Price Paid:  $0.00 at 1200

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Tour de Durbin Creek

Bike Setup:
56cm CAAD9 Optimo 3, 105 Group with 50/34 compact crank, Ultegra RD, Velocity Deep V's, Thompson seat post.

Summary:
I actually have the optimo 3 with the 105 kit and a Ultegra RD. I was looking for a new bike and was looking at various carbon bikes, but as a large rider at 300 lbs, carbon just might not have been the right choice. I looked at some steel bikes as well, but when I took this bike for a test ride, I noticed how stiff the it was and how I could easily feel the power transfer from the pedals. It had serious attack speed when needed. Knowing the rep of the CAAD9 frame, I knew I was getting a great bike.

As a larger rider, I did replaced the stock (Shimano 105) wheels with some Velocity Deep V's and since I live in a very flat area, wheel weight for climbing was not a high priority. While they are heavy, they are strong and spin great on the flat terrain. I also got it in the compact crank for those occasions that I do need to climb a bridge :-).

Overall, I find this one of the very best bikes I have ever ridden and it feels as good, if not better than some carbon bikes I have ridden. My longest ride on it is about 50 miles and with the Specialized Avatar saddle and a more relaxed stem, I don't feel beat up like one would typically feel after taking a long distance ride on an aluminum bike. I also get excellent comments on the raw metal color, it's very sweet looking. Total ride weight is 19.8 lbs with the Velocity Wheels.

I highly recommend this frame in whatever version you get it in.

Strengths:
Stiff BB, light weight, highly responsive feel and fantastically smooth ride. Race geometry, but easy on the back for my non-racing body. No worries about carbon failure. Made in the US.

Weaknesses:
Stock wheels for a large rider won't last long, 20/24 spokes count, but that is my personal issue. I also did not like the seat post which is a setback style post. Replace with a straight Thomson post.

Similar Products Used:
2003 Specialized Allez Comp, 2004 Trek 1000

Price Paid:  $300.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Full Dura Ace group
FSA Team carbon cranks
speedplay pedals
Thomson seatpost/stem
Deda handlebars
Neuvation M28 Aero wheelset

Summary:
I went out to ebay looking for a frame to build out with spare parts and powercranks to use on my computrainer. I didn't care too much about what kind of frame it was since I didnt plan to take it on the road. I found a brushed aluminum CAAD9 frameset for $300 and bought it. When it arrived I was immediately impressed by the weight and stiffness. I decided to read a little more about the frame and couldn't find anyone who had anything but praise for it. So (long story short) I left my powercranks on my old bike and decide to put my new dura ace on the CAAD9. I figured I could easily switch the components out later on.
I trained hard over the winter and added some good power while losing about 20 pounds (went from 230 to 210), so that probably has some bearing on what I'm about to say. But on the first climb I felt like I was shot out of a cannon! The bike literally lunges forward with every pedal stroke. I still haven't gone over 50+/- miles on the bike, but after that distance I certainly dont feel any of the harshness that I hear normally associated with an aluminum bike. If anything its more comfortable than my $1800 custom steel frame thats sitting on (and will continue to sit on) my computrainer. I'll also add that I bought a pretty heavy (1740g) wheelset when I'm used to riding on much lighter Mavik Ksyriums
I have a buddy who bought a Felt F1 carbon last year who is laughing at my choice in aluminum. Is his $2600 frameset better than my $300 purchase... uh, yeah. But I can also tell you that he's going to spend a lot of time looking at my arse when we hit the hills. For the $1600 I spent building out this bike, I couldn't be more pleased.

Strengths:
stiffness, weight, cost

Weaknesses:
not for posers

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Price Paid:  $300.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace group
Deda handlebars
Thomson stem/seatpost
FSA Team Carbon Cranks
Neuvation M28 Aeros

Summary:
I was originally looking for a frame to build out with spare parts and use on my Computrainer with a set of Powercranks. I found a CAAD9 frameset on ebay for $300 that I thought would work well. When it arrived and I picked it up I was amazed at the weight and stiffness. I immediately made an executive decision to build the CAAD9 out as my regular road bike and leave my other bike on my trainer.
It's a decision that I do NOT regret. Total weight after build-out was 18.2 pounds with a 63cm frame and a heavy (1740g) wheelset.
I've increased my power over the winter and dropped some weight, but the first time I rode this bike I felt like I was shot out of a cannon. Not only is it quicker and lighter than my old steel bike, but I swear it's just as comfortable too. I really havent taken it more than 50 miles yet, but at that distance I don't feel any of the affects of the harshness that is normally associated with aluminum bikes.
I have a buddy who bought a Felt FC-1 Carbon bike last year, and although he laughs at my decision to go with aluminum I can promise you that he'll be seeing a lot of my arse when we hit the hills.
I know that Cannondale is trying to phase out their aluminum frames and go to strictly carbon - That's why you can't buy one of these things with the higher end components. But don't be fooled in to thinking that this is a low end frame. If you want to drop the cash for a good carbon frame, fine... you'll most likely be very happy. BUT if you want a frame that is just as stiff and quick (and as I said comfortable), give this frame a serious look.

Strengths:
stiff, quick, low cost

Weaknesses:
Not for posers

Price Paid:  $430.00 at through our team

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
just go

Bike Setup:
full Ultegra 10, fsa alloy bar and stem, thomson post(still not too stiff). SLR saddle. only carbon is the fork. mavic ksyrium elites with Pro races. shimano r540 pedals

Summary:
Our team had custom painted CAAD9 framesets last year and we got them through cannondale. This bike is super stiff compared to other racing bikes ive ridden including some carbon and TI bikes. It can be built really light if you drop the money on parts. It's really a great all-rounder and can be used for road races, i've seen it set up for TT, but it's not a TT frame, and it LOVES and i mean LOVES crit racing. It handles so impecibly that you'd swear you dropped atleast $3k on your frame. It also climbs like crazy, motors on the flats, and decends respectably. Definatly the bike for the racer on a budget. I had a six 13 before this and I know this is stiffer albeit being one size smaller. I have an aluminum seatpost and it still is not too stiff for me to ride 100 miles on. (i also weigh 140lbs)

Strengths:
-stiff stiff stiff
-responsive pedal feedback
-cheap,
-light
-aluminum dents- carbon shatters

Weaknesses:
super-thin tubing dents easily(although some say its a plus compared to shatering carbon frames)

Similar Products Used:
2006 six13

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at helens cycle shop

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
30 miles from S.Pas up Angeles Crest

Bike Setup:
Black cadd9 optimo 2. Full ultegra components, including ultegra SL compact cranks. Dressed up in (Red)Panaracer tires,specialized bottle cage,grip tape

Summary:
The caad 9 is the ultimate aluminum frame. The frame is complemented with complete ultegra components. Cannnondales constant testing of these frames, have given us a great U.S engineered frame.

Strengths:
Stiffness,Components,Engineering design

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
none