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...

[Crankin]

I had a R600 WSD for my first road bike. While it "fit," I had nothing but problems with it, even though it had Ultegra. The derailleur never worked, my husband had to change it twice; i never could easily shift into the big ring. One time, I was commuting home from work and it got stuck in the small ring after going up a hill. Thankfully, i was only about a mile from home. The chain fell off continually, even after I was an experienced rider. The whole shifting thing just never felt smooth, as compared to my Trek or my Kuota.
I would be careful!

[Red Haired Girl]

Well, rode the beast yesterday. Not sure I like it...I felt all streached out, and had an ache across my shoulders after 30 minutes of riding (okay, the thighs burned too!).

BTW, rode a Trek 1000 (guy version) and a Fuji Newest 2.0 (again, guy version). This bike shop is fairly small, with a limited inventory - and mostly guy bikes.

Anyway, they're planning on changing out the stem for a shorter one (i.e., one that isn't quite so long from the vertical part of the stem to the handlebars) and I'll ride it again on Thursday. Changing the stem should shorten the reach to the handlebars. But I have a question on that - Won't it change the steering qualities too? Make it a bit more sensitive (or twichy in my vernacular)?

Thank you for your comments!

Lara

[Fredwina]

Yes, it could. I would make sure to test ride it again

[Red Haired Girl]

Guess what?!

I friend has loaned me a bike! So I don't have to buy one! It's a late 90's (okay, 1998) Trek 1220. I rode it today for a short ride (5 miles according to my automechanic...16.9 according to the bike's odometer...), and it'll do until I decide on what I really want to ride and own.

Thanks so much for you comments and suggestions!

Take care,
Lara

[Blueberry]

Just wanted to say Hi to another TE person in NC - I'm in Durham. We have others in Greensboro, Raleigh and in between. Where are you located, and when the time comes for you to purchase your own, we'll be happy to provide you with recommendations for shops to visit!

Carrie Anne

[Red Haired Girl]

Hi Carrie,

I live in LA...that'd be Lower Aberdeen. It's just south of Pinehurst and Southern Pines. By way of reference, that's about 60 southwest of Raleigh, straddling US 1. Not terribly convenient to the Triad, or the Triangle for that matter. Although I do most of my shopping and such in Raleigh and Cary (the isn't a mall in my home town...or county for that matter!).

Thanks for the offer to help me find a good bike shop and such!

Take care,
Lara