle though.

This is my current road/cross bike. A 1987 Bianchi Axis. Would it be worth the expense and effort to upgrade drive train?

I'd much rather have an SRAM or Campag Axis than a Tricross. Whether it is worth doing though depends on much you'd benefit from improved shifting and what else you have to do with the cash. Would you find brifters much more convenient than barcons? Do you like to shift while pedaling hard? The boring truth is that, except for suspension MTBs, bikes haven't got vastly better since 1987 - you'd be buying more convenience in shifting but not much else.

But an SRAM Axis would be a very desirable all-rounder - tough frame, state of the art power train, and imo much more "soul" than a Tricross or Surly.

You might consider a new stem and bars too - they should be changed one in a while because of the risk of metal fatige. Salsa Bell Laps could be interesting.

that bianchi is killer! that frameset is waay nicer than a surly, imo. i agree with timj; that bike would be race worthy with different pedals and new tires. too bad celeste mud's are so hard to come by...

if you feel like spending money, upgrade the drivetrain and perhaps consider a light wheelset. it's great having two wheelsets for double duty 'cross bike use. you'll wind up with a way better bike than any of your considerations. probably for less money as well.

i'd also replace that saddle if you're planning on racing.

You might consider a new stem and bars too - they should be changed one in a while because of the risk of metal fatige. Salsa Bell Laps could be interesting.
word. a salsa stem would be sweet as well.

Umm, "word" indeed. I think. Obviously you'd need a threaded stem - 1 inch? Ebay has NOS, and Nitto still make them - try the online fixed gear bike stores.

If you kept the drivetrain as is and just got yourself a nice, light set of wheels, it would probably end up nearly as light as getting a whole new grouppo + wheels because bar-end shifters and brake levers are a lot lighter than brifters.

You can put a 7 speed cassette on a modern hub using a spacer, if you want to spend some money I'd just go with a nice new set of wheels.

Oh yeah- for the stem I'd suggest a converter so you can use threadless stems. For example:


http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/large/NS-TSA-NCL-FRONT.jpg

Hey Tim,

Where can I get that converter? What brand is it? I ordered a new set of bars last night. I need to figyre out what size stem. My current bike fits great, BTW.

I've got an X7 and love it as an ultimate commuter. It's my winter and wet bike. I've got SKS 45's on it with some Mavic Speedcity wheels... The stock wheels wouldn't stay true. As with many of the lower C'Dales, the stock group isn't so great but the frame is really nice and I love the disks for commuting sake. What are they asking for price? I got mine for under $1K new.

$945 new. I've backed off on the X7. I'm going to keep riding my Bianchi and fix or replace stuff if it breaks. I have ordered new pedals (Candy SL), bars (Salsa Bell Lap), stem (Salsa 120mm 6 deg rise) a Rocket V saddle, and mud tires. I'll post pictures when I'm done. Thanks for the advice.

Hey Tim,

Where can I get that converter? What brand is it? I ordered a new set of bars last night. I need to figyre out what size stem. My current bike fits great, BTW.

If you haven't found one already, lots of places. The pictured one is from nashbar but lots of places have them.

Thanks Tim. I ordered the Aztec converter. The bars came in today and they are awesome! Very light with plenty of places to grip. Can't wait for everything to arrive so I can put it together...

Keep us posted, sounds like it'll be a real nice build! Good choice (and great advice by some of the members here)!

$945 new. I've backed off on the X7. I'm going to keep riding my Bianchi and fix or replace stuff if it breaks. I have ordered new pedals (Candy SL), bars (Salsa Bell Lap), stem (Salsa 120mm 6 deg rise) a Rocket V saddle, and mud tires. I'll post pictures when I'm done. Thanks for the advice.

So you're keeping the bar end shifters? Not a bad choice at all - they're tough, ultra reliable, and don't attract bike stripping thieves the way brifters do.

Yeah, I dig the bar ends. If T ever update the drive I'll go with Shimano bar ends.