Cannondale Carbon Lefty

What's The Best Mountain Bike or Road Bike For A Limited Budget?

I'm looking at buying either a Cannondale, Redline, or Trek mountain bike or road bike but I can't make up my mind. My budget is somewhere around 1000-1200. I like the look of the carbon bikes with suspension but they are quite expensive; I haven't ruled out buying used either. I'm leaning more towards a mtb but will probably be using it more on the road/paved bike trails. Some info on how to buy/purchase a bike or get the most for my money will be much appreciated.

So far, here's what I'm looking at:

Cannondales:

http://www.rei.com/product/796404

http://www.rei.com/product/796393

http://www.rei.com/product/798501 (kind of out of my price range but love the look and lefty feature)

redline 660:

http://www.rei.com/product/798501

If you are going to ride on pavement most of the time get a road or hybrid bike. You don't need shocks on paved surfaces so a fitness bike will also work. If you want to go fast and for long distances get a Trek 2.1 You can get a full cabon bike from Bikes Direct for about the same price.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/centuryelite_x_carbon.htm

Check these ebay listings for great Cannondale Carbon Lefty prices

Cannondale 2012 Lefty 29er 90mm XLR Carbon Regular HF12LCXLR9A R B
US $1,300.00

Cannondale OPI Lefty specific Stem 110 off my 2011 Scalpel Ultimate carbon bike
US $45.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty Speed 100 XLR Carbon
US $1,100.00

Cannondale Lefty Carbon SL Clamp Replacement Bolts NEW
US $2.99

Cannondale Lefty Speed Carbon 110 SL
US $415.00

New 2012 Cannondale Carbon Lefty XLR 100mm 29er Niner
US $1,300.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty Max 140 XLR Carbon Extra Large HF12LCXLR14 X B
US $1,300.00

Cannondale Lefty Upper Top Collar XLR Carbon KH080
US $25.00

2012 Cannondale Lefty 100mm Speed Carbon XLR Scalpel Flash Black 29 130
US $999.99

Cannondale Lefty Collar Carbon Speed Carbon Max KF207
US $40.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty 29er 100mm XLR Carbon Regular HF12LCXLR9B R B
US $1,300.00

Cannondale Lefty DLR Carbon Collar KT027
US $40.00

2012 Cannondale Lefty Speed Carbon XLR 100mm OPI Rock Shox Remote Lockout NEW
US $1,300.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty Speed 100 XLR Carbon Regular HF12LCXLR10
US $1,300.00

Cannondale Lefty Upper Collar for PBR Carbon Structure KH063
US $25.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty Speed 100 XLR Carbon Extra Large HF12LCXLR10 X B
US $1,300.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty Max 140 XLR Carbon Regular HF12LCXLR14
US $1,300.00

Cannondale Lefty Carbon RLC 110
US $650.00

Cannondale XLR carbon lefty mountain bike bicycle fork shock 26 new 100mm
US $959.00

Cannondale XLR carbon lefty mountain bike bicycle fork shock 29 new 90 mm
US $1,030.00

Cannondale 2012 Lefty 100mm XLR Carbon Fork Team Issue Green
US $1,250.00

Cannondale 29ER and Cannondale Flash Carbon Lefty HM

Recent Cannondale Carbon Lefty Products Sold

Cannondale Scalpel Carbon Lefty Speed DLR SuperSix w SRAM Red CAAD DD50 Watch, Cannondale OPI Lefty specific Stem 110 off my 2011 Scalpel Ultimate carbon bike, Cannondale 2012 Lefty Speed 100 XLR Carbon, Nice 2007 Cannondale Carbon Rush Totally Custom Lefty Fox Fork Crossmax SLR, Cannondale Lefty Carbon RLC 110, Cannondale XLR carbon lefty mountain bike bicycle fork shock 26 new 100mm, Cannondale XLR carbon lefty mountain bike bicycle fork shock 29 new 90 mm, Cannondale 2012 Lefty 100mm XLR Carbon Fork Team Issue Green, Project 321 Cannondale Bonded Carbon Lefty Adapter, Cannondale Lefty Speed Carbon 110 SL, Cannondale Flash 29er Carbon Mountain Bike Frame Set XL Lefty Hardtail Race, 2011 Cannondale Flash Carbon Mountain Bike Large Lefty XX DT Swiss Race, Cannondale 2012 Lefty 29er 90mm XLR Carbon Regular HF12LCXLR9A R B, Cannondale Lefty Carbon SL Clamp Replacement Bolts NEW, 2011 Cannondale Flash 29er Carbon Frame Medium 175 lefty compatible, Cannondale 2012 Lefty Max 140 XLR Carbon Extra Large HF12LCXLR14 X B, New 2012 Cannondale Carbon Lefty XLR 100mm 29er Niner, 2012 Cannondale Lefty 100mm Speed Carbon XLR Scalpel Flash Black 29 130, NEW 2012 CANNONDALE FLASH 29ER 1 CARBON BICYCLE SRAM XO CUSTOM LEFTY STANS ZTR, Cannondale Lefty Upper Top Collar XLR Carbon KH080,

Cannondale Headset

How tight should the headset bolt be?

My headset on my Cannondale R800 was making a clicking noise under pressure but once I loosened it the clicking went away. How tight should it be? Right now its only snug, if I go any tighter it makes the clicking again....

It should be just snug enough to avoid play in the headset. It is really more of an art than a science, and you have to get a feel for it.

You need to loosen the bolts that attach the stem, and then start to tighten the bolt on top until there is no play between the fork and the head tube. It actually does not need to be very tight at all. If it it over tightened it will damage the headset and possibly the bike frame. Once you get that bold dialed in just right, go ahead and tighten the bolts on the stem.

Make sure all the bolts on the headset and stem are well greased.

Check these Cannondale Headset prices currently available on ebay