This month's Cycling Plus magazine reviews a Cannondale R800 and says "the R800 uses the CAAD 7 Optimo frameset . . . to see it on a complete bike costing £1200 makes this great value for money".

Two questions:

1. Is this the same CAAD 7 frame (under a different coat of paint) that a lot of you guys use as a base for your lightweight wonders?

2. Given other comments about Cannondale's prices in Europe is this bike really a good buy for someone (i.e. me) who wants to build a lightweight bike but must do it over time (due to lack of money)?

Thanks in advance for any help / comments.

It is exactly the same Frame, but i Think it has a heavier fork than the expensive models. Be careful: The Caad 7 seems to be not as light as many people think. (You can compare weights in the Listings)

R800 and up is caad 7 but uses different fork.