Black Lightning: Bikefanclub.com

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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