Cannondale CAAD8 Optimo 1

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
The Driveway

Bike Setup:
CAAD 8 (58), Slice Full Carbon Fork, Full SRAM Force, Cheap wheels, Specialized S-Works Carbon bars and post, Specialized adj stem, Look pedals, Conti GP 4000 tires.

Summary:
Bought this frame to use as my crit/RR bike. It is light (for AL), stiff, and responsive. And for the price of the frame you can't go wrong. I'm a little bigger/heavier than your avg racer so I'm still a little sketchy on going full carbon. I've actually had to adjust my sprinting style because I was bringing both the front and rear wheels off the ground during sprints. It's that stiff!

Strengths:
+$ Value
+weight
+stiffness

Weaknesses:
-geometry is a little awkward (and fits one size smaller than you are used to)
-headset is a PITA

Similar Products Used:
Giant OCR, Specialized Allez, Specialized Transition

Price Paid:  $1100.00 at K&G Bike Center Kett

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
20 miles 45 minutes

Bike Setup:
as is.

Summary:
Just bought this bike, my second road bike. I had a Team Fuji 15 years ago for training for soccer and I thought that bike was nice. The Caad8 is stiff and the power transfer is sweetest I've ever felt. I raced xcross on my DBR Axis TT, which I still have and will never part from and gives me everthing I want from it. The Caad8 gives me everything I'd expect from Cann. and then some. I've only put 50 miles on it and have yet to find any issues with the fork or the stock rims. I great bike for the $$$.

Strengths:
power transfer whenever I want it. Great balance.

Weaknesses:
dunno yet...

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Team 1989

Price Paid:  $1073.00

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
30 miles in 90 minutes

Bike Setup:
The shop swapped out the Shimano wheelset for Rolf Elans at 35% off and gave me $250 credit for the takeoffs! I swapped the saddle for a Wtb shadow and the bar for an EC-90. The bike came with an FC-700 compact crank and 105 components. I changed the cassette to an Ultegra 12-23 to match the 34/50 rings. 52cm. 16.25lbs on a digital scale. . . Sweet!

Summary:
I got a great deal on this bike when a LBS had a going out of business sale. I took it out for a test ride and bought it on the spot. I am impressed with the power transfer and am amazed at how comfortable this thing rides for the price I paid. This baby teases me into the zone and doesn't beat me up for hangin' out there for a couple hours!

Strengths:
Acceleration and comfort for an aluminum frame. Handling is perfect.

Weaknesses:
The slice fork creaks a bit

Similar Products Used:
I also own a '93 Trek 2200 which i've had since new.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at avenue cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
downhill

Bike Setup:
shimano 105 and ultegra

Summary:
ave cyclery ended their relationship with cannondale. not a happy affair, but it worke out happy for me. caad8 with shimano 105 shifters, ultegra derailers, along with a seat upgrad and free shimano pedals, i was very pleased to walk out with the bike for $1000 marked down from $1500.

i primarily commute bay-to-breakers, breakers-to-bay everyday in sf. 16 mile round trip every day. half the ride is through the gg park an pan handle, the rest urban warfare through market street downtown. i'm used to aluminum. i like steel, but prefer the direct transfer of power of the stop to the smoother ride of steel. this bike starts faster than anything. i was worried about the rattles i hear about, and in fact i now have one. i'm sure i'll find it and dampen it though. the only time the rigidity of the frame is an issue for me is one particularly rough piece of abandoned downhill pavement in the park i go down on my way home.

Strengths:
acceleration. components are sound.

Weaknesses:
i have no love for the wheels and i have no confidence in the tires. i plan to use and abuse them for a year then replace them.

Similar Products Used:
my mountain bike is a '91 cannondale.

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at lbs

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
rolling hills

Summary:
After many long discussions with my lbs
owner the dale hit the short list at a reasonable run out sale price.
A short test ride later the decision was made.
The power transfer of this bike had to felt to be appreciated. Sprints were explosive and the forks told the story when it came to cornering, this bike slices though them. The bike tracked like it was on rails giving you total confidence even on fast switch backs.
The ride although not harsh in any way was stiff, but thats what you would expect from alloy frame that delivers such instant and sustained response to the power applied to the pedals.
The finish was more than satisfactory.
the groupo which was mainly shimano 105 except for the rear derraileur which is ultegra has worked flawlessly.
Shifts were sharp and crisp, the brakes had ample stopping power, much improved over early generations shimano brakes.
I felt nervous about the shimno 550 wheels set, having heard conflicting reports about their longevity and how the weight would feel.
Because this is a short term report l can only say that so far they have proven to be a solid performer. They have been no trouble, regardless of what ever l have put them though although l have not hit any large pot holes.
And for long rides at a steady pace over anything but very hilly terrain these wheels are more than adequate despite the weight weeny cringe weight.
All in all l think for the price you get a bike that is worth every dollar.
Money well spent.
Well done cannondale.

Strengths:
Does ever thing you could ask of it.
At a price that makes sense.

Weaknesses:
Apparently not much a bling factor but at least the people you pass will know what you are riding.

Similar Products Used:
a range of steel, carbon fibre, and other alloy bikes