I've got a 2002 Cannondale R2000 Saeco with the CAAD5 frame. I bought it used in 2005 as my first road bike (mountain biked for years) and I've loved it. I've always found it not only a great performer, but also super comfortable and never harsh. Some of that might be because I'm 6'3", 200 lbs and riding a 61cm frame.

Anyway, I've decided it's time to replace it, and the obvious choice is a new CAAD9. I'm curious, though - when I bought the bike the seller told me that the CAAD5 frames were actually better for bigger riders than the newer ones (CAAD6 or 7 at the time, I think), because the newer CAADs had gotten lighter and lost some of the stiffness in the larger sizes. Of course, that may all have been BS designed to sell me the bike...

I'll try to get a ride on one this weekend, but any thoughts on how the 2010 CAAD9 might compare for a guy my size?

I am 6' 7" 250 lbs and I just bought a 2010 63cm CAAD9 5 this spring. I test rode this bike and a Trek 2.something in a compatible (size 64cm I think). I have found my new bike is able to handle anything I can throw at it. I found the Trek frame to be mushy in comparison to the CAAD. I know your post didn't ask to compare to the Trek, but I am just offering my experience. As a clyde, I wouldn't know what more I would want from the CAAD9 except for maybe a 65 or 67cm frame.

The other side of that argument is that CAAD5 was heavier than it needed to be. Lotta big guys rode CAAD7 and the first thing they usually noticed was that it was lighter. Anyway CAAD9 now has BB30 so stiffer BB and lighter too. I just rode a 63cm CAAD9 105 and it seemed as stiff as ever to me. Make sure you try a 2010 Six Carbon in that price range too - nice!

Oh I'm 6 4 200lbs and that 63 was too big for me as expected. You might be happier on the 60 too.

i went from a caad 5 to a caad 9, didn't notice much difference, i've also ridden my brother's caad 6 (a caad 5 w/ bb30) for a few months and while the bb30 is very stiff and the light, the 7800 dura-ace cranks and bb are pretty similar in stiffness

Thanks for the feedback.

I made it down to the bike shop this evening and tried out a new CAAD9. Just a quick ride around the block, but it sure felt familiar, lively, yet still comfortable - much like my CAAD5.

I also tried a Six just to see what a carbon frame is all about (had never ridden one before). It was certainly stiff and responsive, but maybe didn't have that sense of lively energy that I get from the CAADs.

From the little bit I rode, both seemed like great bikes but I decided to stick with what I know and put in an order for a 60cm CAAD9 1.

The Cannondale models are so confusing. If you look up Road bikes on their site, they have a model called CAAD9 with different build options, none of which are called CAAD9 5. Or CAAD7 ...

I remember comparing CAAD5 to CAAD7 geometry a few years back, I want to say that the standover height might be lower on the newer Cannondales (just slightly) but that the rest of the geometry is simialr. Did the CAAD5 have curved seat stays? I thought that the curved stays may have been new on the CAAD6

Okay, now I'm having second thoughts on what size I need. I bought my current bike used and had always assumed it was a 61cm frame, but now I'm thinking it is really a 63cm (there's a photo below). As I said, I've ridden it for 4 years and it seems to fit me fine - I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam.

At the bike store, all they had for me to try were 58cm frames. 58cm was obviously too small, but with about 8" of seatpost showing, the bike fit well enough for me just to get a feel for the frame (which is all I was really trying to accomplish today).

The bike store guy said a 60cm would be plenty big, and laughed at even the suggestion of a 63cm being appropriate for me. I won't be able to try either size before I order.

Any thoughts?

Do you have a link to the geometries?

No, but I did just check the bike and the seat tube does measure 61cm from the middle of the bottom bracket to the middle of the top tube.

Maybe the 60cm won't be overly small after all.

Edit: I just read that Cannondale measures the frame sizes from the middle of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube. In that case, my current bike measures out to what looks like 62.5cm, which is I guess close enough to make it a 63cm.

So now I'm back to thinking that a 60cm will be on the small side.

Yeah, viewed from the rear the CAAD5 seatstays do have an S-curve to them.

If you don't want your old frame, you can probably take the bike and trade the frame in for a newer one with a significant discount.

CAAD4 was the first with the curved seat stays. CAAD5 added an integrated headset. CAAD6 IIRC added a new aluminum alloy and BB30.

Yeah, Cannondale's frame upgrade program is great... but unfortunately it's only available to the bike's original owner. The OP bought used. Now, maybe your bike shop will be willing to work with you so I don't know how firm a rule that actually is.

Want a 60 cm CAAD8 w/105?

My first new road bike was also a Caad 5. I am also trying to sell this year and try something else.
https://picasaweb.google.fi/lh/photo/...eat=directlink

Image test

gives up and goes for a ride

This should work; to see what I did differently, click the "Reply With Quote" button under this post (btw, nice bike ):

No. That's for the "measured size". Their geometry table has a number at the very top - the frame size. Second row down is the "measured size"; or, in other words, the bike as "classically" measured before frames had an inch or so of seat tube protruding above the top tube line.

The measurement you really need to care about is the horizontal top tube length. Vertical seat tube lengths and measurements can vary, but that horizontal length is what will determine your fit.

Just re-read your post...a bit confusing. But if your current bike is 60cm to top of top tube, then you probably want the 63cm frame. But, before you commit, MEASURE THE HORIZONTAL TOP TUBE.

So, I went back to the lbs and had them find me a 60cm CAAD9 to try. I also took my 63cm CAAD5 so I could compare the two bikes and ride them back-to-back.

In the end, the two bikes fit me exactly the same. The only difference was a little extra seatpost showing and a few more spacers under the stem on the 60cm. The riding position - and top-tube length - were almost identical. If anything, I might have to go with a slightly shorter stem on the 60cm, as it had me just a little more stretched out than I'm used to.

I figure that my 63cm isn't too big, but neither is the 60cm too small. I'm going to stick with my order for a new 60cm CAAD9. Thanks to everyone for the help.

Congrats!

I'm 6'2" with a 34 inch inseam and ride a 60 Super Six. I actually think the 63 would work, but would caution on stem length.

There's only a 0.5cm difference in top tube length between the 60cm and 63cm frame, so at that point it's more about the amount of drop you want (3 cm more or less).