Thread: Cannondale MTB - What Model???

Originally Posted by rainman

Trek - I'm not a fan because I don't know them. I can't like something I don't know. As I've said, I see Giant and Trek as major competitors. I stick with Giant because I know them. Better the devil you know . I gained my respect for Giant because a number of the guys I ride with have them, meaning that I got to ride them, and I'm the one who services them.

Cannondale - it's a longer story. Back in the early 90s when I started mountain biking, Cannondale had one of the best reputations in the business. They were, apart from (believe it or not) Avanti, the only frame on the market that was heat treated after welding, rather than just being made from heat treated tubing. I bought an Avanti because I couldn't afford a Cannondale. I knew a lot of guys riding them and they seemed to be quite reliable apart from the odd failure, but around ten years ago they started to have all sorts of issues with cracking, earning them the name Crack'n'fail. This was a fairly pivotal point in my mountain biking career because it was when I could start to afford "more expensive" (I won't say "better quality" for fear of being shot down) bikes. I found Santa Cruz, and the rest is history.

Another major factor is that, due to my BMX background, I have always been a hardtail rider (the Giant Reign X1, bought last year is my first and so far only dual). Cannondale seems to do road and cross country bikes better than all mountain/freeride/downhill, and to my knowledge the only hardtails they currently offer are cross country. I need a strong, freeride type hardtail to suit my style. My road and cross country bikes are Scott because again, they are tried and tested by me (and my friends), and I get them at a good price.

I haven't suggested not to buy a Trek or a Cannondale. I said I would "sit out of the conversation" because I'm not a fan/don't know about them, and it seems CJT has his heart set on a Cannondale. I did suggest not going down the Lefty route because CJT mentioned a BMX background and being a "bit of a dirt jumper". You'll notice on the "bigger" Cannondale bikes like the Claymore and the Jekyll come with a standard platform fork; not a Lefty. I believe there's a reason for that.

I hope we haven't totally hijacked your thread CJT. Sorry if so....


James.

That's a pretty good answer, James - thanks. I hope you appreciate it was a sincere question I put, because although I accept the logic that you can't be a fan of something you don't know, it implied, at least to me, something else too! Happy to accept I was completely wrong here though. Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last.

Sorry for the hijack myself too CJT, and I'll look forward to seeing some pics...

I do fall into the branding trap from time to time but I try my best to remain objective. It's good to be challenged about your decisions occasionally. It makes you stop and think about what your doing rather than just doing it. Thanks !


James

Originally Posted by Grimace

Interesting read guys. Nothing of use to add here, just wanted to say you should definitely look at the clip less thongs by Shimano.

I might organise a group buy and some GCLRO themed ones if it's as popular as I suspect

I predict, 2013, clipless thongs will be the rage for weight weenies

....and who invited the thong wearer?!

Originally Posted by Grimace

Interesting read guys. Nothing of use to add here, just wanted to say you should definitely look at the clip less thongs by Shimano.

I might organise a group buy and some GCLRO themed ones if it's as popular as I suspect

I predict, 2013, clipless thongs will be the rage for weight weenies

Thanks Grimace but I think I will stick with these ++ eggbeater11 pedals :: crankbrothers.com ++ and some decent shoes.

I like my toes attached to my feet...

Originally Posted by Grimace

[snip]

I predict, 2013, clipless thongs will be the rage for weight weenies

As one of the founding contributors to the famous 'Weight Weenies' list over ten years ago I'm stunned no one thought of this before !

Originally Posted by rainman

[snip]
but around ten years ago they started to have all sorts of issues with cracking, earning them the name Crack'n'fail.

Maybe over ten years ago ??
The CAAD 4 would've been out around 2000 and they seemed pretty reliable at the time, i think some earlier frames had some problems ?

The Raven had major BB cracking problems.
It would've been one of the first mass produced monocoque carbon frames (aluminium swing arm) and they tended to crack at the BB junction.

The field fix was to inject the BB area with a specific urethane foam.
Late production versions came from the factory already foamed and that pretty much cured that issue.
One of the mechanics from my LBS rode one and he was an ex BMX'er too and rode damned hard.
Gav's didn't give out but was the first one the shop foamed when Cannondale issued the recall.

My road and cross country bikes are Scott because again, they are tried and tested by me (and my friends), and I get them at a good price.



James.

Good point, and the reason why I have a Giant and Cannondale.
They both came from the same shop as I was well looked after at and after the sale and bought a cheap Apollo girls bike/cruiser for SWMBO there too.

FWIW I've read on RBR that the new aluminium CAAD frames are manufactured in Taiwan and the fit/finish and QC is better than the 'Handmade in the USA' frames.

Originally Posted by rick130

As one of the founding contributors to the famous 'Weight Weenies' list over ten years ago I'm stunned no one thought of this before !

A mate has shimano clipless sandals.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

A mate has shimano clipless sandals.

It was a tongue in cheek reference to any of the blokes obsessed with paring down the weight of their bikes, but the sandals sound like a great idea for me for just riding into town to the café.