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Josh
@mattyc
Hi all - I've been asked to find a CAAD for a mates suprise birthday present - I've got a few options and need some advice!
Option 1 - CAAD7 Optimo
Option 2 - CAAD9
Option 3 - CAAD4, wild card and half the price of both above...
To the untrained eye all will appear similar - full black builds with gumwalls... If this were for me I think I'd be going for the CAAD7 based on info a mate sent me -
CAAD4 - Hourglass seat stays
CAAD5 - Integrated 1 1/8" headset
CAAD6 - Integrated Hollowgram crankset
CAAD7 - Teardrop shaped toptube, "optimo" tubing used. Optimo aluminum was developed in a partnership with Alcoa and was introduced to the market in 2002 with the CAAD7 road frame. The development process of the specific elements of the alloy took over 18 months, and Cannondale has exclusive use of this alloy in the bicycle industry.
Optimo aluminum is a 6000 series alloy that has superior properties to 6061, 6066, and 6069. Compared to 6061, Optimo's proprietary mix contains slightly more silicon and less magnesium, which results in higher ultimate tensile strength and higher elongation.
CAAD8 - Bladed rear seatstays and redesigned rear dropouts
CAAD9 - Seatstays from the system six. They are essentially the bladed CAAD8 stays moved a little wider apart. Went back to rounded downtube and ovalized the toptube at the headtube junction. The beefed up the toptube, downtube, and seat tube to give it similar stiffness to the CAAD4/5/6.
What do you guys think??
Cheers,
Matt