Early 2000's CAAD7
 

I got this at the Brooklyn Bike Jumble a couple of weeks ago, following an impulse. It was probably a foolish move. I don't need this, so I'll figure out which of my bikes to get rid of.

bikeforums member aixaix introduced me to Peter Koskinen there. Peter is the owner of PRKbikes, and he helped me. I bought the frame from one guy and the fork from someone else. Peter said the fork was designed for a rider of 150 lbs or less, plus it had an insert in the steerer tube that precluding cutting it down. Fortunately, he had a fork for me and gave me an even trade.

This frame has been more trouble than I expected. It uses a BB30 BB and a strange kind of headset. Peter installed a BB insert so I can use a regular BB. He also installed the one and only headset I could use.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8.../seatclamp.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8...e-and-fork.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U...h727-no/BB.JPG

Tom, The CAAD7 was a mid 2000's model. I think it used "Optimo" tubing, have a sticker for that?

Brad

Oh, thanks for letting me know. It would be REALLY nice if I could change the thread title.

Peter still has custody of the frame, so I can't send any more pictures yet. He shot the pictures above.

It's a bike! I finished it today. I mean I got it working today. Gotta change some cables, clean it up, and tape the bars.

The bike weighs 19 pounds (8.6 kg). I've never had a (geared) bike this light. I finished after dark, so I haven't had a chance to tear up the road yet. Tomorrow!

These pictures are from last week. I took more today but haven't uploaded them yet.

LINK

Looking forward to the ride report and photos, Tom.

Brad

Congrats, Tom. I have a 2000 CAAD3 which I don't mention cuz I'd assumed I'd get flamed for the modernity. I cannot remember the timeline but C'dale made CAAD4 that same year then evolved thru CAAD7 to 10, and whatever they're doing now, over the years. There is a wealth of C'dale catalogs out in the cloud that should help you zero in on the model year.

I like mine. 21lbs road ready with Vetta TT saddle, heavy Vittoria tires, cyclometer, etc. (My Raleigh Pro Mk IV weighed in less on the old bathroom scale). My frame says R600 with lottsa 105 bits and bobs and an Ultrega crankset and HS. Mine still has a threaded tube and a proper quill stem (as gawd intended it) so it's sorta C&V. None of those threadless plumbers fittings. On the road the ride is a bit stiffer than a good steel frame but that stiffness makes it accelerate very nicely and climb like a monkey. And the 105 indexed shifting can really spoil a guy. Flick, flick, gone.

I really like it and have done thousands of miles on it, couple of metric centuries, bit of trail work. BUT it looks like something Gene Roddenberry designed - like you'd see on NCC-1701-D. I do like proper lugged frames with the craftmanship 'worn out on the sleeve' as they say.

Enjoy Tom!

Fun. I'm really liking my 2008 CAAD 9. I got it for its threaded BB. It's 18.5 lbs with the wire-bead tires.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/...9583b1aa_c.jpg

I caught the Optimo sticker on the bottom of the seat tube...

Great job, Tom. Amazing triple on that thing, bike can go anywhere. Weight for acceleration and climbing, gearing for anywhere.
I have to agree with the other posters, Cannondale has really listened and took the R series through definite improvement with the CAAD's.
Not only that, they kept the prices down, enough so that locals here are willing to drive a couple of hours to get one.

khatfull first turned me on to the improvements, and since whatwolf continues to torture me with those black Eurus, I'll swing Shimano back at her....
I know this bike is not C&V but it's fun, 16.73 lbs (w/o bag and pedals), and was originally built by BF member High Fist Shin, a real master.
http://i.imgur.com/l0XTGW2.jpg

I like Cannondale cause they still have level top tubes :)
And decent weights. 16.9lbs

http://s7.postimg.org/kbq8xhyxn/2014_03_08_11_04_43.jpg

^ Drool! Some hot Cannondales!

Congrats Tom! Nice find and it's coming together very well. I spy Rolf wheels, Ultegra, Ouzo CF fork...sweet modern ride.
Robbie's assisting me with my first modern lightweight ride build. Will be joining you soon.

Great find, Tom. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Beautiful rides shoota, RobieTunes, and whatwolf.

Here's mine from a ride earlier today. Awaiting Thomson post and stem, lighter grippier tires, and correct DA crankset & BB. (apologies for the repost, chainring selection, and cell phone pic...)

http://i.imgur.com/oYDk8si.jpg

Uh, yeah, this bike is amazing. The Ultegra hardware is really well made. I'm impressed. I had to buy a new front derailleur, so I got a Tiagra. I was apprehensive, because that's a low level one. My left shifter is indexed, so I was a little worried about compatibility and accuracy. Well, it's spot on. This thing just doesn't go wrong, and it feels stout enough to stay that way. The FD is very well made and precise. Nothing low end about it except for the recessed nut that could fall out. Yeah, but it's a generic 5x0.8 8mm nut, so never a problem.

WNG, you are correct. I bought the Rolf wheels second hand in 2008. After about a year, the bearing in the rear went bad, so I rebuilt the rear wheel with the same rim and spokes and a Bontrager hub. Everything else you spy is correct.

The rear tire is a Schwalbe, whose mate had its sidewall bubble. The front is a Michelin Pro Race 3. They look alike except for the logos, and they're both very nice tires.

The pedals are some extremely light pedals with no logos whatsoever. The spindles are titanium. I don't like the PowerGrips, so I'll either put toe clips on these pedals or put some SPD pedals on. My shoes are just too wide to use PowerGrips.

Thanks! And nice CAAD9! That's from when it was the equivalent of the CAAD10 of today. Handbuilt in the USA and most likely a lighter frameset than Robbie and I's Six13s.

The down tube decals have been removed from the frame, and I think I'll remove most of the rest of the decals. The finish polishes up nicely.

Very nice. I wish the decals on mine were easily removed- they'd be long gone. I'll probably have it soda blasted soon.

Assplosion,
 

I took it out briefly his evening. My chain is new, and my cassette clearly has some worn cogs. After some skipping and some rough shifts, my chain broke, and the derailleur may be trashed, too. I hobby horsed back up the hill and then coasted home. Oh well, I did get up a pretty mountain road and back before the assplosion. I think I might have hit 40 going down a twisty road with sandy gravel on it. One of these days, I'm gonna get killed to death with my crazy descents.

I love my Made In USA 2006 Synapse. Tiagra brifters and 105 derailleurs work great. 19.5 lbs with pedals isn't bad for a triple, either. I just received my new GP4000s tires today, too.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ynapse4011.jpg

Tom, Reads like a generally positive experience. :) If you don't have one already, the HG50 14-25 9S cassette is a very good match with my Ultegra triple.

Brad

2007 caad 9
 

Only has 50 miles on it since completed.

Tom, The chain failure popped up after I posted, hopefully nothing serious.

Brad

Master Link failure?
:-(

I don't care for them.
Hope you didn't suffer too much damage.

Dang!,.......did Cannondale, by chance, hire a French engineer back then??:twitchy::rolleyes:

I probably assembled the chain contrary to the proper procedure. These 9 and up chains are finicky. It wasn't a master link failure.

The back plate of the pulley cage is bent, bu I think I can get the derailleur back together. Same with the chain. I will buy a new cassette, though. It's OK; I'm not too discouraged. The bike is almost done, and it's worth it.

Glad you're OK. I had an R800 in the polished aluminum, and it was a beautiful bike (to look at). Yours will be amazing, and in your hands, a good movement broker!