Cannondale Quick 2012

Great Range of Road-Friendly Hybrids

 

If their Bad Boy range is aimed primarily at the urban street-fighter, then the Cannondale Quick has quite a different environment in mind.

With a rangy, elegant frame, 32mm tyres and V-brakes rather than discs, all the way through the range, the Quick is quite definitely destined for the open road. Whether for a rapid commute to work or for relaxed easy-rolling trips at the weekend, the Quick’s designers appear to have identified its market rather well. The transmission components on the top models have even been sourced from Shimano’s road bike range, rather than using the MTB components seen on almost all other hybrid bikes.

All models, bar the top-of-the-range SL1, are available in men’s and women’s versions – these identified by the lower top tube and a “straighter” look to the frame. Specs are otherwise identical between the two versions of the same model, apart from some colourway differences and the set of smaller sizes in the women’s versions.

NB – when you click through to the various stockists’ sites, you may see that some of the women’s versions are incorrectly pictured with men’s geometry. I have checked this with Cannondale and they acknowledge the problem, which was probably the result of pre-production photography picked up by the dealers and should be rectified in due course. Be assured that the women’s geometry is available in all models, as the photos below (correctly) illustrate.

That aside, how does the range work? First of all, as is usually the case, there are various features that are carried throughout:-

• A very good looking 6061 alloy frame. Butted for strength and featuring SAVE vibration-absorbing technology. This is an innovative shaping of the rear stays which soaks up vertical shocks while retaining sideways and torsional stiffness. Very clever.
• Shimano gear components, of increasing quality and choice of ratio as you move up the range. Triple chainrings throughout.
• Cannondale’s own V-brakes, of increasing quality. Plenty of stopping power, while still light and simple to maintain.
• Flat pedals for practicality, 32mm tyres for easy rolling on the road and 6061 alloy handlebars on all models.
• The same Cannondale saddle throughout, even on the women’s versions I’m afraid – so no concession to anatomical differences there.
• A good range of sizes, with different ranges of size for the men’s and women’s bikes.

So much for the similarities, what about the differences between the various models? How to choose between them?

Quick 5/Quick 5W

The 5 is the entry-level model and stands a bit alone from the others for a couple of reasons.

It’s the only member of the range to feature alloy front forks – although they are Cannondale’s own and so should not lack quality.

A glance at the picture will reveal the other obvious difference between the 5 and the others. Conventional 32-hole hubs and rims will give you stacks of durability – perhaps at the expense of cutting-edge looks – but no argument as to strength.

The 24 gears come from basic, but tried-and-tested Shimano MTB components, selected with RapidFire shifters – dead easy to use, with indicators to show you which ratio you’ve chosen.

At a price of £500, the Quick 5 looks good value. For everyday commuting and getting out-and-about for fun, you could spend more and do worse I think.

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==>Click for Quick 5 Price<==        ==>Click for Quick 5W Price<==

 

Quick 4/Quick 4W

Spend £100 more on the Quick 4 and what do you get?

First of all, a useful upgrade in the front forks, from alloy to Cannondale’s own carbon-bladed model. As the tyres on the Quick range are all 32mm – not too wide and intended principally for the road, the carbon blades should help to take out a good deal of road vibration that gets past the wheels.

The wheels themselves look superb – 24/28 front/rear spoke arrangement, in pairs. The paired pattern allows the number of spokes to be reduced without risking distortion to the rims, and is common on road bikes. This is a further clue as to the design intentions behind the Quick – and a bit of a warning as well. There’s no getting away from the fact that the fewer the spokes, the less robust is the wheel. These are not bikes intended for the more rough-and-tumble end of the hybrid spectrum. Tarmac – great. Rutted tracks – be careful.

You still get 24 gears but from an improved rear derailleur – now Shimano Alivio, which goes to give you somewhat better smoothness and reliability.

Pedals are alloy on the Quick 4, but brakes, tyres, saddle, stem and handlebar are the same as on the 5.

All in all, you seem to get quite a bit more for your £100.

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==>Click for Quick 4 Price<==        ==>Click for Quick 4W Price<==

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Quick 3/Quick 3W

Another £100 gets you the Quick 3. Not so many changes from the 4, but still significant.

The main upgrade is to the geartrain. There are now 27 gears, with improved front and rear derailleurs to Shimano Alivio and Deore models, selected with Alivio RapidFire shifters. While not top-of-the-range, these are solid Shimano MTB components and should give you pretty trouble-free performance.

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The brakes are still Cannondale V-brakes, but now incorporating cartridge pads – these are designed to make it comparatively easy to change worn pads, as this can be done without taking the shoe off. You just remove a retaining pin and slide the new pad in (although you may still have to make fine adjustments to the clearances).

Other than the tyres, which are now Continentals, all other aspects of the Quick 3 remain unchanged from the 4. Again, a useful selection of upgrades for your £100.

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==>Click for Quick 3 Price<==        ==>Click for Quick 3W Price<==

 

Quick SL2/Quick SL2W

With the top two members of the Quick range, Cannondale have introduced their SL frame. Still 6061 aluminium alloy, but implementing their Si, or System Integration ideas. Cables are led inside the tubes and the seatpost clamp is blended into the frame, giving a really sleek look I think.

The SL2 is the first in the range to use Shimano road bike gear components, further reinforcing the design intentions as being towards speed on the tarmac rather than off it.

The Sora/Tiagra combination has graced many a respectable mid-range road bike and is well-proven quality. The RapidFire shifters are Tiagra to match, while the number of ratios is unchanged at 27.

Brakes are improved to lacquered alloy C2 mini V-brakes and you also get a rather smarter handlebar, stem and Sport tyres.

All other aspects – rims, saddle and pedals – are unchanged from the Quick 3.

The SL2 has far more the look of a flat-bar road bike about it than an out-and-out hybrid. If your aim is for fast commuting and decent length road trips, the SL2 is well worth considering. It will cost you £130 more than the 3, but I think the quality and style are evident.

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==>Click for Quick SL2 Price<= =>Click for Quick SL2W Price<==

 

Quick SL1

The top-of-the-range Quick SL1 is even more of a flat-bar road bike. The SL frame now finished in lacquered aluminium is pretty special, fitted out with very nice Shimano road-bike components. Such a shame it’s only done in men’s geometry! I suppose there’s a reason – better ask the marketing people…

You now get a choice of 30 ratios – the Shimano Ultegra mech at the front and 105 at the rear, operated by Tiagra 4600 shifters going a long way to justifying the £1130 price tag. These upgrades are the main changes from the SL2.

The other improvements are to the wheels, to Element C2 rims with bladed black stainless spokes, and the bar ends fitted to the handlebar grips. I think there’s no doubt that these comparatively minor additions make riding a great deal more comfortable by giving you a variety of hand positions to relieve strain.

So. £1130 is quite a price tag. Whether you would go for the SL1 depends a great deal I guess on your available budget. There’s no doubt that it is a very quick machine, so if it’s speed and quality you’re after and you can stretch to it, then the SL1 is sure to prove a pleasure to own and ride. If however you’re not quite that flush, then the SL2 would be a great alternative.

==>Click for Quick SL1 Price<==

 

In Conclusion

There’s quite a choice here. As already said, the Quick range is designed and built primarily for fast and easy-rolling trips on the road, rather than for venturing too far onto the rough stuff. The streamlined wheels on all but the Quick 5 and road components fitted to the SL models really reinforce the point. But they are still hybrids when all said and done, it’s just that they have that particular design emphasis.

The Cannondale Quick compares rather directly with the Bianchi Camaleonte both in specification, style and price, while the Specialized Sirrus and Vita give you choices at somewhat lower price points – you might like to compare them for yourself.

	Quick 5	Quick 4	Quick 3	Quick SL2	Quick SL1
Frame	Cannondale Quick Butted 6061 Alloy SAVE	Cannondale Quick Butted 6061 Alloy SAVE	Cannondale Quick Butted 6061 Alloy SAVE	Cannondale Quick Si Optimised Butted 6061 Alloy SAVE	Cannondale Quick Si Optimised Butted 6061 Alloy SAVE
Fork	Cannondale Quick 6061 Alloy	Cannondale Quick Carbon Blades	Cannondale Quick Carbon Blades	Cannondale Quick Carbon Blades	Cannondale Quick Carbon Blades
Front Mech	Shimano M191	Shimano M191	Shimano Alivio	Shimano Tiagra	Shimano Ultegra
Rear Mech	Shimano Altus	Shimano Alivio	Shimano Deore	Shimano Sora	Shimano 105 5700
Shifters	Shimano M310 Rapidfire Plus	Shimano M310 Rapidfire Plus	Shimano Alivio Rapidfire Plus	Shimano Tiagra Rapidfire Plus	Shimano Tiagra 4600 Rapidfire Plus
Chainrings	48/38/28t	48/38/28t	48/36/26t	50/39/30t	50/39/30t
Cassette	Sunrace CSM668 11-32t, 8-Speed	Sunrace CSM668 11-32t, 8-Speed	Sram PG950 12-26t, 9-Speed	Sram PG950 12-26t, 9-Speed	Shimano Tiagra 4600 12-28t, 10-Speed
Gears	24	24	27	27	30
Pedals	Cannondale Quick Reinforced Composite Kraton Inserts	Cannondale Quick Alloy Kraton Inserts	Cannondale Quick Alloy Kraton Inserts	Cannondale Quick Alloy Kraton Inserts	Cannondale Quick Alloy Kraton Inserts
Brakes	Cannondale C4 Mini V-brake	Cannondale C4 Mini V-brakes	Cannondale C3 Mini V-brake Cartridge Pads	Cannondale C2 Mini V-brake Cartridge Pads	Cannondale C2 Mini V-brake Cartridge Pads
Rims	Cannondale C4 Double Wall, 32 H	Element C3 700C (26" On XS)	Element C3 700C	Element C3 700C (26" On XS)	Element C2
Tyres	Kenda Kwick Trax 700X32C	Kenda Kwick Trax 700X32C (26 x 1.5" On XS)	Continental City Contact 700X32C	Continental Sport Contact 700X32C (26 x 1.3" On XS)	Continental Sport Contact 700X32C
Handlebar	Cannondale C4 6061 Alloy 620mm, 25mm rise	Cannondale C4 6061 Alloy 620mm, 25mm rise	Cannondale C4 6061 Alloy 620mm, 25mm rise	Cannondale C3 6061 Alloy 620mm, 25mm rise	Cannondale C3 6061 Alloy 620mm, 25mm rise Bar Ends
Stem	Cannondale C4 31.8mm, 12 Deg	Cannondale C4 31.8mm, 12 Deg	Cannondale C4 31.8mm, 12 Deg	Cannondale C3 31.8mm, 12 Deg	Cannondale C3 31.8mm, 12 Deg
Saddle	Cannondale Quick Ergo Performance	Cannondale Quick Ergo Performance	Cannondale Quick Ergo Performance	Cannondale Quick Ergo Performance	Cannondale Quick Ergo Performance
Sizes	Quick 5:- S, M, L, XL Quick 5W:- XS, S, Tall	Quick 4:- S, M, L, XL Quick 4W:- XS, S, Tall	Quick 4:- S, M, L, XL Quick 4W:- XS, S, Tall	Quick SL2:- S, M, L, XL Quick SL2W:- XS, S, Tall	S, M, L, XL
Colour	Quick 5:- Silver Quick 5 W:- White	Quick 4:- Grey Quick 4 W:- Silver	White	Black	Raw Aluminium
Price	£500	£600	£700	£830	£1130

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