2010 Cannondale CAAD9-1
After not including a high spec CAAD9 bike in their range for 2009, Cannondale have come to their senses and introduced the CAAD9-1 for 2010.
I haven’t ridden an alloy frame for god knows how long and was pretty excited to jump on this novel, new, material that doesn’t come from the moon (as we all know that is where cosmic fibre hails from) and holly jesus is it stiff!
The CAAD9-1 comes with a BB30 bottom bracket where the oversized bearings are pressed directly into the frame thus reducing weight (no more external cups), increasing stiffness through the BB for reduced frame flex and increased wear times.
The bike is super responsive when you want to put the foot down meaning you can dance up hills in a big gear or accellertate quickly for a break making it a perfect criterium bike.
With such a stiff frame I thought something has to give and figured it would be the wheelset but so far I am pretty impressed with the Shimano RS-80’s which match the frame for stiffness. The bike comes with Dura-Ace 7900, SLK Carbon Crankset and Cannondales own finishing kit, a nice touch is the full carbon seat pillar as opposed to alloy with a carbon wrap and the full carbon fork and steerer.
If would have to say the only let down are the Tektro brake calipers but they just keep the price down and can be eaily upgraded….Oh and the price… $4600. Bloody good value!
