Originally Posted by ridethecliche (Post 11507821)

I don't that you, and others, understand what it means for a bike to be stiff.

Stiff doesn't mean that the bike rides like a bone shaker. Stiff means that when you stand up and hammer on it, you don't feel like you have a noodle under you. Many bikes fit this description.

The caad9 is a good, nay great, all around bike, but the reason many flock to it is that it's an incredibly awesome race bike for the cost. The frames are light, without sacrificing much in the name of durability. The seatstays afford a comfortable bike that's a great 60 minute crit bike or a 6 hour century bike. The power transfer is awesome.

I've ridden for hours and hours on my 9 without feeling beat up. I've also sprinted at 1350W on it with the utmost confidence. I get a bit of road feedback through the bars, but I really like that because I hate a bike to feel 'dead'.

That said, if you're looking for a super cushy comfy bike, look elsewhere. It's really not designed for that purpose though it might work out alright for you if you buy it for that. This is not the early 'blackbird' era caad bike. Anything from the CAAD7 up is a great all around bike.

There are racers I know who moved from zoot carbon frames to caad9 team bikes and have absolutely no complaints. The reason we love these bikes is because the price is right, and because if we break one in crash while training or racing, then it's like 400 bucks to replace the frame under crash replacement. That's a great deal!

I should also mention that a few nicks/dings here and there don't destroy the frame. I had one on my first caad9, and the shops I went to said it was fine. Months later the paint around it didn't show any signs of peeling as would happen if the frame was cracked. I moved to a second caad9 as a 56 fit me better than the 54.

Those complaining about aches and pains from the frame probably aren't fit correctly. I had a ton of issues with the 54 frame. Moving to a 56 completely got rid of them for me. It's about fit and components. Different bars and saddles transmit the 'road feel' differently. Now if you're planning on riding fire roads on a bike that can barely fit 25mm tires, you've got some thinking to do. That said, I loved riding mine on dirt tracks every now and then. I was also between 142-150 when racing the CAAD9. I'm up to 155-160 now, and it's still as comfortable.

Sorry for the long post...

Originally Posted by hkboy313 (Post 12060522)

love those wheels, was your budget on those and how do they ride? laterally in particular...wind and stiffness?

arent those saddles made best for climbing situations?

Originally Posted by il professore (Post 12064895)

I have a lovely new caad 10 in red...was gonna be awesome till the shop tried to build it up and found out that the rear end was welded crooked. Guess moving to Taiwan didn't work out so well for me. Now I wait for a new frame. Was gonna be such a sexy build too.

Originally Posted by hkboy313 (Post 12065506)

sexy as it sounds.....has this ever happened to any of the caad9 owners?

Originally Posted by hkboy313 (Post 12065506)

sexy as it sounds.....has this ever happened to any of the caad9 owners?

Originally Posted by 2ndGen (Post 12066515)

The longer a model is in production, with a good company, the less defects it will have as time goes on. The new kid on the block is going to need some time to get up to the 9's reputation.

Originally Posted by rangerdavid (Post 12058143)

I agree, love the bike, not the saddle, but I don't have to ride it.

Originally Posted by BayAreaUser (Post 12075074)

Success!!! I was finally able to upload pics.

Originally Posted by ahumblecycler (Post 12075594)

The Ultegra SL looks sweet on your bike; congrats!

The saddle is interesting. Is it stiff as hell or does it have flex? What is your average ride length in the saddle?

I love the look of all CAADs. In my opinion, it is the one product line that has stood the test of time. I still see people riding CAAD3/4/5 in the KC area; we chat as they ask about my CAAD10 and I tell them it is great but to keep theirs until they "have" to upgrade.

Originally Posted by PHLevel (Post 12083564)

Is there much differene between the caad9, and caad10 frames?

Originally Posted by Salt Air (Post 12084447)

Are the stock rims and spokes on a 2011 cadd 10.5 really weak ? I am at 194 lbs and may have found a good deal on one .

Originally Posted by TheMudder (Post 12086205)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=186342
just got done with my build.
gonna get fit next week then cut the excess fork tube.....wish i could ride it but i have pneumonia. F&%K!

mostly ebay 'take off' parts ultegra 6700
used hollowgram cranks
and deda stem and seatpost from my now semi-retired 3Rensho.
the Romin saddle seems to finally do the trick as far as numbness...
under 17lbs.
some nice wheels will be next..
can't wait to really ride it
had to hold on during my quick and snowy test ride down the driveway.

Originally Posted by PHLevel (Post 12085955)

What are your bikes weighing in at?

Originally Posted by khill (Post 12086284)

Finally a completed pic.....