Submitted by
Ian McGraw
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003
Strengths: Review of frame only. Solid rigid frame, little fex. although not super light it is reasonably light for its price/features. The frame readilly accepts a rear pannier (upper and lower braze-ons) so can be used for touring too.
Weaknesses: Ride is a little harsh, not overly forgiving, but if you run tyres softish(30/35psi)it is not really an issue. The coil spring head shock is not great as it neds some real dampning, however I had an air cartridge installed with adjustable dampning which has made this fork work well. Travel is still very limited but as an off road touring bike and general light trails bike she works fine.
Bottom Line:
This may not be a top of the line frame (infact its cannondale's basic frame)but it has proved to be the most useful and faithful mtb frame I have ever owned. I bought it about three years ago in Japan and have used it there and since in Australia for general mtbing (trail riding, fast decending but no drops). I have also raced several cross country races on it and picked up places. Its served as a great training bike, on road and off. Its been a commuter and most recently an off road tourer for a ride of about 1000k dirt (perfect bike for it). I have an NRS which I now use as my racing bike but when I have problems with my Giant the old Caad 2 is still my most reliable bike. I can highly recommend it to anyone who wants a well made frame at a reasonable price. Its a great jack of all trades, whilst not as light as the higher end Cannondales it is no doubt stronger, cheaper and more utilitarian. (just dont use it, or any other basic light weight bike for doing free riding or drops. As yet another genius below has written, when you do the frames break. use the right tool for the job).
Similar Products Used: Giant xtc. all kinds of hard tails
Bike Setup: Upgraded all components. I have put LX throughout, good solid affordable stuff same as frame. times, WTB saddle, all kinds of rubber. When offroad touring I use a tioga over-built rack and tioga water proof panniers.
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Submitted by
mike
a
from Rochester, PA, United states
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Strengths: reasonably light for how old mine is. Ive camped raced toured every thing off of it.
Weaknesses: rear end so stiff it will bruise your butt, remendied with a coda suspension seat post
Bottom Line:
the frame hassent broken yet after riding it off road and putting bike packs on it for touring. Its held up for 7 years good job cannondale.
Bike Setup: nothing stock is left with the exception of the bottom bracket (usually one of the first things to go) spinergy wheels excet
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Submitted by
Ryan G
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2002
Strengths: CADD2 Beast of the East: very responsive on the fast turns and burms! Nice geometry for aggressive singletrack. Really stiff, just feels really crisp compared to other frames. Raised bottom bracket is awesome for clearing rocks and logs!
Weaknesses: Bent the left rear triangle within 6 months. Slightly stretched the headtube (headtube isn't very big). I haven't done any drops over 6 feet with it and I kinda expected it to sustain, but it didn't.
Bottom Line:
Nice frame, perfect for aggressive singletrack riding, be careful on big drops.
I bought this frame from C-Dale on closeout for $160. I was gonna use it as a campus bike but also picked up a CAAD1 frame and fork for $55. The CAAD2 became my racing bike. I put a 98 Judy XC on it and it weighed 5 ounces less than a larger CAAD3 frame with an Ultra Fatty fork!!! The CAAD2 20" frame weighed 3 lbs 10 oz. I sold this bike a while back and now Im thinking of getting an M400 for trials and messing around with. I bought a Jekyll 900SX and it was a pile of crap. Im buying the M series bike to avoid the Headshok and as much CODA crap as possible. Ill probably put a Bomber Z3 dropoff or Psylo on it after breaking the rigid fork. Thats what I did with my CAAD1 frame.
For the money, this is a great cheap frame to start out with.
Bike Setup: CAAD2, Race Face bar, cranks, bottom bracket, LX hubs with Bontrager Maverick rims and DT spokes, LX shifters, XTR cassette, Bontrager Revolt tires (HORRIBLE) and XT derailleurs.
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Submitted by
kisseloff rich
a Racer
from indianapolis, in, usa
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Strengths: good old fashioned, old school technology. beautiful lines, great rear dropouts, replaceable rear deraillieur hanger, strong and stiff, very maneuverable, quick
Weaknesses: none so far, oh yeah, no rear disc brake boss's, but this is not a downhiller anyway's. it may be the way of the future, but i think disc's are overkill anyways'. had to add my two cent's
Bottom Line:
If the bike is bought as a whole bike setup it is a bargain, and better then most bikes at that price range $450-550. It's a great value and with a few upgrades can really be a sweet bike. I bought the frame and fork new for $260, i traded in and old huffy frame with there trade a frame promotion. i think the regular price was $360. anyway's good, solid, all around frame with alot of potential.
Strengths: Strong, Stiff, Nice Geometry, Smooth Clean look with perfect welds, Lifetime warranty, easy on the bank account.
Weaknesses: unmmm, It isn't for the guy trying to shave grams. If you by the Complete Bike, trash the parts that seem to be made of lead and don't perform well. I have tried, but I can't figure out any real problems with this frame. Ill ride it till it breaks.
Bottom Line:
I like the frame, It is quick feeling and solid. It is not gonna turn any heads, but it will take a beating and keep on going. I bought it as the Cannondale Bottom of the line Mt Bike, F300, for $550. Stripped all of the parts, built it up with XT/XTR. Then I took my old stuff and built a cruiser. I sold the cruiser on for $350 making my total investment for an all XT/XTR with Judy SL and the CAAD2 frame with lifetime warranty only $700. Try getting that much for your buck at the LBS.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback Ascent, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Klein Rascal
Bike Setup: SOLID BLACK. No lettering, Only chrome is drivetrain and fork crown. Judy SL, XTR Brakes, XT Everywhere else. U.S.E. Ass-Saver, I mean Shockpost. 26.5lb
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000
Strengths: Frame Strength and Price
Weaknesses: Paint job and weight
Bottom Line:
I bought a new Cannondale F500 with the CAAD2 frame after taking several years off from cycling. I did not want to waste a lot of money on an ultra pricey bike if I could get into it again. I'm still riding the frame a lot, but have upgraded all of the original components after they either broke or wore out.
I'm in the 185 lb range and ride some pretty rough terrain very aggressively. The frame has been incredibly durable and stiff and I have had no problems with the overall integrity. I have had a lot of paint chips and the chainstay protector has been worthless (I installed a Lizard Skin under the derailer cable after cutting some length off the L. Skin - this was an easy fix). I have heard a lot about the lack of durability on other Cannondale finishes and agree completely. The other reviewer's comments about max. tire sizes are pretty accurate. I use 2.1 WTB Velociraptors and there is no room for any more tire.
I thought about updrading the frame to either a CAAD3 or 4 or possibly a GT frame to save some weight and try something new, but I decided against it after shopping around and deciding I was happy with what I have. Also, I have heard some negative things about the durability of some of the ligher frames and thought I might crack one.
Submitted by
don andrews
a Weekend Warrior
from state college, PA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000
Strengths: usa made, lifetime warranty, durability
Weaknesses: none known
Bottom Line:
this frame has yet to dissapoint me. i bought the frame stripped down from a built m 400 for 300 bucks. I GOT THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY. ok maybe not, but i can't think of any other frame that would stand up to this for 300 bucks. i can't think of any other usa made frame for 300 bucks, either. i have ridden this thing harshly for over a year and a half. it has been torn down and built up again and again but i can't find any hints of weakness. i don't know what that guy from england (below) is talking about because i have tioga factory dh 2.1 tires on it right now and they don't rub. there is still as much clearance as with my specialized 1.9 tires. it would be nice to fit a 2.3 though. that is the only complaint i have for the frame. the finish is excelent on my bike. it is matte black, but cannondale could have protected the chain stay better. chain slap ate through the stay protector and paint like it wasn't even there, though i must admit i ride more aggressively than most people. i was going to put a lizard skins stay protector on it, but the cable routing prevents this. using maguras has shown some flex in the rear, but maggies will cause flex in any frame. all in all, this frame has never shown signs of weakness and has given me such confidence that i am racing some sport class dh this year on it.
Similar Products Used: c-dale mtn 3.0, specialized p-3, giant atx
Bike Setup: 14" caad 2 w/ xvert t, xt/xtr drivetrain and maggies
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Point Oregon USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2000
Strengths: Super stiff predictable ride. Really easy to manuever on tight trails. Accelerates faster then that big-ass dog down the street!
Weaknesses: The stiffness of the frame tends to be a liability on rough and rocky downhills, and in rough cornering. Sometimes the thing beats you to death! No disc mounts.
Bottom Line:
I really dig this frame! I bought it, upgraded the fork, sold all the parts and built it up with XTR because the CAAD2 frame is a seriously durable frame! Yeah it weighs 3/4 of a pound more then a CAAD4 but who cares! I still built and raced the thing all season at 24lbs. If you are one of those riders who seems to thrash bikes just by looking at them then the Cannondale (or Cannonwhale as a friend affectionately dubbed it) is a good bet for a reliable ride. The finish of the welds is amazing, and the paint is top notch. Most of my friends work for bike shops, so I have had a chance to witness the great service that Cannondale offers. Besides, at least you know your frame wasn't welded together by some 8 year old kid in Malaysia!
Similar Products Used: Schwinn and Kona hardtails.
Bike Setup: Lime green CAAD2 frame, Fatty SL fork, and full XTR 9sp. (no hot pink annodized boutique stuff!)
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Submitted by
Dougal
a
from Lichfield, staffordshire, england
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2000
Strengths: The 16" is a tight, responsive and very light frame. The top tube slopes quite a bit giving it that certain look that sets it apart from other frames. Puts the power down very well and feels very stiff.
Weaknesses: the wishbone is very badly designed, mine has cracked right along the weld and so have a number of others which i have heard of. Cannondale would be better off using two tubes instead of bending one or making the weld bigger. Not very impressive for such an expensive frame. The tire clearence in the back is also minimal - only a 2.1 fits easily and you can forget using tiogas.
Bottom Line:
Fairly dissapointing considering how much they cost, especially the wishbone - surely a known problem. The lifetime guarantee is next to useless aswell unless the frame is broken when you buy it or the welds snap when you ride down a kerb
Bike Setup: d521 silver on lx rear, x517 on xtr front, lx v's, club roost bars, stx-rc group, xt bb, flite ti.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Middletown, DE
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999
Strengths: stiff, lightweight, bulletproof, price
Weaknesses: none encountered
Bottom Line:
This is not a fancy looking, latest geometry frame with a radically sloping top tube. Those are nice, but they are not necessary when fitting a frame. The average cyclist doesn't need it. This is a durable, rigid aluminum frame. It has the lifetime warranty that the CAAD3 and CAAD4 frames lack. The tubing is butted for strength, but there is more of it to make it a little heavier (and stronger) than the higher end Cannondale hardtails. This frame is not for the hardcore weight freaks. It has long, 1 1/8 headtubes for strength, better headset wear and the availability to add various aftermarket forks. I didn't want to be trapped with the Headshock. I put on a very fine Z2 BAM. In order to purcahse this frame you will have to buy the F300 or M400, both decent places to start with a mountain bike. My dealer offered what they called a F200, which they purchased specially. Cannondale may not offer this frame much longer as their technology leaps rapidly, I hope that's not the case. If you are looking for a frame that is a solid value that you can build-up into a great bike, consider the CAAD2. This frame should last forever for more than most riders. As for all the gripes with the paint on Cannondales, no problem with mine. I have an Iris Blue Matte finish. No clearcoat is applied. (Hey this should shave some weight for the fanatics) I intend on adding better rims and full XT which will make this already enjoyable ride that much better. Well this is my opinion. It's easy to get caught up in all the opinions, I hope mine helps. Fun Riding!
