cannondale CAAD10 2011

[The K-man]

I'm wondering what people think of this bike/frameset.
I'v seen good reviews but am always sceptical as to who the reviewer is.
I'm a 66kg A grade racer who likes to climb but does lots of crits over summer (aka sprinting). Would this frameset be suitable.

Any ride reviews of frameset and the specs of the rider and the bikes use would be greatly appreciated.

cheers The K-man

 

[42x16ss]

I'm a 6ft, 70kg A grader and I've been using one on and off for training/crits and love it. It's not Super Six stiff but very close and better than you would expect over the rough stuff.

What build are you looking at? I would take an Ultegra CAAD10 over a 105 Super Six any day of the week. Hell, even an Ultegra CAAD10 with the change spent on some decent wheels would be about even with an Ultegra Super Six for the same money.

I do have a strong Cannondale bias though

 

[The K-man]

im just gonna get a shop to strip down the bike to the frameset as i already have other parts, just a frame/fork upgrade.
Thanks for the review, sounds like a winner at a good price too...... very important for a racer due to the probability of crashing.

 

[42x16ss]

im just gonna get a shop to strip down the bike to the frameset as i already have other parts, just a frame/fork upgrade.
Thanks for the review, sounds like a winner at a good price too...... very important for a racer due to the probability of crashing.

LOL! That's why I like using the CAAD10 instead of my Super Six HiMod in crits. Rather smash up a cheap aluminium frame than a high end carbon.

See if you can get the powdercoat matte black, it looks awesome!

 

[richwagmn]

LOL! That's why I like using the CAAD10 instead of my Super Six HiMod in crits. Rather smash up a cheap aluminium frame than a high end carbon.

See if you can get the powdercoat matte black, it looks awesome!

So how does these frames ride?

 

[42x16ss]

So how does these frames ride?

They both ride well. The CAAD10 feels planted and generally smooth, excellent over bad roads for an aluminium frame but can still get tiring. The extra weight makes it less "jumpy" on bad roads though.

The Super Six feels a lot lighter under you, you can feel everything you ride over, but not in a harsh way. It can feel a bit "jumpy" over really bad stuff but won't wear you out on poor roads like the CAAD10 or a steel frame would.

Long story short - love them both but prefer the CAAD10 for crits and the 6 for a long RR

 

[Boeing]

LOL! That's why I like using the CAAD10 instead of my Super Six HiMod in crits. Rather smash up a cheap aluminium frame than a high end carbon.

See if you can get the powdercoat matte black, it looks awesome!

cad10 a cheap alloy frame? really

 

[42x16ss]

cad10 a cheap alloy frame? really

Compared to a Super Six Hi Mod it is

This is a case where cheap =/= crud though!

 

[Boeing]

Compared to a Super Six Hi Mod it is

This is a case where cheap =/= crud though!

the cad10 red frame caught my eye at a LBS. Until I looked at the price of the Alloy. yikes. way over priced

 

[42x16ss]

the cad10 red frame caught my eye at a LBS. Until I looked at the price of the Alloy. yikes. way over priced

Don't just dismiss it as an "alloy entry level frame". Test ride one, it is a lot like the Cervelo S1 when it comes to defining what is possible with an aluminium frame.

IMO even the CAAD 9 has nothing on it.

 

[Parera]

Don't just dismiss it as an "alloy entry level frame". Test ride one, it is a lot like the Cervelo S1 when it comes to defining what is possible with an aluminium frame.

IMO even the CAAD 9 has nothing on it.

Gotta agree, CAAD9/10 are nice bikes. I've had a CAAD9 for a couple years; intended on turning it into a crit bike, but the frame is just a tad on the large side for me so I never stripped the tiagra/sora on it. Even so, I took it out a few times as is and had a lot of fun; did a ride with 16 miles of gravel/mud on a rainy November day and had an absolute blast. Selling it now, if only it were a 58cm instead of a 60cm I would hang on to it (or maybe not, need funds for some Cannondale Hollowgram cranks!). Oh well, this is what happens when you buy frames on ebay.

Honestly, and take it from someone that rides some of the absolute worst chipseal that is unusually cruel to aluminum steeds, Cannondale has a knack for designing superb alloy frames that easily stand up to, even surpassing, most of the entry level carbon fiber market. Can't go wrong.

 

[For The World]

Gotta agree, CAAD9/10 are nice bikes. I've had a CAAD9 for a couple years; intended on turning it into a crit bike, but the frame is just a tad on the large side for me so I never stripped the tiagra/sora on it. Even so, I took it out a few times as is and had a lot of fun; did a ride with 16 miles of gravel/mud on a rainy November day and had an absolute blast. Selling it now, if only it were a 58cm instead of a 60cm I would hang on to it (or maybe not, need funds for some Cannondale Hollowgram cranks!). Oh well, this is what happens when you buy frames on ebay.

Honestly, and take it from someone that rides some of the absolute worst chipseal that is unusually cruel to aluminum steeds, Cannondale has a knack for designing superb alloy frames that easily stand up to, even surpassing, most of the entry level carbon fiber market. Can't go wrong.

I notice everyone saying "Oh i'll use my CAAD10 as a crit racer, and use my carbon [insert frame here] for long rides".

Seeing as you've ridden the CAAD10 over some nasty chip seal roads, how well does it handle the rough roads? The reason I ask is I've got an aluminium, traditional geometry, BMC SL01 which is fairly stiff, and perhaps slightly unforgiving (but I don't find it tiring), and I'm considering upgrading the frame to a CAAD10 and swapping all my Campy parts across. I've ridden the BMC on rough roads, and while the bumps are transmitted, I don't mind it too much, and I do enjoy spending a few hours a day on it.

 

[42x16ss]

I notice everyone saying "Oh i'll use my CAAD10 as a crit racer, and use my carbon [insert frame here] for long rides".

Seeing as you've ridden the CAAD10 over some nasty chip seal roads, how well does it handle the rough roads? The reason I ask is I've got an aluminium, traditional geometry, BMC SL01 which is fairly stiff, and perhaps slightly unforgiving (but I don't find it tiring), and I'm considering upgrading the frame to a CAAD10 and swapping all my Campy parts across. I've ridden the BMC on rough roads, and while the bumps are transmitted, I don't mind it too much, and I do enjoy spending a few hours a day on it.

Aluminium gets unfairly criticised on rough roads, sure it's not as good as a good quality steel or carbon frame but the difference is minimal when the Al frame is well designed.

I use my CAAD10 for crits and all but the craziest training rides and it's great (the Super 6 gets the all day rides and road races). A CAAD10 is one of those frames that are ridiculous value for money. Definitely give the CAAD10 frame a try, chances are you'll love it.

 

[Parera]

I notice everyone saying "Oh i'll use my CAAD10 as a crit racer, and use my carbon [insert frame here] for long rides".

Seeing as you've ridden the CAAD10 over some nasty chip seal roads, how well does it handle the rough roads? The reason I ask is I've got an aluminium, traditional geometry, BMC SL01 which is fairly stiff, and perhaps slightly unforgiving (but I don't find it tiring), and I'm considering upgrading the frame to a CAAD10 and swapping all my Campy parts across. I've ridden the BMC on rough roads, and while the bumps are transmitted, I don't mind it too much, and I do enjoy spending a few hours a day on it.

I did a 30 mile dirt/gravel road ride on my CAAD9. Mix of mud, nasty packed rock stuff (think really crappy, uneven cobbletsones) and dry granite. The ride was beautiful, and I was using the stock setup (2009 CAAD9 7 for reference; Tiagra/Sora etc). I've done the same ride on a Specialized Roubaix and honestly, I didn't feel more beat up on the CAAD9 afterwards nor did I find myself at any point longing for a carbon frame.

I think I'm going to stop saying the CAAD9 rides well for an aluminum frame; it's just a great ride, the type of bike that you just want to get on and ride for fun. Crack'n fail jokes aside, I think you will be more than happy with a CAAD9 under your bum.