This thread as well as others I've seen elsewhere on C'dale's CAAD 7 warranty supplement, gave me pause as I weigh 230 LBS and read it just after dropping 1500 USD on a C'dale R800 with Optimo frame. I ultimately convinced myself not to worry about the warranty issue (or to go into denial depending on your view of C'dale), figuring that the supplement was targeted more at the hardcore 10000 mile/yr racer than an the avid but gentle (despite my weight) 2-3000 mile a year rider such as myself. However. upon reading article in this month's Bicycling Mag on C'dale's testing department, I was reminded of this thread and energized to contact Cannondale directly. For what they're worth, following are my note to C'dale and C'dale's response (which was much more detailed than I would have expected). Bottomline, I come away from the exchange convinced that my R800 purchase was right for me and I have no worries that I will wear out the frame prematurely (CAAD 7 is a great frame that goes up hills like a rocket).
--------------Begin My Note to C'dale --------------------
Greetings
I just read the article about Mark La Plante and Cannondale test lab in the most recent issue of Bicycling magazine. I also recently bought a 2004 R800 (purchased in November). The article on your testing department, along with information on CAAD 7 warranty that I did not come across until after purchasing my bike, have triggered some questions in my mind.
Background
I weigh in at about 230 lbs. and would describe myself as a avid rider but not a racer. During good weather, I am doing 50 to 100 miles a week and will do 2 or 3 centuries each summer. I bought the R800 because, wanting an upgrade from my heavy steel bike that would handle the hills where I live more nimbly than my old ride, I found the CAAD 7 R800 to be in my price range, a good fit, and a rocket on hills.
I am a pretty gentle rider, roads are good around here, and I am not going all out all the time; but I do like to go fast and I do 20 - 40 mile rides 2 to 3 times a week.
At no time while discussing the R800 with my bike shop, did anyone mention the warranty addendum that Cannondale has out for CAAD 7 or suggest that a rider of my size should steer clear of the CAAD 7 (they did suggest I swap out the Gipiemme wheels for sturdier -- i.e. more spokes -- wheels; which I have done --- 36H ultegra hubs and mavic OP rims). Nor did Cannondale customer service mention any frame issues when I contacted you in October to inquire as to whether the Gipiemme wheels would stand up to a rider of my weight. Not until after the purchase did I come across discussion on online forums indicating that someone of my size might experience premature fatigue because CAAD 7 weight savings resulted in a frame of potentially limited durability.
I love my bike and want it to last several years at least, so:
My Questions
Is the addendum meant to warn people like me that my bike might not last under stress of my fat ****? Or is it directed at hard racing competitors who will be beating their bikes up on the weekly racing circuit?
Should my local bike shop have counseled me toward a more sturdy frame (they were very high on CAAD 7s and steered me toward R1000 and R800 as one of the best frames on market for the money I wanted to spend)?
What does your testing show as far as CAAD 7 and fatigue is concerned? In other words, absent a wreck, how long should an avid rider like me on good roads expect the frame to hold up (I don't really expect you to answer this one but I throw it in anyway?
Bottom line, have I, as a larger rider, made an unwise purchase? I hope not, I love my bike. I don't expect it to last forever, but do expect to get more than two years of rides out of it.
-----------------Cannondale's Response---------------
Thank you for contacting Cannondale, and for the clear communication of your questions and concerns. Thank you also for reading and thinking about the CAAD 7 owners manual supplement. You took the information in the owners manual supplement and extrapolated to your body type and riding needs. If you read it carefully, you will see no conflict between what we have communicated there, and the responses to your questions here.
1. Cannondale has no weight limit for riders on the CAAD 7 frame.
2. Our extensive field-testing has shown that high rider weight does not automatically equal the frame seeing high loads. Consider that light, athletic riders can be very strong and can ride very aggressively. We have recorded the highest loads from such riders. Heavy riders are often less athletic and aggressive. While your concern is logical, we have done the testing a have no special concerns about heavy riders on our frames.
3. Very competitive riders ride a lot of miles. If a rider trains and races 10,000 miles/year, then it is likely that the frame will not last ten years. We are not talking about a weakness here, we are talking about that kind of rider wearing a product out.
4. The CAAD 7 frame design has passed all Cannondale fatigue standards. These standards are rigorous and we know not all of our competitors frames pass these standards. The CAAD 7 was also qualified by the neutral, German testing firm EFBe at the highest level. See
http://www.efbe.de/defbefrm.htm
5. An important warning in the owners manual supplement is that this frame can be easily damaged. It may not survive a criterium crash. It is not meant for abuse. It can be easily dented and those dents may lead to a failure. We are seeking to make clear the tradeoff in the design: It is light and wonderful to ride. It is not a rugged workhorse that shrugs off abusive handling.
6. The focus of the CAAD 7 owners manual supplement is not fatigue. For some more information on fatigue, and factors that affect the fatigue life of a product, read section D of the owner's manual. It's also on our website at
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/tech/manuals.html Your technical curiosity makes me think you will enjoy learning about fatigue.
With your moderate riding habits and mileage, this frame should work well for you. We cannot predict how long anyone's frame will last, but have no particular concerns about your riding this bike. We would say this to anyone: maintain it, inspect it. The retailers advice re wheels better suited for your size is good. Substituting any "ultralight" components is not a good idea.
Enjoy the ride, and feel free to contact us any time,
