Cannondale Six13

Price Paid:  $1350.00 at Go Ride, redwood cit

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
mt hamilton road, los gatos and almaden

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Six13 3 Compact

FSA SL-K triple crankset and Ultegra triple front derailleur and shifter installed by shop.

Summary:
8 years mountain bike experience, 2 years riding the hardtail with slicks. After getting frustrated with the wait for a perfect used bike game, I stumbled accross the CAAD9 R5 and the Six13. Both had absolutely stunning reviews and were in my price range. The shop I bought it from had both in stock but the Six13 was on clearance, what a steal!

The frame (and seatpost?) is the real highlight of this bike. On nearly all other bikes I test rode, every road imperfection was felt and the ride was harsh. Not as much with the Six13. I don't have many miles on it yet, but already the ride is a pleasure. Despite the seat being terribly uncomfortable, my rear end is not fatigued from vibrations, it's just a sore spot from the pressure points.

It's a neat feeling when screaming down the road at 40mph and not thinking twice about it. The bike is making very clear my engine's shortcomings. I'll be huffing and puffing along at 90% heart rate, and I can hear the bike laughing at me, "is that all you got?"

Strengths:
-efficiency of the frame, press down on a pedal and go forward
-ultegra and dura ace on a $1,350 bike!
-very smooth ride, not harsh like other bikes I tested
-carbon seatpost I believe absorbs vibrations
-frame comes in beautiful colors
-quality components in almost every department, where it counts especially

Weaknesses:
-seat has no love channel down the center, not compfy at all
-chainrings and cassette are shimano 105 (but who cares at this price!)

Similar Products Used:
trek 5200
cannondale caad9 r5
trek 4.5
trek 2.1
gary fisher tassajara (trusty hardtail!)

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at GoRide Bicycles, Red

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
2008 Cannondale Six13-3

Bike Setup:
Patriot Blue frame, full Ultegra w/ Dura Ace derailer, Mavic Aksium wheels

Summary:
This is my first nice road bike, and it's been great so far. It's actually a 2008 model. It feels much stiffer and more responsive than the full CF bikes I tested (Specialized Tarmac, Cdale Synapse, Trek Madone, etc). However, the CF tubes and fork make the ride very comfortable. I couldn't find anything close to as good as this bike for the $$.

Strengths:
Frame, Components, Cannondale Warranty, Climbing ability and stability downhill.

Weaknesses:
Not the absolute lightest bike on the market.

Price Paid:  $1700.00 at Hawleys Bicycle Worl

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
C4 Club Ride (Saturdays)

Bike Setup:
Standard from shop with aero bars, wireless computer, bottle cages, storage bag (packed, and Shimano clipless petal. Weighed 22.2 lbs with accessories

Summary:
The bike is only a week old and I have only put about a hundred miles on it, but could not wait any longer! This is the type of bike you can use for a triathlon, club ride, or a century. Speed and comfort at a great price.

Strengths:
Comfort, response, speed, and climbing are terrific! I have alot more energy after a normal ride than before. Bike makes everything easier from a sprint to a climb. I love the comfort of the carbon with the power of the back end of the bike. Wheels are awsome too!

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh Grand Prix, Specialized Tarmac Elite, Specialized Robuix, and Raleigh Competition

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at Mike's Bikes Berkele

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
tiburon loop

Bike Setup:
3 group stock -- Dura Ace rear, Ultegra front, Flight Deck shifters/brakes, etc.

added Look KEO pedals, which i also love.

Summary:
i. love. this. bike.

it's actually a 2008 Six13 3, but the menu only went up to 2007.

i did a lot of reading up on this bike before i bought it, esp. on roadbikereview.com, and when i test-rode it for the first time, i felt like i was floating. i was really hesitant to go to carbon after loving my cannondale aluminum frame, but i could never ever go back now. the ride is so smooth, but yet absolutely stiff. the first time i rode it with my riding buddy i blasted past her (she's always been faster) and she said it was like riding 'with a whole different person.' it's so quick to accelerate (stiff) and so light, and yet so smooth. it makes riding fun. the Dura Ace is awesome -- the whole setup is just great. even the stock rims and tires are really good -- i'd definitely recommend the 3 model over the 5, the component upgrades are more than worth the price.

the only thing i don't like is that my old cannondale CAAD 3 aluminum felt much more smooth and sure in the steering. i don't know if it's because this bike is much smaller (the previous was a 52, too big for me, and this is a 48) so the angles are different, or bc it's light, but the steering is very very sensitive and touchy and at first i felt really uncertain.

Strengths:
smooth. stiff. fast. fun. light.

soooooo much fun.

Weaknesses:
'jittery' or very touchy feeling steering (but that could be just me)

Similar Products Used:
1998 Cannondale CAAD 3 R800 52cm

Price Paid:  $2200.00 at LakeSide

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere

Summary:
I bought this bike (six13-1) back in Feb 08. I test rode about 8 different bikes including the Madone 5.2, and Ibis Silk. The six13-1 was the best of them all. The bike is very responsive, great climber, light, and very smooth over rough roads. I'm sure the other bikes are all good, but this one just fit me the best. I can not believe how much fun road riding are these days.

Strengths:
Value for the $, Climbing, and road feel.

Weaknesses:
none