CAAD 4 Aero

I picked up a 2000 CAAD 4 Aero today (52 cm). It's a pretty silly frame and almost certainly going be a very harsh ride. Nevertheless I really quite like it and therefore gonna build it up with some decent modern bits.

Current thoughts are:

1. 105 R7000 groupset

2. Vision Team 35 Comp wheelset because they are mad cheap at everyone's favourite online bike site: (https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WPVIT35C/vision-team-35-comp-road-clincher-wheelset). I already have a pair of these on my winter bike and they've been solid. The 35 mm depth should look ok with the phat alloy tubes. Will put some GP5(4)000s on them.

3. I want a new (black) headset for it, the one installed is a bit notchy. It's a 1" threadless headset. Should I buy a Chris King? Maybe, but they are very expensive. Would welcome thoughts on an alternative.

4. Also will change the seatpost clamp, really only because I want it to be black. It's a 27.2 post, is there anything else I need to know before buying one, i.e. are all 27.2 mm post clamps the same?

5. Thinking to get a Thomson X2 -17 deg stem. 100 mm in black.

That's about it for now. Any suggestions on 1" threadless headsets are welcomed.

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nice

Oh yeah!! Look forward to seeing this get built!

Nice

Looking forward to your build

Would consider deeper rims though. More like 55/65 with this fork and downtube

Interesting project. I look f0rward to seeing it come togther.

Oh, and if you ever think of selling this frameset, please drop me a message.

Oooof

This frame is fit. I totally approve of big alloy pipes and complete delusions about how uncompromisingly harsh it’s going to ride. RIP your arse, it’s going out in a blaze of glory. Something like that.

Is it 650b?

Thank you! (and noted).

This is exactly what I needed to hear.

Nope, 700c. The multisport were 650b though.

Lush!

Go CK if you can stretch to it, or mpart elite if not. The Cane Creek 40 is great but the flanges are super deep and I’ve had issues on Caads with them in the past.

Seat clamp wise, The bbb (?) light strangler is the one.

yes and @Dogs i might have one for sale. also yellow w. carbon fork and CK headset in near mind cond.

Love pre-BB30 Cannondales.

My vote is for a Stronglight A9 alloy (lightest 1” threaded headset I know of) or a Tange Levin (very pretty).

Look forward to seeing more of this build. I’d love to see it with Dura Ace 7800..

it's threadless tho

I got a caad 4 frame and fork in a small 48 that will come with 650 miche wheels for sale

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Update
I decided to go for CK headset, been delivered today. I don't have any proper headset removal/installation tools so probably gonna get this installed by Argos racing cycles (Bristol) since they're about a 15 min walk from where I work.

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650C to be a pedant...

Cool frame! Drops or aero bars?

Gonna run it with drops, as far as I'm aware the frame has a pretty normal road bike geom.

Very cool frame, doing it right with the black CK. Personally i like low profile rims with fat tubes (see @BigH Anchor), if you do want to try and save your spine i'd really recommend a handbuilt Kinlin XR22 wheelset from Arkane.

This is gonna be rad!

@Matisse
I know you've had a couple of CAAD 4's in the past. I want to order a seatpost clamp but my bike is at Argos. I don't suppose you know the diameter clamp I would need...?

I'm pretty sure it's gonna be 31.8 mm

Pretty sure that right. Looking forward to seeing this.