Used CDale R500 - Yeah or Nay?

[Red Haired Girl]

Hello All,

I don't have a bike at the moment, but intend to fix that problem in the near future. The local bike shop has an older CDale R500 for $250. It has shimano XRS derailer/brakes/shifters. Any opinions on this bike, or CDales in general?

Thank you,
Lara

[trickytiger]

I have a 2005 Cannondale WSD 56 cm R500.... and love it! It's my first road bike, so I don't have anything to compare it to- but it fit me the best (I'm 5'8" with a 34" inseam and a VERY short torso!), and I have no complaints. More experienced friends told me that it was a great frame, and I could always upgrade the components as my riding improved.

[Fredwina]

I have a cannondale and like it too! It's a non wsd R1000 w/ a CAAD7 frame (Ultegra /105 components). it sound like the one you're looking at is older , if it has RSX on. $250 should be fine. Have you test ridden it?

[Red Haired Girl]

Oops, my bad...forgot to mention I haven't ridden it yet. I plan to do some test rides tomorrow (Saturday).

[stella]

if the bike fits, go for it! The price certainly sounds good.

keep us posted.

[ridebikeme]

Well, it sounds like a good deal, but I will give you some pointers as well. First of all, the Shimano RSX group was only made for one year, and is not compatible with anything today.... that is a 7 speed rear wheel and todays equipment are 8, 9, 10 speed rear wheels.... what that means is that when a shifter dies, you will need to spend quite a bit of money in order to get the bike up and running again. The rear derailleur is something that can be replaced easily, but the chainrings, shifters and front derailleur will cost you some money as they are completely different than other equipment today. So in hindsight, unless you can find someone with the same group... it will cost you quite a bit.

If you have any further questions, I'd be glad to answer them for you!

[Fredwina]

Actually they made an 8 speed RSX as well as a 7 speed. I think you can get new speed Sora STi's, but then you've spent more than the $250 you were planning
The other thing is the 7 speed crank used non standard chainrings. I think they were 26,36, and 46 versus 30,42(or 39), and 52 on a standard road triple. I used to have a GT with the group, so I'm going off memory. The rear was a cassette with a spacer, which means it'll take 7,8, or 9 speed cassettes.

[ridebikeme]

Yes, you are right about the group and being able to use other wheels.... but as you said the cost of these parts will quickly far outweigh the cost of the bike. The non standard chainrings and front derailleur are hard to find... sometimes you can find them on Sheldon Browns website, but they haven't been produced in years... so again, it can be quite costly without having to change a good portion of the drivetrain...