Canondale Six13 Reliability

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Benji77

Well-Known Member
Hi,

I have a 2006 Canondale Six13 bike, which is my pride and joy. Really nice to ride and still looking amazing! The only niggle I have in my mind is the durability of the bonding between the carbon and aluminum... The top and down tubes are carbon - the rest aluminum.

As is usual with these bikes, there are few patches where the lacquer has discoloured. I have researched this and it's a common and purely cosmetic thing. I am more concerned whether the frame is structurally ok. I have not done crazy miles on it, maybe 10k miles in total. Has anyone else had any experiences with these frames (good or bad)?

https://www.theproscloset.com/products/cannondale-six13-team-56cm-bike-2006

Thanks
Ben
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
I had a much older Giant with a similar frame arrangement, never had any problems with it but there have been reported unbonding incidents on other makes of frame. All you can do is keep an eye on it. It may even be possible to rebond the tubes if you do get trouble but that's a question for a specialist.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
I'm not aware of any issues with your model per se. However, some older bikes of similar construction can be prone to failure, some being so bad that those in the know refuse to ride them. Have a rummage on Retrobikes for more details.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
If he’s actually concerned it could catastrophically fail, he should clearly stop riding and get it checked by a Cannondale dealer ASAP :rolleyes:
 
OP
OP
Benji77

Benji77

Well-Known Member
Thanks for your responses. The frame looks absolutely fine and I have no reason to think it's a problem, other than the age. I had a chat this afternoon with a frame repair company who suggested that signs of damage would first appear as damage in the lacquer. I am however thinking of getting them to give it proper examination, so that I can feel totally confident with it.

Drago - thanks for the retrobike tip. Nothing there as yet other than a few sales (where no one seemed concerned about the construction). But I will put my own post out there. Just seems a shame to replace a frame that I love and that could be good for many years to come.
 
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