chisle

Greeting all, I have been longing for a bike to explore some of the off rode sights in my area (western Massachusetts), but being in the midst of obtaining a civil engineering degree, I've not had much in the way of funds. I kept my ears open for a bike that would suit me without purchasing a new. On occasion I visit a store here that sells used sporting goods and equipment, there I came across a Cannondale CAAD3 F700. I walked over and checked it out. The frame size was right for me, wheels and parts seemd to be straight, the only problem I was thinking was the price. The price came out to be right too ! At $190.00, I was pretty happy that I would be able to swing this deal. The bike happened to be the shop owners, she said she had never done any serious riding on it. I took the bike around the parking lot, then went inside and paid her the money. I will enjoy riding this very much. Here is a photo.

DX-MAN

Enjoy your new ride! C'dale has long had a good reputation for quality. You got a good deal.

Wooden Tiger

...And a bike made in the USA!

roccobike

That's a lot of mountain bike for $190. Congrats and enjoy.

chisle

Thanks Folks, I'm going to a trail today and will see how it goes.

Daspydyr 

Sweet looking ride! Congrats-now how bout an action report!

chisle

OK, I took a short ride this morning on a couple different types of terrain. The first run was on a fire road in which is mostly washed out, it consisted of mostly rocks and outcroppings, it climbed up a 8 or 9 percent grade. This went pretty well. Climbing the rocks didn't hold much in the way of suprises unlike the hiking trail. Being new to this, I now see that getting down the mountain takes a bit more skill than getting up the mountain.

Now for the nature/hiking trail, this was over my head, and being new I should have put this off for now, but a glutten I am. The trail was covered with organic matter, and was very narrow. The trail descends down a hillside, and winds through out. Most of the way I was going very slow, and concentrating on keeping my balance. I got off the bike to navigate through a few places because there were low overhanging trees and such. On the last part of the descent I was approaching what seemed to be a small log. The log was diaginol to the trail, and when I hit it I was tossed a fair bit. With a few scrapes and no bike damage, I got back on the bike and continued on with a bit more caution and respect for those whom navigate these types of trails.

In all I had a great time, and can't wait to go again.

BTW: this bike has a seatpost called 'post moderne' there is a shaft(another post) inside a sleeve, but the shaft does not move. what is this?

gunner65

Its a suspension seatpost its supposed to move.