Cannondale SystemSix?

[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.