deco101

Okay so few months ago I bought a Motobecane from bikesdirect. A month later I found CAAD8 frame and fork for $275 and I figured I would upgrade. So here's the result, it's not completely done yet as I'm still waiting for my front Derailleur to get here.
So far here's what this thing is made of:
Shimano Ultegra Triple all around
Cane Creek Brakes (kinda blow)
American Classic Victory wheels with Kendra tires
Ritchey Pro Handlebars, Stem and seat post
Look Keo pedals
still looking to invest in a decent saddle...

So far the financial damage I've done: Around $900 bucks (after I swaped some parts and sold off old ones)

Here's a few quick questions I had.
The headset is missing a top cap, the problem is that even if i had a top cap there's nothing to screw it into. Am I missing something here?

Also my frame is missing the CAAD8 logo on the top tube, however it does have it on the seat tube. Did I by any chances get a knock off or is this normal? the frame feels and looks perfectly normal

thats all,

deco101

by the way, first image is my bike the second one I found online

ninjanoir78

I dont know, but I never seen this frame...without a caad8 on the top tube

deco101

yea and it doesn't seem like it was scratched off or anything like that. It's nice and slick

crydee

Can you feel the difference between the bike frames?

deco101

nope they feel the same. I picked this frame up and the sellers house so I doubt he tried to pull a quick one on me. The frame is size 63cm and the guy was about 6'5'' so I don't think it was stolen or anything. He didn't look like the type who would screw someone. Anyway, are fake frames a frequent thing or what?

KevinF

Regarding the top cap and needing something to screw it into. You need to hammer a star nut into the steerer tube (assuming the steerer tube isn't carbon fiber). Your LBS can probably sell you a star nut and save you the trouble of hammering it in straight for you as well.

At any rate, the top cap has a hole in the middle of it, and you screw a bolt through that hole into the star nut. That bolt provides the proper tension for the bearings in the headset by slightly compressing the entire stem / spacers assembly.

jaxgtr

I don't think I have ever seen a CAAD8 with the logo on the seat tube. Should have a serial number on the BB, check it and see if it is in the system

deco101

okay i got the serial but where would I check that

jaxgtr

Might need to check with a Cannondale dealer or call Cannondale direct. Not sure if there is something online, but google is your friend.

jaxgtr

"Cannondale

Serial number code: first two digits are the size, next 6 are date of manufacture, remainder are unit number. For instance: SN#54021787121 indicates a 54 cm frame, built on February 17, 1987, #121."

(link: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/vrbn-a-f.html#cannondale)

If you serial follows this, send an email to Cannondale and see if it matches what you have.

jaxgtr

Here is another source for the Vendor codes, a VIN number for your bike.

https://www.kridleytech.com/bikevin.htm

deco101

I'm adding the bottom bracket shot. Does this serial number resemble the real one? if anyone knows

Geoff326

I don't think it should say caad8 on your top tube, but instead something like R700, R900, R1000, etc. like this



I've never seen a frame like yours without some kind of model numbering tho

jaxgtr

Your going to need to pop the black cable slide, holder, what ever it's called off. The serial number is under that.

jaxgtr

What ever it is, it's a 63cm frame size

halfspeed

Cannondale has a carbon fiber steerer and uses their own star nut system. If there is no star nut in the steerer, you need to see a Cannondale dealer and get the right parts.

dark13star

+1

And don't tighten that stem on the tube until it is in place, or you could crack it. I believe it is rated for 5-6 Nm with the nut in place.

BarracksSi

Hmm... Okay, so it could have been a bare frame to start with, then. The Rxxx model numbers are just that -- model numbers -- and designate what parts are screwed onto the frame.

Everything else looks like what a CAAD8 should look like, including the welds, shape of the seatstays, etc.

Cannondale does have a registration section on their site where you enter the serial number.

https://www.cannondale.com/cgi-bin/userreg

(if the link doesn't work, you'll find it on the right side under Quick Links)

jaxgtr

linky no work

BarracksSi

reading > you

Maybe I should clarify that the link is labeled "Register a Bike".

BarracksSi

Come to think of it, I should also add that you won't be able to register an invalid serial number. I made a typo when I first tried, and it refused to process.

jaxgtr

I guess I should have read the whole post

bsyptak

Don't ride the bike until you get the steerer plug and top cap installed. That would be bad.

deco101

so actually i found a few pics with no caad8 logo on them so I think everythin is fine. heres an example