Ok, I know I'm flouting all the rules of the other post about "do your homework" before asking a noob question. Actually, I've seen the CAAD9 love all over these forums for months already, and am seriously considering it as I'm in the market for a pure roadbike. (Yes, I only own a TT bike now.)

What's so awesome about the CAAD9, anyway? Would appreciate any objective evidence or comparative experience.

(My other main alternative I'm considering is the Immortal Pro BD bike (gasp), but if my LBS has any good deals, I will consider those bikes as well.) Of course, if the CAAD9 or any similar bike doesn't quite fit me right, I'll move to others.

The plusses I've seen before about the CAAD9 are:
- Was made in the US
- Race-tested frame
- Pretty good reputation

Stiff as hell. Inexpensive. Pretty.

I was kind of curious about the same thing. What makes a Caad 9 so much better than say a Trek 2.3 or a specialized Allez Elite? Is this coming from more of a cost perspective? I tried out a CAAD 9 but ended up going with a Six Carbon.

The "Made in America" thing is no more, I think. It's not listed on their website anymore as being made in Bedford, in any case.

What I'd like to know is, how does the CAAD9-5 compare with the Synapse Alloy 5? Synapse just a little more relaxed?

Because I don't have to make a dozen threads about rueing it for everyone to know how awesome it is.

I rode the trek 2.1/2.3 and the CAAD 9.5... both were very comparable and just came down to the fit. I'd say the overwhelming difference is just the basic geometry...

i ended up with the trek, but that seems to be a bad 4 letter word around here.. I dont really know why..

It's stiff, pretty cheap, US made, race-worthy and can still be used for the odd century. What's not to like? I just bought mine b/c people told me to. Sometimes people are right

Cannondale seems to have perfected the Alu frame science.

For the price its better component-wise than others in it's class as well.

It's not a Trek or a Spec. As in, it's not so big that people hate it but not so small that's its exclusive. It fits in a good spot.

Pretty much all I can think of.

It was my first road bike, it was cheap, it is real stiff(yet comfortable). It looks very cool and therefore must be faster. With a few upgrades I can have a really bad to the bone bike.

It's the kool-aid...so many of us have imbibed

Seriously though:

• The made in USA was a big thing for me...so if that makes me an intolerant, jingoistic b*stard then so be it, guilty as charged.
• As others have said, in the case of the CAAD9-5 the FULL (except for brakes) 105 group is a big plus.
• It's fairly light, mine was 18.75 pounds bare nekkid completely stock., I plan to trim 1.5 pounds or so.
• The frame is stiff as h*ll as others have mentioned...coming from my POS Fuji Newest 4.0 the first 100 feet out of the driveway told me that something was WAY different about this bike.
• The lightning white, to me is just the sexiest color scheme I've seen....simple, striking. And no, aesthetics aren't everything, but they don't hurt.

I paid $1300 for mine at the LBS. Given the componentry, the frame, and all the intangibles that drew me to it I think I got a bargain.

You can't find a better bike for the money. It's that's straight forward. Buy one and you'll see

because any other 100% aluminum frame is either way more money or crap.

The Synapse frame is almost two pounds heavier w/fork. Road vibration is about the same. Big hits are absorbed much better on the Syn. The Caad feels way better when sprinting, and has a more precise feel. As delivered, the handlebar on a Syn is much higher.

because mine it looks awesome. and it's BB30, but i'm too cool for those Si cranks, I prefer 9spd 105 because it's secretly the best crank ever.

My Six13 is a CAAD 9.5.

Here is why:

https://www.belgiumkneewarmers.com/20...le-caad-8.html

It's a good, no fuss bike. It is perfectly balanced and perfectly responsive. It is agile and aggressive. Mine weighs 17 lbs in race rig. With Campy 11 and Fulcrum R1 wheels, it cost under $3000. I live two miles from corporate HQ and sometimes ride and race with the engineers who designed my bike. Those all seem like pretty good reasons to me.

beautiful bike. it looks very similar to mine. I even have a premium plus fork now too although its not pictured here.

If I was buying a new bike, I would also be asking about some of the negatives. There are reasons that everyone doesn't buy this bike.

How do you keep those green tires looking so pretty? I hope they were new when you took that picture. I have the grey vredstein fortezza tri-comp and they look dull and dirty after the first couple of rides.

^ you worry too much about looks.

Maybe I don't feel so bad mine is coming in later than yours, got it for a good bit cheaper

Its fast and it looks cool and It was within my budget. If I had a picture, youd all drool.

I don't know why it's so awesome yet. Still waiting for mine to be ready.

You sure about that?

I'm looking for some stickers to cover the 'HANDMADE IN USA' decals
could probably use some for the 'CANNONDALE' decals on the seat tube and chainstays too.

maybe I should just get some dimple tape.