Comments on: Cannondale Caffeine F-29: Update http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:07:14 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: cannondale caffeine review 29er http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-41833 cannondale caffeine review 29er Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:17:03 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-41833 [...] some local single track. I have also got some specs to share and some real world observations on...http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/trackback/Read "RE: How did you end up on a 29er?" at 29er Bikes Forum... I had decided to buy a Jamis Dakota [...] [...] some local single track. I have also got some specs to share and some real world observations on…http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/trackback/Read “RE: How did you end up on a 29er?” at 29er Bikes Forum… I had decided to buy a Jamis Dakota [...]

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28973 Guitar Ted Sat, 24 Nov 2007 01:24:40 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28973 Keith: The Thanksgiving holiday went great, thanks! Hope you and yours had a great time too. Cannondale addressed the clearance problem with the "brake bridge" by simply welding it up further on the seat stays. (I refer to the brace as the brake bridge since that is what it was known as in the old cantilever brake days. It's the bridge across the seat stays just above the rear tire.) Everywhere else the clearance is par for the course where 29"ers are concerned. If you were to put a 26"er wheel in the back it would have several consequences. First and foremost your front end geometry would be made more slack and this may cause the bike to steer rather like a wheel barrow than a bicycle. Washing out in fast off camber corners may become one of the things you might notice. Then there is the issue of bottom bracket height. You would be lowering that measurement which may cause more pedal strikes. Your seat tube angle slacks out also, causing your virtual top tube to lengthen, your saddle set back to become greater and makes transitioning from a seated position to standing a bit more difficult. I wouldn't recommend the smaller rear wheel on this bike. Cheers! Guitar Ted Keith: The Thanksgiving holiday went great, thanks! Hope you and yours had a great time too.

Cannondale addressed the clearance problem with the “brake bridge” by simply welding it up further on the seat stays. (I refer to the brace as the brake bridge since that is what it was known as in the old cantilever brake days. It’s the bridge across the seat stays just above the rear tire.) Everywhere else the clearance is par for the course where 29″ers are concerned.

If you were to put a 26″er wheel in the back it would have several consequences. First and foremost your front end geometry would be made more slack and this may cause the bike to steer rather like a wheel barrow than a bicycle. Washing out in fast off camber corners may become one of the things you might notice. Then there is the issue of bottom bracket height. You would be lowering that measurement which may cause more pedal strikes. Your seat tube angle slacks out also, causing your virtual top tube to lengthen, your saddle set back to become greater and makes transitioning from a seated position to standing a bit more difficult.

I wouldn’t recommend the smaller rear wheel on this bike.

Cheers!
Guitar Ted

]]> By: earthsurfing http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28972 earthsurfing Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:34:15 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28972 Thanks, Ted! So, I've been mulling this over while overindulging in turkey, etc. (I hope you've had a geat Thanksgiving, by the way! -and feel free to let me know if you're tired of this conversation...) How did they address the tire clearance without changing the geometry? And, perhaps more interestingly, is their any reason I couldn't put a 26" wheel on the back? (I have to admit the idea was inspired by the 69'er ads on the site here- although I've never seen the bike the idea intrigues me...) The reason I am so concerned is- here in Vermont- we are not known for our lack of mud, snow, and other needs for clearance!!!! I look forward to keeping this bike for long time as an 'everything' bike (I'll add some commuter stories soon), and slowly upgrading everything over time- just hope I'm buying the right frame... Anyway- thanks for all of your help!! -Keith Thanks, Ted!
So, I’ve been mulling this over while overindulging in turkey, etc. (I hope you’ve had a geat Thanksgiving, by the way! -and feel free to let me know if you’re tired of this conversation…)

How did they address the tire clearance without changing the geometry?

And, perhaps more interestingly, is their any reason I couldn’t put a 26″ wheel on the back?
(I have to admit the idea was inspired by the 69′er ads on the site here- although I’ve never seen the bike the idea intrigues me…)

The reason I am so concerned is- here in Vermont- we are not known for our lack of mud, snow, and other needs for clearance!!!!

I look forward to keeping this bike for long time as an ‘everything’ bike (I’ll add some commuter stories soon), and slowly upgrading everything over time- just hope I’m buying the right frame…

Anyway- thanks for all of your help!!

-Keith

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28808 Guitar Ted Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:39:06 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28808 earthsurfing: Yes, the clearance issue is better for '08. Yes, you've got it right about the '08 line up, except that the single speed has an eccentric bottom bracket to tension the chain. Ride on! :) earthsurfing: Yes, the clearance issue is better for ‘08. Yes, you’ve got it right about the ‘08 line up, except that the single speed has an eccentric bottom bracket to tension the chain.

Ride on! :)

]]> By: earthsurfing http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28805 earthsurfing Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:24:04 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28805 Thanks, Ted. I appreciate the response. Do you know if the rear wheel clearance was addressed with the new 08 CDale 29'ers? It seems like the frames are the same- just offered with different components, and more options as far as stock set ups (single speed, conventional shock, etc.)- is this true? Thanks. I can't wait to ride this. I'll be taking it out in the snow as soon as it gets here! Thanks, Ted.
I appreciate the response.
Do you know if the rear wheel clearance was addressed with the new 08 CDale 29′ers?
It seems like the frames are the same- just offered with different components, and more options as far as stock set ups (single speed, conventional shock, etc.)- is this true?
Thanks. I can’t wait to ride this. I’ll be taking it out in the snow as soon as it gets here!

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28792 Guitar Ted Thu, 22 Nov 2007 01:27:07 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28792 earthsurfing: Hey! Thanks for checking in. The '07 F-29 is an awesome bike if you choose your upgrades carefully. Here's my recommended first steps. #1. Get lighter weight tires. The ExiWolfs on the bike are pretty porky. You could choose Ignitors, which are great all rounder tires and will help improve clearance in the rear at the same time. #2. Get at least a new rear wheel. The rear wheel alone with the stock tire, tube, and cassette weighs over 8lbs! (As an example, a typical wheel from a 29"er weighs around 5.5-6.5lbs) You can realize a big weight savings here! #3. A seat post and handle bar upgrade can also save some weight. The stock pieces are pretty heavy here. #4. Not imperative, but the SRAM shifters and rear derailluer could be upgraded over time. Those are the big areas that would really make a huge difference for the better on that bike. Good luck and welcome to Twenty Nine Inches! earthsurfing: Hey! Thanks for checking in. The ‘07 F-29 is an awesome bike if you choose your upgrades carefully. Here’s my recommended first steps.

#1. Get lighter weight tires. The ExiWolfs on the bike are pretty porky. You could choose Ignitors, which are great all rounder tires and will help improve clearance in the rear at the same time.

#2. Get at least a new rear wheel. The rear wheel alone with the stock tire, tube, and cassette weighs over 8lbs! (As an example, a typical wheel from a 29″er weighs around 5.5-6.5lbs) You can realize a big weight savings here!

#3. A seat post and handle bar upgrade can also save some weight. The stock pieces are pretty heavy here.

#4. Not imperative, but the SRAM shifters and rear derailluer could be upgraded over time.

Those are the big areas that would really make a huge difference for the better on that bike.

Good luck and welcome to Twenty Nine Inches!

]]> By: earthsurfing http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-28785 earthsurfing Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:52:19 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-28785 Hi, I guess this forum is old now, but is there anywhere to read about what the upgrades/ changes are now that the 08 29ers are out? I just got a 07 29er for 950 bucks- so I'm stoked! First good bike since I fell in love with the head shock on a bike that was stolen about 6 years ago. A little worried about the rear clearance (as there's nothing I can do about it?), but other than that would love to hear recommendations for some of the most important upgrades (hydraulic disk brakes, seat, seat post, etc.) Thanks for a great site! keith Hi,
I guess this forum is old now, but is there anywhere to read about what the upgrades/ changes are now that the 08 29ers are out?
I just got a 07 29er for 950 bucks- so I’m stoked! First good bike since I fell in love with the head shock on a bike that was stolen about 6 years ago.
A little worried about the rear clearance (as there’s nothing I can do about it?), but other than that would love to hear recommendations for some of the most important upgrades (hydraulic disk brakes, seat, seat post, etc.)
Thanks for a great site!
keith

]]> By: Mo0se http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-18317 Mo0se Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:41:34 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-18317 Hi all, I have a couple comments on this. 1. In reality $1600 for an American made bicycle is not out of line in my opinion. 2. Frame builders cannot be responsible for the quality of the components.. Avid BB5's have nothing to do with the frame. Call me patriotic, a lunatic, whatever you wish, but kudos to Cdale for keeping americans in jobs. Hi all,

I have a couple comments on this.

1. In reality $1600 for an American made bicycle is not
out of line in my opinion.

2. Frame builders cannot be responsible for the quality of
the components.. Avid BB5’s have nothing to do with the frame.

Call me patriotic, a lunatic, whatever you wish, but kudos to Cdale
for keeping americans in jobs.

]]> By: Bank of Dad http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-7319 Bank of Dad Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:10:51 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-7319 Guitar Ted, I have a 05 prophet 1000 which is my first full suspension and really like for the Pa. trails that have as many rocks as china has people if I go for the f29 it is to replace my Ironhorse hybrid that has sram 7.0 components already and 700x38 tires I use the hybrid for indoor trainer rides and the local rail to trails, the f29 would give me more choices where I can ride if I did not want to take the prophet out on some of the less technical rides I know of that are to much for a hybrid.Thanks for your post Guitar Ted, I have a 05 prophet 1000 which is my first full suspension and really like for the Pa. trails that have as many rocks as china has people if I go for the f29 it is to replace my Ironhorse hybrid that has sram 7.0 components already and 700×38 tires I use the hybrid for indoor trainer rides and the local rail to trails, the f29 would give me more choices where I can ride if I did not want to take the prophet out on some of the less technical rides I know of that are to much for a hybrid.Thanks for your post

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/comment-page-1/#comment-7314 Guitar Ted Sun, 21 Jan 2007 13:20:01 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/2006/12/05/cannondale-caffeine-f-29-update/#comment-7314 Bank of Dad: Well, I'll throw in. My feeling is that the bike has a few "not-so-desirable" parts but is mostly a really good package. I threw out the tires, seat post, and saddle right off and inverted the stem. After that, I felt it fit better, rolled better, and was a serviceable trail bike for the average person. If you desire lightweight, higher performance, (XC, Endurance racing) or just appreciate higher end builds you are looking at a lot more switching out and alot more money to be spent. It's only worth it from the standpoint of someone having to have a Lefty and knowing this Caffeine frame is designed for that. That said, C'dale will most likely up the spec a bit on next years model. Either that, or offer two different spec levels, which I would be in favor of seeing. Rumor also has it that a single speed model is on it's way. Should you wait, or buy now? Depends on what you are looking for out of the bike. That's my take. Bank of Dad: Well, I’ll throw in. My feeling is that the bike has a few “not-so-desirable” parts but is mostly a really good package. I threw out the tires, seat post, and saddle right off and inverted the stem. After that, I felt it fit better, rolled better, and was a serviceable trail bike for the average person.

If you desire lightweight, higher performance, (XC, Endurance racing) or just appreciate higher end builds you are looking at a lot more switching out and alot more money to be spent. It’s only worth it from the standpoint of someone having to have a Lefty and knowing this Caffeine frame is designed for that.

That said, C’dale will most likely up the spec a bit on next years model. Either that, or offer two different spec levels, which I would be in favor of seeing. Rumor also has it that a single speed model is on it’s way.

Should you wait, or buy now? Depends on what you are looking for out of the bike. That’s my take.

]]>