I am once again calling upon the infinite knowledge of BF to get a better understanding of the CAAD 8.
My LBS has a good deal going on it. What I need is a good dependable roadie, capable of handling a solid ride and some centuries...

I had a CAAD 8 and loved it.
It is really designed as a race bike, being very stiff and quick turning. I did some longer rides on mine and it was comfortable, but I wouldn't pick it as an all day bike, or more of a leisure rider.
That being said:
Try it out, if it fits nice, and is comfortable to you then go for it. Nothing anybody says is going to change the way you fit and feel on it.

I love mine, what model, wheels? I have put a lot of miles on mine with no complaints.

I love mine. The next upgrades include a Vueleta carbon wheelset, Deda cockpit, paintjob and a PowerTap Pro.
Good luck with yours! If it's sized right, you'll love it.

I bought my CAAD 8 when they first came out and have logged thousands of miles on it since with no complaints. It's great for crits and road races, but I've also ridden a century on it without any discomfort.

If it fits, go for it regardless of parts spec because the frame is so good, you can keep it for years and upgrade components as needed.

I got my CAAD8 about 6 months ago. I replaced the 23mm tires with 25mm tires and it rides smooth and plush without any noticeable difference in speed. If you want to do centuries on it, you could also add a Brooks B-17 leather saddle. Santa gave me one for Christmas and I tried it for a day and it was definitely more comfortable than the stock racing saddle I had on. It absorbs even more shock from the road bumps. But I did not like the retro clunky look of the B-17 on the modern sleek CAAD8. I went back to my stock saddle but will go back to the B-17 when I train for centuries instead of my short 30-40 mile weekend rides.

I know there are many factors to finding the right frame size for your body and riding position, but I would like for those with a CAAD8/9 to list their height/inseam and the frame size you are currently riding. I'm looking at a size 50 and am thinking a 52 might be better for me. I'm not sure though. My last race bike was a 52cm Waterford, and the geometry is really right in between the 50 and 52. The Waterford fit great, but I've since switched teams and am in search of a new frame. Anyway, height or inseam would be great. Thanks.

Ron

Something interesting I noticed recently is that in 2006, Cannondale changed the geometry slightly. It went from a horizontal top tube to a slightly sloping one. So for the long torso/short leg crowd, a newer one might work better.

The slight slope to the top tube is very slight, especially on the larger frame sizes.

6'2"=ish, inseam of up to 34", currently riding on a 60 cm CAAD8 with a 90 mm stem (stock stem was 110); my ideal size for this bike is probably 58 (or 59 if they made it).

It's also my first road bike, and I think that it's more than enough for me.

it's a great frame, and as others have already said, very capable of being upgraded later on down the line.

I don't have one myself, but have ridden one and I would need a 52cm frame since the caad8 has a long-ish toptube even though I'm 5'10/11" as I have long legs / short torso.
I think the frame geometry specs are still on the cannondale website, so you should check that out.

Having said all that, if I could justify getting yet another bike, it would ideally be a Cannondale...

I have a CAAD 8 Optimo 1 that I like very much. I changed the stock crankset to a Shimano Ultegra, the stem to a Thomson 110mm, 10^, X2 stem, the seatpost to a Thomson Elite I had on hand and the handlebar to a 44cm WCS Ritchey. I also ride Selle San Marco Rolls Saddle exclusively.

I am 5' 10", 220Ibs but with a cycling inseam of 34inches. I could fit a size 56cm with a shorter than 100mm stem, but went with a 54cm bike. I like my fit very much.

The CAAD 8 is a very solid bike. I test-rode both the CAAD 8 and 9, liked the 8 a bit better than the CAAD 9, hence my purchasing the 8.

FWIW, I did not test-ride any other brands when I was setting out to purchase a road bike, but I have had a Cannondale Killer V 900 mountain bike that I bought new in 1994 and which has served me really well. And I am the kind of guy that always take those kind of things into consideration when I am about to make a new purchase.

Maybe, just maybe, I should have taken a look at other "aluminum" brands b/4 making my CAAD 8 purchase.

Regards,

You must have some seriously long legs!

when I sit down next to a friend of mine who's about 5', my head ends up lower than theirs. at meals I'm always feel like a child because I'm always having to look up at other people

That said, I rode the CAAD5 once in a 52cm as well, with the stem up, and it fitted like a dream!

Hmm, a counter point for the 52cm sizing.

I'm almost 5'7 and about 30.5" inseam. I've been riding my 2006 52cm C'dale caad8 for over a year with no issues (110mm, -10deg), with the saddle pushed almost all the way back. I've tried moving the saddle forward and that gave me leg cramps. I have also tried the 50cm and it felt a little cramped.

I am 5'10" with a 31" inseam and ride a 54. Great bike, not something I personally would want to do a century on, but I know many who do. I ride mine all the time even though I have the Roubaix. Roubaix is the century bike for me.

I am 6'2" on a 58cm 2006 R1000. I have a 110mm stem flipped up (+6 I think) and 4-5" of seat to bar drop. I've ridden 2 centuries on it, but my modernized Trek 400 or Surly CrossCheck are more comfortable for those distances. The CAAD8 begs to be ridden fast & hard (insert "like..." here ). It accelerates quicker than my other bikes, I suppose that is because of weight & BB stiffness.

I'm 6'1" and have a 34" cycling inseam and am comfortable on a 60 cm CAAD7. I believe the geometry is the same as the CAAD8. I was between the 58 and the 60. They do make a 59 but only as a special order frame only. The fitter told me that if I was gooing to race, the 58 would be more responsive but have a greater saddle to bar drop and ride a little stiffer. If I was going to do fast group rides and centuries, the 60 would be smoother and more comfortable as long as I could adjust the reach to fit. I have put 6000 miles on the bike and 8 centuries with no complaints. I am glad I went with the 60 cm for the type of riding I do.

I love my CAAD8.

I have a black/raw 2007 with the following specs:

- 2007 Cannondale CAAD 8 Frame (Black and Raw Al) 52cm
- 2007 Cannondale Slice Premium all-carbon fork
- 2007 Campy Record: BB Cups, Cables
- 2007 Campy Chorus: shifters, RD, cassette (11-25), chain
- 2007 Campy Centaur: CT UT Crankset (Aluminum - 50/34), FD
- Mavic SSC Brakeset
- Custom Wheels: White Ind. Hubs (silver), 30mm Niobium Rims (black), CX-Rays (silver), 24 spoke triplet laced rear (16 3x DS, 8 1x NDS), 20 spoke 1x front... around 1360g for the set
- Michelin Pro Race 2 700x23
- Deda Newton 42cm bars (dark metal polish) with Fizik Bar tape (black)
- Thomson X-2 Stem 120mm -10 degrees.
- Specialized Toupe 143mm Ti saddle
- Cateye CD300DW
- Ritchey WCS Carbon seat post
- Look Keo Carbon (steel axle) Pedals
- King SS Bottle cages

I love it! Climbing feels great on this bike.

I am 5' 7.5" and I ride a 52cm with a 120mm stem @ -10 deg.

The new geometry fits me better than the old. My 52cm CAAD4 commuter is way cramped.

CAAD8 is a great bike. if you are getting a good deal on it, I would jump on it. I got a great deal on a 2007 CAAD9 and did not think twice about it. GREAT FRAME

I got a CAAD9 for a great price. Love it, love it, love it. Did I mention I love it.

I hated my CAAD8 so much I went out and bought a CAAD9

My car's the same way; it feels like keeping the reins short when I'm stuck in traffic. For whatever reason, the CAAD8 wants to go-go-go, even more so than the other road bikes I tried out. Despite its harsher ride, I chose the CAAD8 because it reminded me of how my car drives.

I love my Caad8 - definitely my favorite bike I've ever had. My Saturday training rides are usually 4-5 hours and I never feel beat up by the bike. Just make sure the fit is right and I don't think you can go wrong.

-Stephen

Hi Lucas
Could you let us know what differences you did feel berween the Caad 8 & 9.
Very keen to know
Regards
Patrick

holy thread revival...

CAAD9 is a bit stiffer laterally while remaining the same weight as CAAD8.
That's about it.