Cannondale's 2014 CAAD 10 Racing Edition.

When I started writing this blog I was jotting down notes and thoughts, and then as most things do, it changed into a comparison to another bike I have had some pretty good experience on. The 2014 Super Six EVO High Mod with Dura Ace 9000 11 speed.

See the Evo High Mod Blog -- HERE


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A few thoughts on the 2014 Cannondale CAAD 10 Racing Edition.

-Green, white, black team colored frame

-Painted not anodized
-Cannondale's Si Crank is amazingly light and stiff while the one piece upgraded spider ring further helps weight savings and stiffness. 

-Feels like the front is shorter than the ’14 EVO HM. My toes hit the front wheel, with the EVO I never had a problem. 

 

Much stiffer and less suspended feeling than the EVO. Steers faster, tracks straighter than the EVO, the evo has less feedback from the fork. (evo has high mod carbon fork which is lighter by close to 50g, and feels much softer. 

The Mavic Ksyrium Equipe S wheels that come with the bike could be slightly better. 

I swapped to climbing wheels, the Novatec Sprint.

-Tech Note-

-Shimano RS81 wheelset would also be perfect. These come stock on the EVO Dura-Ace equipped bike. (Tubeless, Softer feel, and Carbon looks. Braking surface is very good, as well its stiffness side to side, out of the saddle the wheels don’t have the slug flex feeling under the big sprint)

With traditional spoked wheels (not stiff aero carbon or composite high tension spoke ie… spinergy Xaero lite style) the ride is pretty smooth yet still supply road feel. Tires play a huge part in the the overall feel as well. 

The stock Cannondale C2 bar (traditional bend) that came on the bike out of the box is very similar to a track handlebar. They do offer the C2 in an ergo bend that is a current style bend. Consider the traditional design to be used  without levers. They fall into the drop very quickly and steeply leaving not much to do as for positioning a lever in a useful ergonomic manner. Or maybe useful if you predominantly ride in the drops more often than not...(Criterium Racing.)

I swapped to a Ritchey Streem II bar, and threw on some black velvet bar tape. The Bar is considered an aero bar, but I consider it built with a palm rest for larger hands on the bar top. Very nice to have. I opted for a 42mm vs a 44mm and I am liking the advantages of it with climbing feel (out of the saddle) and overall pull on the bar/ levers when climbing (in the saddle.)

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 ~Componentry~

I haven’t mentioned the Ultegra 11 speed. Its fantastic. After riding three centuries within thirty days, and almost 2k miles of training, previously on the EVO with Dura-Ace 9000 (11 speed) I can confidently say that the main difference is weight.

There is a slight edge of mechanical finesse with the Ultegra vs the Dura-Ace 9000. The D-Ace just plain works as quickly as possible, while ultegra seems to have that buttery smooth feel.

       
 


Ultegra 6800 is very quiet as a brand new zero miles group. 

The preceding Ultegra group, the 10 speed Ultegra 6700 as well as the newest Dura-Ace 9000 needed a bit of a wear-in period to smooth out the edges and quiet down the drivetrain. 

I cant wait to see how this group smooths out and functions after initial break in. 

The levers have a much better feel as far as the hood shape and lever action. One finger shifts are possible for the rear, as well as less of a need to shift at the bottom of the lever. I can shift one finger at the top of the lever as well thanks to the ease of shifting these levers provide. 

This Ultegra 7800 11 Speed is a win for this frame spec. 16 lbs bike weight is not bad. Diet for a week to make up the weight difference of the Dura-Ace 9000 in body weight instead of lightening the wallet.

The CAAD10 is a real climber.

The power transfer is very positive and whole, the Super Six EVO High Mod gives a lighter feel but not as solid of a response back from the pavement. However, the EVO does feel more planted in the sense that it absorbs more of the roads imperfections as well as less rear wheel chatter from hard uphill accelerations on rough road. Simply, the EVO Carbon frame is more forgiving. 

The Caad 10 is like having track tuned suspension on your Corvette vs the stock suspension setup, not as forgiving in the rough, but very responsive.

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Here is a bit of truth. 

Speaking of the rough. Chopped pavement sometimes encountered in the back country requires something larger than a 23c tire. Run a 25c. 

It will be fine, your KOM’s will not be compromised. They might actually be faster with this frame. Some faux 25c tires, (Spec Turbo 23/25) & (Michelin pro 4, 25c) might be the best of both worlds. Supple tire and less contact patch/ Peaky profile=Canyon descending shredder. 

Catch my drift? 

This bike is built to perform, why put tires on a bike that hurt performance and feel.

----- Overall setup----

Here is something that is highly subjective between individuals. 

(feel free to comment following this babble of impression and critique) 

• 54cm Frame

• 120 stem

• 42mm bars (Ritchey Streem II) Specialized Velvet bar tape

• 172.5 Cannondale Compact Si Crank, Si forged double chain ring.

Currently, at time of writing this, stem is 15mm above the top of head tube (slightly aggressive for tuning the bike feel) shortly, setup will be adjusted 0-5mm above head tube.

Future seat swap to Fizik Arione r5. 
Stock prologo nago profile hurts my backside and

I dislike white seats.

• Speedplay Zero stainless Pedals are run as well.

• Novatec Sprint wheel. These are light and very snappy. With the correct tire these wheels are a force on this frame.The Serfas tires are cheap and reliable. Thats about it. Overall feel is spongy and soft.

The largest compliment to this bike (out of the box) and the main difference in price between the standard Ultegra Caad 10 and the Race model is the crank arms, which have the (done here) option to upgrade to the Si chainring.

That is where the most weight is saved. Not sure what Cannondale was thinking when the bars were chosen, but as mentioned before there are still appropriate times for use. Many would either want the C2 ergo bar or something else. But for those wanting to race this CAAD 10 Ultegra, Racing Edition, utilizing the drops and shifting less this may be the hot ticket along with a carbon aero wheelset. 

In three adjectives, how would I describe this bike as a whole?

1.   Fast

2.   Positive

3.   Responsive

and...

...Di2 Ready.

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2014 CAAD 10 Ultegra, Racing Edition
MSRP: $2800
( CAAD 10 Ultegra Compact-- MSRP: $2270)

2014 SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD 2 Dura Ace

MSRP: $5420 

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Please see Cannondale.com for product specs and pricing.

http://www.cannondale.com/#bikes

Re-Inventing the "Throwback Bicycle"

 It seems, more than a few bicycle manufacturers are re-living the old days of when bikes were bikes, 

kids played in the streets with slingshots in their pockets rather than an iPhone. 

When curbs were used to jump rather than sit on and check facebook.

 Much like Ford bringing back the early Bronco, or GT Bikes bringing back their 80's freestyle bikes with 26" wheels. Schwinn has decided to yet again, release the Sting-Ray.

Enter the Fritz Fifty

This is not a publicity stunt on Schwinn's behalf, It represents the 50 years of Sting-Ray Memories. Believe it or not Schwinn is still around, a company rich in history and that is not to be forgotten. Even though its Chicago roots have been uprooted, this is a brand many of us have lived with throughout our lives. 

 With Sting-Ray production ending in 1981, this design has been re-released several times since. 1998, 2004, 2008, 2011 and now 2014. 

This year is in memory of  Al Fritz who passed last May just after he helped with the design of this new chrome clad release.

Original Advertisement- 1968

The Fritz Fifty is due to be a collectors piece. 500 were made and allocated to dealers across the US. We were lucky enough to get one. Stop by and check it out. Also in honor to Al Fritz, a portion of sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in his name.

The days of steel chain guards are not over.

 

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Timeless design or a re-invention of class?

Enter the Schwinn Rendezvous

Designed for the ladies, this classy little cruiser packs a whole bunch of features, and contrary to popular belief that Schwinn went the way of the not so classy retail establishments, this is not the case. Fit and form are very well executed on this Schwinn Signature Series, Rendezvous Cycle. Steel Fenders, detailed paint and machined rims, steel bar chainguard, details down to the cable routing on this beauty all show that Schwinn still has the touch. 

Details, down to the last thought. Thanks Schwinn.

Internal 5 speed hub keeps things simple.

Heres the scoop on Schwinn Signature bikes.

   Schwinn has two different lines of bikes, a low end "non bike shop" retail line, and their Signature brand level which can only be sold in authorized shops. Schwinn is trying to stay afloat in this tough market. Maybe in the near future they will have a high end brand and be back on top of the market. The Signature brand though will have to suffice and they are doing a great job with the quality and design of these niche group bikes.

• All new Schwinn® Rendezvous step-thru steel frame with double top tube and rigid steel fork.

• Sturmey Archer® internal 5-speed drivetrain with Sturmey Archer® twist shifter for smooth gear changes.

• Schwinn® comfort stitch grips, fender set and front basket with wine bottle holder are perfect for a summer outing. 

The Schwinn Rendezvous starts with a steel step through frame.




 A touch of subtle colored accents bring character to this ladies bicycle. 



The painted rims with machined braking surface accent the grey paint and leather wrapped seat and hand grips. 




Bamboo inset wine rack forward of the bike provide safe travel for your new cellar additions. 

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Remember when clunkers ruled the mountain?

Clunker Hybrid? Enter the  Schwinn Super Deluxe

 

Bottle opener on top tube

So much history comes from the steel framed cruiser, the 26" fat tire bike of the past. Schwinn put some thought into the details of this bike as well. Taken design cue from the modern fat bike, the rims speak for themselves. The two speed kick back hub, custom chain, the three piece crank set. Even the FSA headset and threadless stem set this aside from the classic cruiser yet there is the springer fork, old clunker style bars, and a fat, stitched seat which makes this a cruiser again. What say you? Strip it down to essentials and create your own throwback clunker? Leave it and hope that in thirty years it will be sought after? 

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The Re-Invention Part

The aforementioned bikes have truly reminisced of past times, evoked a bit of nostalgia and if you havent checked your bank account yet, this bike here may have you doing just that.

 Bronx Cycles, US Distributed by Huntington Beach Bicycle Company

This is a recent re-invention of the mountain bike, a re-invention of the beach cruiser, and heck, a re-vision of the modern fat bike. The Bronx. Here is an idea of something to simply have for fun. Something to have for cruising the beach, or for a ride around the neighborhood. Something to have cruising the snow covered streets of Mammoth or Big Bear.

Nothing turns more heads than a Fat Bike. Especially one like this.

 

High Modulus Carbon Fiber and the Cannondale Evo High Mod: Dura Ace 2

What is high modulus carbon fiber?

      Carbon fiber in its simplest form is a filament fiber, much like but smaller than a strand of hair. These strands are bundled in what is called "tow." Different types of filaments have their own set of structural values and properties which also throws another variable in the mix.

This tow is then woven into sheets of fabric much like a wool blanket is made from yarn. Or it may be laid into a unidirectional sheet which is used to make into structural forms. (designed to be stiffer or have built in flex.)  

High Modulus Woven Fibers

Tensile Strength and Modulus

Tensile strength rating is based on the force it takes to break the carbon fiber by pulling it apart from end to end. Tests do vary, but in the simplest explanation, however the tests are done, a designation of tensile strength is given. 

Tensile strength testing based on UV and Oxygen effects with High Modulus fibers...  Science!

 

Modulus on the other hand is how stiff the carbon fiber is. The higher the modulus, the stiffer the overall product. But it comes at a cost of tensile strength. Low modulus carbon fiber may stretch more than high modulus. Modulus is rated in High, Medium, and Low.

 In the application of modulus carbon to cycling, the much desired stiff frames of today are able to utilize the stiffness of high mod carbon without needing to use as much material as a lower modulus carbon built frame. Manufacturers use their own "recipes" to build in frame handling characteristics. 

Cannondale's High Modulus: Super Six Evo

 

EVO Carbon:

By using a higher percentage of intermediate-modulus fiber to tune the stiffness, we are able to expand the EVO line with a super high-performance, sub-950 gram frame.

Continuous Carbon: 

A continuous network of high modulus stiffening fibers runs around joint areas and along the outer edges of the frames tubes, connecting all parts of the frame and allowing precise tuning of stiffness and ride quality.

                                                                                         -cannondales design team

As far as the process of forming and shaping carbon fiber goes, that's probably Cannondale's secret and more in depth than I would like to go in this much long overdue blog entry. 

Here are some examples of the handy work Cannondale has done with their High Modulus Carbon shaping. Keep in mind the amount of material used to do this.

The dropouts are clean cut and very stout.

Very thin seat stays allow the carbon to be more flexible vertically and very stiff laterally.

High Modulus Insignia on the fork and seat stays.

The Bike

           Enough of the carbon and the weave, lets see how that one strand of carbon evolved into a sheet of fibrous weave which was molded into this beautiful Evo frame, and finally, built up to roll. FAST!

This Cannnondale Super Six Evo, High Mod frame is built up with the newest Dura Ace 9000 components. Manual shifters, front and rear derailleur, brakes and the fancy polymer shift-cable and housing set for buttery smooth shifting.

Cannondale's flagship Shimano equipped bike, the Dura Ace 1, will incorporate the newest Dura-Ace Di2 with the appropriate 9k cassette and D-A 9k chain. The Dura Ace 2 bike is equipped with an Ultegra Chain and cassette. The weight savings in regards to parts is much less than the weight savings your wallet will incur. (429g Dura Ace 9k chain and cassette vs. 465g of the Ultegra 6800 11sp)

 Brakes are easy to modulate, have a ton of power, and look fantastic.

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Internal rear brake cable routing is very low key, the external routing of the shift cables works seamlessly, and allows for easy cable change. Don't let the lack of internal cable routing ruin your perception of function over form!

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The ever popular Si crankset is installed on the frame along with a FSA Chainring set. (this was switched out to the Si milled spider-ring Set. This is much smoother shifting, and ~50g lighter)

 

 

 To round out the group,  Fizik's newest Arione seat is used with the Cannondale C1 alloy seat-post. The seat took some time to get used to but after a few hundred miles time on it, the seat is actually not that bad for a very flat profile top. The materials used are mg rails a suede feel inner fabric and the outer edges are standard vinyl material.

Specs:

15lb 2oz (with cages and pedals)

Frame: SuperSix EVO, BallisTec Hi-MOD Carbon, SPEED SAVE, PressFit BB30

Fork: SuperSix EVO, SPEED SAVE, BallisTec Hi-MOD full Carbon, 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" steerer

Wheels: Shimano RS81 Carbon (Not Shown in blog) Novatec R5 Clincher shown 1560 grams

Tires: Schwalbe Z1, 700x23c, folding

Chain: Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11-speed

Stem: Cannondale C1, 31.8 6 deg.  (Not Shown in blog) Cannondale Fire 120mm

Handlebar: Cannondale C1 Compact

Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 9000

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura Ace 9000

Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace 9000

Crank: Cannondale HollowGram Si, BB30

Bottom Bracket: Cannondale Alloy PF30 BB Cups, FSA BB30 Bearings

Cassette: Shimano Ultegra 6800, 11-25, 11-speed

Saddle: Fi'zi:k Arione, w/ Mg Rails

Seat Post: Cannondale C1, Lightweight 2014 Alloy 27.2x250mm

Headset: SuperSix EVO, 1-1/4" lower bearing, 25mm carbon top cap, 5mm Hidden top ca

Brake Callipers: Shimano Dura Ace 9000

Brake Levers: Shimano Dura Ace 9000