[de8212]

This Bike?

Does anyone own one? How are they in general?

 

[Duncan1104]

$999.00
http://www.rei.com/product/763259?cm_re=pageContent*productsNo2*Cannondale%20%20Cannondale%20Caffeine%2029er%204%20Bike%20%202008

 

[de8212]

Thnaks. Do you know if it is a good quality bike for the $, component wise?

 

[Duncan1104]

I'd say for $1000 it should have a better component spec. It should at least have better rims and a better fork for that amount of $. I don't see why cdale put the WTB dual duty rims on there, because I can't think of very many, if any 29ers that have rim brakes. I'd like to see what other people have to say about the component spec.

 

[de8212]

Thanks for the info Duncan.

How would you rate it against the Specialized Rockhopper 29 as far as components go?

Here are the RH specs.
FRAME M4 manipulated alloy frame, butted ORE DT, 2 piece forged adjustable dropouts, disc only

REAR SHOCK N/A

FORK RockShox Tora 318 SL, for 29" wheel, 80mm, 32mm Butted Cr-Mo stanchions and alloy steerer, Mag lower, Solo air spring, reb. adj, Motion Control compression adj.

HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless

STEM Specialized 3D forged alloy, four bolt, 31.8mm, 7 degree rise

HANDLEBARS Specialized alloy butted 31.8mm XC rise w/ graphic, 640mm wide, 8 degree back, 8 degree up sweep

TAPE/GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual density Kraton

FRONT BRAKE Avid BB-5, mechanical disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor

REAR BRAKE Avid BB-5, mechanical disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor

BRAKE LEVERS Avid FR-5

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore FD-M530, 34.9mm clamp

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore RD-M531, SGS cage

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore SL-M530 trigger

CASSETTE FREEWHEEL Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 11-34t

CHAIN KMC X9, 1/2" x 3/32" w/ reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET Shimano FC-M442-8, replaceable rings w/ alloy outer, Octalink Spline

CHAINRINGS 44A/32S/22S

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 68 x 118mm for 50mm chainline

PEDALS Specialized alloy 1pc body and cage, 9/16"

RIMS Specialized/Alex RHD 29, double wall, eyelets, for disc brakes

FRONT HUB Specialized Hi Lo disc, 28h, CNC flange and disc mount, polished races, alloy QR

REAR HUB Specialized Hi Lo disc, cassette, 32h, CNC flanges and disc mount, polished races, alloy QR

SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) stainless, alloy nipples

FRONT TIRE Specialized Fast Trak Control, 29x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead

REAR TIRE Specialized Fast Trak Control, 29x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead

TUBES Specialized schraeder valve

SADDLE Specialized Indie XC, 143mm width

SEAT POST Specialized alloy, two bolt micro adjust head, 30.9mm

SEAT BINDER Specialized alloy w/ QR, brass washer

NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual


And here is the Cannondale specs. (These might not copy/paste very good.)

Frame Caffeine 29

Fork RockShox Dart 329

Rear Shock N/A

Rims WTB Dual Duty FR, 32 hole

Hubs Shimano M475 rear

Spokes DT Swiss Champion

Tires WTB�Prowler 29 x 2.1�

Pedals Wellgo alloy platform

Crank Shimano FC-M4428 22/32/44

Chain Shimano 9-speed

Rear Cogs Shimano HG50 11-34

Bottom Bracket Shimano BB-ES25 Octalink

Front Derailleur Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleur SRAM X-5

Shifters SRAM X-5 Trigger

Handlebars Cannondale C3, 20 mm rise

Stem Cannondale XC3 1 1/8", 31.8 mm

Headset Cannondale HeadShok Si

Brakeset Shimano BR-485 160/160 mm

Brakelevers Shimano BR-485

Saddle Cannondale X-Country

Seat Post Cannondale Alloy

Sizes M, L, X

Extras Cannondale Morse Grip

 

[Duncan1104]

Both bikes are very similarly equipped. The specialized's fork is a step up from the cannondale, and I guess i just dont like the way the rims on the cannondale look, they probably get the job done well. I personally would go with the cannondale because the frame is handmade in USA.

 

[levonius]

$1000 Bike? Check this out...

I think my thread will help you make a decision.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=425076

 

[de8212]

I think my thread will help you make a decision.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=425076

I actually already saw your thread. You got a great deal. Did you have to haggle or just made an offer?

One bike shop I went to had 2 cobia's but both were not my size. I may be going back there next weekend and may take one for a ride.

I'm still just confused as which direction to go.
It'll start making alot more sense when I can actually ride one.

 

[levonius]

Go with the Cobia

I haggled a bit, but it was my size in stock, so i'm sure that helped. Even if you get one fro like $900, it's the bestbang for the buck in my opinion. Ride one, and make sure you like the GF G2 Geometry.