What is the greatest of the CAAD road frames?

[GregL]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Just to (hopefully) clarify a bit: The 2003 CAAD7s were appended as Optimo. The 2004 top end frames were just called Optimo, no CAAD designation. I always thought that the 2004 frames were effectively CAAD8 even though not labeled so. I may be mistaken about that assumption. In 2005 the CAAD labeling returned with the CAAD8 R900-R5000. There were also CAAD5 and CAAD7 frames in the 2005 line. I don't have a frame designated CAAD8, but have two CAAD7s and one of the Optimo (no CAAD#) frames. I need to get them in one place, compare tube dimensions and build dates. If someone has a 2005 CAAD8 I'd be interested in comparing it to my Optimo frame.

Excellent summary! This aligns with my knowledge of Cannondale frames from those years. I too don't know if the 2004 Optimo frames were re-named CAAD7s or effectively CAAD8s. One clue comes from the CAAD8 descriptions in the 2005 catalog. The descriptions state "Thirty grams lighter than our CAAD7/Optimo frame, the new CAAD8..." and "The new CAAD8 is our lightest all-aluminum road frame, tickling the scales 30 grams less than our Giro-winning CAAD7/Optimo frame." The implication to me is that the 2004 Optimo is just a re-labeled CAAD7. I look forward to hearing the results of your frame comparison.

Greg

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

All these pages later and I am still dreaming about that blue caad7 frameset.

I have a beauty of a Saffron Metallic (copper to me) 60 cm 2005 CAAD7 R700 frameset sitting here. You are welcome to give it some road time. I can easily put a C10 build on it.

BTW, if you are feeling adventurous there is is an Indycar double header at Newton on July 17 and 18. Both are night races starting around 7:30 PM Central.

[thirdgenbird]

That’s tempting, but I should stay away from anything that might result in more bike spending this year.


I haven’t been to an event in newton in a while. I may have to keep that in mind (pending crazy 2020)

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by GregL

Excellent summary! This aligns with my knowledge of Cannondale frames from those years. I too don't know if the 2004 Optimo frames were re-named CAAD7s or effectively CAAD8s. One clue comes from the CAAD8 descriptions in the 2005 catalog. The descriptions state "Thirty grams lighter than our CAAD7/Optimo frame, the new CAAD8..." and "The new CAAD8 is our lightest all-aluminum road frame, tickling the scales 30 grams less than our Giro-winning CAAD7/Optimo frame." The implication to me is that the 2004 Optimo is just a re-labeled CAAD7. I look forward to hearing the results of your frame comparison.

Greg

I am always frustrated by these kinds of questions because my bikes are scattered across multiple locations. By the time I get to where the frame in question is I will have forgotten what the question was.

I am lucky in this case as I don't have CAAD7/CAAD8/Optimo frames in the same size. If I did I would be forced to pull the built frames down and see if there was 30G difference in frame weight.

I am happy to measure ODs of tubes if that helps in any way.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

That’s tempting, but I should stay away from anything that might result in more bike spending this year.


I haven’t been to an event in newton in a while. I may have to keep that in mind (pending crazy 2020)

There wouldn't be any spending on your part other than the traveling to pick it up.

[thirdgenbird]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

There wouldn't be any spending on your part other than the traveling to pick it up.

There would be spending if I decide I need a smaller size in blue

[chrispino]

Oh man how did I miss this thread!

I got a CAAD10 back in 2013 as one of my first road bikes. Loved that bike. Bought a Tarmac and ended up going back to the CAAD. Still have this frame hanging in my basement. Has probably 15k miles on it.





Recently picked up a Saeco CAAD (threaded BB) that I have been LOVING. Ride sooo good for a 16 year old aluminum frame.

I'm still looking for some more info on this one. I may have glossed over it somewhere in this thread. This is technically a CAAD7 right? Did the team edition ones have the BB30? Which model is this one?

[rain dogs]

Originally Posted by chrispino

I'm still looking for some more info on this one. I may have glossed over it somewhere in this thread. This is technically a CAAD7 right? Did the team edition ones have the BB30? Which model is this one?

Yes and Yes. The team bikes always used the Hollowgram crankset (BB30) or a powermeter in it's place. Beautiful bike btw.... that's one of my all time favorites.

[Joel]

Early version ‘85 vintage. Excuse the saddle. Still in use as rain bike.

[mwynne]

Originally Posted by rain dogs

Yes and Yes. The team bikes always used the Hollowgram crankset (BB30) or a powermeter in it's place. Beautiful bike btw.... that's one of my all time favorites.

I've got a Saeco team frame from 2003/2004 - definitely BB30 (and slightly different paint scheme).

[b33]

Originally Posted by chrispino

Recently picked up a Saeco CAAD (threaded BB) that I have been LOVING. Ride sooo good for a 16 year old aluminum frame.

Aweeee lawdy . . . do not ever sell that. That candy apple red is awesome.

[FastforaSlowGuy]

Originally Posted by darkmother

Cool frame with the polished finish. Let us know what fork you decide to use, and be sure to post pictures of it built up. I seem to remember that Cannondale had an unusual axle to crown spec on their forks, but it may not have been very much different from what is commonly available.

I believe you are right. I still have the fork from my CAAD9 in the garage; I should measure it. On that bike, I swapped out for a Alpha Q full carbon fork, and it rode beautifully. I think I eventually put an Enve fork on there (45mm rake), and it also worked just great. But that said, I never rode it with the boat anchor stock fork, so I can't speak to how it changed. My recollection from back then (quite a few years ago, now) is that the Alpha and Enve forks were both quite a bit longer than the stock Cannondale fork.

[nobuseri]

Any taller rider looking for a CAAD9 in good shape, here you go:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/264775738532

[texbike]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

Just to (hopefully) clarify a bit: The 2003 CAAD7s were appended as Optimo. The 2004 top end frames were just called Optimo, no CAAD designation. I always thought that the 2004 frames were effectively CAAD8 even though not labeled so. I may be mistaken about that assumption. In 2005 the CAAD labeling returned with the CAAD8 R900-R5000. There were also CAAD5 and CAAD7 frames in the 2005 line. I don't have a frame designated CAAD8, but have two CAAD7s and one of the Optimo (no CAAD#) frames. I need to get them in one place, compare tube dimensions and build dates. If someone has a 2005 CAAD8 I'd be interested in comparing it to my Optimo frame.

Originally Posted by GregL

Excellent summary! This aligns with my knowledge of Cannondale frames from those years. I too don't know if the 2004 Optimo frames were re-named CAAD7s or effectively CAAD8s. One clue comes from the CAAD8 descriptions in the 2005 catalog. The descriptions state "Thirty grams lighter than our CAAD7/Optimo frame, the new CAAD8..." and "The new CAAD8 is our lightest all-aluminum road frame, tickling the scales 30 grams less than our Giro-winning CAAD7/Optimo frame." The implication to me is that the 2004 Optimo is just a re-labeled CAAD7. I look forward to hearing the results of your frame comparison.

Greg

I recently sold a 2004 BBQ black CAAD7 that was only labeled "Optimo". My brother has a 2005 CAAD8 (also BBQ black). We compared them one day and the two primary differences that we could immediately see were the seatstays (flattened on the CAAD8, round on the CAAD7) and the downtube (which had a much more pronounced, flattened/shaped look where it joined the headtube on the CAAD7 compared to the 8). Both are/were great riding bikes.

Texbike

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by texbike

I recently sold a 2004 BBQ black CAAD7 that was only labeled "Optimo". My brother has a 2005 CAAD8 (also BBQ black). We compared them one day and the two primary differences that we could immediately see were the seatstays (flattened on the CAAD8, round on the CAAD7) and the downtube (which had a much more pronounced, flattened/shaped look where it joined the headtube on the CAAD7 compared to the 8). Both are/were great riding bikes.

Texbike

Thanks. I need to look at my Optimo, check the build year, and see if its details match.