Bad Voodoo
Unassuming Superhero
Ok, how about a little Cannondale goodness to warm this section up again...
After upgrading my '03 Cannondale Jekyll with an X.9 drivetrain and a 'Pushed' Fox Float RL, making it, in my opinion, one of the better all-purpose MTBs I could imagine strapping on for a day or three of XC exploration, I came to the realization that ascending smoother, steeper fire roads (prevalent in Northern CA) could be a bit more, shall we say, efficient.
I had a brand-spanking-new Cannondale F2 Caffeine frame on order from my LBS and after almost a month of frustrating wait, got the call that it was almost ready to pick up. I went down to check on progress only to find that the front 'Lefty' hub had a fitment problem. Cannondale would have to build me a new wheel and ship to my LBS for replacement, and another 1+ week delivery time! ARGH!
Being the impatient sort that I am, I began perusing Craigslist, and not only found what appeared to be a "too good to be true, raced only six times" 2008 F1 Caffeine complete build, but found that it was still available (at a DEEP discount under MSRP)! I never have this kind of luck! I quickly set about the arduous trip to Marin (land of the MTB gods), and tried to find any reason not to buy this bike, but much to my surprise it was exactly as described, with upgraded wheels, grips, and tires. The seller is, apparently, an up and comer in the North Bay area high school racing scene and as an added bonus, supplied me with a bike that finished 6th place overall in the '08 XC racing season. Good karma!!
After a Sunday morning test ride, I couldn't be happier that I found this bike. It climbs like a monkey (seriously light, stiff, and fast), and I was clearing hills on the big ring at a pretty quick pace that previously I could clear on the Jekyll, but in granny gears at moderate pace. Impressive. Now, I hate like hell to lavish you all with sickly sweet, Cannondale eye candy for fear that everyone may blindly run out and begin acquiring all available Caffeine frames, but I just can't help myself! :bike_rider:
After upgrading my '03 Cannondale Jekyll with an X.9 drivetrain and a 'Pushed' Fox Float RL, making it, in my opinion, one of the better all-purpose MTBs I could imagine strapping on for a day or three of XC exploration, I came to the realization that ascending smoother, steeper fire roads (prevalent in Northern CA) could be a bit more, shall we say, efficient.
I had a brand-spanking-new Cannondale F2 Caffeine frame on order from my LBS and after almost a month of frustrating wait, got the call that it was almost ready to pick up. I went down to check on progress only to find that the front 'Lefty' hub had a fitment problem. Cannondale would have to build me a new wheel and ship to my LBS for replacement, and another 1+ week delivery time! ARGH!
Being the impatient sort that I am, I began perusing Craigslist, and not only found what appeared to be a "too good to be true, raced only six times" 2008 F1 Caffeine complete build, but found that it was still available (at a DEEP discount under MSRP)! I never have this kind of luck! I quickly set about the arduous trip to Marin (land of the MTB gods), and tried to find any reason not to buy this bike, but much to my surprise it was exactly as described, with upgraded wheels, grips, and tires. The seller is, apparently, an up and comer in the North Bay area high school racing scene and as an added bonus, supplied me with a bike that finished 6th place overall in the '08 XC racing season. Good karma!!
After a Sunday morning test ride, I couldn't be happier that I found this bike. It climbs like a monkey (seriously light, stiff, and fast), and I was clearing hills on the big ring at a pretty quick pace that previously I could clear on the Jekyll, but in granny gears at moderate pace. Impressive. Now, I hate like hell to lavish you all with sickly sweet, Cannondale eye candy for fear that everyone may blindly run out and begin acquiring all available Caffeine frames, but I just can't help myself! :bike_rider:
