Quick question.... Buying a CAAD9
 

I'm buying this as a xmas gift for my wife. It's listed as a '09 CAAD9...... How can I tell if it is really a '09. I don't have a pic to post but it has a black gray paint theme. I have to drive a couple hours to go get it so anything else I should look for before buying it?

Thanks.

Do you have a picture of the one you want to buy you can post here?

Why does it matter? CAAD9 is CAAD9 is CAAD9. Well I suppose an 08 should be discounted...that why you are asking?

Check the C'Dale web site for the 2009 paint schemes. They finally show actual photos of alternate colors this year rather than that digital frame in the alternate color they had done for a couple years.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/caad9.html

I thought 08 CAAD9s only came in team colours or white (at least in the UK).

There are two CAAD9 models available in a black scheme...

The 7 model has 9 speed Sora, and the 6 model has Tiagra, basically.

They are each colored a bit different. Obviously we have no idea of what model in which you would be interested.

Look at the Cannondale site to see what's what.

Yeah, it really does not matter on these bikes. Plus, if it's a bigger volume shop they generally don't have bikes at this level that are an older model.

Thanks for the link...... I dunno why the guy took the listing down but he did and now I don't have a pic. I guess he is sure I'm really gonna buy it. I was told it was a 6 series..... Tiagra. Which is ok for us. But the paint scheme could have been a 7 sora..... I'm not digging that. I'll just have to drive down there and look at it.

Where is that?

Check out vintagecannondale.com

From the site:

The first letter (of the serial number) indicates year.

N = 2002, O = 2003, P = 2004, Q = 2005, R = 2006, S = 2007

under the bottom bracket

I am not a Shimano guy and the Tiagra I had a few years back was total crap IMO but I am currently updating my father's C'Dale R600 CAAD3 which had a mix of 105 levers and RX100 derailleurs with Tiagra 4500 (the new stuff) and I was impressed with the quality of the new Tiagra. IMO it is VERY nice for an entry level component group. I would still stay away from Sora...but in reality I stay away from Shimano but that is more of a personal choice?

The reason I'm asking about the year is one way to verify the honesty of seller..... does that make sense..

So the letter U = 2009?

^^ that would be logical

The 2008 CAAD9 6: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...el-8RA96D.html

http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...8RA96D_blk.jpg

Doesn't seem to match any paint scheme...

This is the bike.

http://images.craigslist.org/1f712b1...b214d01171.jpg

That's not a CAAD9... looks to be a 2006 CAAD8:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/06/C...e/6rr8dclr.jpg

That's wonderful news..... It's hard to believe that someone would be that dishonest. Are you sure? Also, I don't know anything about bikes so under WHAT bracket (part of the bike) is the serial number?

the bottom bracket is the area where the crank runs through the frame.

There are actually 3 CAAD9 Models, 7, 6, and 5. The 7 is Sora, available in Matte BBQ Black, the 5 is 105, available in Black Gloss with Red lettering and matching fork. The 6 has Tiagra and is available in White/Red, or Silver Black.

This is the '09 CAAD9 6 in Silver/Black.

^^ I don't think so. Here are the 2009 CAAD9 frame colors:
http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...9RA95C_wht.jpg

http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...9RA95C_blk.jpg

http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...9RA96T_gry.jpg <----- CAAD9 6

http://video.cannondale.com/images/0...9RA97T_blu.jpg

(taken from Cannondale website)

It's an '09. That color scheme just isn't shown on the website. Here's a guy with the same bike (top of the page) http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...158171&page=26

Is the 2009 105 group offered in the same grey finish as the Ultegra SL? The CAAD9-5 has 105 and it's all that same grey color.

This one:
http://nitrous.org/rizz/pics/bike/caad9.jpg

There is also a mate black option on the C'dale web site for the CAAD9 2009.

Its the best looking one, IMHO if you are into understated elegance....

That's what I said. Except in Cannondale's picture the grey seems to fade to blue at the bottom, but in all the pictures and the one I've seen in person, none of them are blue near the BB.