Are Cannondales considered good bikes?
08-05-14, 11:00 PM
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08-05-14, 11:17 PM
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There was a member here who is just bonkers about Cannondale, he dedicated a thread about the "Cult of CAAD"! He disappeared.
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...cult-caad.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...cult-caad.html
08-06-14, 12:27 AM
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I wanna get a new wheelset. Someone please point me to the right direction. Is the Zipp 303 Firecrest a good starting point? Thanks! 
Last edited by CactoesGel; 08-06-14 at 12:32 AM.
08-06-14, 05:03 AM
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08-06-14, 09:53 AM
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Think of it this way (I like to refer to cars)...
You've got your exotics (Ferrari, Lambos etc) - Crumptons, Paketas... custom carbons with DI2/super light weight
You've got your euro/Asian luxury (MB, BMW, Audi, Acura) - Cervelo, Colnago, Bianchi
You've got your Asian/domestic normals (Honda, Ford, Chevy, Dodge) - Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Kona
And you've got your cheap asian's (Kia, Hyundai's) - Schwinn, Fuji, Mongoose
You've got your exotics (Ferrari, Lambos etc) - Crumptons, Paketas... custom carbons with DI2/super light weight
You've got your euro/Asian luxury (MB, BMW, Audi, Acura) - Cervelo, Colnago, Bianchi
You've got your Asian/domestic normals (Honda, Ford, Chevy, Dodge) - Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Kona
And you've got your cheap asian's (Kia, Hyundai's) - Schwinn, Fuji, Mongoose
08-06-14, 09:54 AM
#32
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There are four "big" brands, which, taken together, probably account for something like 80% of the "serious road bike market" (as in, everything above the Sport Chalet / Big 5 level, sold in dedicated bike shops). These are: Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant. They compete directly with each other, their model lines are pretty well matched in features and prices. Specialized and Trek are the biggest two, and both of them are full-spectrum manufacturers (making everything except for drivetrain - from frames to saddles to wheels). Cannondale is a bit smaller but still significant, and primarily focuses on bikes. Giant is the biggest of all in terms of worldwide sales, but it's not as well known in the U.S. because it's not an American company (unlike the first three, which are formally American but make most of their bikes in Taiwan, Giant is Taiwanese through and through.)
Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.
Then there are some "specialty" brands (e.g. Cervelo, which specializes on light aerodynamic carbon frames, and Surly), and a bunch of smaller brands that try to compete with Trek/Specialized/etc but lack the market share (e.g. GT or Raleigh).
If you're interested in a carbon bike and you live in Iowa, you should pay extra attention to aerodynamics. Cannondale is good but it does not make any aero-specific frames. Take a look at Specialized Venge and Giant Propel.
Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.
Then there are some "specialty" brands (e.g. Cervelo, which specializes on light aerodynamic carbon frames, and Surly), and a bunch of smaller brands that try to compete with Trek/Specialized/etc but lack the market share (e.g. GT or Raleigh).
If you're interested in a carbon bike and you live in Iowa, you should pay extra attention to aerodynamics. Cannondale is good but it does not make any aero-specific frames. Take a look at Specialized Venge and Giant Propel.
08-06-14, 10:46 AM
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Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.
08-06-14, 11:31 AM
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Thinking about last night's River Ride, Cannondale was probably the best represented mark. Quite a few CAAD10s.
08-06-14, 12:03 PM
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Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized all have bikes that rival Bianchi or Cervelo in price but for some reason (Cervelo specifically) is seen as this super duper bike. Is it because Cervelo does not have a wide range of price brackets like the 3 brands mentioned earlier? There has to be a reason why people have this notion that cervelo is amazing right?
08-06-14, 12:09 PM
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I raced on a Soloist for 3 seasons and thought it was an excellent crit bike. There were a few things about that bugged me, including the internal cabling and proprietary seat post.
08-06-14, 12:10 PM
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There's the name on the frame, and then there's who made the frame. Giant makes a lot of frames for Trek and Cannondale (to each company's specs, to be sure). Merida makes Specialized.
In terms of price for similar spec'd bikes, in my neck of the woods, it goes Giant>Cannondale>Trek>Specialized. That's in out-the-door price from typical shops that carry the brands, MSRP notwithstanding. Specialized is by far the most common bike up here, but that may be due to the fact that they have more local dealers than the others.
In terms of price for similar spec'd bikes, in my neck of the woods, it goes Giant>Cannondale>Trek>Specialized. That's in out-the-door price from typical shops that carry the brands, MSRP notwithstanding. Specialized is by far the most common bike up here, but that may be due to the fact that they have more local dealers than the others.
08-06-14, 12:14 PM
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Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized all have bikes that rival Bianchi or Cervelo in price but for some reason (Cervelo specifically) is seen as this super duper bike. Is it because Cervelo does not have a wide range of price brackets like the 3 brands mentioned earlier? There has to be a reason why people have this notion that cervelo is amazing right?
08-06-14, 12:36 PM
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I just bought a 2014 Synapse and love it - I was formerly a mtn biker and rode a Cannondale Flash 29er and loved it as well. I'm not partial to the brand, just super loyal to my LBS.
08-06-14, 01:04 PM
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08-06-14, 01:49 PM
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Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized all have bikes that rival Bianchi or Cervelo in price but for some reason (Cervelo specifically) is seen as this super duper bike. Is it because Cervelo does not have a wide range of price brackets like the 3 brands mentioned earlier? There has to be a reason why people have this notion that cervelo is amazing right?
BTW, though Cervelo does make road frames and bikes, their original niche is triathlon/TT bikes. I would say that they are the biggest name in the triathlon market, bigger than even Trek.
Last edited by hamster; 08-06-14 at 01:54 PM.
08-06-14, 01:52 PM
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Cannondale makes the most underrated saddles around. I have 2 Cdale saddles on my bikes. 35 and 28 bucks each and feel better than those fancy 100 dollar Specialized ones.
08-06-14, 02:56 PM
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My first group ride this year, made up of folks who had all done a multi day event last year(and me), was almost exclusively Trek(mine included, though mine was the only C&V). There was one lonely Cannondale, and the guy who flew in from California who rented a bent for the occasion.
Cervelo certainly has a cache, Mazda Canada sent me a magazine for new Mazda owners, and they featured Cervelo, talking about their new bike, their new American design center etc.
Cervelos are popular up here. I do see them more often than a modern Colnago or Pinarello or even a modern Bianchi.
Cervelo certainly has a cache, Mazda Canada sent me a magazine for new Mazda owners, and they featured Cervelo, talking about their new bike, their new American design center etc.
Cervelos are popular up here. I do see them more often than a modern Colnago or Pinarello or even a modern Bianchi.
08-06-14, 03:27 PM
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08-06-14, 06:29 PM
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The only good aluminum models are the CAAD 9 and before, since they were made in 'MURICA!!!!!
08-06-14, 08:42 PM
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Every brand is good. Except Walmart-level bikes/brands. Within the brand are diff levels of components and frames/frame materials. Apples to apples on dollars to level of bike, you can compare 5 diff brands at that same level and any would be great. Then, it comes down to subtleties like preference of component brand (ex. sram vs shimano) or geometry (ex. 55cm toptube vs a 55.5cm toptube). This all aside, Cannondales are great bike overall.
08-07-14, 08:25 AM
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08-07-14, 08:41 AM
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There are four "big" brands, which, taken together, probably account for something like 80% of the "serious road bike market" (as in, everything above the Sport Chalet / Big 5 level, sold in dedicated bike shops). These are: Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant. They compete directly with each other, their model lines are pretty well matched in features and prices. Specialized and Trek are the biggest two, and both of them are full-spectrum manufacturers (making everything except for drivetrain - from frames to saddles to wheels). Cannondale is a bit smaller but still significant, and primarily focuses on bikes. Giant is the biggest of all in terms of worldwide sales, but it's not as well known in the U.S. because it's not an American company (unlike the first three, which are formally American but make most of their bikes in Taiwan, Giant is Taiwanese through and through.)
Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.
Then there are some "specialty" brands (e.g. Cervelo, which specializes on light aerodynamic carbon frames, and Surly), and a bunch of smaller brands that try to compete with Trek/Specialized/etc but lack the market share (e.g. GT or Raleigh).
If you're interested in a carbon bike and you live in Iowa, you should pay extra attention to aerodynamics. Cannondale is good but it does not make any aero-specific frames. Take a look at Specialized Venge and Giant Propel.
Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.
Then there are some "specialty" brands (e.g. Cervelo, which specializes on light aerodynamic carbon frames, and Surly), and a bunch of smaller brands that try to compete with Trek/Specialized/etc but lack the market share (e.g. GT or Raleigh).
If you're interested in a carbon bike and you live in Iowa, you should pay extra attention to aerodynamics. Cannondale is good but it does not make any aero-specific frames. Take a look at Specialized Venge and Giant Propel.