Originally Posted by Old Gammy Leg
Hi
I just got an '04 Cannondale R800, my first road bike, which I'm very pleased with. I was just reading the section on the Cannondale website where they discuss the longevity of the CAAD7/Optimo frame. They claim it is only good for 'a season or two of racing'. Obviously I realise that they have to cover themselves legally, and racers beat the crap out of their bikes, but still, this doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
I'd be interested to hear anyone's experience of the longevity/durability of CAAD7 frames; also experience of Cannondale's warranty procedures. Anyone managed/not managed to get a new frame following a failure? How is this company generally on warranty issues?
I weigh about 150lbs and do not really race, I guess I would ride maybe 5,000-8,000 miles per year... hope the frame is gonna last more than a couple of seasons!
Yes. It will only last a couple of racing seasons. If your name is something like Simoni, Cuenego, DiLuca...for the average rider, it will last as long as you take care of it.
The reason they did that is that anybody's ultralight frame has less of an effective life that the 30 pound beasts of the past. But they are really referring to people who might ride a ton (in excess of 10,000 miles) each year.
I sold a boatload of these frames last year...some to racers in the CAT 5/4/3 level, didn't see one come back. Not one single failure. And many of those riders are doing around 7,000 miles a year in their second to third year on the frame. I put about 8,000 miles on a CAAD7 last summer...no problems...
Relax...it's a lifetime warranty unless it gets "heavy use" where it just plumb wears out. And we are talking huge mile, like I said. And, as always, any warranty issue will be addressed through the shop where you bought it and the Cannondale rep who looks at the frame.
But I've never seen one fail. Ever.