Cannondale SystemSix?

[equus123]

My teammate and good friend has the SystemSix but with SRAM, not the Campy setup.

She really loves the bike. It is very stiff but it rides comfortably. The stiffness thing is kind of hard to explain or define it. It's more of a feel than anything and only something you'll know when you get on the bike and ride it yourself. I took a spin on her bike one day for a little over an hour. My first impression was that it felt really "there" underneath me but not in a bad way. It's hard to explain. It almost feels like it jumps with you when you get out of the saddle and accelerate. It's a fantastic bike for sprinting, especially with SRAM. It just feels like a solid bike beneath you though it's not rough or uncomfortable.

So those are mine and my teammate's thoughts. The best thing you could ever do is get on it whenever you get the chance. Anybody that I've known with one or riding one really likes the bike.

Good luck!

[Bluetree]

If it fits you well, you should love the bike and the Record QS. I went to a Record set-up and not only was it easier to thumb shift at high speeds in the drops, but you can do multiple 'throws' up and down the cogs. A stiff bottom bracket, as someone posted, is hard to describe but the end result is instant acceleration and power. The moment I clipped into my S-Works, I understood what all my racing friends were talking about!

Don't worry about the weight of a System Six. I just came back from a road race yesterday and my buddy was on a 15-lb and change, 54cm System Six with DA. And Record is the lightest groupset around. (Of course, boron wheels helped, but we can't all afford those )

The only thing I would wonder about is the 53/39 and 12-25. If your racing involves a lot of climbing, those are some serious gears.

And don't worry about whether a bike is "too good" for you. That's a bunch of hooey. Some snootbutts may sneer when they pass me on inexpensive aluminum frames, but I've also climbed past guys riding $10k Colnagos w/triples. Enjoy your ride - you're the only one who matters!

[sassyc]

get it!!! my friend has one, and he let me ride it. it was a little big, but AWESOME. the stiffness, for me, makes the bike feel like it responds instantaneously to my pedal/weight shifts/etc. it's a great bike, and the campy is a DREAM.

[kelownagirl]

The only thing I would wonder about is the 53/39 and 12-25. If your racing involves a lot of climbing, those are some serious gears.

Yeah, I was wondering about that too. I have a triple on my current bike and we do a LOT of climbing in my regular riding, but the TT route and the routes on the races I'm considering are mostly rolling hills. I think I'm ready to go to a compact double but I don't know if I can get that on the systemsix. I wish I had time to go down and find out more but I'm busy after school every day this week. Maybe Thursday...

[sassyc]

I think I'm ready to go to a compact double but I don't know if I can get that on the systemsix.

Most (if not all) shops will swap components for you before you buy the bike. Campy makes a compact (centaur 10 speed) and a record series triple. I personally love my compact double (less choices is easier ) but will go triple for a big ride next summer (16,000 ft of climbing). You should call the shop and see what kind of offer they'd make for swapping parts out.

[WooDZ]

Hi kelownagirl,

I've actually been brought here by subscribing to Google's news link.
So I get daily updates on anything to do with Cannondale.
Being a SystemSix Owner your thread is certainly of interest to me.
I've just bought the European 2008 Ultegra SL Compact model.
I've been riding a Cannondale R800 since June but It won't get me through winter without buying new components and I want to get into racing next season anyway, so a new bike was the best option.
It's true when people say they can’t explain 'stiff'.
But since I’ve been on the new bike I've noticed a few changes.
When I start to sprint on the R800, the chain rubs on the front derailleur. There’s that much flex in the frame. On the systemSix that just doesn’t happen.
When out on your own it’s really difficult to know how fast your bike is, apart from the flexing on sprints I was actually clocking slower training times on the new bike to what I was doing on the R800. However about 2 weeks ago I done a 72ml tour and that’s when things became apparent. When it came to give a quick push to move up in a group or a full sprint in particular the bike just lurched forward at a far greater pace than the riders in my group. There was a particular case where we wanted to cross over to another group that was 200yds ahead and I had to keep slowing down to let my group catch up. But my favourite moment was when a young lad overtook us on a scooter. Our leader moved out to get on the back of him, but I noticed he was losing ground. I stepped on pedals ducked underneath our lead and bridged the gap that was forming. After following for about a minute I looked back to make sure my group was still with me..

They were not. I had left them behind again.

This was the first time I’d ever attempted 72mls and considering I’ve only been riding since June I was certainly not expecting such results. One guy after said, that he just couldn’t latch onto the back of me when I went off the front chasing the scooter.
His words were

“That’s one F’in fast bike ya got there mate”

and I’m inclined to believe him.

So see if your LBS can swap the 39/53 to 34/50 but other than that,
the SystemSix you’ve shown on here will be a seriously sweet ride.
Good luck you won’t be sorry.

[Bluetree]

Most (if not all) shops will swap components for you before you buy the bike. Campy makes a compact (centaur 10 speed) and a record series triple. I personally love my compact double (less choices is easier ) but will go triple for a big ride next summer (16,000 ft of climbing). You should call the shop and see what kind of offer they'd make for swapping parts out.

Starting in 2007, Campy separated their triple crankset collection from their doubles. The new triple series are called Race, Comp and Champ. Other than, that, I don't know too much about them because I don't know anyone who uses them. I doubt you can get a 165 or 167.5 Campy crank with them, if you need it.

For your doubles, only Record and Chorus allows for multiple "Quick Shift" technology. If you're racing on rollers, the QS will be your friend! Centaur and lower only allows 1-2 shifts at a time. Both Record and Chorus are available as compacts (you will also have to go from a short to a medium FD)

I run a 50-34 compact double but it's not all Campy. I needed easier climbing gears so I got a 12-27 cassette made by Miche (Campy doesn't make a 12-27, but they do make a 13-29) and 165 S-Works cranks. They're great for all the hill climbing I do and good enough for a sprint, too.