markwebb

Someone asked me about my kinda new Viner and how it would compare to a Cannondale R1000. I thought it would make for an interesting and highly informative thread sure to elicit lots of emotional responses with passion and flair, so here goes:

Comparing the components, the Viner as offered by GVH is superior. Here is where I see a difference -

Cannondale: Bottom Bracket TruVatiV Giga X Drive
Viner: Ultegra

Cannondale: Ultegra rear derailleur
Viner: DuraAce if you go with 9 speed like I did. The cassette is also DA on Viner 9 speed.

Cannondale: Headset FSA Alloy integrated
Viner: Campy Chorus

Cannondale: Seatpost FSA SL-K Carbon w/Nano-Pro adjustment (whatever that is)
Viner: Ritchey Pro

Cannondale: Wheels and hubs Mavic Ksyrium Elite
Viner: Ultegra hubs and Mavic Open Pro with Continential GP 3000 tires and tubes.

Cannondale: aluminum
Viner: lugged steel, double butted tubing

Cannondale: $1,699
Viner (as I equipped it from GVH): $1,500 shipped

I think the Cannondale is just another cheap production bike that everybody rides except those riding Treks. The Viner is a hand-built Italian stud with far better components and you don't often see them. Heck - the Viner has Italian flag decals on it!!! That raises it to highly cool status just by itself !!! lol

The Viner wins. Hands down.

If you want to spend more for a generic aluminum bike that beats you up on long rides and is like everyone else's generic aluminum bike, buy the Cannondale.

I think this would probably be true if you compared Trek or Cannondale or Specialized to some of the makes similar to Viner's - the smaller companies like Viner making a quality product compare very favorably to the generic-what-everyone-rides-available-at-every-LBS-in-the-city-bikes.

OK - hunting season is open - go for it. Let the fun begin. I'll pull up my thick skin and weather the arrows and flames. I also welcome anyone who cares to weigh in on my side - I like riding with friends. Makes pace lines much more fun and safe !

notfast

OK, I'll take the bait.

Like you, I set out to find a good steel bike at a good price, but I came up empty-handed -- not for lack of trying; rather for lack of knowlege and experience. My data point was a Jamis Quest; alas, no Jamis dealers within a hundred miles or so -- hardly local -- and no one willing to ship ("this manufacturer prefers that we sell only through our stores..." -- you know the drill). LBS #1 said no steel, but what I really wanted was a Cannondale. LBS #2 said no steel, but what I really wanted was a Fuji or a Felt. LBS #3 said no steel in '05, but if I really want a Lemond they can order one for me in '06.

So, your Viner is looking pretty good -- except that GVH is in Oregon and I'm in Alabama. I can't ride one (to know how it feels); I can't get fitted for one (except by telephone); and I still need someone local to help me maintain it. Now the "generic-what-everyone-rides-available-at-every-LBS-in-the-city-bikes" are starting to look a whole lot better, or at least a lot more practical.

If you know exactly what you want, I'm sure the Viner is a great bike; if you need to ride it first to know what you want, how it fits, etc., I'm sure the Cannondale (substitute Trek/Giant/other cheap production bike here) is also a great bike.

Until I can figure it out, I'll keep dreaming of that new road bike while I put the miles on my secondhand hybrid bike....

TheKillerPenguin

Don't knock the c'dale frame until you've ridden on it.

roadwarrior

When you said "nano pro adjustment, whatever that is" the rest of this became crapola.

Phantoj

Which one is lighter?



(I ride a CAAD4; I must be a masochist)

light, strong, steel... pick any two...

Cycliste

Not sure, so far this year I have met only one other rider on an R1000 and I do a fair amount of group rides, (maybe not the ones with 'dales ). Lot of Treks, Specialized, Bianchis, even Merlins (!), loads of Lemonds, but not too many R1000, and dales retailers abound around here. On the other hand, I haven't seen any Viners, they're probably great, I wouldn't even know where to buy one. Do you own one?

Arizona-Cyclist

If you want to spend more for a generic aluminum bike that beats you up on long rides and is like everyone else's generic aluminum bike, buy the Cannondale

I guess I like generic...

Been riding a long, long time. Have ridden many a different bike. I like Cannondales.

timwat

Sorry, Mark, the only way this kind of thread can be taken seriously is if you actually rode both bikes, preferably in identical circumstances for suitable length of time, and as Sheldon Brown pointed out recently, with identical tires at identical pressure, same saddle, etc.

Otherwise, this is just a "my bike is better than that bike" thread.

hi565

So what else are you going to amke up tonight?

zvalmart

If your goal is to keep up on moderate pace club rides or complete centuries in under 7 hours, then you might prefer the steel frame with Open Pros. If you want to race, keep up on fast paced club rides or complete centuries in under 5 hours, go with the lighter, stiffer aluminum frame with the aero Ksyrium wheels.

Of course timwat is right that this is just a "my bike is better than your bike" thread.

Geo_NJ

What does the Viner weigh?

turbominnow

what are you talking about?