Would you recommend a Cannondale?
 

Hi there,
I’m looking to get myself a new bike of decent quality for a good amount of riding and I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on the quality of the Cannondale brand.
Thanks so much for your opinions.

yes, i recommend a cannondale.

They are a very respected brand...and only untill this last year have they begun making bikes over here for under $1000. That says something. You wont go wrong with a Cannondale.

If it's above an f6 or f5 I'd say go for it.

I like cannondale with the regular forks. It's the lefty and headshock things I'm not a big fan of.

Well they have changed a lot of that now, i think they sorta realised the forks where a bit of a put off for some people.

So you would take a Rock Shox Dart over a Lefty Carbon?


and to the OP, yes, i would reccomend a cannondale. Ive been riding mine for 4 years with no problems, and no problems with my Headshok.

Yeah I would actually. 1st I don't want any carbon , 2nd at least it would fit in my bike rack, 3rd this is an unfair question based on the price of the forks. I may take the lefty over a dart, but a recon would get me away from the lefty.

Is this based all on looks? Or have you actually ever tried a lefty? They are VERY good forks.

I bought a Rush this past summer and absolutely love the bike. I've heard bad things about the early Lefty forks but all the folks I talked to said the new ones are solid. Besides, that Left just plain looks cool. :)

I think Cannondale recently changed their numbering scheme. By F5/F6 are you referring to their hardtails? If so what features do you get above this point that make it worthwhile for you?

The f5/6/7 are the made in Taiwan hardtails. I don't have any problem with them, but if you are buying an entry level mountain bike with low end shimano components, you could get a near identical bike from someone like Giant for a bit cheaper.

Sorry, I guess I didn't actually answer the question. Above that you start getting into Deore and higher components, and frames made here in america.

above the f5, you get the headshock.

I'm pretty sure that the f5 and f6 are made in America. They use the 1.5'' head tube for headshocks, and the same frame as the f4. The F7 is definitely made in china though, and is just an overpriced trek 3700.

I want to get one eventually, either a 29er or an aluminum Rush, and either one with the lefty fork -- although sometimes I think that a standard fork's ability to use any wheel might be nice.

Are they good frames in the long term?

Yeeeees. Yesss I would. In fact, buying a cannondale is such a good idea, I might have to run out and go buy another one right now...yesss.
M-500, bought in '97
rode 5500 miles across country (racks and panniers)
3 years messenger duty
10 years constant riding, mtn and urban
countless miles to and from the bar
Cost me about $60/year, plus a few drivetrains and brake pads and stuff
I've decided to retire her several times and put her on the wall, but she's a perfect feeling bike. I'm glad to hear some good reviews of the C-dale Rush series...It's a harmonious confluence of events, having a premier bike manufacturer name a ride after the world's greatest Rock-n-Roll band. Yeeesssss

I did not even consider them as far as my MTB purchase because of their designs and looks over the years, mainly the headshock and lefty stuff.

Call me too into looks, but I think their MTB's always looked stupid. While looks are not the reason one should buy a bike, they can easily be the reason they do not include one in their comparison.

I LOVE Cannondale in the road market - probably the best Alum frame out there and some great deals.


Like this bike . .
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/CUSA/model-8VP0.html

May be a great performing bike, innovative design, etc - but that looks dumb.

Are you that picky with your women?:)

Oh man, some may hate their designs, but I still lust after the old raven's with the lefty. Mmmmmmmm

yes, I prefer my women with 2 legs too. ;)

Cannondale makes good products. People have different tastes. Some love their looks, many do not. I am sure they understand the risks you take when you have a polarizing product.

I'm a fan of cannondales, but the raven is one of the ugliest bikes ever made.

As far as quality of the new bikes, I would recommend them.

I never rode a lefty, never really wanted to. There are other forks that work better and are not dumb looking.

How could you possibly know that?

Yeah I'm bored...

Personally, I think that ruling a bike out because of the way it looks is ridiculous. Functionality is my main concern. Looks come second.