HawkeyeCubs34

I have been researching long and hard about the next big big purchase for road biking, road races and cirts. (I currently have a 2012 Schwinn Paramount 5, just to offer a point of reference). One brand I have always wanted was Cannondale. However, I don't want to get a Cannondale for the sake of having one. I'd rather get the right bike for the aforementioned activities. If a Cannondale is equal to that of Colnago or Trek just to name a few, I might just go with what I aspired for. Otherwise, I would certainly keep an open mind. Any thoughts?

sbxx1985 

This is a very broad question.

In other news, you're from Iowa, like the Cubs (and the Javy Baez call-up from Iowa), and Walter Payton is your favorite Bear.

HawkeyeCubs34

You are incredibly astute. #BearDown .

I would be happy to provide some clarification. I would definitely go for a carbon frame, pay within the 2500-3000 range...before the sale price is applied. An example of one I looked at is the Cannondale SuperSix EVO 3 Ultregra D (yes, I copy and pasted that from a shop's page).

PaulRivers

Yes, Cannondale is like Trek, Specialized, etc. It's a "real" bike brand, not a cheap Walmart bike brand. They make all kinds of models, just like the other brands. The Cannondale Synapse is their latest popular "endurance" road bike, fyi.

StanSeven

Cannondales, like Trek and Specialized and some others, offer a complete range from beginners to what the top pro's ride in the TdF. Just don't expect a $600 Cannondale to be equal to a $8,000 Specialized or Trek. You get what you pay for.

cafzali

It's more about price point than brand. Remember that bike makers, much like car makers, don't really manufacture a lot of what goes into a bike. Frame production is generally centered in Taiwan among a relative handfew of companies and the components are the names that we're all familiar with, although some bike makers contract with these companies to make products with specific characteristics under their own brand.

But generally, a certain amount of money will get you a fairly consistent end product across all the major brands (e.g. Cdale, Trek, Giant, Specialized, Fuji, etc.)

alexaschwanden

I had a caad10 and it worked out nicely.

caloso

The CAAD10 is a well regarded race bike.

hamster

There are four "big" brands, which, taken together, probably account for something like 80% of the "serious road bike market" (as in, everything above the Sport Chalet / Big 5 level, sold in dedicated bike shops). These are: Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, and Giant. They compete directly with each other, their model lines are pretty well matched in features and prices. Specialized and Trek are the biggest two, and both of them are full-spectrum manufacturers (making everything except for drivetrain - from frames to saddles to wheels). Cannondale is a bit smaller but still significant, and primarily focuses on bikes. Giant is the biggest of all in terms of worldwide sales, but it's not as well known in the U.S. because it's not an American company (unlike the first three, which are formally American but make most of their bikes in Taiwan, Giant is Taiwanese through and through.)

Colnago is Kim Kardashian of road bikes. It is famous because it's famous - but no one is quite sure why any more. It's been around forever (it was a major manufacturer of high-end racing bikes in the 60s and 70s, before Specialized, Trek, and Cannondale even existed) and it built up huge brand recognition which it uses to sell unremarkable bikes for 2x the price of matching Cannondales. The same describes a few other brands like Pinarello and Orbea.

Then there are some "specialty" brands (e.g. Cervelo, which specializes on light aerodynamic carbon frames, and Surly), and a bunch of smaller brands that try to compete with Trek/Specialized/etc but lack the market share (e.g. GT or Raleigh).

If you're interested in a carbon bike and you live in Iowa, you should pay extra attention to aerodynamics. Cannondale is good but it does not make any aero-specific frames. Take a look at Specialized Venge and Giant Propel.

cderalow

Think of it this way (I like to refer to cars)...

You've got your exotics (Ferrari, Lambos etc) - Crumptons, Paketas... custom carbons with DI2/super light weight

You've got your euro/Asian luxury (MB, BMW, Audi, Acura) - Cervelo, Colnago, Bianchi

You've got your Asian/domestic normals (Honda, Ford, Chevy, Dodge) - Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Kona

And you've got your cheap asian's (Kia, Hyundai's) - Schwinn, Fuji, Mongoose

Team Sarcasm

I thought you wrote "dont expect a 6,000 dollar cannondale to be equal to a 8,000$ specialized or trek"

carry on

JaceK

in a word... No

OldsCOOL

Is the Pope, Catholic?

dtrain

Sweet, didn't know my Bianchi was a luxury brand!

osiris419

Cannondale makes a good bike. Their aluminum frames are some of the best you can buy, I'm not sure about their carbon but I'll guess they are just as good. I work at a Trek and Specialized dealer. I suggest checking out the Trek Madone. It will work for your type of riding, you can also customize the bike to your liking using Trek's Project One.

rms13

Only if it's celeste

rangerdavid

Cannondale makes an excellent bike. The CAAD line is one of the most versatile and durable on the market. The EVO, well, Peter Sagan rides it. it's one of the best made, period.

Will Goes Boing

This is like asking whether Kate Upton is a hot babe..... or whether a Ferrari is a nice car..... or Kobe beef is good beef. You get my drift.

hamster

On the second thought, it's more like 50%.

Current eBay road bike listings (excluding low-end like Schwinn and very rare brands):
Trek: 169
Specialized: 169
Cannondale: 113
Giant: 90
Scott: 71
Marin, Cervelo, Colnago, Fuji, Pinarello, Bianchi, Felt, Jamis, Raleigh, Orbea, Look, BMC (together): 468

scplus5

Pics needed.

bikerjp

I wouldn't buy one.

gc3

Everyone's an expert....

Farhat

I have a 04 cannondale saeco, cadd 3 or 4 I think. I really like it, its held up to my overweight self. I'm just not sure about the SI cranks though.

rousseau

Fixed that for you. But otherwise a stellar delineation of how to look at bike brands in motoring terms.

fietsbob

Adequate. some brands have cashe' see the 'why are roadies snobs' threads..