SeaBee

Okay, lined up we have CAAD5, 8 and 9, as well as Six13. I don't have US$ prices, but it's this side of the pond anyways, so all may be skewed. But the bikes are still the same. So relatively, using the 8 as base price - the CAAD 5 is almost about 60% the price of the CAAD8, the CAAD8 is 81% of the Six13 price and 77% of the CAAD9.

The LBS owner has a Six13 and he's very happy with it, having admitted to some "getting used to it" growing pains and longing for his CAAD3 for a while when he initially got it. I am nowhere near his level! He's suggesting the 5 for bang-for-buck. My brain too. But on the other hand I don't want to be sorry a couple of years down the line.

I know the 5 is stiffer than the rest and that should be great, I think. I don't think the 9 is worth it - it is so highly priced because it is relatively new in the country and came in at a time when the US$ was strong against us. So the 9, I think, is out of the question - he advised the Six13 (cheaper) above the CAAD9 in any case.

Please note: This is for the frameset only, which I am upgrading. So components does not play a role. (Yes, my situation has changed from my other post, for those of you that want to remind me of that! )

I'm sure you guys have some (varied!) opinions on the choice - the floor is open for your suggestions...

ridethecliche

Personally, I wouldn't go with the 5. From what I've read and been told, the 8 and 9 are just so much better.

The six13 is good too, but the geometry might be different depending on year yours is.
The 8 is a great frame as well, but like the six13 it isn't made anymore, which might be a concern for warranty issues since you'd have to get a CAAD9 or different frame if something were to happen.

That being said. I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever one you get, 5 included. They're all good frames.

euphoria

I do not know if there were startling tech changes between the 5 and 8, but I went from the 9 to a 7 Optimo and noticed no difference

SeaBee

Just checked - the CAAD8 and Six13's geometry is identical - so identical that they're quoted on the same page! Under a heading "Six13 and CAAD8 geometry"... So the difference there lay in the carbon inserts and nothing else. Pro/con?

And please, any other opinions valued.

San Rensho 

They all have the same geometry, so the handling is going to be the same. By the way, cannondales have very good criterium geometry.

The only difference is in materials, so the ride might be different between all alu and carbon, but for me, I can't feel any ride difference between my steel bike and my Cannondale, so I would say even the difference in feel is going to be negligible.

ridethecliche

I wouldn't get a six13 just because they're heavier

cb400bill

You can still get a new Caad5?

Creakyknees

I was shopping for CDales about a month back and I think it was CDR who told me that CAAD7 or later was the year to get, in the alu frames. But I forget the exact reason.

SeaBee

Yip Bill, that's one of the "perks" of staying in SA - you can still get hold of things waaayyy after anybody else can!

Looking at their site again - plus this comment made me realise that it seems as if the last CAAD5 frame brought out as a bike was in 05...

sfcrossrider

If the 9 is out I would get the 8.

SeaBee

I have already phoned about availability of the 8 in my size, not confirmed order yet. But every now and then a tiny devil still jumps on my shoulder, whispering about the Six13....

My decision is purely based on economics and wondering whether the Six13 can offer me that much more. Then I wonder about whether the carbon won't make the ride a tad more comfortable, despite the same geometry - and face it, it's basically the same bike, one a alum version, the other not fully. I think the Six13 has a couple of minor tweaks. This is the 07/08 version of both frames.

I know a Cannondale is not "just another alum frame", but I think mentally that also plays a part in the Six13-devil - it feels like an even bigger upgrade. But is it?

Any last-minute inputs on the Six13-CAAD 8 debate? Those who said "Get the 8!" - what was your motivation?

Then, of course, I may hear that there's not a 8 available in my size and the debate will be over!

enjoi07

seriously...caad9 2008 BF bike of the year.

SeaBee

I appreciate the sentiment - that was what I was looking for. The CAAD9's came in when we were very weak against the dollar and I'm going to pay through my ears (8 at less than 3/4 the price of the 9) for it, therefore I am now between the 8 and the Six13...

Six13 still cheaper than the CAAD9, so my question is whether the Six13 will be worth the almost 20% extra on the CAAD8, esp thinking of comfort and longevity and the mentioned "upgrade feeling".

BHBiker

Which is lighter? The Six13 or the CAAD9?

roadwarrior

SIx 13's a better ride.

I've ridden everything they've made since the CAAD4. A lot.

roadwarrior

I cannot fathom how anyone would say this...unless he just enjoyed getting his fillings jarred loose.

The CAAD4 was their first bike with the hourglass shaped seat stays. In other words, they actually flex when you hit bumps in the road, versus the 3 which did not.

The 5 was the 4 with an integrated headset.

The 7 was lighter.

The 8 had the lighter stays.

The 9 was stiffer, with bigger tubes, without a weight addition.

That's the simple version.

The Six 13 adds the carbon inserts. It really, really makes the ride smoother. I have tens of thousands of miles on both Six 13 race versions.

I now ride a Super Six.

SeaBee

Thanks guys, appreciate all the input. Just waiting for a return call and very final pricing, but it looks like the Six13 is getting the nod. Part of the decision is that it seems that *cough* the 8 isn't even available in my preferred size... So much for research and racking my brains! But ever since last night I was wondering more and more about whether I shouldn't go the Six13 route anyways...

Roadwarrior - thanks for the quick roll-up/comparison on the models' evolution - I really appreciate it, since that's something I could not find. And "better ride" counts for heaps around here! The CAAD3 comment - he was used to that and could predict it - it was the transision period where he still thought about the CAAD3 - now loves his Six13.