RIDING THE CANNONDALE 400

Once rebuilt, I took the Cannondale out for a test ride, covering a reasonable distance over the space of about an hour.  The bicycle rode much as I expected it would.  Though everything worked really well and the bike had no glaring deficiencies, I just didn't like the feel.

Is my dislike for the Cannondale real or a figment of my imagination?  Have I been brainwashed by all of the "Steel is Real" hype?  I really don't know and I guess that it doesn't matter.  I have ridden several other aluminum frame bicycles, including one other Cannondale, three very nice Treks and a wonderful made in France Vitus 979.  Only one of those aluminum framed mounts offered the ride feel that I like.  The Vitus was my kind of bike, perhaps too much so.  The others just didn't work that well for me even though I cannot isolate what it is that was not to my liking.

The Cannondale 400 had a light and responsive feel to is but the ride felt harsh.  Every crack in the road telegraphed immediately, and uncushioned, to my poor hands.  It is my hands that first feel the harshness of a ride.  Perhaps my seating position is wrong but my guess is that it is because of my Carpal Tunnel syndrome that has degraded both wrists.  Perhaps it is all in my mind - who knows and I am not meaning to be unfair to the bicycle.

Acceleration was very good, the power transmitting well from the crank to the six speed rear cog.  The shifting did take a wee bit of getting used to but, again, an unfair comment since I did not spend much time riding the bicycle.  Normally, it takes me a ride or two to get a feel for the transmission and I simply did not allow the Cannondale enough "get used to" time.

Should another old Cannondale present itself in my bike hunting travels, I will definitely pick it up and prepare it to be passed on to someone who will appreciate it more than me.  Unless the bicycle happens to be a Black Lightening.  Now there is a Cannondale that I would give every chance to prove itself!