"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - CAAD8 vs. Pinarello F4:13 comparison: Impressive.

Well, there really is a reason why just about everyone on this forum (myself included) recommends a Cannondale CAAD-series frame for anyone racing on a budget... I took a short check ride on the newly built-up CAAD8 yesterday, and while it's not quite on par with the F4:13, it's tough to beat in the bang-for-the-buck department.

Cornering: The CAAD8 is extremely nimble in turns and remarkably stable, but the Pinarello wins by a nose in front end responsiveness--it's just a little more sensitive/a little quicker to respond to steering input than the CAAD8, but that's kind of a subjective thing anyway.

Rough roads: The CAAD8 definitely transmits a lot more road buzz to the rider than the F4:13, but I'll say that the CAAD8 is leaps and bounds better than my last Cannondale, a CAAD3 :eek: Amazing what generations of frame design can do. Like a lot of CF frames, though, the F4:13's ride is very smooth, so it's tough for an AL frame to compete.

Stiffness: The CAAD is way stiff, and the pedal feel is very direct--definitely gives the sense that power is going right to the road. It wasn't until I laid on a maximal sprint that I felt any flex in the down tube/BB, and while it was a LITTLE bit flexier than the Pinarello, it wasn't by much.

So overall, there are no surprises here. The CAAD8 doesn't have the same ride as an italian CF wunderbike, but it's damn close, and if you can't/don't want to spend the cash for the super bling, you'll still get a more-than-capable race rig with the CAAD8/9.

Now I just wait for my Zipps to be done, and I'll throw them on the new 'Dale. Pics to follow!

im already having to restrain myself from buying one for myself and now you post this

What's being "done" mean for your Zipps?

What's being "done" mean for your Zipps?

My first gluing job on the tubulars was less than masterful, so I took them to the shop to have them inspected and re-glued as necessary before I ride on them. The mechanic said I probably waited too long for the glue to dry before putting on the tire, and as a result there were a couple spots where the tire didn't bond to the rim very well at all. :o

My first gluing job on the tubulars was less than masterful, so I took them to the shop to have them inspected and re-glued as necessary before I ride on them. The mechanic said I probably waited too long for the glue to dry before putting on the tire, and as a result there were a couple spots where the tire didn't bond to the rim very well at all. :o

Not what you want to have on your mind during 40mph twisting descent. You should watch him do it. Glad your in the wind again.:beer:

just out of curiosity, did that hideous fork of yours die in the crash? if so, thank god.

shame about the frame though, and i'm glad you're alright.

Welcome to teh dark side:

http://home.gwu.edu/%7Ebdcheung/BF061507/baby.JPG

interesting to know.

been thinking of getting a tcr alliance as a domestic bike (so i don't have to lug my bike with me when i fly back for holidays/etc). maybe another cannondale is an option? god knows that they only had one direction to go in the comfort department.

Yup, my next frame is a going to be a CAAD8/9.

If I buy a Cannondale, though, I'd have to photoshop my avatar.

And you wonder why people lose faith in LBS's.

I went to pick up the Zipps today, and am informed by the shop manager that they aren't ready, and probably won't be for several days. I tell her that the only reason I left them at the shop was that I was assured that the wheels would be all glued up and ready to go by Saturday at the very latest because I have a race on Sunday. Thankfully the manager is also a tubular guru and is spending the afternoon gluing them up so they'll be ready by 5, and all dry/cured for race day tomorrow.

So frustrating to be promised one thing and to get the "Oh, I don't know who would have told you that" line when you expect them to actually deliver on it. I guess I need to start recording my conversations with all LBS's and take down names of each person I speak to.

Granted, this would all be a non-issue if I were just competent at gluing tubulars already, but it's still frustrating to get the runaround.

just out of curiosity, did that hideous fork of yours die in the crash? if so, thank god.

shame about the frame though, and i'm glad you're alright.

Nope, the fork is alive and well. In fact, maybe I'll just PM you a photo essay of the fork. I mean, 20-30 hi-res images should capture the essence of it pretty well.

Pete, with the deals you have been getting through that you gotta let some things slide

but yeah i hate that stuff

Pete, with the deals you have been getting through that you gotta let some things slide

but yeah i hate that stuff

It was actually a different shop--not my sponsor. I shoulda been clear on that. Because I got the wheels direct from Zipp I decided to drop the wheels at a shop that's 2 minutes from home and has really great mechanics. They've always done a great job in the past too.

ah well thats makes more sense to me.

I thought you said earlier that you DID get them from your sponsoring shop because they got close enough to the military discount. obviously i misread somewhere.

ah well thats makes more sense to me.

I thought you said earlier that you DID get them from your sponsoring shop because they got close enough to the military discount. obviously i misread somewhere.

Well, that was the plan... but then their distributor balked and they got quoted a 2-week lead time from another place. So I ended up doing the military deal after all.

i think i remember that now.

i cant wait to see them in person tomorrow.

Y'all are all welcome to have a beer at my place following the race

Nope, the fork is alive and well. In fact, maybe I'll just PM you a photo essay of the fork. I mean, 20-30 hi-res images should capture the essence of it pretty well.

:D

Stiffness: The CAAD is way stiff, and the pedal feel is very direct--definitely gives the sense that power is going right to the road. It wasn't until I laid on a maximal sprint that I felt any flex in the down tube/BB, and while it was a LITTLE bit flexier than the Pinarello, it wasn't by much.

So overall, there are no surprises here. The CAAD8 doesn't have the same ride as an italian CF wunderbike, but it's damn close, and if you can't/don't want to spend the cash for the super bling, you'll still get a more-than-capable race rig with the CAAD8/9.

Now I just wait for my Zipps to be done, and I'll throw them on the new 'Dale. Pics to follow!

For some reason I doubt this.

See the System Six results vs. F4:13 results in the following link:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25692&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=tour+frame+tests&start=0

And, note that the SystemSix and CAAD9 share the same rear triangle.

Top: Bottom bracket stiffness / Tretlagersteifigkeit / Kraftûbertragung
Upper right: Lateral stiffness / Headtube stiffness / Lenkkopfsteifigkeit / Fahrstabilität

Unless you got a bum Cannondale, that is...

For some reason I doubt this.

See the System Six results vs. F4:13 results in the following link:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25692&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=tour+frame+tests&start=0

And, note that the SystemSix and CAAD9 share the same rear triangle.

Top: Bottom bracket stiffness / Tretlagersteifigkeit / Kraftûbertragung
Upper right: Lateral stiffness / Headtube stiffness / Lenkkopfsteifigkeit / Fahrstabilität

Unless you got a bum Cannondale, that is...

I don't know--Mine's a CAAD8, which is supposedly not as stiff as the 9. But it could also be my imagination.

So here are a couple pics of the new build--only bummer is that my Powertap wiring harness got messed up too, so no electronics on board right now, but I'm really, really happy with the build. More pics once the Zipps come home from the shop. :)

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2432.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2433.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2434.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2435.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2436.jpg

what are you going to do if for some reason you have a higher power output on this rig?


this thing is going to look awesome with the zipps

what are you going to do if for some reason you have a higher power output on this rig?

Hehe... that'd be funny. And confusing. ;)

I basically got everything to within a couple mm of the fit I had on the Pinarello, so we'll see.

All ive been thinking about the last few days is trading my tarmac frame in for a caad9..

that's really a hot looking bike (despite the campagnolo). ;)

btw - i'm jealous, looks like you've got some great weather over there.

^^^ 80 degrees and sunny today. Nary a cloud in the sky. :D

^^^ 80 degrees and sunny today. Nary a cloud in the sky. :D

*******! ;)

i hope the weather takes a turn for the worse. come on 100s next week!

Nope, the fork is alive and well. In fact, maybe I'll just PM you a photo essay of the fork. I mean, 20-30 hi-res images should capture the essence of it pretty well.

you may as well just euthanize me.

you may as well just euthanize me.

ok, but can I have your stuff?

can i watch?

Dr. Pete, excellent info and thanks. The only problem is that I feel myself being sucked into the darkside...

Now, how would Zipps work on this kind of road I wonder? ;)

http://www.fincaleola.com/Nature%20shots/country_road_volcano_Costa_Rica.jpg

Those zipps will look awesome on the bike. I have a CAAD9 and absolutely love it.

Dr. Pete, excellent info and thanks. The only problem is that I feel myself being sucked into the darkside...

Now, how would Zipps work on this kind of road I wonder? ;)

http://www.fincaleola.com/Nature%20shots/country_road_volcano_Costa_Rica.jpg

Looks like a job for the 404 Cyclocross. :D ;)

http://www.zipp.com/Products/Wheels/tabid/85/CategoryID/2/List/1/Level/1/ProductID/43/Default.aspx?SortField=ISBN%2cISBN

It would scare me to death to put a good rim on and ride these roads. :eek: That one is a good road by the way.

This makes me happier and happier that I bought a CAAD8 frame. Can't wait to build it up, but I have to get to my self imposed "race weight" before I can do it.:(

Sounds like I got a great bang for the buck considering I got the frame and Slice premium+ fork for $310.;)

The Dr. summed things up rather well on the CAAD. I also test drove one and found it very well suited to a secondary (if thats even a good word) bike. Only owned a Cannondale Delta V MTB from the early 90's but have always wanted one of their road bikes.

Gives me a reason to sell my IBEX.

Oh, hell yes. That is all. :D:D:D:D:D

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2438.jpg

Pretty good. Ditch the clyde stickers, already.

Oh, hell yes. That is all. :D:D:D:D:D

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2438.jpg

all you need is Dura Ace on that bike and it's perfect! ;)

all you need is Dura Ace on that bike and it's perfect! ;)

I don't know--I think a SRAM group would secure its position as the flag-wavin' Americano racing machine. :)

I don't know--I think a SRAM group would secure its position as the flag-wavin' Americano racing machine. :)

flag waving globalization! :D

I don't know--I think a SRAM group would secure its position as the flag-wavin' Americano racing machine. :)

There you go, SRAM RED road group....would complement the decor.

There you go, SRAM RED road group....would complement the decor.

In reality, though, when the Pinarello comes back this'll most likely end up with a Centaur or Veloce group and become my bad weather/commuting/pulling my nephew in his trailer bike. :)

In reality, though, when the Pinarello comes back this'll most likely end up with a Centaur or Veloce group and become my bad weather/commuting/pulling my nephew in his trailer bike. :)

Now take everything you like about the CAAD Alu frame and add the ride/feel of the Six13's two CF tubes and you may understand why I'm so psyched about my bicycle. It flat out WORKS. The alu rear triangle feels more like stiff Ti and the front end feels like CF - but without the 'numb' feel many CF bikes seem to have.

Now take everything you like about the CAAD Alu frame and add the ride/feel of the Six13's two CF tubes and you may understand why I'm so psyched about my bicycle. It flat out WORKS. The alu rear triangle feels more like stiff Ti and the front end feels like CF - but without the 'numb' feel many CF bikes seem to have.

giants are better. :D

Oh, hell yes. That is all. :D:D:D:D:D

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p85/dr_pete177/IMGP2438.jpg
That's pretty hwat, congrats on joining the C-Darkside!:D

BTW FWIW, the CAAD8/9, Six13, and System Six all use the same rear triangle. The 8 vs 9 differences are the top and down tubes, I'm not sure how much that changes the stiffness, but if you look at the frames side by side it's easy to see.

Dr. Pete, what size is your CAAD8? It looks like a 58 from the pics, I'm just curious.

Dr. Pete, what size is your CAAD8? It looks like a 58 from the pics, I'm just curious.

Good eye. It's a 58. ;)

giants are better. :D


Giant TCR bikes are:

• Ugly (OK, so am I, it's subjective)

• Only available in a few frame sizes (I couldn't find one that fit me, I need a slightyly shorter top tube)

• CF numbskull bikes (numb road feel, I test rode the bike along with the Madone, the Scott CR-1, a Specialized Tarmac and a couple of others). None of them had the Six13 zing (more subjectivity, results may vary)

That last critique is a universal CF trait in my experience. After 15+ years riding Titanium bicycles, I liked the road feel the Six13 conveyed, largely due to the aluminum rear triangle. The most amazing thing about Cdales is how they went from the parking meter post feel of the old CAAD 3 rear triangle to this tapered seat stay affair on the newer bikes (including my Six13) that is incredibly compliant for Alu, to the point where it doesn't feel like aluminum.

This is all just one bike weenie's opinion, and it's splitting hairs. That's what we do here. But it's all relative hooey. Here's the ultimate truth: as my pal Rich from The Bike Doctor (Middletown, NY) says, 'Once you get over three grand, none of it sucks'. To be sure.

If Dr. Pete winds up with his Pinarello back and this CAAD bike as a second bike (highly recommended) he'll be a MUCH happier camper. The Pinarello can stay home when the weather sucks, it will get HALF the road miles and wear and tear, and it will be nice to switch off between bikes. If you're a hard core roadie DP, you MUST have more than one road bike, for a bunch of reasons. I love having a Ti bike and the Six13, and it's also great having a bike you don't feel bad about riding in the slop. When the parts sieze up from wearing out you replace them. The frame probably won't die before you get something to replace it out of sheer boredom. The problem for me with my Ibis Ti is that it's the best friggin road bike EVER, so I'll just ride it until it detonates.