Question about Cannondale bikes

[Smokey]

I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they
have inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale? Some of
their models, like the Six13, have gotten very good reviews on RBR. I'm
curious because they are a bike I might consider owning some day
because they are made here in the USA.

Smokey

 

[Dane Buson]

Smokey <[email protected]> wrote:
> I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they have
> inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale? Some of their models,
> like the Six13, have gotten very good reviews on RBR. I'm curious because
> they are a bike I might consider owning some day because they are made here
> in the USA.

Some of the old frames did indeed have these sorts of problems. More
recent vintage Cannondales don't fail in that fashion more than any
other frame. They're nice bikes, no reason not to get one if you like
it.

--
Dane Buson - [email protected]
Dr. Who was actually remarkably prescient propoganda to make sure
Britain didn't enact legislation requiring wheelchair ramps on
buildings. No wheel chair ramps == no Dalek invasion. - Paul Tomblin

 

[catzz66]

Dane Buson wrote:
> Smokey <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they have
>>inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale? Some of their models,
>>like the Six13, have gotten very good reviews on RBR. I'm curious because
>>they are a bike I might consider owning some day because they are made here
>>in the USA.
>
>
> Some of the old frames did indeed have these sorts of problems. More
> recent vintage Cannondales don't fail in that fashion more than any
> other frame. They're nice bikes, no reason not to get one if you like
> it.
>

Around here, the Cs are a little higher than other comparably equipped
bikes. At least they were when I was looking at them. That kept me
from considering them when I was shopping for a new one.

 

[peter]

Smokey wrote:
> I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they
> have inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale?

Mine is only 16 years old with about 80K miles so I'm not sure yet
about it's longterm durability. So far the frame is holding up ok but
a few other components have needed replacement (handlebar tape,
tires/tubes, chain, cassette, cables, and the front rim).

 

[Smokey]

peter wrote:
> Smokey wrote:
> > I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they
> > have inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale?
>
> Mine is only 16 years old with about 80K miles so I'm not sure yet
> about it's longterm durability. So far the frame is holding up ok but
> a few other components have needed replacement (handlebar tape,
> tires/tubes, chain, cassette, cables, and the front rim).

<Grin> Peter, I think 16 yrs. and 80K of reliable service is a very
good recommendation. Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

Smokey

 

[Matt O'Toole]

On Thu, 07 Sep 2006 04:42:39 -0700, Dane Buson wrote:

> Smokey <[email protected]> wrote:

>> I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they have
>> inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale? Some of their models,
>> like the Six13, have gotten very good reviews on RBR. I'm curious because
>> they are a bike I might consider owning some day because they are made here
>> in the USA.
>
> Some of the old frames did indeed have these sorts of problems. More
> recent vintage Cannondales don't fail in that fashion more than any
> other frame. They're nice bikes, no reason not to get one if you like
> it.

Like every other manufacturer, Cannondale has probably had stints of
poor quality control. Other than that it's probably an old wives' tale,
or rather, a young bike shop smartass' tale (because it rhymes so
brilliantly).

FWIW, Cannondale outperformed all others in a frame fatigue test done by
Tour magazine a few years ago.

Matt O.

 

[Dave]

I love mine so much I bought two more cannondales. I heard someone state on
another message board : He had an old cannondale hanging on the wall for
three years in his garage. Scratching his head wondering why he kept it so
long until one day his regular stead broke. Within minutes of riding the old
Cannondale his memory came back all to clearly, what a great riding machine
it was, and still is, and swore to never get rid of it.
Dave

"peter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Smokey wrote:
>> I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they
>> have inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale?
>
> Mine is only 16 years old with about 80K miles so I'm not sure yet
> about it's longterm durability. So far the frame is holding up ok but
> a few other components have needed replacement (handlebar tape,
> tires/tubes, chain, cassette, cables, and the front rim).
>

 

[Pat in TX]

"Smokey" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I sometimes see Cannondales referred to as "crack-n-fails". Do they
> have inherent frame problems, or is this an old wive's tale? Some of
> their models, like the Six13, have gotten very good reviews on RBR. I'm
> curious because they are a bike I might consider owning some day
> because they are made here in the USA.
>
> Smokey

An "old wife's tale"? I hardly think anyone's wife is running around
discussing Cannondale frames with their girlfriends. Maybe it's more like a
rumor or folk lore....
>