Cannondale/LeMond/Fuji (can NOT ride bikes)

[KikyoMerc]

I am looking for my first road bike. I plan to do some criteriums and road races, possibly this year, but more than likely not until next season.
I have the ability to get a Cannondale, LeMond or Fuji for cheap. I am looking at several bikes from all the manufactures. I am unable to ride the bikes (unfortunately) and need some help deciding on one. I am sorry for this overly posted topic, but as I said, I can not ride the bikes, so I need some opinions.

Heres the list (with links):

R500 http://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR5T.html
R700 http://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR7D.html
Roubaix Pro http://fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=9
Tourmalet http://lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/tourmalet.jsp
Croix De Fer http://lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/croix_de_fer.shtml

These are all around 1000-1300 (MSRP) I am not sure on the prices I can get them at yet.

Thanks in advance,
Nate

 

[boudreaux]

I am looking for my first road bike. I plan to do some criteriums and road races, possibly this year, but more than likely not until next season.
I have the ability to get a Cannondale, LeMond or Fuji for cheap. I am looking at several bikes from all the manufactures. I am unable to ride the bikes (unfortunately) and need some help deciding on one. I am sorry for this overly posted topic, but as I said, I can not ride the bikes, so I need some opinions.

Heres the list (with links):

R500 http://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR5T.html
R700 http://cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR7D.html
Roubaix Pro http://fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=9
Tourmalet http://lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/tourmalet.jsp
Croix De Fer http://lemondbikes.com/2005_bikes/croix_de_fer.shtml

These are all around 1000-1300 (MSRP) I am not sure on the prices I can get them at yet.

Thanks in advance,
Nate

Cdale....Higher BB. Good for crits.

 

[KikyoMerc]

Would it be better to spend more on the R700, or go with the R500, so when I crash it (its inevitable) if anything breaks, it will be cheaper to fix.

Any opinions on the CAAD7 frame?

Thanks,
Nate

 

[531Aussie]

Any opinions on the CAAD7 frame?

Cannondales (and Kleins, for that matter) have a reputation of being stronger than many alu frames.

Along with some other Cannondales, the CAAD7 has passed the infamous, independant EFBe fatigue test in Germany

http://www.efbe.de/erenn.htm (sroll down)

 

[KikyoMerc]

Any reccomendations on a model? Would it be better to get a cheaper model, such as the R500?

 

[Powerful Pete]

Any reccomendations on a model? Would it be better to get a cheaper model, such as the R500?

Start with a cheaper bike. Starting out and planning on racing crits? No offense, but chances are you might change your mind about riding in a few months...

 

[KikyoMerc]

Well the R700 is only 200 dollars more, and a pretty big improvement in frame and components.

I did not start biking, planning on racing crits, but am considering it now. I have ridden my bike for commuting for many years, and last year built a singlespeed, which got me into road cycling. After that I decided I wanted to try racing, and decided on crits or road races.

 

[spacefuzz]

ive heard good things about the cannondale

 

[Fat Hack]

Yeah, I'd at least go for the R700, assuming it's this one we're talking about:
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/05/cusa/model-5RR7D.html

You get 105 levers with the R700. Many people dis Tiagra levers (on the r500), but the "studies" haven't come in yet on whether or not they're actually ****.