Cannondale F700 - recommendation wanted

[Christopher de Crespigny]

Hello,

I am thinking about purchasing a Cannondale F700 Mountain bike which
uses their CAAD3 frame. Is there anyone out there who has purchased a
2000 model F700 (or simular model) and can provide some comments on how
they rate the bicycle. I currently have a Giant Rincon and want to
upgrade to better quality components.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Christopher

[big...@thegarbage.lab.net.au]

I have a friend who bought one a few months ago. It has mostly XT and some LX
stuff, including a Magura front hydraulic disc and rear XT hydraulic V brakes.

I've ridden it ony once but it feels very stable, very light. The handling
is really good - it goes exactly where you point it and it's very light.

My opinions may be biased because it is by far the best mtb I have ever ridden
so I don't have any close competition to compare it to.

Why don't you try to get a test ride at your LBS?

-Nick

In aus.bicycle Christopher de Crespigny <christopher....@abri.une.edu.au> wrote:
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> Hello,

> Thanks,

> Christopher

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[d.murphy]

Christopher de Crespigny <christopher....@abri.une.edu.au> wrote in
message news:396AD733...@abri.une.edu.au...
> Hello.>

> I am thinking about purchasing a Cannondale F700 Mountain bike which
> uses their CAAD3 frame. Is there anyone out there who has purchased a
> 2000 model F700 (or simular model) and can provide some comments on how
> they rate the bicycle. I currently have a Giant Rincon and want to
> upgrade to better quality components.
>
> Any comments would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Christopher

Christopher I have just purchased the F800. It is a very similar bike but
without the disc brakes and with slightly better drive train and lighter
wheels.
I would have bought the F700, but I didn't feel comfortable with the disc
brake concept as it is still very new, plus V brakes are just fine.
Today I was in one of Melbourne's better bike stores and guess what? One of
the new 2001 Cannondales was being set up. There were mods to the disc
brake calipers to allow them to run "hotter" pads. Apparently the stock
pads wear out quickly and so you need to consider this. (depends on your
riding style I guess)
Another thing to watch is Cannondales sizing codes.
This is my third Cannondale and each one seemed to have a different sizing
system.
I am 5' 11 and a half inches tall and a LARGE frame is just big enough for
me. I have to have the seat post very near the maximum setting to feel
comfortable. If you are close to this height, I suggest you try an extra
large before committing yourself to a size.
As for a recommendation for the F700. Absolutely! Cannondales are great
bikes. They may be a little underspecified in the groupset department for
their price, but the responsiveness of the frame more than makes up for it.
The headshok suspension is fabulous.
I would strongly recommend a CODA suspension seatpost if your budget allows.
This way you get many of the benefits of "full suspension" without the
drawbacks that many soft tail bikes have. ie: weight and energy wastage.

I must point out that I purchased another Cannondale on the strength of the
previous ones that I have owned.(Istill have the first one)
I didn't do much looking around so you should only take my recommendation
seriously if you have come to a similar conclusion and just want assurance.
I would imagine that there are lots of great bikes out there in a similar
price range to the F700.

Regards Mick
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