Hi,

I have never owned a road bike, but have a husband and many friends who are big bikers. The bug has hit and I'd like to join them all on some long rides. However, I don't want to buy new or spend an arm and a leg. I found this used 2000 Cannondale CAAD3 for sale and am wondering if anyone has advice on whether it's a good bike for me. The size is perfect for me.

Very lightweight CAAD 3 Aluminum frame (Cannondale Advanced Aluminum Design) has a frameset providing unmatched lateral stiffness for higher top speeds and effortless climbs;
Coda Echelon Slice Carbon Fork;
Mavic CXP21 Rims;
700cmx25cm Continental tires;
9 Speed(9 sprokets in the back and 2 in the front);
All Shimano Ultegra parts;
I am unsure about the size, but from floor to top of bar is 76.2 cm (30").
I am 5'6" and it is a little big for me.
The 'ST' measurement is 52 or 53cm.
From wheel hub to wheel hub is about 95 cm (37 5/8").
clipless pedals included

Thanks for your help!
Lisa

I forgot to mention that she is asking $550, but I think I could get it for $500 or $525.

Lisa:

Let me use another approach...

I want to buy some running shoes. My friend has a pair that are 10.5's and I wear a 10. They are a great color, and he is willing to part with them for $50 (retailed for $125).

It doesn't work. If the bike's too big (you don't even know the size) then it's too big. Your bug will die quickly on a bike that's the wrong size and you will end up with a $500 or so t-shirt hanger/dryer. For starters, you back and shoulders will probably kill you, even if you can compensate for the reach.

The CAAD3 is really old technology from a pure comfort standpoint.

For about $680 you can get a brand new Trek 1.2 that will fit you with a lifetime frame warranty.

For about $650 you can get a brand new Giant OCR3 that uses a frame from which Giant also makes an $1,100 bike.

Spend the extra hundred or so, get a new bike that fits.

I personally would skip that bike. I just sold a 2006 Lemond Reno which was all tiagra with 105 rear derailler for $500. Keep in mind that is a 2006 in great shape with very solid components.

You can definately do better then a 2000 CAAD3 for that price. Especially the fact you do not know exactly what size it is.

I have a CAAD3 but upgraded recently to a new Bianchi. It is a good race bike, but it is a rough bike. You will feel the road.

I still love my orange beast, but it is a beast. It isn't exactly light (part of that is because it has a triple on it). If you were going to race, I'd say sure, but if you are riding, I'd say look for something else.

Seems like a lot of money to me. Used bikes don't really hold their value. If the top tube is too long, you will never be happy on it because you will be too stretched out. The CAAD3 is a rough ride on bad roads.

If I'm reading the OP correctly, Lisa is saying the size of the bike is perfect for her.

The "it is a little big for me" comes from the seller's description, with the "I" referring to the seller.

If the bike really is a good fit for you Lisa, and it's in decent shape, this will be a nice bike, slightly harsher ride, and slightly heavier, than a current generation C'dale, but still a nice bike.

I'd try to get it for $350 though.

"Ride quality" is marketing-driven expectation-bias BS, IMO.

You can search Google Groups and see what people were saying on USENET back when CAAD3's were new:

"It is not fair to compare a CAAD3 frame to
an old cheapo Giant frame. The C'Dales and
many of the other AL frames have improved
greatly in ride quality in the last few years."

"I have owned both 2.8 and CAAD3 'dales -- and can tell you that they are
worlds apart in the ride quality. The 2.8 was mega-stiff and harsh. My
R4000 is simply mega-stiff. The CAAD3 frame changes and the Kestral
forks must be responsible for the dramatic reduction in road-buzz."

"The Cannondale aluminum frames are really
nicely built this year [1998] and ride pretty smooth (they aren't nearly as harsh as
they were in the past)."

"After 15 years of riding/racing on steel (Mostly Columbus, some Reynolds
including 753--most recently Columbus SLX that was decaled with
PUCH on it, but actually built by Bianchi). I built up a CAAD 3
frame this year (Kinesis CF fork). It is a *very* sweet riding
bike. I immediately noticed an increased responsiveness in climbing,
sprinting, and cornering. The old bike was still in one piece so
I had a chance to do side by side comparisons. The CAAD3 felt
slightly more "unstable" (that is, it handled quicker) but was
no more "harsh" riding than the SLX frame with the same wheelset."

"Trek aluminum seemed pretty harsh. More
so than the Cannondale CAAD3 (R1000) I rode."


I don't think this is proof that the CAAD3 is smooth riding. But back when it was new, some people said it was. And even back when the CAAD3 was new, the story was, "The OLD Cannondales, boy were they harsh, but the NEW Cannondales are actually quite nice riding!" This story continues today, but now the OLD Cannondales are CAAD4s and 5's and the NEW Cannondales are CAAD8 and CAAD9. Marketing + expectation bias.



On the other hand, $500 is a bit steep for that bike, and the OP should certainly get a bike that fits.

Correct--that was the seller of the bike that said the bike was a little big for her. She is 5'6 and I am 5'7. The bike would fit me. Sorry for the confusion. Despite that, it sounds like this may not be the bike for me. Anyone have suggestions on where I can look for a good road bike between $600-700? How can I know if I'm getting a good bike for the price? And what should I look for and not compromise? Thanks for all your help!!

How old are you? I ask because if you are relatively young the slight harshness shouldn't be a problem. I am 60 and if I had a bike like that on my 60 mile rides my back and neck would act up. Also for the price you are getting Ultegra components which are superior to the ones on new bikes in that same price range. If you really like cycling since you are paying relatively little you can always step up to a better bike in a few years.I would say go for it assuming when you see and test ride the bike everything is fine.