Poprad vs. Cannondale Cyclocross
 

Hey there everybody. I'm a long-time mountain bike rider who's looking for a good cyclocross bike for all-around riding. I've narrowed my choice down to the LeMond Poprad and the Cannondale Cyclocross, both '06 models. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these two bikes. I haven't ridden either yet. . . I'm still waiting for the LBS to get the new model year bikes in stock. I understand that the Cannondale is stiff, yet supple, thanks to the AL frame, carbon forks and seatpost. The Poprad, some tell me, has a bit more flex, being steel, and doesn't accelerate quite as quickly as an AL bike. But, the Poprad is also rumored to have a real nice, fast and smooth ride.

Also, does anybody know how much a 55cm Poprad weighs? I'm guessing around 23 pounds, but I really have no idea. I'm pretty sure the Cannondale is a little lighter, probably by about a half-pound.

Oh, and I really like the orange of the Poprad. Really. I'm not kidding. It's cool and retro. And I think that Cannondale needs to chill out with all the decals. Seriously. Just an aside. . .

Thanks!

They are both GREAT bikes!! I just finished building up a 05 Cannondale, frame first and tehn chose all my own components. And after seeing teh SWEET looking Lemond I'll probably be buying the Poprad as a pit/backup cross bike. If you're going stock, then I'd go with teh Proprad just because for the same price as teh Cannondale you get twice as good components and yet still a sweet looking bike. Also, I special ordered the 05 Cannondale frame because I liked the color MUCH better than the 06 Cannondale, the 06 Cannondale black finish doens't look like much of a finsih compared to the 05. Same frame though. Here's a pic of my cannondale:

http://bsdadmins.net/images/cannondale.jpg

Another one to consider is the Raleigh Team Cross. I have one and after about 50 miles on it now I think that it rides better than my Poprad. And looks better than both the Poprad and the LeMond. All up weight with mostly DuraAce stuff, Ksyrium Equipe wheels and a Regal saddle is 19 lbs so it's pretty light as well.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...temid=240&va=0

The disadvantage is that you have to put it together yourself of have a shop do it extra.

If I were putting one together I'd think about using Ultegra derailleurs, DuraAce bar ends and Ritchey aluminum cranks. If for racing the WCS™ 110 V Crank and if for general riding the WCS™ Road V Triple Crank.

Of course both the Poprad and the Cannondale are good bikes and they are complete bikes so that is a definite advantage if you aren't mechanically inclined and don't want to pay extra for all the components.

I got an '05 Poprad, mainly b/c I'm partial to steel (but also b/c I read a lot of good reviews of it here), and I definitely have no regrets. Great ride -- seems both durable and nimble. Had mine on a scale in the shop and I think it was just under 22lbs, if I remember correctly.

I got the Cannondale CX. I wasn't concerned about the weight, that always changes depending on the parts you put on. I was concerned only about the frame, and the C'dale has a light, tough frame. I could've done the Lemond, but I wanted aluminum and carbon rather than steel. The steel is very nice indeed, but with the rain, mud, and snow I hope to drag this bike through, the last thing I wanted to deal with was the possability of rust. And besides, if the C'dale CX with the Optima aluminum frame is good enough for Enrico Franzioni (former U23 world cyclocross champion who raced this bike as a pro rider for Saeco), then it's good enough for me...

I'm going through exactally the same mental gymnastics as you. Both are nice, have you ridden either? Compontent wise they are similar, but I think the Poprad has slightly better parts spec...your paying for the Cannondales american made frame (a good frame at that!). The Poprad is a gorgeous bike, the whole package looks right. I have not ridden either (none in stock a the local shop yet) so I'll have to wait. Personally I think both bikes are equal but its going to a matter of taste....I'll have to wait until I ride them then I'll decide. The steel is going to be a great ride and you can easily prevent rust if you are careful (aluminum corrodes too - especially on salty winter roads). To hit a price point Cannondale cheaped out and uses tiagra shifters while the Poprad is all 105. Brakes are the same on both...so are the cranks (truvative makes the cranks for Bontranger). Wheels are different....don't know which is better? The lemonds geometry looks a little more "road-like" if that's important to you. You are supposed to buy the frame and not the components - in this case I think its win-win both bikes have great frames, but totally different - ride each one before you decide.

On a totally different note...go to www.ibexbikes.com and look at the x-ray its the same parts spec more or less as both the 'dale and the poprad, but a taiwan/china frame (poprad fram is from taiwan too)...all for $899. I honestly don't know much about it, in fact I've been doing a lot of web searching for some reviews. Could be a good deal....kind of goes against the "buy the frame and not the parts spec" ethos.

Also, if you don't mind building a bike up and saving some money you can get the new Planet X cyclocross frame dirt cheap direct from their site. It looks like a good frame, their Kaffenbach frame was awesome. Shipping isn't even that bad either. I was actually really tempted to get it myself. It even has tabs for disk brakes if you want.

http://www.planet-x-bikes.com/road/i...ge&PAGE_id=158

Dave

Hey thanks for the replies! I will definitely check out the alternatives you guys have posted here.

Baldanzi, I haven't ridden either bike. I can't find a bike shop within a 100 miles that has the Poprad yet. . . They can all special order one, but not for just a test ride. I found one shop that has the Cannondale and I plan to ride it later this week. Too bad I can't ride both bikes in the same day. Oh well.

Thanks again! When I get my bike (and get it nice and broke in) I'll put a pic on the cyclocross forum.

-Dustin

P.S. I'm really excited about a CX bike. . . I've been riding the same 30-pound mountain bike for more than ten years. It's time for a new ride!

P.P.S. According to LeMond, the Poprad tips the scales at just under 22 pounds. Excellent.

I just called my LBS, the Lemond Poprads are available right now as a frameset only. The full bike will start shipping in October. Pretty much the same for 'dale...they make the frames in batches and the first bikes out will be 56cm next week or two and the 54cm (which I need) will not be in until Oct 8!! I can get one of those internet specials shipped to my door by the end of the week....

..choices, choices

Patience is a virtue...cool off your pants and wait!

How much did they quote you for a Poprad frameset? My LBS in NH just got a bunch of the Poprads in last week.

Dave

I forget the exact number...$600-ish? I really love the orange color! I need patience, I know!

The problem is the fact that I'm leaving the country on October 15, going to Milan for 6 months and want an all around winter bike to take with me. As much as I like the Lemond...the Italians are nuts for cannondale right now. I guess you can thank Saeco for that. I could probably buy the 'dale ride it for the winter and sell it next april for what I paid for it new. The same bike in italy is going for $2200 - $2300 ...basically $1000 more!! Thats not MSRP, that's real prices on some on-line shops in Italy (same goes for all of the road bike too...an r900 costs $2600 in Italy!)

Picking up a new '06 Poprad tommorrow! Started off with the Cannondale R700 in mind but hated the stiff ride.Then with the store owner's advice looked at a LeMond Croix de Fer. Almost ordered that one til I tested the orange crush and fell head over heels. I realize my mind changed several times here but wanting something for the any conditions here in Delaware made me realize I made the right choice. Final cost $1195.....

Where did you find one in Delaware? Im only in Philly...I could drive down to delaware and save the sales tax!

Try calling Metro cycles in Manhattan (theres a few of them) they carry Lemond.

~Steve

Or. . . I could order one of these. . .

http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/2006/road/B1037000.html

So very very very cool.

I have no complaints towards my '04 Poprad. It rides nice . . . and just feels good.

i dig that fork. but i'm not so keen on it's pairing with the disc brakes. that just looks like a disaster waiting to happen....

the specialized tricross is a pretty sweet bike as well. the wheels are a little iffy, but the rest of the bike is solid. plus it comes with a little bell that you can mount on the cross lever! oh, and the fork on it is kinda gross and big.

http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/ima...ossComp_lg.jpg

It basically comes down to whether you prefer steel vs. aluminum, and classicly inspired graphics and paint(LeMond,) Vs. the fugliest paint and graphics in the business(Cannondale.)

um, I don't agree, fugliest? if you're gonna make fun of the cannondale's paint job and graphics at least come up with a better word then fugliest. I happen to like the blue with the aluminum unpainted spots. The graphics on the otherhand probably could've used a little work but then again it's a cross bike, I'm not trying to turn any heads with it like I am on my road bike.

I have to agree about the Canondale graphics. Every square cm of that bike is plastered with some kind of advertisement. . . you'd think Cannondale would want to show off their great frames and cool designs without mucking them up with crazy logos. I mean, the LeMond is just so classy. Some don't like orange, but I think it's retro and very cool.

I love the way Cannondales ride, but their design department needs to take a few classes. These are BIKES, probably the best example of form following function devised by man. Absolutely beautiful. They don't need decorations.

But that's just me.

Ride on!

-D

Oh, and sloping top tubes bother me for some reason.

Only took the '06 out for a short spin this evening but will get heavy mileage this weekend. So far, nothing but rave reviews for it. You can pick one up at Alan's Bicycles on Rt.202 in Wilmington,De. About 7 miles south of PA line.....

I know exactally where they are...I bought my first bike from them when I was a kid! They are getting a call from me as soon as they are open to see if they have a 55cm in stock.

I wish there were a shop in southern california that had one. I've called all around and can't find anything but an '03 that's too big for me.

I bought a complete 06 Poprad two weeks ago.

Yes, I love it.

I looked at a 05 Poprod, And then got a quote for an 06 xo1.
PIcking up my new trek XO1 after a metric on road bikes in the morning. Cant wait!!!