Cannondale bike question

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Hi
I'm new to mtn biking and away from any biking for many years...and then it was all on the road!

Anyone know much about a Cannondale Silk Trail 400? My bike shop recommended it to me for road and trail for entry. I was looking at WSD bikes...but since it is an unused 2002, it is greatly reduced in price and seems to be ok on an out of shape body!.

Second Question---any recommended tires for on the road and hard surfaces for getting in shape? [I had them trade out to knobby tires on the above bike since it is pretty wet and muddy around here these days!]

thanks

Is this the bike you're looking at?

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/02/cusa/model-2CS4.html

It looks like a nice enough bike .. just make sure it's a comfortable and proper fit for you before you buy it, though.

For paved surfaces, nothing beats a slick tyre (which are available in the 26" sizes.) A recent discussion on MTB slick tyres in the tech forum is here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t40274.html

Originally posted by rek
Is this the bike you're looking at?

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/02/cusa/model-2CS4.html

It looks like a nice enough bike .. just make sure it's a comfortable and proper fit for you before you buy it, though.

For paved surfaces, nothing beats a slick tyre (which are available in the 26" sizes.) A recent discussion on MTB slick tyres in the tech forum is here:

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t40274.html

Thanks much. Yes that is the bike and I am having it fitted to me and making some adjutments to seat and stem etc.--it's a start!

Thanks for the info on the tires too!:) :)

Originally posted by psycho-
In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a Cannondale. But, make sure it fits correctly, as it's been noted already, as Rek has mentioned. Always go with a bike that fits you best and feels best for you.

As for onroad, if you're always on pavement, it's good to invest in a good set of onroad tires. SLicks always work better, wet or dry, on pavement.

Check places like mtbr.com or their sister site roadbikereview.com. There you can see user reviews on tires if need be.

The tires usually included stock aren't the greatest, and it's good to replace it with other tires.

Knobbys are good for mud, but not cement. They're extremely dangerous on slick pavement in wet weather.

Victor and rek---this helps a lot. I got the bike and it took a bit to get used to it, but now I love it! We went 'off road' yesterday and it was great!!!

It was weird for a 'road biker' to be in sand, gravel and tree roots! ..but once I was sure it was ok, I took off!

I'll check out those resources for tires...BTW, I had knobbys put on before I left the bike shop.

We have riden our neighborhood to get accustomed to riding again, but I definitely will NOT want to stay on 'roads'!

We're headed out again in a few minutes---off road!

Keep the great info comin' :D

Originally posted by floridabiker
Thanks much. Yes that is the bike and I am having it fitted to me and making some adjutments to seat and stem etc.--it's a start!

Thanks for the info on the tires too!:) :)


In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a Cannondale. But, make sure it fits correctly, as it's been noted already, as Rek has mentioned. Always go with a bike that fits you best and feels best for you.

As for onroad, if you're always on pavement, it's good to invest in a good set of onroad tires. SLicks always work better, wet or dry, on pavement.

Check places like mtbr.com or their sister site roadbikereview.com. There you can see user reviews on tires if need be.

The tires usually included stock aren't the greatest, and it's good to replace it with other tires.

Knobbys are good for mud, but not cement. They're extremely dangerous on slick pavement in wet weather.