What is the greatest of the CAAD road frames?

[FastforaSlowGuy]

I pined for one as a kid racer in the early 90s, and for a brief spell in the early 2010s I owned a CAAD9. It was a glorious bike, and I'm sad I let it go. For it's enthusiasm for acceleration, responsiveness, and telepathic steering (caveat: I changed out its fork), it stands on par with my C50 EP. In fact, I'd say it was the easiest bike to toss into a fast corner with confidence. I'm not riding enough these days to add another machine to my garage, but a guy can dream. My dreams are based on my N=1 sample size, however. For those who've ridden other CAADs, what has been your favorite model? I hear the CAAD10 was a big step up, but the current model (13) seems a pretty significant departure from all the simplicity and rawness of the CAAD line.

[rain dogs]

9.

If not the 8 Optimo (the original pro level 8)

The 10 marks the start of the soulless (pretty good bike though). Haven't tried a 13 but f/ugly.

I've owned a 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 Optimo, CAAD 8x, 10.... used both a 9 and 12.

For the first time ever... there is no longer a single CAAD in the house.

Forget what the haters say.... BB30 with Hollowgram cranks, or don't bother.

[texbike]

I would say CAAD7 plus as long as it still has an English-threaded BB. Each generation seemed to get just a bit better. I recently sold a CAAD7 that was anodized BBQ black. LOVED that bike, but needed the space for another build.

Texbike

[mwynne]

I do kind of regret not buying a CAAD 10 when I worked at a Cannondale dealer. I also feel a little bit guilty that this frame is just hanging out in my office...
Attachment 1698000532

[mtechnica]

I think the 10 was the best looking and I miss mine, but I’ve heard the 12 and 13 are really good.

[bikser]

I've only really had one a CAAD7 circa 2004? Had a fantastic time riding it in the Pyrenees, 100K down the mountains fearlessly. At the time you could get a 53cm frameset special order. Wish they still offered that size as I am inbetween their 51 - 54cm bikes.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by rain dogs

9.

If not the 8 Optimo 2 (the original pro level 8)

The 10 marks the start of the soulless (pretty good bike though). Haven't tried a 13 but f/ugly.

I've owned a 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 Optimo 2, CAAD 8x, 10.... used both a 9 and 12.

For the first time ever... there is no longer a single CAAD in the house.

Forget what the haters say.... BB30 with Hollowgram cranks, or don't bother.

I've got an 8 optimo 2 hanging in my garage - bbq black with raw panels. I've thought about letting it go, but it has a dent in the DS chainstay that I'm comfortable riding, but would feel weird about selling. I'd find an appropriate group and rebuild, but I almost never ride the kind of fast intense road and group riding that the frame deserves.

[azrider]

Caad 10 is the best IMHO........then again i'm partial

[4151zero]

+1 on the CAAD10, also partial

[mtechnica]

Ugh I want a caad10 again. The red and white one. 56cm.

[XXtwindad]

Agreed with others. CAAD 10 black got me back into cycling.

[Pegoready]

Depends on what you're into, but I always loved the USA made, English BB, hourglass seat stay, Time-made fork equipped models with the oversize Nascar decal treatment. That's the CAAD7 Optimo right? Bonus- they used the Campy standard internal headsets which means you have that little extra bit of Campy bling on a full build, or a reminder that Campy exists on a Shimano/SRAM build.



Everything beyond that probably performs better but lost some soul, if an aluminum beer can could have soul.

[DfCas]

Does anyonr know if the tire clearance got better with the later models? I'd like to have one that will fit an honest 28.

[Ralph]

I sure like my 10. I think how it rides mostly depends on what wheels and tires you use.

[rain dogs]

The 10 is too heavy (relatively speaking) and the fork is bunk. Might as well get a 12 if you like the 10. The 12 is literally a better 10.

The 10 frameset is 132 grams heavier than the 8 Optimo I had (same size 56... just looked it up), doesn't have the classic lines, doesn't ride the same.

Any CAAD should be about three things: Unrelenting speed, raw, raw, raw pursuit of performance, and the Cannondale vision (demanding BB30). All of which have been stripped away since the 9.

Anything else is like saying "I want a Jag but without the risk the electronics will burst into flames, or something like that." I think.... I care/know nutin about cars. But you get the jist.

CAAD is CAAD. The rest is "kinda CAAD" ... sportscar without the clutch.

Most beautiful (if thats all that matters is the 7.) A ruby red Saeco team with BB30 and the rarer full carbon SI fork is ridiculous - that fork is lighter and stiffer than the 10 fork and it's like 7 years older? or 8?