Over the past few months, I’ve scoured the internet and visited nearly every local bike shop, sometimes more than once shopping for my first road bike. After a long search and several test rides, I was overwhelmed by more brands, models, and component sets than I ever imagined possible.
Initially, I was looking at the Raleigh Revenio 3.0, Felt Z85, and the Giant Defy 1, but after visiting River Market Cyclery and test riding a Cannondale CAAD10 5, I was sold on the Cannondale brand.
After a bit more searching, I found a 2010 Cannondale CAAD9 4 at Leawood Bicycles that was just my size. Since it was a 2010, it was also on sale for a great price. I went home, slept on it, and the next day made up my mind.
The CAAD9 is the predecessor to the CAAD10 and was last Cannondale bicycle to be handmade in the United States. I also liked the CAAD9 4, because it was equipped with a full SRAM Rival groupset, including a carbon crank.
I bought the bike on August 6. As of today, August 23, I’ve put just over 100 miles on it. It’s a great, responsive ride, though I’m still getting used to the firmer, smaller road saddle. I definitely don’t leave home without my biking shorts on. The CAAD9 has more of a racing geometry, so I’m taking it in today to have the stem flipped, so the my riding position will be a little more relaxed and comfortable.
| Specifications — 2010 Cannondale CAAD9 4 | |
|---|---|
| Frame | CAAD9 Optimo aluminum, taper-butted |
| Fork | Slice Premium monocoque full carbon |
| Weight | Unspecified (60cm frame, I’ll weigh soon) |
| Components | |
| Seatpost | Cannondale C2 Carbon |
| Saddle | Prologo Kappa Pas |
| Drivetrain | |
| Shifters | SRAM Rival |
| Front Derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM Rival |
| Brakes | Tektro R580 |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Rival |
| Cassette | SRAM Rival |
| Chain | KMC DX-10SC |
| Crankset / Bottom Bracket | SRAM Force BB30 Compact, 50/34 |
| Wheels | |
| Rims | Shimano RS10 |
| Hubs | Shimano RS10, 20h (rear) & 16h (front) |
| Spokes | Shimano RS10 |
| Tires | Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick, 700 x 23 |
| Other | |
| Warranty | Lifetime – Frame |
| MSRP (Price) | $1,799 (I got a deal, since it was last 2010 model and I bought near end of 2011) |
