islenska

Does anyone have any experience with either the Cannondale (non disc) or the Felt F1X? They both seem like nice rides. I like the Cannondale but I'm not so sure about the paired-spoke wheels (ie. their ability to take abuse) and the Tiagra components -- nevertheless it seems like a nice frame and parts can easily be upgraded as they break. On the otherhand, the Felt seems very nicely spec'd, especially for racing -- anyone know how it stands up to abuse on dirt roads / racing / light single track?

-=(8)=-

Forgive me for asking a personal question or being annoying......
But to me, you already have the Holy Grail of 'cross bikes, the
IF Planet Cross. Why do you want to buy down ?
How do you like the IF ?

islenska

I am a huge fan of my IF. It is indeed an amazing bike, but I'm looking for an aluminum ride...something to train on and abuse so the IF stays nice for racing.

pstrauss

I have the Cannondale and use it as a second road bike. I really like it

Paul

motomickey

The felt has a better component group- I was looking at the same two and just bought the felt. Can't comment on it too much yet, because it is on its way to me.

raoul.spam

I also just orderd a Felt yesterday
I just orderd the frame and will put it togeher myself
I will keep you advised in the thread called F1X that i saw earlier
motomickey, did you recieve yours?

By the way I had a canondale cyclocross, canondale specked up their cyclocross bike to fit messenger purpose, they woked together with our messenger company in Basle, SWITZERLAND
the ride was kindo nice, we did get it 40%off and then it was just about worth the money

canondal eis just to pricy in europe, and i experienced a lot of bottom braket "cannondale"? noises; was not the only one.

the closing mechanism for the back wheel was to weak for me and i ended up destroing the frame, despite exchangeble droupouts!
the maguras were a nightmare and the service lousy

I enjoied the cyclocross, that is why i am getting a new one

a FELT F1X ...

hope that helps
greetings from switzerland

jpearl

I've got the Cannondale and so far (two months) it's proven itself to be New York City proof, which is saying a lot because most cars and bicycles aren't. The frame is light, stiff, and zippy on the road, and solid and stable off the road. You might take issue with the tyres (Hutchinson Pro clinchers) and the fizik saddle, but otherwise the frameset, fork, and components will work fine as training bike, backup race bike, and all-around road/commuting/messing-around bike. Both Cannondale and Felt get R&D from pro 'crossers that they sponser, so you really can't go wrong with either choice.

Click on the link below (or cut and paste) to see the Cannondale Cyclocross frame and Slice carbon fork in action at stop #8 of this year's CX world cup. The Cannondale is featured in the fourth shot and a little less flattering in the 11th.

https://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs...orm&05wccross8

brooklyn

ipearl

Did you test ride any other bikes on the nyc streets? I am thinking about a cross bike but thought alu would be to harsh?

jpearl

I've only ridden my Cannnondale on NYC streets. Otherwise, I spent four years riding and racing a Fiorelli w/ Columbus SL frame back in high school all over Long Island, Brooklyn, and upstate New York. I've also raced and rode a Fisher MTB with a 4130 cro-mo frame.

The Cannondale is indeed said to have a stiffer frame. Riders on the Cannondale-sponsered pro team Lampre-Caffita often switch between the stiffer all-aluminum frame and the smoother alu/carbon models. Liquigas riders also do this, having a choice between aluminum and carbon Bianchis for different ride feels. For me personally, I prefer a stiffer bike and leave comfort up to good riding technique and proper bike sizing and setup. Ideally, I always reccomend something other than steel for a 'cross bike since aluminum doesn't rust, a plus since 'cross riding can get pretty wet, muddy, rainy, and snowy (sounds like a NYC winter, eh?). As for the ride, it can also be tempered based on your choice of tires. Any 'cross tire will feel spongy on a NYC street at 75psi. For the roads around here, I've got Specialized Infinitys and run them at anywhere from 90 to 100psi.

I'd say try some different bikes. I could've tried a Kona Jake and a Bianchi Axis, but the Cannondale had a nice ride when I tested it and the best frame compared to the other two. The bike and frame is very responsive, and that is an absolute neccesity since riding "urban cyclocross" in NYC requires hair-trigger reflexes and a bombproof bike.

BTW, Brooklyn represent! Who needs gin and trombones when you got Brooklyn Lager and the Ramones? Now go get your 'cross bike and let's start the NYC urban cyclocross revolution.

brooklyn

I think I will have to look at all my options. I may want to race next season so I was thinkng of getting a road bike. Maybe I could train on the cross bike and get a road bike for racing???