Mike,
Well said and I agree 100%. I have had a F600 w/ Headshok Fatty, a
Jekyll 1000 w/ Lefty fork and I just purchased a 2004 Scalpel frame on
eBay to build up with the components from the Jekyll. I have loved
everyone of these bikes. I think they are well built and Cannondale
has released some real innovative components.
Would I purchase another Cannondale? Sadly no. Two of my favorite LBS
have dropped the Cannondale line...they claimed that Cannondale was
too difficult to work with. I visited 3 Cannondale retailers in the
South Atlanta area while seraching for parts to build up the Scalpel
frame. Two stores did not have a single Cannondale bike on the floor.
One store refused to order any Cannondale parts for me even though I
had the part numbers I needed. Not one store had the Cannondale
Headshok seal I needed. I ended up getting what I needed from eBay!
My next bike will utilize standard parts. At least I know I can find
what I need/want at almost any local LBS or online retailer.
Brian Ferguson
"Mike Kennedy" <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Well I have been riding an F900 for a couple of years now and I had been
> really happy with it except for the CODA Expert disc brakes. These things
> suck! However while I was in getting my new Avid Mechanical disc installed,
> I was told that Cannondale saw the light and no longer use these, they use
> Hayes I think.
> So up until this summer I had absolutely no problems with this bike aside
> from the normal Cannondale creak and crappy brakes. The thing flies and the
> control is the best of any bike that I have ridden.Well my Headshok
> cartridge failed during a race so I took it in to have it replaced. To keep
> the story short, I got my bike back after 3 weeks of hassles. Fairly
> expensive and too long a wait. And I had no other choice because of the
> headtube/headset size.
> I decided to change the length of my stem (make it shorter). Guess what, I
> had to order it because of the Headshok size and it was too expensive.
>
> So, would I buy another Cannondale MTB? No, I want to have the freedom to
> buy parts inexpensively and not have to wait for parts to be ordered unless
> it is my choice.
>
> Mike Kennedy
>
>
> "Uncle Bingo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:2004090910391916807%unclebingo@blueyondercouk...
> > I'm considuring purchasing a UK Cannondale 04 F900 for a sale price of
> > £1200 (rrp£1600). Other than the F4000SL which is completely out of my
> > reach, its the only European modal with an Opimo frame and Lefty fork
> > (which I'm reliably informed is far superior to the Fatty Ultra in
> > terms of travel and control).
> >
> > However, before I part with my cash I wanted the groups view on whether
> > its possible to build a SantaCruz or indeed any top brand US/Can bike
> > for simular money, As I'm visiting the US in October for 2 weeks, and
> > could feasably work with a US store to build it up whilst out there
> > (before breaking it back down and squeezing it into a suitcase). (c:
> > The F900 isn't a US modal, and the 05 F1000 use the Furio frame.
> >
> > I ride mostly fast single track so I'm after a light, sub 24lbs
> > hardtail with a plush 100mm fork.
> > What should I be considuring?
> >
