"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Which Cannondale as new team bike?

I might be joining a new team for the next season and have a few options with the frameset. Here are my options.

1) Cannondale CAAD9 at a very reasonable price. This low amount would give me extra money to buy more team clothing, which I will definitely need because much of my current cycling wardrobe consists of my current team kit. The bike is all aluminum.

2) Cannondale Six13 costing $171 more. Still a great price but would cost me some team clothing or gear. The frame is mostly aluminum with carbon top and down tubes.

3) Cannoondale System6, which costs $671 more than the CAAD9 and $500 more than the Six13. Still a great price but will definitely limit the extra schwag I can buy.

The bike will mostly be used for crits, with a few road races here and there. I haven't ridden any of the bikes and won't be able to because the order is due so soon. I'm not worried about that though. Sweet and simple, this will be a race bike. I am probably leaning more toward options 1 and 2. Any suggestions or recommendations from those with experience with these bikes?

Cheers

I suppose the Lew Racing wheels are out of the question. How about Zipp 404s?

I suppose the Lew Racing wheels are out of the question. How about Zipp 404s?

Already ride Reynolds DT46. No need for any more carbon wheels right now. However, a nice set of 404's for my cross bike would be nice :)

The Six13 is no better than the CAAD9, and has a taller headtube for pansies. The SystemSick would be raw like fresh beef, and you can buy clothes........... eventually.

The Six13 is no better than the CAAD9, and has a taller headtube for pansies. The SystemSick would be raw like fresh beef, and you can buy clothes........... eventually.

+1. The Six13 has a taller headtube, so they're not really the same. I almost bought a System6. It felt tight and fast. Vertically compliant and laterally stiff. :p

SystemSix would rock, but IMO there's nothing wrong with a CAAD9 frame. It particularly makes a great crit bike.

I'd say go with the CAAD9. You're not going to get $671 worth of race results out of a SystemSix over a CAAD9. Probably not even $1 worth.

If you're strapped for cash, why are you buying a new bike?

I'd say go with the CAAD9. You're not going to get $671 worth or race results out of a SystemSix over a CAAD9. Probably not even $1 worth.


CAAD9. Set aside the $671 and use it for other race/training expenses that will come up.

Well, I think you've got your answer :)

The Six13 is no better than the CAAD9, and has a taller headtube for pansies. The SystemSick would be raw like fresh beef, and you can buy clothes........... eventually.


While I haven't looked at the 08 specs.. The 2006 six13 has virtually the same head tube length as the 07 system six/CAAD9.. I have both an 06 six13 and 07 system six. The geometries are very identical. The six13 has shorter chain stays.

It's my opinion that you can't go wrong with any of these bikes.

--jim

SystemSix would rock, but IMO there's nothing wrong with a CAAD9 frame. It particularly makes a great crit bike.

Very true.. I'm looking to add a CAAD9 to my stable when the right deal comes around...

Good luck!

While I haven't looked at the 08 specs.. The 2006 six13 has virtually the same head tube length as the 07 system six/CAAD9.. I have both an 06 six13 and 07 system six. The geometries are very identical. The six13 has shorter chain stays.

It's my opinion that you can't go wrong with any of these bikes.

--jim


all be darn. the head tube is REALLY long on the 08 six13. wonder why they did that.......... hm.

We just got the email on team C-dales for 2008. After almost decades of resistance i'll finally be assimulated and buy a CAAD9. I couldnt do better on the price even on Ebay.

I'm surprised how easy these are to make. The GIMP is pretty sweet.

The order is: CAAD9, Six13, SystemSix, and the Six13 is blue.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9785/cannondalesma3.gif
(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9785/cannondalesma3.gif)

The Six13 is no better than the CAAD9, and has a taller headtube for pansies. The SystemSick would be raw like fresh beef, and you can buy clothes........... eventually.

Six13 is MUCH more comfortable than the CAAD9 from all reports. Love mine. Best racing bike I've had by far.

I got a caad 7 from ebay and i love it, particularly as a crit bike. it's stiff, responsive and fits me well. it inspires confidence. The fact that its all aluminum and also cheap is nice so that crashing is not the end of the world. small dings aquired dont worry me like small fractures in a carbon frame would. It weighs only 200 or so grams less than the CF trek I own and it is way stiffer (but a bit less comfy, though). If it matters I raced at a solid 210 lbs last season and love how sturdy it feels while sprinting.

I consistently try and remind myself that the bike doesnt make the rider, and it's quite easy to do so with the c-dale under me.

$671 worth of massages? a powertap??

I've got both a Six13 and a Caad8. The Caad8 is a much better bike - especially for racing. The handling and turn in are quicker and the frame is torsionally stiffer. It doesn't beat me up on long rides either. My Saturday training rides are 5 hours long and I've done centuries on it as well without feeling beat up. I would recommend that you go to a bike shop and ride all three of them though because the new Six13's are supposed to be much improved over my '05. I've never ridden the System 6 either but I've heard great things about them.

-s

I'd say go with the CAAD9. You're not going to get $671 worth of race results out of a SystemSix over a CAAD9. Probably not even $1 worth.

If you're strapped for cash, why are you buying a new bike?

Actually not strapped for cash, I just want the best bang for the buck. As for needing a new frame, it looks like I might be riding for a new team next season, and I currently ride a team painted frameset for my soon to be former team. It would look kind of funny riding it wearing a kit from another team.

9.

Caad 9 and a powermeter

I haven't been on any of the three bikes, but a few of my team mates love their CAAD9s.