Uncut original fork steerer tube height:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...urday012-2.jpg

Before:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...D9/Stem001.jpg

After:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed004.jpg

Before:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...104_1345-6.jpg

After:
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed011.jpg
_____________________________________________________________

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed006.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed004.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed005.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed007.jpg

Update:
The stickers are in.
Pretty damn wicked.
:D

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...tickers006.jpg

Here is a preliminary cut out sample (bad pic taken with cell phone).

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9_052257-1.jpg

You have to imagine it against a BBQ background. I'm either going to either put out a similar cut-out like this
(but a much better cut of course), or I'm going to put the entire sticker. I had planned to put it just under the
top tube on the seat tube and I was going to paint the manufacturer warning label at the base of the seat tube,
but I decided to kill two birds with one stone.

Also on their way...
Continental Grand Prix Supersonic Tire/Tube Set
Edge Composites 120mm Carbon Stem
KMC X10SL DLC Black Chain
Fi'zi:k Antares 00 Saddle

Just some notes...
When you order something, make sure that you are getting what you are expecting.
I ordered a set of Supersonic tires that came in at 177g instead of the 138-150g promised.
I understand a 5-10% difference, but a full 50g+? I had to return those tires and the
LBS who handled the transaction was very understanding and welcomed the exchange.
I ended up buying something else from them for them doing the right thing.
In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan; "Trust, but verify".

Continental addressed some of the wear & puncture resistance issues with the 2012's that's
why I had to have the 2012 versions. I'm expecting them to be no more than 160g max.
If they come in at 150, I'll be happy. Anything below that, well that'll be just dandy.

http://www.conti-online.com/generato...y=original.jpg

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...50/corts-2.jpg

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...0065/BKMIC.jpg

http://www.probikesupply.com/product...60938_zoom.jpg

http://smartbikeparts.com/images/lib...rge/SM0033.jpg

The minute you get rid of those bulky 7800 shifters, your CAAD will go from looking just a'ite to awesome. I am sure this is not the first time you have heard this. I would like to believe in form > function, but dear god, those 7800 hoods are shaped like turd. All your upcoming changes are stellar. Do that bike right.

Actually, this is the first time I've ever heard of anyone feeling that way about 7800 shifters.
I have big hands. They feel great. They are actually smaller than the Sora shifters the CAAD came with.
I have something in the works for the Shifters as a matter of fact. But that's a top secret.
http://bermudaisanotherworld.org/for...hh_smiley2.png

Thanks. :thumb:

Ahhh...almost made a mistake!

I was going to order another custom sticker to replace the Cannondale Logo Head Badge.
It was going to be a Riddler Question Mark that I really like, but didn't like the idea of
replacing something as substantial as a head badge with something as flimsy as a sticker.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...ton_mark-1.jpg

Then I remember wanting to get a Patron Saint Medal of The Madonna del Ghisallo.
I came across the perfect solution...a Madonna Head Badge. Ordered it.
It's going to replace my Cannondale head badge.
I will more likely than not paint it Cannondale BBQ Black
to disappear into the frame's head tube. Or, maybe I won't.

http://cyclingproject365.files.wordp...alices_250.jpg http://cyclingproject365.files.wordp...rricks_250.jpg
(Thanks to this blog for posting this: CyclingProject365)

More goodies just in! :D

With shorter stack headset, stem & carbon top cap, she went from 7470g to 7390g = 80g loss
(16.44lbs ---> 16.31lbs). I'm expecting to lose 44g (confirmed on the scale) with the tubes and
about 130g with the tires early next week for a another 174g drop along with a very reliable 65g
drop with the saddle and 41g with the chain. So, once all is said and done, I should be at about
7110g 15.69-15.82lbs (because the tires are not a confirmed number...hopefully, they'll be 150g,
but they may come in at 160g).

With that, I'm starting to hate my bike. Last week, after I had the fork cut and the lower stack
height headset upper section installed, I still got 7460g on the scale. I was pissed & disappointed.
But, lesson kids...don't use the lanyard loop to weigh your bike. Clamp it into the stand. I know for a
fact that I didn't get an 80g drop with just the stem (the Bonty stem weighed in at 166g after I took it off).
The 7390g weight has to be a corrected weight with the more stable fastening of the scale and more in line
with what I was expecting (actually, a lot better than what I expected) so I'm going to attribute about 40g of
the recent loss to the cut fork, headset upper and carbon top cap.


http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...tem002-1-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/.../Stem006-1.jpg



The Edge came with silver bolts. I chose to use the black bolts from the Bonty.
IMO, a much nicer stealth look. Also, I had to go with a 120mm/6 degree stem.
I couldn't for the life of me locate a 110mm pinline logo Edge stem.
Won't post full pics until the entire bike is done (maybe 2 more weeks),
but here are some teaser shots...

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/.../Stem004-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/.../Stem003-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/.../Stem007-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...tem001-1-1.jpg

The hoods are ugly.

With that black chain you will never know if it's dirty or not (until you brush up against it). I got the gold one and thought it looked pretty good on black.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t...0/IMG_0305.JPG

ps I don't have the spd pedals anymore, went to black unbranded ultegra spd-sl.

:lol:

I was just thinking about that yesterday, but that's a non-issue with me.
I clean my drivetrain a lot. I check it after every ride actually.





And now, some superficial details.
Really bad pics, but I'll have better pics when she's done.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...D9/001-2-1.jpghttp://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...icker008-1.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...D9/005-3-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...icker003-1.jpghttp://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...kers2007-1.jpg

Thought the Edge stem would be lighter.

What's the source for the stickers? If you posted the info earlier.............my apologies.

130g for a 120mm.
I think the 110mm is 120g.
By using the black Bonty bolts,
I made the edge about 12g heavier.

But, I'll fix that when I tune it with black ti/al bolts and make it even lighter that original.

[BTW, the Bonty was 163g for anyone who's interested. It's so beautifully made and the quality is there.
I was going to sell it, but nah. I'm going to keep it. Don't be surprised if it finds it's way back on the CAAD
if the Edge isn't as stiff as the Bonty which was Viagra-grade stiff, but comfortable at the same time.]

I'm sick that it's a 6 degree rise. Flipped, it's still not level.
It's kicking my arse in that I miss how it looked with the 17 degree (level) Bonty.
BUT, it's not as bad as it looks in the pics and it feels super comfy.
I thought I'd be stretched out noticeably more with 120mm, but the rise offsets that.
I can't wait to hit the road with it.



80g the easy way...

7390g before removal of tape, gel & aluminum plugs
7310g after removal of tape, gel & installation of carbon plugs
80g gone tonight (and for free!)

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...rWrap006-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...BarWrap011.jpg

Never posted the info., but here you go...

www.Zazzle.com

I had to pay $10./shipped for a set of 6 just to get the 1 I needed, but it was well worth it.
You can customize the image and add your own lettering as I did. I think it's a small price
to pay to make that warning label disappear on the seattube. Well worth it IMO.

In the picture, the borders show up a lot as they reflect the light of the flash,
but in person it disappears into the matte finish of the tube.

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...sticker001.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...ssaddle008.jpg

that sticker placement = awesome idea.

Thanks. :D


More goodies that found their way home today...

Madonna Di Ghisallo Medallian (Patron Saint of Cyclists)
It's not as huge as it seems (a relief). The diameter of the head is about 1 1/2".
I thought about painting it gloss black to not be so visible, but now I'm not so sure.
I think I'm going to clearcoat it and mount it as is. It's a beautiful piece of work.
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...dallian008.jpg


KMC X10SL DLC Chain
Black IS Beautiful! You can't see it in the pictures, but this chain is gorgeous!
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Chain008-1.jpg

Install of Medallian:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...llian009-1.jpghttp://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...llian011-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...llian018-1.jpghttp://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...llian019-1.jpg

I have a tiny (about the size of my pinkie nail) Madonna del Ghisallo medallion hanging from the under side of my saddle.
Not the same medal, but the same saint. :thumb:
http://ww2.holyfamilyonline.com/item...ium-107705.jpg
How did you attach the yours to the head tube?

Do you race? Or are you just planning on some sweet MUP rides?

Nice. :thumb:
I used an epoxy that I applied with a dollop to make up for the irregular surfaces.
I treated the metal first with a clear waterproofer and cleaned the headtube with rubbing alcohol.

I don't race. If I did, I'd build up a 105 equipped CAAD9/10
with a rock bottom budget and I'd be happy with it at 17lbs.

It's for high speed path riding and some epic rides.
It's not an ultralight racer and not a all day comfort bike either.
It's somewhere in-between. Not to stodgy, not to punishing.

My next bike will be a nice plastic fantastic modern rig with all the right acronyms in features.
This was a personal project that once started took on a life of it's own.
It's tight. It handles great. I feel comfortable on it. It's just right.
I could've gone ridiculously lighter with it easy, but again, I wanted it to be strong.
And, I wanted something that I didn't have to freak out over if I crashed it.

Believe it or not, my wheelset set the direction for me.
Not the lightest, but certainly not heavy either.
Reliable, able to take a beating, reasonably priced.

Head badge is sweet. Nice job.

Thanks! :thumb:

Latest Stem Pics:

http://images.cheezburger.com/comple...bc5dd779ce.jpg

Original height w/ spacers:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...urday012-2.jpg

1st cut:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...D9/Stem001.jpg

2nd cut w/Bonty stem:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...Slammed006.jpg

Final set-up:

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...ssaddle003.jpg

Update:
7200g/15.87lbs
(w/pedals of course)

Wow. I made it. I'm done. For now. For a while. But, I made it.
I was blindly right to believe that the saddle would tie the bike together.
Like I said before, once I did one thing to this bike, something else would
jump out at me. It became a never-ending cycle (no pun intended).

Maybe that's why The Riddler's Question Mark kept calling out to me as a theme.
I didn't know why I couldn't be happy with the bike, why I had to keep doing
something to it or why I felt it needed more. Now that I see it in person as
I'd see it in my head, I understand. I didn't know what exactly it was that I
was looking for or trying to achieve with this build. It was literally an Enigma.

Today, I figured it out. Balance. That is what I was after. Not murdered-out after all. But, balanced.

For the first time ever I'm looking at it and don't see where I can improve it.
I mean really, I'm content. The only thing that'll take it to the next level would be a
set of 58mm carbon clinchers for effect, but right now, the Ksyriums are looking so hot.

Next, a nice ride to dial it in here and there, a nice detailing session and pictures.
This ain't no "too pretty to ride" bike, but it's a real world, pound the pavement rig.

Damn I have a smile on my face right now.

Pictures coming tomorrow.

Current Build Sheet:

Group:
-KMC X10SL DLC Black Chain
-Praxis Clover 53/39 Chainrings
-Far & Near Chainring Bolts
-Ultegra SL Crank 172.5mm
-Dura-Ace 7800 Bottom Bracket
-Dura-Ace 7800 12-23 Cassette
-Dura-Ace 7800 Front Derailleur
-Dura-Ace 7800 Rear Derailleur
-Dura-Ace 7800 Shifters
-Dura-Ace 7900 Pedals
-Ultralight CNC Brakes
-SwissStop GHP2 (Green) Brake Pads

Cockpit:
-Edge 120mm Stem
-FSA K-Wing Compact 44cm
-Carbon Bar Plugs
-Fizik MicroTex Tape & Gel
-Fizik Antares 00 Saddle
-Woodman Deathgrip SL Ti Seat Post Clamp
-Fizik Cyrano Seatpost (Carbon) [cut 27.2/170mm]
-Edge Composites 1.0 Fork
-Carbon Top Cap
-Cane Creek IS41 9.5mm Headset Upper Assembly
-Carbon Chainstay Protector

Wheels:
-Continental Grand Prix 4000s 23c Tires
-Continental Race 28 Supersonic Tubes
-2011 Mavic Ksyrium Elite
-KCNC Ti Skewers

Notable touches:
-Custom matched fork graphics to match frame outline
-All-Carbon contact points (pedals, bar, stem, steerer, seat post)
-Custom sticker to cover warning label on seat tube
-Carbon tape wrapped shifter levers & plates
-The only OEM part on this bike is literally the frame
-Madonna Di Ghissallo Head Tube Medallian
(Patron Saint of Cyclists)

Budget:
I paid $815. for the 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-7 and got $215. for the OEM parts I sold off
(still have OEM fork/wheelset/tires/fr der/seat post/brakeset) which brings my original price
down to $600. [easily far less than just buying the frameset alone as I had once considered].

I put about $3,400. of upgrades into it bringing my total to $4,000.
(If I sell-off my leftover OEM bits, I could bring that down to $3,400.)

Granted, for $5,000., I could've gotten a new '12 EVO 2 Red.
The frame would've been better (duh). Identical wheelset.
Groupset wouldn't needed to be touched on it.

But, I'd have to spend a good $1,500. to customize it sot that would put it at $6,500.
- the parts I upgrade & sell-off $300. = $6,200. That's $2,800. more than the CAAD.
And, the Evo would've been easily down to the high 13lb range. And it would've been
brand new. And it would've been an awesome bike. BUT, I never had $5,000. at any
one time to ever spend on a bicycle.

So, the $3,400./15.87lb Made In USA CAAD9 is a treasure to me.
I'll have an EVO later this year, but I will also have The CAAD as well.

:D

Some teasers shots...

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...rades004-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g001.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...s00Pics003.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...s00Pics013.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g005.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g006.jpg

Nice! How much do you weigh?

Thanks Carlos. :)

Hovering over 220lb too much.

Which is nice that I'm there now because when I do drop,
I know that my bike was tested beyond what I needed.
It feels nice and strong underneath me.

Taking it out today to finally dial it in.

2ndGen, you have without a doubt the coolest, most baddass, most over-the-top CAAD9 out there. I truly do admire what you did.

I am looking forward to see what you do with the EVO.


I am curious, what car do you drive? I would not be surprised if you have a tuned import. I ask, because I helped* a buddy install a chip on his M3 and some adjustable coil-overs for track days. He has spent a ton of money on upgrades and his wife said "Why didn't you just buy the M6 to start?"










*By "help" I meant I drank beer, made snide remarks and watched while he did all the work. :thumb:

Thanks Rocket! :thumb:

Believe it or not, I drive a Ford Expedition. I'm a very utilitarian kind of guy with my vehicles.
(Okay, maybe the Expedition isn't exactly stock...I've done some work to it including a Magnaflow Exhuast).
I'm about to buy 3 more trucks in the coming months. BUT! I've owned several Trans Ams back in the day. ;)
The Evo will be different. I learned a lot with the CAAD. My next build will be faster and a more efficient execution.

As for the CAAD, I've seen some that'll blow you away. With mine, I went for understated details that
somehow say "it's different, but I can't put my finger on it". The lousy pictures I've posted don't do it justice.
Waiting for 1 delivery and I'm out the door to take some better pics. But really, thanks a lot for the compliments.

I know it's not everybody's cup of tea (especially today), but I love the close to traditional look of
the roundish tubes. And, when I take it to my LBS, like I said before, guys on $10K bikes ogle it.
The priorities were that it had to be a durable, reliable and relatively light bike.
CAAD9's are the poor man's bling bike!

:D

Just realized, I don't have a pic of the entire bike as it stands right now in this thread. Ooops...

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...87lbs014-1.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...1587lbs005.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...228_155248.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...228_155306.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...228_155334.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...228_155044.jpg