The CAAD Build Thread...

[2ndgen]

I had an idea a litlle while ago. I think it looks nice
The one with the red tape is the original.
I`ve done it all black of course. Sadlle would be SSM Regal-e, campy 11-sp group. trek bat cages.

That is absolutely one of my favorite all time favorite CAAD's without a doubt.
Beautiful. Gorgeous. Well done. Nicely executed. BLACK tape of course!
If you can get a set of Praxis chainrings on there, OMG, that would be it!

I NEED those wheels for my CAAD. Damn.
It'd match my Edge 1.0 fork & stem perfectly.

[2ndgen]

-17 stems look so bad ass on level top tube frames

Yeah. I miss going from a -17 stem to a -6 stem, but somehow, it looks good.
If I'm not happy with the -6, I'll gladly go back to my old -17 stem.

-17 stems look so bad ass on level top tube frames

+1. The key is "on a level top tube frame". That's the look I went for on mine originally but there's a couple of things that didn't quite cut it aesthetically. 1) On larger size frames where the head tube angle is usually a little steeper than 73 degrees, the eye will still detect a downward slope on the stem. I didn't like that. Of course, fit should never be compromised for looks in my opinion, but if you can get both then why not. A good example of what I don't like is a -17 stem on a frame with a heavily sloping top tube... Fuuugly. 2) The second thing is that with today's stems (versus the quills of old), that angle at the headset cap is kinda funny looking.
If the frame is sloping, I prefer the look of a less than -17 degree stem (-6 to -10 degrees) looks good. With most Cannondales, almost any stem can be made to look badass in my opinion. I've always liked their geometries.

+1K to all of that.

[majklnajt]

Thanks.

I wonder does an all aluminum frame like caad ride....
Is it too stiff? I mean stiff that it is not comfortable?

[stella-azzurra]

I cannot detect the difference between the Fondriest Don Race full aluminum frame and full carbon fork and the Colnago C40 full carbon frame and fork with both frames delivering a great ride. They both have similar wheels, proton and nucleon, both have Thompson masterpiece seat posts, both have aluminum 3TTT Prima 199 bars, both have Flite TT saddles and Time RSX Ti pedals.

So the answer would be no in my opinion if the bikes are set up similarly. There are a lot more variables than just the frame that makes up the ride experience. There one other thing that factors into stiffness and that is rider fitness. This is key in accessing ones own opinion of what is stiff and what is not. The numbers won't mean a thing to a rider since instruments are a lot more sensitive that the rider.

[2ndgen]

Thanks.

I wonder does an all aluminum frame like caad ride....
Is it too stiff? I mean stiff that it is not comfortable?

That depends on how it's equipped and "too" still is a subjective term.

A CAAD with soft riding tires will ride softer than one with hard racing tires.
Saddle, bar tape, carbon cockpit parts VS aluminum cockpit parts also figure
into the equation. And, too stiff compared to what? Steel? Carbon? Etc...

[2ndgen]

I cannot detect the difference between the Fondriest Don Race full aluminum frame and full carbon fork and the Colnago C40 full carbon frame and fork with both frames delivering a great ride. They both have similar wheels, proton and nucleon, both have Thompson masterpiece seat posts, both have aluminum 3TTT Prima 199 bars, both have Flite TT saddles and Time RSX Ti pedals.

So the answer would be no in my opinion if the bikes are set up similarly. There are a lot more variables than just the frame that makes up the ride experience. There one other thing that factors into stiffness and that is rider fitness. This is key in accessing ones own opinion of what is stiff and what is not. The numbers won't mean a thing to a rider since instruments are a lot more sensitive that the rider.

Agreed.

[majklnajt]

Thanks! Thats what I wanted to hear! Maybe I will give it a go.... will see.


This one also looks stylish

[chipomarc]

Please, not another black bike.
Get the frame painted white and green.

[tinchy]

Needs more black

[2ndgen]

Couldn't get out today to get the pics I wanted to take, but here's this for now...

Before...





Then...





After with most recent upgrades of Edge Stem, Fizik Antares 00 saddle & KMC Black X10SL DLC Chain...

[sfcyclist1]

In regards to how the caad9 rides, I say very nice overall. I've been riding carbon frames for a while, madone, addict, Cervelo... So I'm quite familiar with the feel of carbon vs Al. I've actually never ridden anything else aluminum come to think I it. Anyhow, depending on which carbon frame your comparing it to, differences are actually minor. The Cervelo was the best balance overall of all those carbon frames I've owned and if that is the reference(Cervelo being a 10), in terms of comfort, CAAD9 would be an 8.5/9. I noticed a bigger difference switching forks or wheels.

[quattrings]

So here it is, I'm dalerious with this build!

Things that have been changed:

-Cannondale Hollowgram Si SL 172.5 53/39, with customized FSA chainrings
-Shimano ultegra 6700 deraillers with bolts tuning and painted the FD clamp
-Ti Bolts all over


IMG_0780 by Quattrings, on Flickr

IMG_0784 by Quattrings, on Flickr

IMG_0788 by Quattrings, on Flickr

IMG_0789 by Quattrings, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64567001@N ... hotostream

IMG_0782 by Quattrings, on Flickr

Just a few more things need to be done and I'll be finished.
-Black SL crank bolts as these aren't matching the rest
-Thomson masterpiece and smud carbon parts
-Smud carbon FD clamp
-7800 shifters with black levers
-Extralite ultrastar and installing the ultralight top cap, remove some steerer
-Sand down the fork, clearcoat it

[2ndgen]

Hey QR,

What do you mean by "black levers" on the Dura-Ace 7800 shifters?

[btompkins0112]

Here is my contribution.....sorry for the crappy pic, but this is her all gussied up for the morning ride!


Untitled by btompkins0112, on Flickr

[2ndgen]

Here is my contribution.....sorry for the crappy pic, but this is her all gussied up for the morning ride!

The wheels! The wheels! Grrr! I keep wanting to believe that I'm done upgrading for a good long while
and I keep seeing nice CAADs with fat wheels and I start scheming on how to get myself a set! Love it BT!