Reloaded

The plastic surgery was successful and my new lover is lighter, faster and prettier then ever!

CAAD 5 has reborn. I did a very interesting decision and I sold my carbon Super 6 and spent a bit of time and money on my CAAD 5 frame. But why? In today's world everyone dreams about carbon machine and carbon parts and unfortunately we all forget other great materials like steel and alloy. The carbon blindness is over the place and I take part of it. I like well designed carbon parts and I dream about light bikes all the time, but everyone needs some different sometime.

My CAAD5's history. This frame is quite new in my collection. I bought it second hand last summer. I paid for it £80! I had to say it was a bargain and the planned to build a winter rig on it. The bike has been done late August and I started to ride immediately I just sat back on my Super 6 few times. The original set up was a full Sram Rival set with a pair of hand built Powertap - Open Pro Ceramic wheels, Thomson Elite finishing kit and a standard Cannondale alloy- carbon fork. I was over the moon with the bike. It wasn't light, if I remember right, the exact weight was around 8,4kg with mudguards. I really enjoyed to ride during the winter month and when I went away to Fuerteventura for 2 weeks training camp I packed in CAAD5 and not the S6. We had very good 2 weeks on the Canary island and I finally fell in love with miss C5. I wasn't even thinking on my S6. And I made a decision 2 months ago and started to be done for a big plastic surgery!

The original idea just was a group set change but in two weeks I finished order everything new, except the wheels and the saddle. I made the big change 4 weeks ago. After 2,5 hours full strip and rebuild I hold a 6.9kg alloy frame bike in my hand, built for perfection. No single stupidly lightweight parts on, everything durable. She is the ideal training - racing (?) horse with a pinch of curiosity and own soul. We will have some serious issue altogether soon. We had to do some serious mileage in the next season and she has to support and carry me in every situation! And I know, she will, because I gave for her a new chance and a new life!

Parts:

Fork: Easton EC 90. Full carbon modell from one of the oldest carbon expert factory. The fork's weight is under 290 grams.

Frame: Good old CAAD5. It is a 2008 (last production year) modell, she still has the American flag on the top tube and the "Hand built in USA" on the rear seat stays. The frame is 1330 grams and hell stiff, one of the stiffest alloy frame what Cannondale ever made. It was very very popular in the German market and Germans had a huge tantrum when Cannondale stopped produced it.

Headset: FSA Orbit Campy white integrated. Nothing fancy, but very durable piece.

Finishing kit: Thomson Masterpiece seat post, Thomson X2 stem, Thomson top cap and seat post clamp. I love Thomson parts, I reckon one of the highest standard on the seat pots - stem market. The handlebar is an Easton EC 90 SLX wrapped around with some two colour Fizik bar tape. The saddle is also Fizik, Arione CX carbon braided rail. Very comfy up to 11-14 hours.

Groupset: Sram Red. Nearly everything from the Red groupset except couple of bits and pieces. I very like Sram's shifting action, but unfortunately Sram's price just exploded in the last few years and now Red is more expensive then Campy Super Record. The STIs got a pair of pink Hudz (thanks for Dave) and I changed the BB for a pink Chris King and the chain rings for a pair of Rotor 52-36 on the crank.

Front mech is Sram Rival. Not a point to spend million ponds for extra 8 grams. And anyway, Sram Red front mech has titanium cage and shifts crap!

Brakes! Oh yes! One of my favourite bits on the bike! Zero Gravity Ciamillo. I got those from US ebay on bargain price! Actually I paid for them peanuts! Even less.... The brake's journey wasn't easy but I received them after 4 weeks...finally. The pair is 188 grams and I have to say they are powerful enough for my sixty some kilos.

Drive: Chain is a Sram PC 1091 with a 11-25 Dura Ace cassette. I am not a big fun of Sram cassettes, but I reckon Sram chain works best on Shimano cassette. I use this combination on my MTB in the last 7 years and it never failed!

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SR. Good price- weight wheels. I made a review about them, but I still hasn't posted... I will I promise! Great pair of wheel, trustable Mavic quality. Tires are a pair of Ultremo R1 with pink stripes.... no comment! :) After Conti GP4000 and 4 seasons I have a feel, I can corner! Yihhha!

Other bits and pieces: ok, what left... Skewers: Tune pink Skylines. Quite old bit in my collection but I still love it. 18 grams a pair, it works perfect.

Pedals are a pair of old Speedplay. One of my best decision in my life!

Cables: 2 years old Nokon.... still works!

Cable ends!!!! One of the nicest finishing touch on my bike! Pink cable ends! :D Thanks for my great friend Martin!

Well, that's it! The bike rides perfectly. I changed the stem from the original 100mm to 110mm and now cornering much much better. The frame is hell stiff and responsive but thanks for the R-Sys rear wheel it isn't to harsh. Rotor chain rings are good... I couldn't say anything more about them at the moment, but I can feel some benefits definitely on up hills.