Originally Posted by Blaireau
Well the LBS in my area that carries Cannondale is a den of sharks.... Guy tried to sell me an alu frame for $1,000 --enough said.
Cannondale prices their frames so that it is better off just to buy the bike...and what other AL frame are you going to buy that has won the Giro? Their lowest model bike the CAAD8 has been raced on the pro tour and is as capable a bike as there is out there...much better quality than the AL offerings from other companies in it's price range. You should be able to get the Cannondale you are looking for for around $1500 if not less. You want the CAAD8 Optimo1
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/c...el-7RA81D.html or for a little more the CAAD9 Optimo3 has better wheels and the new frame:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/07/c...el-7RA93D.html