mtnroads

The other day I happened to be checking out an 05 Cannondale T800 that is being sold at a discount at one of the local REI stores. It is a nice bike and I was giving it some consideration. However, I was looking at the fork and noticed no markings on it, so when I reviewed the specs on the Cannondale site, I noticed an oddity. The fork in 04, and all prior years is listed as "Tig-welded Cro-moly, 1 1/8". In 05, it is listed as "High strength steel, 1 1/8". For this year's model (06) it is again listed as "Tig-welded Cro-moly". Hmmm....

So I called Cannondale customer service and asked them what the fork material was in 05, and she said her component lists show it as "High-tensile steel". Well, last time I saw that description it was being used for the frame material on a department store bike. Hard to tell from looking at it, but is it possible they used a less expensive (and heavier) steel than than Cro-moly on the T800 fork last year? I don't want to think so, considering the quality of the frame and the rest of the bike, but I wouldn't buy it if that were the case. Does anyone know? Does it even matter?

cyclintom

It doesn't make any difference. The difference in steels is so slight that unless it's something being built super light you can't tell any difference.