I’m looking for a new steep angled tri bike for this season because my prodigy, no matter how I love it, weighs a ton with that profile foward post on it and it’s no fun swapping my tri bars for drops every other race. First choice would be the Cervelo P2k, light, cheap, aero and I just like the bike. Can I get one, no, my lbs just isn’t having any luck. HED bike would be nice but that 76 seat angle, I need 78…
So now it’s down to a Cannondale Multisport 2000 or 5000si. Both bikes are aero, light and have a rear wheel “speed shadow” cut out. My price difference between the two frame fork combos is $500, with the 5000si including Cannondale’s Hollogram rigid beyond belief crankset and a Reynolds pro aero fork. The 2000 has a Cannondale aero carbon fork (same as the Cervelo Chord I believe) and I’ll throw on a Dura-ace 9spd crankset for under $200. So the question is is the Reynolds fork upgrade and Hollowgram versus Dura-ace worth $500 to a college student on a budget…? The last thing is that no matter how nice the Cannondale looks on paper I just can’t get very excited about it, sorry cannondale I know you make nice bikes but they just don’t get me going. And the flames, I like flames but not the ones on the multisport bike.
The other option is the X-Lab Mach 2 which is dirt cheap but X-lab is saying 2 months delivery and although I’m sure thier intentions are good, that will be cutting it rather close as far as my race schedule is concerned.
Any opinions, ideas, pros cons? As far as other brands QR and Guru are out because my sponsor can’t get them and I’m trying to keep it under a grand for the frame.
I’m looking for a new steep angled tri bike for this season because my prodigy, no matter how I love it, weighs a ton with that profile foward post on it and it’s no fun swapping my tri bars for drops every other race. First choice would be the Cervelo P2k, light, cheap, aero and I just like the bike. Can I get one, no, my lbs just isn’t having any luck. HED bike would be nice but that 76 seat angle…
So now it’s down to a Cannondale Multisport 2000 or 5000si. My price difference between the two frame fork combos is $500, with the 5000si including Cannondale’s Hollogram rigid beyond belief crankset and a Reynolds pro aero fork. The 2000 has a Cannondale aero carbon fork (same as the Cervelo Chord I believe) and I’ll throw on a Dura-ace 9spd crankset for under $200. So the question is is the Reynolds fork upgrade and Hollowgram versus Dura-ace worth $500 to a college student on a budget…? The last thing is that no matter how nice the Cannondale looks on paper I just can’t get very excited about it, sorry cannondale I know you make nice bikes but they just don’t get me going. And the flames, I like flames but not the ones on the multisport bike.
The other option is the X-Lab Mach 2 which is dirt cheap but X-lab is saying 2 months delivery and although I’m sure thier intentions are good, that will be cutting it rather close as far as my race schedule is concerned.
Any opinions, ideas, pros cons? As far as other brands QR and Guru are out because my sponsor can’t get them and I’m trying to keep it under a grand for the frame.
Regarding the X-lab, I think you hit the nail on the head with the term “vaperbike”. The bikes may be here in two months or it may be six months. Or maybe never.
Cannondales are great bikes, but perhaps not the best value. If I was concerned about value, I would look at a Felt S32 or a Cervelo P2K or Dual from a mail/internet retailer.
Cannondale has had some production issues with their tubesets for their new slice aero frame. The last I was told was that these may be available at the end of January. Each time I inquire, the date keeps getting pushed back further. Might be something to consider as I am sure you’d like to get the bike sooner rather than later to start training on it.