Have ridden both...love both...each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The IF frame is slightly used and of course a little heavier but is beautifully made and will last a long time. When i'm on the cannondale, it feels like i'm on a rocket ship--it's very light and very stiff. Any suggestions that will make this choice easier?

there's an RBR member called rollinrob who posted recently about selling his IF crown jewel to buy a trek 5200. maybe you can contact him for advice.

I have two bikes, a '02 Colnago Master X-Light and a '99 Klein Quantum Race. These are both great bikes and for the reason you noted, the aluminum bike seems to take off like a rocket ship, accelerates faster, climbs better, and just has a faster feel to it. On the other hand, the steel bike does everything well, and steel just has the magical feel to it that no other frame material can duplicate. You can probably do well with either bike. I spend about 99% of my time on the steel bike, the al bike is my back-up/winter bike and it spends most of the time hanging in my garage. Of course the steel bike has a nicer component group and if the al bike had the same group it would be a tough call. If both of your picks were new, it would be a no brainer for me (the I.F.) but you have an option of a brand new al bike vs a used steel one. Price would be a big factor for me also.

gotta agree with Dinosaur on this one ... I've experienced the quickness of the AL bike, but chose Steel (see my earlier post on my new MXL) entirely due to feel. I typically don't do rides under 2 hours, and don't race any more. I need smooth, stiff, predictable, solid. If you're not riding against a clock the 1 lb difference between the two frames will only be noticed the next day when you're ready to do it again on the steel bike.

Oh yeah, and mount good tubies...my tufo's rock (sorry, had to get that in there I'm so pleased with mine!) :D

Do the IF...

~EG

Ok since everyone here seems to be all for steel, i will give my view. As they have said before, choice will depend directly on preference. I've test ridden steel for a long tour, and while more comfortable that Alu, it lacks the livelyness. for sure Alu will beat u up in long rides, but i am prepared to give up the comfort for the quick handling and the "ferrari" feel of aluminium. I'd go with the cannonball.

Have ridden both...love both...each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The IF frame is slightly used and of course a little heavier but is beautifully made and will last a long time. When i'm on the cannondale, it feels like i'm on a rocket ship--it's very light and very stiff. Any suggestions that will make this choice easier?

What's the weigh difference? What's the price difference? How are they each built up? Which would YOU be more excited to ride?

What's the weigh difference? What's the price difference? How are they each built up? Which would YOU be more excited to ride?


The cannondale is a very sweet ride in my opinion--good Al frame, great wheels (ksyrium SL's)..all ultegra components.

The IF is used about 2 possibly 3 yrs old. It has daytona shifters and breaks, a chorus crank, chris king headset, tompson stem/post--wheels of my choosing that would suite a nice bike.

The guy is asking $2500 for the IF bike completely built. That's too rich for my blood--I can't pay more than $1800 for that bike even with they put ksyrium SL's on that bike. It's used and the daytona shifters date the bike back to 2001. Haven't been able to get an answer as to how many miles the bike has on it...owner still hasn't been there when I stop by.

I'm young and looking to race and win...I think the Al frame will be better for me.

The cannondale is a very sweet ride in my opinion--good Al frame, great wheels (ksyrium SL's)..all ultegra components.

The IF is used about 2 possibly 3 yrs old. It has daytona shifters and breaks, a chorus crank, chris king headset, tompson stem/post--wheels of my choosing that would suite a nice bike.

The guy is asking $2500 for the IF bike completely built. That's too rich for my blood--I can't pay more than $1800 for that bike even with they put ksyrium SL's on that bike. It's used and the daytona shifters date the bike back to 2001. Haven't been able to get an answer as to how many miles the bike has on it...owner still hasn't been there when I stop by.

I'm young and looking to race and win...I think the Al frame will be better for me.

Yeah, they're asking too much for the IF. Here's the AL frame I'd get if I was still racing. You should be able to build this up pretty nicely for under $2k.

http://www.titusti.com/dropu.html

Maybe drop this guy a line for a good price on one.

http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/

Yeah, they're asking too much for the IF. Here's the AL frame I'd get if I was still racing. You should be able to build this up pretty nicely for under $2k.

http://www.titusti.com/dropu.html

Maybe drop this guy a line for a good price on one.

http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/



I did a lot of shopping around two years ago before I went with my MXL. I paid 3K, out the door, including tax, sans pedals, computer and water bottle cages. Full Chorus/Record mix (Record Ergo and rear der), Mavic O.P's Newton Stem/bars. Of course I got a good break from the owner of my LBS (the main reason for the purchase), but this will give you an idea price wise. $2500 for a 3 year old IF with Daytona group is way too high. If you are young and race and don't have to worry about getting beat up you might do very well with an al bike. My QR weighs about 2 pounds less than my MXL and I can feel it. I love my MXL, but I would not turn down a nice al bike if I wanted to go fast and hard (again)...
Dino

All this talk about getting beat up on an aluminum bike is highly exaggerated. Anyone here ever ride an MTB off-road? Even with full suspension you'd get more "beat up" in an hour than on a road bike for a whole day.

Since I ride a IF I would normally say go with the Crown Jewel but that price is too much for 3 year old bike with mid-range gruppo. If the Cannondale is new and less or the same price as the IF, go with the Cannondale.
Andrew

The cannondale is a very sweet ride in my opinion--good Al frame, great wheels (ksyrium SL's)..all ultegra components.

The IF is used about 2 possibly 3 yrs old. It has daytona shifters and breaks, a chorus crank, chris king headset, tompson stem/post--wheels of my choosing that would suite a nice bike.

The guy is asking $2500 for the IF bike completely built. That's too rich for my blood--I can't pay more than $1800 for that bike even with they put ksyrium SL's on that bike. It's used and the daytona shifters date the bike back to 2001. Haven't been able to get an answer as to how many miles the bike has on it...owner still hasn't been there when I stop by.

I'm young and looking to race and win...I think the Al frame will be better for me.

I bought a new IF, built up with Centaur (same as Daytona) for $2,700 in 2002. I'd think the IF is worth about $1,600-1,800, assuming the frame is perfect.

I think new ultegra will shift better than 3 year old Daytona, not to mention 3 years less wear on bb, hubs, cables, handlbars etc.

I'd go for the Canny. If you want a steel bike, keep an eye on Ebay for an IF, Strong, or someting similar.

A new IF steel frame is $1650 a complete bike with Ultegra is around $2700. So he is asking too much for the used bike. I just recently purchased a steel 2003 Lemond Zurich this weekend. I went from carbon to steel. Just cause I like the feel of steel. Hard to duplicate the ride of steel.

I spent years riding several steel bikes before I made the switch to carbon. Once on carbon I told myself that I'd never go to any other material. 2 years later, someone convinced me to try a cannondale cad 7(2004). I laughed at the thought of switching from carbon to aluminum - especially to a cannondale - huge oversized tubes, super stiff, etc.

Well I made the switch since I really trust the rider who was convincing me and the price was right. I can't believe the ride of the cannondale. With a carbon post, the bike is every bit as comfortable as my carbon bike, much stiffer (laterally), and is even lighter. Yeah, steel has a nice feel, but I ride 3-6 hours at a stretch on bumpy country roads and I love the ride of the cannondale - I can't imagine going back to one of my steel bikes especially when the route gets hilly or the rides get competitive (i.e frequent sprints).

My only complaint is that I frequently worry about dents - especially when transporting the bike. Not sure if this worry is warranted or not. I'd go with the cannondale over the IF even if the IF was the same cost and was new.

B.

Protect the CAAD7 top tube well. It's especially thin walled starting 3-4" from the head tube. Got one as well and I like it a lot.

All this talk about getting beat up on an aluminum bike is highly exaggerated. Anyone here ever ride an MTB off-road? Even with full suspension you'd get more "beat up" in an hour than on a road bike for a whole day.

I really wish I still had my ca 1988 C-dale Crit frame every time someone says this about AL bikes not beating you up...

Re: riding off-road vs. road. Yeah you kinda get beat on, but its a different beat on. The hits tend to be bigger and farther apart than the "road buzz" felt thru the AL bikes of yore.

NEW Al bikes are tending to ride more and more like a good steel bike (with exceptions). My bud's C-dale is still a lot harsher-riding than my steel Bontrager and AL S-Works.

M

Protect the CAAD7 top tube well. It's especially thin walled starting 3-4" from the head tube. Got one as well and I like it a lot.

I love my 04 Team Replica- it feels like cheating! Rocket ship fast, and quite comfortable too, and I was coming off a Seven Odonata Ti/Carbon bike. The bike is a very quick handler and corners really well. With my Rolf's and Speedplay Zero's on the bike it weighs a wiff under 16 pounds- and that's a 60cm bike.

I don't know what size frame you need, but GVH Bikes has some Cannondale Caad 5 frames with cf fork for $595- Shimano Ultegra Group/Mavic O.P.s for $925. This will put you under $1800 (tack on shipping, no sales Tax in Oregon)
I have never bought from this guy, but I've read good stuff about him from other guys on this forum and VeloNews.
http://www.gvhbikes.com/ click on his website and check out his frame inventory. You should call him, I bet he can set you up on what you need.

Dino