KHill,

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...f?t=1290780814

Really?!?! "cult of caad" only gets 17 pages?!?! That's it!!!!!! We're done?!? That's sad since i know there are a heck of a lot more caads out there...

Ride from Estes Park to the visitors' center atop the mountain:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...s/IMG_0054.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...s/IMG_0052.jpg

^^Was that up Trail Ridge Road? When? That road is closed now for the winter. I'd like to do that ride sometime but traffic sucks and the road is narrow and most of the cars are driven by out of state idiots that don't know how to drive in the mountains. I know they did some work on that road over the summer but not sure if it got any more bike friendly or not. I wish they would do a few "no car" days during the summer.

Nice ride SushiJoe ^^^

Yep! It was actually August last year but thought it'd be relevant to post here. Re: narrow road and out of state motorists, that = correct.

Thanks! I've had a lot of bikes but this is the one that's left. A lot of it is due to the fact that the rest of my stable fetched more on eBay, but this bikes fits me like a glove-- perfectly set up.

Soon to join the cult. LBS has a leftover CAAD9-4 (in BBQ black :)) and I'm putting it on layaway next weekend - if the Mrs. didn't spend too much money Black Friday shopping that is.... Will need to go with a heavier duty wheelset for sure since I am classified as an Uber-Clyde. Any recommendations on a budget?

Welcome to the BBQ Side! :D

http://www.supershadow.net/pictures_...th_vader_4.jpg

Well, I'm lovin' the caad. I was a bit worried about buying a racing bike. I'm not a racer, have no desire to be a racer, and couldn't if I wanted to. But I really liked the bike and felt I'd be more likely to ride it if I enjoyed it. Well, I've been out several times now despite the cold and it's certainly a fun bike. Sorry for the lame pic but better than nothing. Took this two days ago. 31 degs and fairly strong 25 gusting to 35 mph winds. Not the best day to ride but even a bad day on the caad is a good day. And, yes, freding it up with the mismatched bottles and mtb pedals but who asked you. I'm having fun.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=180143

Latest configuration:

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6324/img1021fz.jpg

I LIKE that blue!!

^^^ Do your white hoods get dirty pretty quick? I've always wondered.

700c rear/650c front?

Rear wheel is closer to the camera. Distortion through perspective, not an actual size difference.

This is a personal preference thing, but I set up my brakes so that when I squeeze the brake levers, they quit squishing right before the lever hits the bar. They're not as touchy (IMO), while reducing the chance of braking while shifting (a Shimano semi-issue, of course) and, more importantly, let me get a better grip on the lever so I can get some more braking power.

Besides, there's enough travel built into the calipers to allow for reach adjustment at the levers, so it's not like I'm losing maximum braking power, either.

Wah...Ohh!

Magic!

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...merv/magic.gif

Did you consult with Cannondale regarding the weight limit on their CAAD9 frames? You seem to be losing weight quickly, but you might still want to check to make sure it is suitable for you.

arghh im trying to get my issue figured out right now on the mechanics forum ...i have sram, my first was shimano and the brakes were a fair distance away.. but now i have a new bike and the shop guy said it was 'better' i thought i give it a try, its nicer to just tap it, but i also know what u mean when its a 'shimano semi-issue' thing cuz of the shifting concept.

how did yall tighten the headset on yalls bikes? was there a tool involved or just human strength? mine has a little bit of play in it...

i guess that would be recommended but isn't caad like one of the stiffest frames?

1- Go here:
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...eadset-service

2- Scroll almost all the way down to where it says "Headset Adjustment - Threadless Type".

3- Read and follow the step-by-step instructions and you are good to go.

Stiffness and strength are not the same thing. It would be a good idea to check just to make sure that the bike is structurally capable of supporting the rider's weight to avoid a potential failure.

yes. there is no weight limit on the caad9 frame. the only real issue will be the wheels. Of course, the stock RS10s suck anyway and would be the first thing anybody would likely replace, aside from maybe the seat.

Even with Sram, I'd set the brakes the same way. A short tap for shifting is nice (and why I would get Red shifters if I switched from Shimano), but having a similarly short tap for braking is unnecessary, IMO.

Go here and scroll down to "Headset Adjustment - Threadless Type":
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...eadset-service

Basically, the top cap holds the whole fork-headset-top tube assembly together. It does this as it presses down on the stem and any spacers you have. To make adjustments, then, you need to loosen the stem's bolts a bit so that it's free to slide down the fork's steerer tube. Make sure that the headset's bottom bearings are seated, do the same with the top bearings, then secure everything by tightening the top cap. The last bolts to tighten are the stem bolts; do those when you're sure that the headset is secure and, of course, the stem is pointed straight ahead.