The Cult of CAAD...
09-16-12, 09:50 PM
#3751
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 700
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD10 Team, Giant TCR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The thing that worries me is the drop on a 52. With a 33 inch inseam that seat is getting pretty high on a 52 and it will have a shorter headtube. I'm flexible but at 47 years not a spring chicken. I want to use this bike for the local tuesday night races and rebuild my Roubaix for the longer rides I like to do.
09-17-12, 06:00 AM
#3752
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ontario
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The CAAD10 series usually has a full carbon fork, while some bikes in the Synapse series have carbon blades only. To me, it seems that when comparing a similar size and groupset number, the CAAD10 will be lighther than a Synapse aluminum.
09-17-12, 08:10 AM
#3753
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 72
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have both. The CAAD is noticeably lighter (I'm no WW, so I haven't weighed them)... granted there is a groupset difference that likely accounts for a lot of this [SRAM Rival vs. Tiagra]. Frame weight differences are likely noticeable as well, but less-so as the frame of the synapse feels sturdier [thicker tubes, etc...] and likely weighs more as a result but you don't have the swings in weight between nicer components and less nice ones.
09-17-12, 09:30 AM
#3754
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 700
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD10 Team, Giant TCR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Agreed that we should compare the CAAD and the Synapse Alloy with respect to the frames only - not the bias of the attached components.
Comparing a size 56 CAAD and Synapse Alloy, both having a 56 cm top tube and 73.5 deg seat tube angles, here's a summary:
- the head tube on the CAAD is shorter and steeper than on the Synapse
- wheelbase on the CAAD is shorter than the Synapse's
- chainstay on the CAAD is shorter than the Synapse's
Obviously the Synapse frame is "larger", and as the former poster pointed out the Synapse has thicker tubing, making it heavier than the CAAD. Furthermore the CAAD is manufactured with a newer process making the tubing even thinner without sacrificing strength (according to Cannondale), making it even lighter.
A "smaller" frame on the CAAD makes it stiffer, and the more compact geometry makes it more responsive in terms of power transfer and steering.
The "larger" geometry on the Synapse makes for a more relaxed (upright) position than on the "smaller" CAAD.
Comparing a size 56 CAAD and Synapse Alloy, both having a 56 cm top tube and 73.5 deg seat tube angles, here's a summary:
- the head tube on the CAAD is shorter and steeper than on the Synapse
- wheelbase on the CAAD is shorter than the Synapse's
- chainstay on the CAAD is shorter than the Synapse's
Obviously the Synapse frame is "larger", and as the former poster pointed out the Synapse has thicker tubing, making it heavier than the CAAD. Furthermore the CAAD is manufactured with a newer process making the tubing even thinner without sacrificing strength (according to Cannondale), making it even lighter.
A "smaller" frame on the CAAD makes it stiffer, and the more compact geometry makes it more responsive in terms of power transfer and steering.
The "larger" geometry on the Synapse makes for a more relaxed (upright) position than on the "smaller" CAAD.
09-17-12, 10:48 AM
#3755
Beer >> Sanity
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have both. The CAAD is noticeably lighter (I'm no WW, so I haven't weighed them)... granted there is a groupset difference that likely accounts for a lot of this [SRAM Rival vs. Tiagra]. Frame weight differences are likely noticeable as well, but less-so as the frame of the synapse feels sturdier [thicker tubes, etc...] and likely weighs more as a result but you don't have the swings in weight between nicer components and less nice ones.
Not sure what you mean about the Synapse frame feeling sturdier. I specifically bought the Caad9 over an alloy Synapse because the Synapse felt more flexy. Not as noticeable on the carbon model I eventually bought.
09-17-12, 11:48 AM
#3756
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 72
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-17-12, 04:17 PM
#3757
blah blah blah
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The thing that worries me is the drop on a 52. With a 33 inch inseam that seat is getting pretty high on a 52 and it will have a shorter headtube. I'm flexible but at 47 years not a spring chicken. I want to use this bike for the local tuesday night races and rebuild my Roubaix for the longer rides I like to do.
09-17-12, 07:49 PM
#3758
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
I don't care about seat tube "exposure" or whatever you are referring to. Is the seat to bar drop the same on the 52 or 54 for a given seat height?
09-17-12, 09:22 PM
#3759
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 561
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-17-12, 10:16 PM
#3760
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 700
Bikes: Cannondale CAAD10 Team, Giant TCR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The stack height (vertical BB to top of top* tube height) on a size 52 is 52.9 cm, on a size 54 it's 54.6 cm. This would give you a drop difference of 1.7 cm.
Something that an extra 15 mm spacer could solve.
*EDIT: I meant to say head tube
Last edited by e_guevara; 09-18-12 at 12:39 AM. Reason: correction
09-18-12, 07:28 AM
#3761
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Turkiye
Posts: 352
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Photo album
4 months of work went into this bike, collecting and waiting for parts. The result came out pretty good in the end, but there are just a few minor tweaks to be made.
I hate to parrot back Cannondale's marketing schtick- but the CAAD10 is really as good a bike as many high-priced carbon frames out there. I figured it was a better idea to spend the money on getting some of the best parts and an amazing wheelset. The CAAD10 so far has proved itself worthy of all these high-end parts, and I would do it again.
09-18-12, 10:04 AM
#3762
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunwoody GA
Posts: 174
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking at a used 2012 CAAD 10 5 in black. Has anybody seen the black with RED handle bar tape new? All the pics I see show black tape. For some reason the red has me weirded out.....
09-18-12, 10:06 AM
#3763
Tour De French Fries
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 1,251
Bikes: 2010 Cervelo R3 SL & 2013 Airborne Goblin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
handlebar tape is only like $15 to replace. It came stock w/black, owner probably just changed it out.
09-18-12, 01:21 PM
#3764
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunwoody GA
Posts: 174
Bikes: Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thats what I thought but he's saying it came that way. Unless the place where he got it changed it before he bought the bike. Do CAADs have a serial number that you can verify?
09-18-12, 02:15 PM
#3765
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,104
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Shop could have changed it. Serial number will be on warranty card if he has it. Also check underneath the bottom bracket on the frame.
09-18-12, 04:00 PM
#3766
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Ended up ordering the 54. I would have to get a longer seatpost to make the 52 fit and I am definately in between sizes here and either will fit.
09-18-12, 04:44 PM
#3767
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Posts: 5,094
Bikes: 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-6 2014 Trek Domaine 5.9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-18-12, 04:50 PM
#3768
Beer >> Sanity
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-20-12, 11:20 PM
#3771
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Missouri City, TX currently on assignment in The Netherlands
Posts: 8
Bikes: 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10-3, 2012 Cube LTD Pro, 1990 Cannondale Criterium 3.0
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last edited by Rlewis9932; 09-20-12 at 11:21 PM. Reason: Add pic
09-21-12, 04:05 AM
#3772
blah blah blah
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,520
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
handlebar tape is only like $15 to replace. It came stock w/black, owner probably just changed it out.
09-21-12, 05:49 AM
#3773
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ontario
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
09-21-12, 05:50 AM
#3774
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ
Posts: 367
Bikes: 2014 Boardman SLS 9.4 Di2, 2011 CAAD 10 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great bike! Isn't it nice to be back on a bike? I did the same thing last year - bought a CAAD 10-4 after 22 years of not cycling. 17 months later I weigh less than I did 22 years ago and my resting heartrate is down to 45 bpm. Gotta love the bike.
09-21-12, 10:00 AM
#3775
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Westwood, NJ
Posts: 84
Bikes: 2010 Caad 9-4 with Red, 2010 Caad9-5 with Rival, GT Tequesta
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
longshot, but is anyone interested at all in trading a 50cm cannondale CX9 cyclocross frame for a 50cm caad9 road frame of similar vintage?
though, if you're on a 50cm caad9 you probably need a smaller than 50cm cx9... so.. there's that.
though, if you're on a 50cm caad9 you probably need a smaller than 50cm cx9... so.. there's that.