Bike Crit-ique – Marty’s CAAD9

Have to admit I have a bit of a soft spot for this one – I used to ride the same frame, and my god do they make for a cracking ride!

So, here’s the spec list:

Cannondale CAAD9 BB30
Campag Record levers & mechs
KCNC stem
Bontrager VR bars
Easton EC90 seatpost
San Marco Aspide saddle
Planet-X CNC brakes
Cannondale Si-SL cranks
Edge 68 rims on DT Swiss hubs with Conti Competition tubs

This must make for a cracking crit bike! You might not like my aesthetic analysis though Marty…

Let’s start with the good stuff – those wheels. They might seem overkill for such a good value frame for many, but if you’ve ridden a CAAD9 you’ll know that’s not the case. Honestly, a frame like this deserves great wheels. I think the white bartape and saddle are a good balance on the colour scheme, although I ran black on mine. Finally too, somebody is using carbon (or at least black) rails on their saddle!

The bad? Hmmm, that stem. I know it matches the red detail on the frame, and it is a bold statement – it’s just a bit too OTT for my liking. A few more subtle red details (hubs, bottle cages, skewers for example) would be more subtle, although I’ll admit I don’t think the stem is a hideous addition. Again, that collars and cuffs thing arises too. It’s such a simple thing, but it makes such a difference to a bikes’ visual appeal. I’m also not a fan of the silver Si-SL when the black one looks so much better.

What would I like to see? If I’m honest I don’t think the Easton seatpost feels right on a Cannondale, although I’ll forgive the bars. The 3T Team kit I had on my old CAAD9 was a really tidy match so it’s going to be difficult not to suggest that, but actually some of the new Zipp components would suit this really nicely (although they’d also clash with the wheels!). I do think the stem and post are all that need to change though, as much as I’d rather see a black chainset on it.

I’m going to call this ‘Whitney’: It’s Not Right But It’s Ok… 6.5/10.

Next subject will be Francis’ Supersix.