DaveN
new member
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 33
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When the Black Lightning first came out, I thought about one, but he who hesitates is indeed lost, and by the time I was ready to pull the trigger, they were sold out.
One in my size showed up on ebay a couple weeks ago, and for a price that left me with a big smile, my first Cannondale was sitting under the tree for Christmas. Great shape, no marks, only minor wear, and needing only a change in stem and some cable replacements (longer) to fit me quite well. (Ended up with a Bontrager OS stem in the size I needed as the Zepp wouldn't work for me. Built by Cannondale's arch rival. Keep it a secret, don't want to be drummed out of the Chain Gang)
Visual impression is very, er, impressive. The Black Lighting decals under the clear coat don't show well in the photos you normally see, but are well executed and the whole effect, with everything done in black on the bike, with the Campy logos etc all done in gold to match the Cannondale decals and lightning comes off very sharp.
First impression when you pick it up is, wow, I didn't realize how light the CAAD 7s are, and the Black Lightning with the Campy Record/Neutrons (with custom gold logos on those too), Fizik Aliante (a later addition, but cool in black)and my SPD-SLs don't weigh diddly.
First ride was was not what I expected at all. Very fast, very stiff -- indeed, almost the stiffest responses I had ever experienced -- and very fast yet not twitchy handling. Okay, it lived up to its advance billing there, but I also thought it would pound the snot out of me over some of our worse streets, designed as a race light, stiff frame with not carbon stays to soften anything.
Wrong. Not a carbon or steel frame to be sure, but much more compliant than I expected. Not a bike for a comfortable century, to be sure, but not the 'black beast' I expected at all!
More later when I put some miles on it, but I am a very happy camper with my Christmas 2004 present to myself. Dave
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Time Wounds All Heels
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slowgoing
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 9
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Dave, we must be thinking alike. Or almost alike. A bunch of people have been bugging me to try a Cannondale for awhile. I have been looking for a new hillclimbing frame, which for me means crit geometry. The CAADs fit the bill nicely. High bottom bracket and relatively steep hta's. So I have been looking for a CAAD5 or a CAAD7. Almost bought a CAAD7, but then Gary at GVH just came out with some CAAD5s for a very reasonable price, so I had to go for it. It will probably be a week or so before I have this one, but I can't wait to see how well it climbs.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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I just purchased a 2003 Caad 7 R1000. Mostly Ultegra with a little 105 (brakes, BB). With a few changes of saddle to Flite, wheels to Ksyrium SL's and regular bar and stem (instead of oversized), Ultegra SL pedals. It's perfect! Without trying it's 18.0 lbs. I could get another almost 2 pounds off if I really wanted to spend the money...but that's not what this bike is for. Silver paint with red and yellow decals. TdF limited edition Ksyriums with the single yellow spoke. Way cool!
Haven't ridden it to speak of yet (as my new Calfee Tetra Pro came in last week too) but will report back when I get some serious rides in.
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BugMan
new member
Reged: 02/12/04
Posts: 3
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Dave,
I have to agree 100% with your description of the ride characteristics. After recovering from an accident last fall, a friend loaned me his '03 CAAD7 w/ full D/A and Ksyrium SL wheels until I could get a new rig (some loaner, huh?). What a fantastic ride - super responsive, laser fast, and oh what a climber. And you're right about the comfort - I've done some pretty long rides on not-so-great roads and didn't feel it took anything out of me (and I'm used to carbon frames).
I liked it so much I ordered an '04 R3000 for myself - should be here any day.
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dave_donielson
friend
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 32
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Vaxn8r-
Aren't your sending your Calfee back because they screwed up the custom paint ? Or is that just a rumor ?
Davdon
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Sadly, the Calfee is gone....turned into a big box full of of wheels and bike components.
Hope the new one doesn't take 3 months like the first one. At least I'll get some miles on the new Caad 7 in the meantime.
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Well, after a couple of rides on the Cannondale I now understand why so many people ride and race these bikes.
What's not to like? Instant acceleration. Not too harsh. Even with Ksyriums I wouldn't describe it as harsh at all. I just put 70 on it today and could have kept riding it all day. Handles spectacularly. Descends, climbs with confidence.
To me the only downside is that there are so darn many of them out there. Nothing unique. Of course that is more than fairly balanced by the price.
Edited by vaxn8r (03/20/04 10:59 PM)
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Allan
journeyman
Reged: 05/04/04
Posts: 198
Loc: Bds,W I
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Having ridden Cannondales from way back when they first made their road offerings i was always satisfied with the performance of their product even though the finish could be a bit rough in certain areas of the frameset with some puddly looking welds and with some questionable components fitted to cut costs.
However we move on with the times and today its as good a quality product you can buy for the money.The new Optimo framsets are really great,and extremeely well made and engineered, and if you are a rider that likes a rock solid bike with sharp acceleration and a very stiff feel, this bike is for you.
I personally like a stiff bike and since i ride a 60cm C to C frame, in the big sizes you need all the stiffness you can get, no wimpy noodle size tubing please.Would i buy a 'dale again,,,,,,,,,,of course but i already have too many bikes, maybe very soon.
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Its time to ride.
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spartan23
new member
Reged: 05/03/05
Posts: 1
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Nice write up. I'm also a proud owner of the Ltd Edition "Black Lightning".
The Bike was built ahead of its time  .
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Bullitt5094
new member
Reged: 05/16/05
Posts: 2
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I thought I was the only one with a Black Lightning left on earth. Bought the road frame version back sometime around 1986 if memory serves me right. Wife bought it for me for Christmas and paid about $600 for it. A LOT of money for us back then!! Still has most of the original components, suntour brakes, derailer, etc., despite seeing 2 to 4 thousand miles a year of wear and tear. The decals are pretty faded, lots of dings/scratches but it still rides great. My son bought an Allez Sport about a year ago. Just for kicks, I set it up for me and did a couple of rides. I hated it and went RIGHT back to the Lightning. I'm just hoping when this latest chain/freewheel wear out, I can find another 6-speed set to replace it. In Florida, 6 gears are plenty!! Oh well, living in the past...
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I've seen several originals on the road up here in Pittsburgh.
Should you have a trouble on parts...get the phone number for Kraynicks in Pittsburgh. He has 3 floors or parts. He saves everything. Folks call him from all over for that reason.
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Bullitt5094
new member
Reged: 05/16/05
Posts: 2
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Great info. I'll certainly file that away. Thanks!!
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superunleaded
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 223
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I say replace the chain and freewheel now before you wear them out. Then put the OEM on the shelf.
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***Regular Unleaded - 4.99
***Special Unleaded - 7.99
***Superunleaded - Arm & a Leg
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