Cannondale R400
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Cannondale R400
Just looking for opinions on this bike I am thinking of buying for my uncle. Price seems very high at $385CAD but I could probably get it for a lot less. He just needs a solid commuter bike.. He is 5'8 but I think the 56cm might fit him okay.
https://www.usedvictoria.com/classif...-56cm_34387323
Thoughts?
https://www.usedvictoria.com/classif...-56cm_34387323
Thoughts?
#2
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That bike is way too big for your 5' 8" Uncle. Nice bike. Too big. Its been my experience, when you ride a bike that is too big for you, you are prone to slow speed crashes. Ask me how I know.??.... Keep searching for the proper size for your Uncle. Pobbly a 54cm bike.
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That bike is way too big for your 5' 8" Uncle. Nice bike. Too big. Its been my experience, when you ride a bike that is too big for you, you are prone to slow speed crashes. Ask me how I know.??.... Keep searching for the proper size for your Uncle. Pobbly a 54cm bike.
Still, I like the bike...... I wonder what a fair price for it would be?
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Nice bike. I loved those early Cannondales. This one has been brought into the 21st Century with brifters and dual pivot sidepulls? I don't think the asking price is out of line actually. That said, as a commuter ... I wouldn't. If I was 22 years old maybe, but I'm thinking your unc is ... somewhat more mature? I've (60 y.o.) been commuting on a roadie (Trek 1.1) because I let both my Schwinn World Tourists become projects at the same time. No fun. The ride is harsh and every parallel crack threatens to trap the 23mm clinchers and put me on a ventilator. I have Raceblade clip on fenders but no rack. I don't even know which rack would sit level on a rear end so close coupled and the chainstays on a R400 are probably even shorter. So, no, just no. As a commuter.
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Nice bike. I loved those early Cannondales. This one has been brought into the 21st Century with brifters and dual pivot sidepulls? I don't think the asking price is out of line actually. That said, as a commuter ... I wouldn't. If I was 22 years old maybe, but I'm thinking your unc is ... somewhat more mature? I've (60 y.o.) been commuting on a roadie (Trek 1.1) because I let both my Schwinn World Tourists become projects at the same time. No fun. The ride is harsh and every parallel crack threatens to trap the 23mm clinchers and put me on a ventilator. I have Raceblade clip on fenders but no rack. I don't even know which rack would sit level on a rear end so close coupled and the chainstays on a R400 are probably even shorter. So, no, just no. As a commuter.
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But, I would agree, that C-dale is kinda steep at $385. It's a pretty old bike, and there looks to be a lot of rust in the Allen bolt heads, which doesn't guarantee that it's been ridden long and hard and/or mistreated, but it's one indicator I always factor in.
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Yep, what he ^ said. I'm 5'11, and the math puts me on a 56, which is what I generally ride. If you legs/inseam on the short side for your height, then the 54 might be acceptable, but at 5'11 it's probably on the small side (though not insanely so, I think I could happily ride one, with a longer stem. I once had a 55cm Seven Axiom Ti , and I thought that size was absolutely perfect for me).
But, I would agree, that C-dale is kinda steep at $385. It's a pretty old bike, and there looks to be a lot of rust in the Allen bolt heads, which doesn't guarantee that it's been ridden long and hard and/or mistreated, but it's one indicator I always factor in.
But, I would agree, that C-dale is kinda steep at $385. It's a pretty old bike, and there looks to be a lot of rust in the Allen bolt heads, which doesn't guarantee that it's been ridden long and hard and/or mistreated, but it's one indicator I always factor in.
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Keep in mind that those are Canadian dollars. In USD I don't think it cracks $275. And that's just the asking ... I could get it for $200. $250 tops. If someone really can't justify that amount for a bike that had a certain amount of cachet in its day they should just move on to something else, I think. There's tons of bikes out there.
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My mom has an approximate same vintage r400 (03 or 04 IIRC). Decent bike. But I wouldn't pay over 200 USD. IMO the price is too steep.
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Sizing a bike is not about height. It's about your body dimensions and especially inseam. My inseam is 32.5" and I can ride 54-56 cm C to C very well.
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As for the R400 I posted the lowest he said he would go is $325CAD and yeah considering the rust I'll probably pass on it although it looks slick...
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Fair enough. I'll get measured properly and re-assess. I thought the bike was the right size but think I got the wrong measurement, it's certainly a 54cm
As for the R400 I posted the lowest he said he would go is $325CAD and yeah considering the rust I'll probably pass on it although it looks slick...
As for the R400 I posted the lowest he said he would go is $325CAD and yeah considering the rust I'll probably pass on it although it looks slick...
Yup. All about proportions. I'm 5-10, but I have a 30" inseam. My road bikes are 56's, and one vintage 57-58, that I have set up in the old-school 'French Fit'
As to the R400, it's a nice bike, as the USA 'Dales were. $250 USD would be a decent price for a bike of this age (early '00s) but this one looks like it's been used hard.
Maybe at $200, if i'm looking for a fast, solid-but-rough-around-the-edges commuter.
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Fair enough. I'll get measured properly and re-assess. I thought the bike was the right size but think I got the wrong measurement, it's certainly a 54cm
As for the R400 I posted the lowest he said he would go is $325CAD and yeah considering the rust I'll probably pass on it although it looks slick...
As for the R400 I posted the lowest he said he would go is $325CAD and yeah considering the rust I'll probably pass on it although it looks slick...
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If it's for All-Weather commuting, he'll want to have room for fenders, and eyelets.
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This isn't the kind of bike I'd get for someone who wasn't already pretty experienced. A lot of people won't even look at drop bars, for example.
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I'd need to know if he's an experienced rider and what he carries on his commute as well. Also, what kind of commuting route.
This isn't the kind of bike I'd get for someone who wasn't already pretty experienced. A lot of people won't even look at drop bars, for example.
This isn't the kind of bike I'd get for someone who wasn't already pretty experienced. A lot of people won't even look at drop bars, for example.
Me on the other hand, I'm only commuting 6km each way to work but I'm really not sure if it's worth replacing my 54cm R600 with a 56cm bike, it feels pretty good but honestly haven't taken it for a long distance ride yet... who knows. My back is usually always stiff and in pain so it's hard to tell what's going on with the bike.
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Hybrid with 32mm road tires & fenders.
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