Cannondale Aficionados / Owners

On that note: does anyone have a clue on what the lightest CAAD frameset was ? Or are they very similar?

It will be close between any of the later Optimo frames so 7, 8 and 9. There were several variations of fork with different models which will make a difference too

The earlier, external cable 10s

Many thanks!

I am not too enthusiastic about the caad10’s TT looking like its been squeezed towards the ST

So probably a 9 then 🤔

Yeah sorry, I assumed we were talking US caads based on the last few that were posted.
CAAD 10 and 12 are probably the outright lightest but they're different bikes to the old USA ones, only sharing a downtube logo

C9 was probably the ugly duckling amongst that lot. Great frame, not a looker.

^ I think the 9 that was anodised rather than painted would be the light pre taiwan one to get

Yea I was referring to them, should’ve clarified

Which one was the last US made?

EDIT: will an OPTIMO make a weight difference to the non-optimo of the same caad era?

CAAD9 was the last of the USA CAAD frames. Six13, SystemSix were also US and the first of the SuperSix were made in USA.

Six13 is a brilliant bike but mine cracked at the carbon/Aly join.

The SystemSix is the stiffest bike I’ve ever ridden.

The first SuperSix was the best bike I’ve ever owned. It was superb. I’d have one in a heartbeat

So probably a 9 then

My 9 is nice to ride but i wouldn't describe it as lightweight. I have the Premium+ fork which is around 330g but even with lighter XR22 wheels it was only just under 8kg. There is a BB30 option which would let you use some lighter cranks but i'm happy mine's threaded. My CAAD10 track frame feels light so assuming the road version would be as well. Not US made but an early road 10 with a 12 fork and BB adaptor would get my vote.

I'd snap up a NOS 56cm System Six if one were to come up

The modern aero Supersix is such a travesty compared to the classic rim brake version.

I've had mine for 7 years now and still no itch to change it.

Only thing that could do it is a c64. I am turning 40 next year so that's only natural.

Doesn't look like this any more

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Ha snap well on the age part, I'm contemplating a dream bike...

I am quietly smitten by this thing. 22 years old and it’s been ridden three times, once by me. It was still on the original tyres. It is a brand new bike. I’m trying to work out what to do because the thing is museum quality, to ride it seems sacrilegious it’s so perfect. Not a mark on it. Not one. The groupset is brand new, it shifts like no Campag Record I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot) the cables are unstretched and the thing rides better than pretty much any bike I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned hundreds. I could sell it to some rich twonk who’d give me loads of dollah or I could just ride the thing and love every minute of it.

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Yeah that's crazy.

Ride it then sell it

very nice barn find sean : )
#bdhu

ride it with a massive grin on your face.

life's too short etc.

Pretty special that. Whats the black Lightning story; was it just a limited paint job?

I was commuting on my NOS Klein Criterium, chap on a road bike pulled up next to me and said "that's a beautiful bike, and I'm horrified that you're riding it".

i mean, maybe commuting on it is a step too far... sunny summer special

Black Lightning was Cannondales 25th anniversary special. Paintjob, only 300 and a collaboration with Campag, special Record grouppo, all black with gold writing, when Campag were only polished. Neutron wheels again with special Black Lightning decals etc, special cables (gold and Kevlar from memory) etc. It’s super rare. I’ve only ever seen one other in the flesh and I’ve been looking for 20 years for one. This is just super special. The guy even bought 2 spare matching tyres and tubes when new so he never needed to change anything. He rode it twice and put it in a wardrobe for 20 years.

I’ve ridden it now and I am blown away. I think I’ll ride it like I stole it !!!!

They did two runs of these - one in 1990ish and the other in 2002/3.

The 1990’s one was just paint. Nothing that special but still special if you get my drift.

Superb. But definitely ride it. Fuck museum bikes