Should I buy an Older Cannondale Rize? An acquaintance is selling a Cannondale Rize Lefty bike for under $900. I’m considering buying it for my hubby. Both of us are clueless about bicycles.  This bike is from 2009 or 2010. Our son thinks that the bike looks cringey and extremely outdated. I know my husband would love it just because it is red, lol. He is in his 50’s. He’s in good shape but probably wouldn’t be doing hard riding, just around town and some mountain trails.
Because our budget is very tight, my husband told me that he wants to spend no more than $100 for a used bike. Our kids are willing to pitch in money to get something better as a gift.
The reviews on the Rize Lefty are amazing. Would it be difficult or expensive to maintain? I think my husband would probably prefer a more upright set of handlebars but I’m guessing those would be easy to switch out. The bike has only been ridden a few times and is the right size for him. He is 6’ and frame is large.
The bike has a lot of upgrades and apparently cost $5000 new. It has Shimano XTR components including hydraulic brakes and and upgraded seat. The stock tires were Maxxis so it looks like those are an upgrade as well? I have more detailed photos of the components. The bike looks new to me.
This bike is a really nice piece of kit.
I'm not sure it's the right bike though, even though the price is good (these are well regarded and sought after).
It is not the right bike for $100 bicycle man.
It's a high spec, aggressive all-mountain bike from Cannondale's final manufacturing years in the US (subsequent years were made in Taiwan). The Lefty fork is awesome and has many unique features that make it so, not just the single sidedness of it. People say the &quot;Geometry is outdated&quot; but this is more of a fashion thing -- there are limits within which the dimensions of a bicycle work and give the desired handling and the newer trend is for slacker head angles.
I see the bike has all top-level XTR components. As parts wear and need replacement, you will find that the costs are in line with a top level bike. Suspension should be serviced with use and this could be $100/year depending who does it.
It's a beautiful bike but you may not be putting it to the right purpose by buying it for your husband who may be better off with a lower spec bike that is a little bit more general purpose, unless his intention is to ride the trails hard every weekend. It's not an ideal bike for riding around town.
But that's only my opinion. There are other red bikes out there.