Road Cycling - CAAD Question

I don't know a whole lot about Cannondale frames.
I am looking at one at my LBS. It is a CAAD5 with the USA Flag paint job. It doesn't have any other designators like R400 or whatever other models. They tell me it is a brand new bike built for the shop owner who decided he didn't particularly like it as much as he thought he would. (interesting note, they don't actually seem to be a C"dale dealer) It's been ridden twice. Once by the owner of the shop, and once by me.

I rented an R400 CAAD4 bike in Las Vegas and I thought it gave a harsh ride. I didn't like it.
I test rode THIS bike and it felt nothing like the one in Vegas. It felt light and fast.

It is nicely equipped, with a full Dura-Ace 9-sp group, and Mavic Helium Wheelset.
Anyone have any ideas what a good price for this bike is?
remember, it's been ridden only on 2 short test rides.

Also any comments on when this frame was mfg'd. I've seen CAAD7 frames out there. Is the CAADx designation a progressive thing, or do they make several frames at the same time?

Maybe $1300? The frame is worth maybe about $500. You have to see what a comparable new CAAD 5 bike would cost if similarly equipped.
CAAD 5- 6000-grade Al, wishbone seatstays (pedigree racing on Cipo's Saeco team)
CAAD 6- same as 5 except with the oversize bottom bracket for Si crankset/bb
CAAD7- 7000 grade Al, new design and new geometry (developed with feedback from Saeco and Gilberto Simoni)

This may be it: (but it has 105)

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/02/cusa/model-2RR7USA.html

cannondale makes several different CAAD frames every year. meaning for a given year there can be a CAAD 5, CAAD 7, etc. Although I am not sure a CAAD 5 from this year is the same as a CAAD 5 from previous years.

Each of the CAAD series frames are the same from year to year, IIRC. And each step up in the series is designated by an increased number. In other words, the CAAD7 frames are their current flagships.

I've read nothing but goood about the CAAD5 frameset since it came out. A lot of folks are going with it over the more expensive CAAD6 or 7 frames, since it offers a smoother ride than the lower frames on the spectrum but isn't at a premium for having some of the features of the two upgraded models. You're looking at a good bike, but the whole built for the dealer who isn't a 'Dale dealer sounds, um, interesting to me. You might ask if they're actually a dealer, in case you would ever need a warranty claim. Not that you can't make those claims yourself, but I like having a dealer in my corner should somthing like that be necessary.

CAAD4 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing
CAAD5 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing with a specialy designed rear triangle to be vertiacally compliant but laterally stiff - Brilliant frame

CAAD6 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing, essentially the same as the CAAD5 but with futher weight reduction via machining and double butting in the top tube and seat tube. The Downtube in all CAAD bikes is signle butted.

CAAD7 is a Scandium enhanced, heat treatable 6000series aluminium alloy , also by Alcoa called Optimo.
This is the best Cannondale frmae to date. It's a brilliant ride, not as soft as Titanium but at lot softer than a CAAD4!

The CAAD5 is still in production as is the CAAD4, CAAD6 was an interim bike and was dropped after the Optimo tubeset was introduced.
CAAD5 i believe is available under Cannondale's custom prgramme as well on the R800. Not sure about R400 but you can check at

<http://www.cannondale.com>

Buy it if it;'s a good price. These are really brilliant bikes. Way better than any Italian aluminium bike.

I need to try a CAAD7. I have an R1000 CAAD4 and I freakin love it. It is the first and only CDALE that I have ridden. I love it ,it is fast and light. Now if I can only find a saddle to love I would be all set.

Try a SelleItalia Pro Link. They're awesome and a good price.

Love my R800! Great ride, good on hills.

I have a CAAD7 R1000, the caad7 is supposed to make a big difference, the tubing is certainly really thin in places, yet the bike is stiff and climbs well. I have had no problems with ride quality even compared to steel bikes.

I would suspect maybe the reason the CAAD4 R400 you tried felt harsh was because it might not have had a carbon fork?? I also didn't have the wishbone seatstays either.

It sounds like you'll get a good deal, afterall its full dura ace on it. For the latest C'dale with Dura Ace you'd need to be paying >$2500. What wheels do you get with it? I've seen the frame you mean in my LBS I think, it wasn't fitted with as nice components though, more to the R600/R800 level i.e. mainly 105 stuff

CAAD 5 full dura ace probably sold new for $2,500.00-$3,000.00.

What does the lbs want for it?

Two weeks ago I ordered a CAAD7 frameset from my local bike shop. I'm going to be putting 10 speed Record on it. As no bike shops in this area have a 48cm CAAD7 bike available for me to test ride I'm ordering this blind.

From what I've seen in this thread I'm breathing a bit easier about my purchase. I am very excited about it and can't wait for it to arrive. They estimated 4 to 6 weeks for the frame to arrive. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll arrive in another 2 weeks.

The bike shop wants to sell me Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels. They quoted me about $850 for the pair. Woah. I'm not racing and I'm having a hard time convincing myself to spend that kind of money on wheels.

Originally posted by RickO
From what I've seen in this thread I'm breathing a bit easier about my purchase

The only people I've ever heard complain about Cannondale road bike are:
1. Italian steel riding purests who have the money to back up their claim,
2. aluminum haters,
3. American made haters.

If i was a betting man, I'd say you are going to be extremely happy with the frame. Then again, this is comming from a lowly CADD 4 rider ;) .

Against much advise I puchased a 03 R600 with a CAAD 5 frame. It was a great decision. I would like to slowley upgrade to Ultegra (currently has 105 rear and Tiagra Front), but the frame itself is fantastic. It does not twist which is a huge problem I had with Italian steel as I am tall and heavy (6foot 185) for a cyclist. It is very stable at speeds over 40 MPH and climbs great. Its also got a nice smooth ride and is relatively lite for a $1000 bike. The bottom line is it feels like it was made for me, you have to get out there ride it to see if it will work for you good luck

D'oh...

They wanted 1800 for it, but one of the mechs told me they'd probably take 1500. They sold it late last week. To a guy that only wanted it for the DA components. He's gonna strip it and sell the frame.

Oh well, ya snooze, ya loose!

Congrats on the frame order. I ordered a CAAD7 frameset just before they filed bankruptcy and ended up cancelling the order. I think I'll wait until next year, get the car paid off between now and then. I'll still look at them when I look to buy in the next few months, but I'm starting to lean towards a high end steel/Record bike, if finances allow. If not for the fact that I want a new hot rod and a friend of mine started talking about building up a rally car next year, I'd be more optimistic.

They did'nt file for bankrupsy, the y filed for bankrupsy protection. Theres a difference. and they're now owned by Pegasus Holdings. Let the cannondales roll..

How bad would a CAAD3 frame be and when did they stop making them?

CAAD4 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing
CAAD5 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing with a specialy designed rear triangle to be vertiacally compliant but laterally stiff - Brilliant frame

CAAD6 is Alcoa 6061-T6 tubing, essentially the same as the CAAD5 but with futher weight reduction via machining and double butting in the top tube and seat tube. The Downtube in all CAAD bikes is signle butted.

CAAD7 is a Scandium enhanced, heat treatable 6000series aluminium alloy , also by Alcoa called Optimo.
This is the best Cannondale frmae to date. It's a brilliant ride, not as soft as Titanium but at lot softer than a CAAD4!

The CAAD5 is still in production as is the CAAD4, CAAD6 was an interim bike and was dropped after the Optimo tubeset was introduced.
CAAD5 i believe is available under Cannondale's custom prgramme as well on the R800. Not sure about R400 but you can check at

<http://www.cannondale.com>

Buy it if it;'s a good price. These are really brilliant bikes. Way better than any Italian aluminium bike.


CAAD4 had the curved seatstays. CAAD5 added an integrated headset. The difference in ride that the original poster observed was more likely due to tire selection/pressure, a different saddle, or psychological factors...

CAAD4 had the curved seatstays. CAAD5 added an integrated headset. The difference in ride that the original poster observed was more likely due to tire selection/pressure, a different saddle, or psychological factors...

Maybe I sould have started a new thread. I revived this old thread because it was so close to the subject I was interested about, but just never got around to talking about the CAAD3. The tread was about 3 years old so I don't know if any of the original posters are still around.

Do you know anything about the CAAD3? Anything? I am like a dry sponge waiting for water......

I didn't notice the date on the original thread.

I had a CAAD3 mountain bike.

I think CAAD3 was the first road frame generation after the 2.8 Aluminum frame. I don't know much about the CAAD3 road frame, except I know it doesn't have the curved seatstays. Some of the recent cyclocross bikes have been CAAD3 - they have a similar rear triangle to my mountain bike - straight wishbone seatstays with threaded holes to accept rack mounting.

The CAAD3 has the big drainpipe-sized downtube.

I don't buy into a lot of the "sweet riding frame" lore, so I'd expect the CAAD3 to ride as well as any other frame. But opinions differ, and if you believe vertical frame compliance is noticeable, the CAAD3 will "beat you up".

I've got a CAAD3. '98 R4000 that I converted to fixed gear. Maybe my butt's spoiled by being on steel, but that CAAD3 frame's not nearly as comfortable as it was in '98. It was smooth when compared to Kleins and such of the day. Their newer frames ride more smoothly. The stiffness is great in the BB, but you can get a frame with a stiff BB and smoother ride.

I ride a CAAD 3 bike and I love it. I upgraded from an old Cannondale 3.0 race frame with an Easton EC30 carbon fork. I don't buy all the **** about it beating you up. I stopped by the lbs that makes Davidson bikes last week to pick up a new seatpost collar and the mechanic there just kept going on and on about how I must love to be punished. I'd have to disagree, it may not be as smooth as an old steel bike but it rides smooth enough to be comfortable for a 50 mile ride. What it lacks in comfort it makes up for in performance, this bike flies! It is so easy to accellerate and climbing is a whole new experience. I suppose it depends on what your used to, but the CAAD3 frames are fantastic. According to Cannondale they have the exact same geometry as the CAAD 5, but without curved seatstays and they used 1" threaded forks.

Depending on your budget and what you're looking for in a bike you might be pretty pleased with a CAAD3 frame.