Cannondale Cracked Frame

[Sleeping Catfish]

think twice before you buy a cannondale, i have fixed mine since these pics.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291861139

[beerock]

I have heard that a can dealer had more than 15 cans come back with cracked frames

[Guy400]

Maybe I'm retarded but I can't see the crack anywhere? Can someone point it out to me or maybe my perception is jacked.

After looking at it again is that the crack running vertically right in front of that engine mount? S/C, if all the problems you're having are real it sounds like someone sold you a lemon. They knew the quad was all jacked up so they pawned it off on someone else. Nobody anywhere has had the problems with the Dales like you're having.

Guy your most definitly retarded..;) I think I can see it,,it's not a huge crack more like a hair line crack,,but I'm still tryin ta figure out how it got cracked,,cuz even crappyfish said he doesn't jump it near what most of us do on our lesser,,crappier 400ex's..:rolleyes:

[Sleeping Catfish]

it cracked all the way around.

[knighttime]

yamaha breeze

:eek:

[Guy400]

Alright, now you've done it!! This thread has officially turned into a flame war and is soon to be locked :D

[Sleeping Catfish]

flames?

[beerock]

GUY, did you not read what I posted?

My friend is assistant manager at a canondale dealer, he told me more then 15 canondales have been returned with cracked frames:huh

i also heard the clutches have been a big problem along with front end failures, i dont think id consider buying one until they have been out for at least 5 years

[AlaskaSpeed]

Please! As soon as you guys get your info on Cannondales from Crapfish, I lose all respect for you. I just raced my first MX race on Sunday and I was catching more air than Crapfish does....hmm...amazing, no cracks.

I also have no loss of power like crapfish does, I am able to pull my friend's 265R with powervalve and 38mm Airstryker carb....hmmm....amazing.

I hope you guys do some research and see what Crapfish, known as "Corndog" at the ATV Connection Forum; says when he is not here. He says a Raptor has more mid range than my fuel injected, leave Raptors in the dust Cannondale....hmmm...amazing, I spit Raptors out without ANY trouble.

I think you get my point. As for Freeridin400ex or whatever this professional Cannondale EXpert says....he is full of it too. The Cannondale I have must be the only one that is running and doesn't have front end failure...idiot.....and no cracked frame.

My Speed handles just as well as my 400EX did. It jumps just as predictably and effortlessly. My friend that owns the TRX265R says it feels just like his race modded 2 stroke. I have ridden his and it pulls just as hard, and my Speed is stock. All I need to do is spend 200.00 on an aftermarket silencer, get the Moto's mapping and I am that much farther ahead.

I hope this gets taken seriously, I can back up all my reliability claims. I am getting a new gas tank this week FREE from Cannondale....my gas cap was leaking and Cannondale determined it was due to the threads on the tank itself. I didn't even have to prove this problem to my dealer. I just called on the phone and he ordered the gas tank.....tell me Honda would do that.

Don't get me wrong, I loved my 400EX, but I can't sit back and let Crapfish be your source of info on what has been a great quad for me and many, many others so far.........JIM

[beerock]

Jim I understand what you are saying, but why would the asistant manager at a canondale dealer tell me that then?

maybe it was a bad run of cdales?

do they have beefier frames on the higher models?

[Sleeping Catfish]

alaska i have had my cdale much longer than you. at first i was all cocky and loved the thing. the problems started about 3 monthes into owning the thing(i bought mine from the dealer's brother and he said it had about 2 hrs on it, but it looked brand spankin' new and there wasn't a speck of dirt on the airfilter) and just keeps getting worse...

[86atc250r]

Everyone's heard something... But no one's got personal experience or knowledge. Getting real tired of hearing all the crap on these forums from folks that haven't even seen a Cannondale in person, yet alone ridden or owned one.

Here are the facts. Crapfish's crack is a fluke or abuse by himself or a previous owner - that is a non stress point and there are areas that when put under typical use stress would fail long before a lower frame rail under the engine.

The Cannondale employs a 10, yes I said 10 plate clutch configured very similarly to our wonderful 400EX, however, the 400EX only uses 7 plates and the heavy duty clutches that are available are merely 8 plate systems. Needless to say, the cannondale's clutching system is not a problem. If you've ever rode one, you'll also know it is one of the nicest clutches to operate that you'll find and doesn't fade even with 11,000 RPM abuse in the sand drags for hours.

C-Dales frames are BEEFY - take a look at one up close sometime, they are a work of art. It seems awfully easy to play on people's fears of aluminum and it's strength when compared to steel - unless they've seen one of these frames in person. They perform rigorous testing inhouse to make sure they'll hold up. In contrast our 400EX has a couple very well known weak spots, as does the 250R. Check these same spots on the C-Dale (which is almost a carbon copy of a 250R frame, only stronger) and you'll find they are extremely well made. Heck take one for a ride, then take a 400EX for the same ride - the difference in frame rigidity is very apparent, the constant flexing of the 400Ex frame is one of it's problems (ever noticed paint cracking around the welds?)

Look around at some other stuff on the quad, or even download the service manual and see the trick aftermarket stuff you get on even the lowly Cannibal. H-beam Rod (like the high dollar Carrillo we have to buy for the 400EX), 10 plate clutch, beefy brakes, beefy black anodized axle, steel braided lines, heim joint tie rods, double thickness steering stem, etc. Everything on the Cannondale is tricker or stronger than that of the 400EX or 250R with the exception of the wheels..

I find it very hard to believe that frames are breaking like some here are insinuating, especially since I've been keeping an eye on all things C-Dale since their introduction. Heck, I even know the guy with production #25 FX400 and I have yet to hear of an actual frame failure except for Catfish's incedent.

Some of you may know "Crapfish" as "Corndog" on ATVConfusion - he was approached by Cannondale because they had not seen this kind of frame failure and he received a free rail because of it. If it were a common occurance that they knew about, rest assured that C-Dale would not have taken the time to contact him and setup the return and replacement of his rail on his out of warranty, purchased used quad (Yes, they wanted his rail for analysis) especially with his constant bashing, whining, pissing, and moaning.

I've broken the swingarm on every ATV I've owned, I've also broked the frame on almost every ATV I've owned including my 400EX a couple times in a couple places. If the C-Dale frame is going to be cracked by race type use, I'll be one of the first to know - but by examining it, I'm not at all concerned. When I bought my 400EX, I knew it wasn't a matter of if, it was a matter of when & I kept a close eye on it and took care of the problems before they became serious - keep an eye on those upper shock mounts folks...

By now many of you probably know I own both a very hopped up 400EX with little in common to a stock one, as well as a new Cannondale.

Rest assured the C-Dale does outpower and outhandle the 400EX in almost every way - even my heavily modified EX.

In fact, in the dunes last weekend, there was not a 400EX at the strip that could outrun my bone stock Cannibal, even with it's stock restrictive exhaust. It also gave numerous spankings to several of the piped Raptors, piped Banshee's and 250Rs.

I'm not saying that the 400Ex isn't a great quad, it is... In fact, I'm still racing my 400.... However, you people really need to ride and or check a cannondale out before making your claims or passing 3rd, 4th, 5th party bogus information.

BTW, why haven't we banned catfish yet? For approximately the last year, every thread he's been involved in has lowered the quality of this forum substantially..... Personally, I would have booted him back when he was claiming to own a Raptor but really didn't own a quad at all.

Sorry if I am being a bit irritable, but this is all getting really old... This used to be one of the better message boards around. Now I read crap threads everywhere I go. Jim, is this intolarnce up to your standards :)

[JustRace]

Heres my take on this (i know i'm no one important). Think about it the C-dales are still working things out. Could they have problems yes, but does that mean that all have them do? NO.

We all know about the raptors problems. I have a friend that has a 2001 raptor that has had absolutely no problems with the machine and he rides it hard. I know that Alky has had no problems with his and I believe that Guy did no have any problems while he owned his. Does this mean that all of the people that own raptors are just making up the problems? NO

I see people braking there swingarms on the 400ex, but yet mine has not broken and I have had some very hard landings off of jumps over 40ft. Does a few broken parts on a EX make it a machine with problems, I don't think so.

Alaska will probably not have any problems with his Speed, but we all know the saying, "***** Happens."

One bad apple does not ruin the entire batch. S/C just because you have a lemon does not mean that all others are junk.

[Castor-426ex]

all I know is I want one :D

[Guy400]

Originally posted by Castor-400ex
all I know is I want one :D Your da*n right about that! I'm trying to get an angle with my wife that will open the door for a new Speed for me this fall. I had money set aside for shocks and a-arms for my LT but why bother? That's $2000 closer to a Speed...

[AlaskaSpeed]

Sorry if I am being a bit irritable, but this is all getting really old... This used to be one of the better message boards around. Now I read crap threads everywhere I go. Jim, is this intolarnce up to your standards?


Yes, I knew you had it in you! This is what I would call a "breakthrough"......now go to your "happy place".... :D

I hope you guys see what we are saying....Justrace seemed to hit the nail on the head with his last reply too. My intention was not to come on here and bash another quad, just to balance out Seeping Crapfish's claims of Cannondale's demise.

Guy, save that shock money in a shoebox and buy yourself that Speed.........:) JIM

All this talk about the C-dales has got me wondering....

Do you guys think If I got my girlfriend a Speed instead of engagement ring she'd be pissed??:eek: Sounds good ta me..:devil

[dawzie]

I got you ALL beat. I got Mike Walsh's Cannibal :D :eek: :D

[BADASSBOMB]

i must say Sleeping Catfish or aka corndog in atvconnection is just a was,t of time and spce on any atv forum . he never gives any good info but hes the first one to dog some one about there quad . get a life Sleeping Catfish aka cornass

[wyndzer]

Here is the deal, I'm going to try my best to get to the H/M ride in June. Once there, anybody that has any doubts about the C-dale's ability is more than welcome to ride and abuse my Speed to a certain extent! Yes it is paid for, so no worries, and it will still be under warranty. So as long as you just ride hard, (don't run into anything) you can see for your self.

[Taco]

wyndzer I dont know if it would be beneficial to our wallets if you bring that Cannondale with you. I already want one bad and I'm sure that riding one will send me over the edge. hrmm I could sell the R and the 400, argh nooooo.

[Derno24]

wyndzer did your speed come with the exhaust or did you add it. I am curious to see if you drove it without the exhaust. I was wondering what the difference would be.

[wyndzer]

I got mine with the exhaust, Alaska_400ex has a Speed with stock exhaust, so he may be able to help more than me.

[Sparkles]

still never got a pic of catfishes crack..

[Derno24]

I just ordered the HMF exhaust and I am getting the re-map to a blaze. So I will let everyone else know what the changes are like...

[Freeride]

Hey Ak 400ex , did you race at kincade last sunday or saturday? A few of my buddys raced moto-x there.

As for the craked frame , I cant beleve that. Cannondale has a reputation for making some strong-*** bike frames. My friend bought one of there lower line mtn bikes and hes done a 6 ft drops with it and he hasn't craked it yet. I craked my bike on the same drop and i payed more $$$$ for mine.

[Castor-426ex]

thats it Im tradin my 400 in on one I got the ok form the mrs....Woohoo

[AlaskaSpeed]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Freeride
[B]Hey Ak 400ex , did you race at kincade last sunday or saturday? A few of my buddys raced moto-x there.

Freeride,
Yes, we were at Kincaid; the track sucked though. There was a lot of 1 foot deep puddles in front of most of the jumps and the muddy ruts after the motorcycles were bad for arm pump. I heard the track is supposed to be in better shape this week, we are going to hit it on Saturday and practice. If it doesn't rain, we are going to race Sunday too..........JIM

[Sleeping Catfish]

i don't see how you guys think a cdale is fast. i had a whole new revelation(sp?) after riding my friend's rm250, i want a dirt bike really bad. they are way faster than quads and so much smoother. i think a cr250 (2002) is the best.

[86atc250r]

I don't see how you can think a RM250 is fast... I drove my buddy John Force's Funnycar in it kicks the crap out of a RM250....

I have a friend that said he drove the space shuttle & he think's it's way faster than John Force's car. He said top fuel dragsters suck...


Get lost moron...

[Freeride]

Originally posted by Alaska_400EX

Freeride,
Yes, we were at Kincaid; the track sucked though. There was a lot of 1 foot deep puddles in front of most of the jumps and the muddy ruts after the motorcycles were bad for arm pump. I heard the track is supposed to be in better shape this week, we are going to hit it on Saturday and practice. If it doesn't rain, we are going to race Sunday too..........JIM

I might go down there saturday...I think beau might go down to pratice....He has been on the week days after school:confused: . If he goes illl bum a ride. Ill keep an eye out for ya.

[AlaskaSpeed]

Sounds good. Look for 3 of us together; a black/yellow Banshee, a red/blue TRX250R and my silver/yellow Speed. We might not get there Saturday til around 2pm....I work in the morning and then I need to put my quad back together from the grease/oilchange/cleaning, etc.
I have a 98 Dodge Dakota, my friend will have a 93 Mazda B4000 pickup.........JIM

[Freeride]

Originally posted by Alaska_400EX
Sounds good. Look for 3 of us together; a black/yellow Banshee, a red/blue TRX250R and my silver/yellow Speed. We might not get there Saturday til around 2pm....I work in the morning and then I need to put my quad back together from the grease/oilchange/cleaning, etc.
I have a 98 Dodge Dakota, my friend will have a 93 Mazda B4000 pickup.........JIM

Hey what part of anchorage do you live in? I live in wasilla.

[VegasEx'r]

Originally posted by crip_coast
still never got a pic of catfishes crack..


That sounds like something you don't want to see anyway...

:blah :rolleyes:


I have got to think that since crackfish says the c-dale sucks, it must be one bad***** machine. Maybe I'll just go buy one & see how long my wife stays mad at me. :D

[Sleeping Catfish]

Originally posted by VegasEx'r



I have got to think that since crackfish says the c-dale sucks, it must be one bad***** machine. :D

please go buy one:D ;)

[JBBSPEED]

I just talked to Cannondale It turns out that their has been no problems with cracks on there frames. Excepted for bad crashes into trees Which can happen to any quad. The Catfish stuff must be some real mystery and the dude who says he knows someone who knows that 15 have been returned due to cracks. Well, all I can say is you can make up stuff all you want, you can bash bash and bash some more but guys I have some real, real bad news for ya. Cannondale is not going to go away and what ever you own and ride, will still get smoked no matter how many lies you tell. Cannondale got there start by making FRAMES and they got to be a big company because there FRAMES are great. Wine, cry or lie it doesn't matter because on race day they will be there. Were will you be?

[Sleeping Catfish]

so you think if you call them they will tell you about all their frames cracking...right.

[RideRed04]

Actually they would. It is not a good idea for a company to go lying about reliability issues.

[JBBSPEED]

Yes, they would tell you if they had a problem. Just like when they first came out with the FX400, they had A arm problems. They told everyone and recalled the quads. They also replaced them free even if they were no longer under warranty. Of course you would no this if you had any real knowledge about your quad. Does anyone know if this guy really owns a Cannondale or is he just full of it?

[Tommy 17]

since everyones talkin about c-dales here... i will just tell u that the c-dale bike team was at the races today testin a bunch of bikes... i saw one take a extremly hard spill and all it did was bend the bars... the rear fender was bent 180 degrees under the back and he pulled on it and it went right back into place... i think they bikes are really good and man do they sound awesome!!!!

[MARCUMS ATV]

I am an authorized Cannondale Dealer. I recently went to the factory last weekend for some tech training. I have full run of the entire factory and saw no frames broken or cracked. I have not heard of any frame failures except when someone has a hard crash like hitting a tree. I have sold lots of all the models and have not had one frame problem. I believe in the product 100% and I am totally willing to answer any questions honestly without and bs. We are one of the top dealers in the country and specialists in Cannondale performance and aftermarket products. If you have any questions please e mail or call. I will give you honest answers and will be glad to respond to any posts.

Thanks
Terry Marcum
Marcums Motorsports

[Guy400]

Terry, aren't you S/C's Cannondale dealer? He's said on several occasions that he's gone to your dealership for parts (I remember a dipstick in particular). Has he attempted to resolve any of his supposed problems through you?

[MARCUMS ATV]

He bought his quad in Pennsylvania and I believe his dad told me he bought it used. I know he has crashed it a few times pretty hard. I was not aware who he was until now. I take care of my customers with extra care and service but that one has been long out of warranty I believe. Kinda like driving your car 150k when the warranty expired at 36K. I do remember an issue with him losing bolts from the frame rails and I am not sure what he replaced them with. I would have to call this one a maintenance issue if you know what I mean. I think this is the same guy that just called me wanting me to upgrade him with the new MC1000 computer for free because he bought a bike with the old system and was upset that I was selling reworked and totally upgraded Cannibals for 5K with full factory warranty. Don't get me wrong I am willing to accept any warranty work from anywhere but it is usually good practice to have a good repore with the folks you buy it from.

Terry

[dawzie]

Well, what do you know. We get the REAL story from the REAL people. I am so glad to see this. Maybe sleepy boy will go kick his PC and we wont have to listen to him anymore.

Does anybody know of a C-dale site like this one? I have one from yahoo that is OK but this site is awsome.

no offense to anyone but i can kinda beleive he can be havin problems wit it, new or used they hve only been out for a lil while i cant believe thier could be any problems that quick, i have a freind who is a mehcanic at a cdale dealer and he said alot fo clucth and tie rod problems


i agree buy a dirtbike thier better than any race quad and 1/4 of the money

[Guy400]

Terry, thank you for shedding some light on this story. I wasn't doubting your service, I was just trying to see if S/C has made an honest attempt at getting his quad fixed but now I get the rest of the story. I don't blame you for not servicing a quad that is no longer under warranty, wasn't purchased at your dealership and most importantly, you know has been wrecked, abused and hasn't had proper maintenance performed.

[Sleeping Catfish]

crashed hard? i rolled it one time in 2nd gear!!! if i had broken it in a violent crash i would be bragging! maybe you will see the guy who spotted my cracked frame at ocala, and he will tell you i didn't wreck it hard(he has 2 400ex and is out there all the time, they are both yellow).

[Castor-426ex]

i want a cannondale cannibal...Who on here is a dealer cause i got some questions for em thnx

[Pro400EXC]

Hey Terry, I am sooooo sorry for not getting back to you. I am

the guy with the 400ex,and i am gonna buy some swingarm

bearings from you(remember me), I have just been trying to save

up,so when I come, i can get everythign all at once

(bearings,bumper,skids,nerfs,so on). I will probably be

over,when school ends(school is another reason,i couldn't get over to yah)
But anyways,i will take it pretty much apart,then have you just show me what to do. Anyays, Thks Terry for being such a cool nice guy, your great.

Joe

[smitty]

And the hits just keep on coming. S/C is on probation from the connection.

Terry,

Thanks for the clarity on the frame issue.


Alaske440

So that's what a unpolished Speed looks like.LOL.

Pictures at www.hairschool.org/quad.htm

Smitty

[KNOWSALOT]

I'm a Cannondale dealer as well and have seen enough "trash" posted by the Catfish [akaCornDog] to last a lifetime.

I'm glad someone finally revealed the information he has left out of his complaints.

For the record, I haven't seen any Cannondales with broken frames nor have I heard of one until he came along. The loose bolts are most likely without a doubt the cause.

Maintenance pays big dividends for the owner of any quad, not just the Cannondales.

And, yes, the Fish is on probation on the Connection for making obsene and foul gestures towards Cannondale and threatening another member's life by e-mail.

The end has finally come [Thank god!!!]

Originally posted by KNOWSALOT


The end has finally come [Thank god!!!]

:D :D :D What kind of batter do you guys recommend when frying fish??? :eek:

[AlaskaSpeed]

I know you want me to say BEER batter....lol. I know it tastes good on Halibut, but this combination catfish/corndog might leave a nasty aftertaste.....: ) JIM

[Sleeping Catfish]

Originally posted by KNOWSALOT
I'm a Cannondale dealer as well and have seen enough "trash" posted by the Catfish [akaCornDog] to last a lifetime.

I'm glad someone finally revealed the information he has left out of his complaints.

For the record, I haven't seen any Cannondales with broken frames nor have I heard of one until he came along. The loose bolts are most likely without a doubt the cause.

Maintenance pays big dividends for the owner of any quad, not just the Cannondales.

And, yes, the Fish is on probation on the Connection for making obsene and foul gestures towards Cannondale and threatening another member's life by e-mail.

The end has finally come [Thank god!!!]

you are not a dealer, you are hired help. there were no threatening emails.

[JBBSPEED]

If it is true that you did not send any threatening E-mail's then why are you on probation? When I first posted on this site and you told me you had problems with your quad stalling, I thought you where on the up and up, telling the truth and needed some help. Sense then I have gone back and read a lot of your posts. You never have anything good to say and almost every post you make comments that are just flat out crazy. I do not know why you waist your and our time posting. In my opinion you only post to make controversy. That is sad that you do not have anything better to do. All of us riders here on this site have different opinions about what is the best quad, what type of riding is more fun or who makes the best aftermarket stuff. But you say the most outrages stuff about everything. Do us all a favor and find some place else to cause trouble. For now on when you post I am not going to even read what you have said.

Oh I forgot, you are not welcome at my camp site Catfish!

[86atc250r]

Rico - Leo - others... Why have you let this continue?

Nuke catfish and improve the quality of the forum. There's no reason to keep him here and allow him to disrupt an otherwise good place.

He's made it painfully obvious over the last year (or longer) that his only intentions are instigate flames and draw attention to himself. Before mommy & daddy bought him his CD, he did nothing but talk smack about his Raptor (that never existed). He represents no value to the forum.

Surely you guys have more sense than the guys over at ATVConfusion...

Needless to say if he were on either of my e-mail lists or on any of the forums I run, he would have been dealt with long ago.

[trx400ex]

Originally posted by 86atc250r
Rico - Leo - others... Why have you let this continue?

Nuke catfish and improve the quality of the forum. There's no reason to keep him here and allow him to disrupt an otherwise good place.

He's made it painfully obvious over the last year (or longer) that his only intentions are instigate flames and draw attention to himself. Before mommy & daddy bought him his CD, he did nothing but talk smack about his Raptor (that never existed). He represents no value to the forum.

Surely you guys have more sense than the guys over at ATVConfusion...

Needless to say if he were on either of my e-mail lists or on any of the forums I run, he would have been dealt with long ago.

that question has been asked a few times in the past, leo?

[Guy400]

I see ATV Connection has finally done the right thing.

[kabd69667]

Well, didn't we already suspend him for a while? but then he came back and in my opinion was worse than before

[86atc250r]

I don't believe he was ever "suspended". If he was and was allowed to come back, and then was worse than before - make it permanent. No 2nd chances....

If he signs up under another ID (circumventing the systems in place to prevent him from doing so), contact his ISP and have his account terminated for "hacking".

Kudos to ATVConnection for finally taking action....

[kabd69667]

I remember 4punksdad warning him a couple times about pushing his limits after he just got back from "vacation"

[Sleeping Catfish]

i didn't release a cracked frame would make you so bitter...

[Derno24]

Wow this posting has gotten mighty long. Well I am just wondering how long we will waste time talking about Crackfish

[4punksdad]

If I banned every user that I thought was a waste of my time, I would be a busy camper.

I am keeping my eye on catfish............when he swallows the worm I will set the hook. Thats is, if the under current doesn't take him downstream to my fishing partner Leo first.

my suggestion is that all members report threads that are out of line and or misinformative to the moderators. we all check these reported threads rather quickly, and we will be more aware of potential trouble. most problematic threads are reported..........if you are not sure if you should report it or not, report it and we can decide if its valid.
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