I’m looking into buying a Cannondale CAAD 8 -or trying to convince my parents to help me with it, and call it a Christmas present- but I just talked to someone at the semi-local bike shop, and now I’m a bit confused. But on the upside of things, the bike(s) I’m looking at are $899 instead of the $1099 last time I looked! Yay for end of season sales!
She told me that they have two CAAD 8s. One is 54 cm and silver, the other 52 cm and red. (I think I like silver better). She told me that they are 2006 CAAD 8s, but then also “R 700s”. What does that mean? When I look on the Cannondale website, under CAAD 8 they have “optimo 1” and “optimo 2.” So what is the R700 thing? Is the optimo 1/2 for the 2007 models and the R700 is the 2006 ones?
I’m looking into buying a Cannondale CAAD 8 -or trying to convince my parents to help me with it, and call it a Christmas present- but I just talked to someone at the semi-local bike shop, and now I’m a bit confused. But on the upside of things, the bike(s) I’m looking at are $899 instead of the $1099 last time I looked! Yay for end of season sales!
She told me that they have two CAAD 8s. One is 54 cm and silver, the other 52 cm and red. (I think I like silver better). She told me that they are 2006 CAAD 8s, but then also “R 700s”. What does that mean? When I look on the Cannondale website, under CAAD 8 they have “optimo 1” and “optimo 2.” So what is the R700 thing? Is the optimo 1/2 for the 2007 models and the R700 is the 2006 ones?
TIA
I think CAAD8 and Optimo are the same thing. It’s Cannondale’s all-aluminum frame for '06. Now, I don’t know what Optimo 2 is, but maybe that’s what it’s called for '07?
R700 is the model number and differs from the other models in how it’s spec’d. Are you looking at the regular R700 or R700 Feminine?
Aren’t you supposed to get the bike that fits not the prettiest one? anyways that is way to many numbers companies need to just make names for stuff it would be a lot easier. Anyways i’m on lunch break right now but i’ll look around tonight to see if i can figure anything out.
Grant
p.s. messaged you back last night after i got back from my swim.
I think CAAD8 and Optimo are the same thing. It’s Cannondale’s all-aluminum frame for '06. Now, I don’t know what Optimo 2 is, but maybe that’s what it’s called for '07?
**1. What is Optimo aluminum and how was it developed? **
Optimo aluminum was developed in a partnership with Alcoa and was introduced to the market in 2002 with the CAAD7 road frame. The development process of the specific elements of the alloy took over 18 months, and Cannondale has exclusive use of this alloy in the bicycle industry.
2. What are the specific properties of Optimo?
Optimo aluminum is a 6000 series alloy that has superior properties to 6061, 6066, and 6069. Compared to 6061, Optimo’s proprietary mix contains slightly more silicon and less magnesium, which results in higher ultimate tensile strength and higher elongation. A higher ultimate tensile strength means that Cannondale’s engineers can use less material, saving weight while still resulting in a frame that passes Cannondale’s industry leading test requirements. The higher elongation makes the welded frame structure less susceptible to fatigue cracks since the material can “stretch” more without initiating the microscopic damage that can grow into cracks.
**3. Why doesn’t Cannondale use 7000 series alloys? **
With over 20 years of building aluminum bikes (Cannondale has never even made a steel frame) our experience has shown us that 6061 and Optimo alloys are superior to 7000 aluminum at the welded joint. Despite advances in heat treatment, 7000 series alloy still exhibit a large drop in mechanical properties at the welded tube junction, resulting a frame that is either heavier or does not pass Cannondale’s stringent ESAL testing.
I have a CAAD4 R400. I was under the impression that they just changed the name of the R series. I’m happy with it, but in retrospect wish I had gotten a slightly nicer bike- this one came with Sora components that have given me a lot of problems.
Honestly, if i ever have to do a thesis for a masters in marketing its going to be to market to women make it look cute. Thats all you have to do and 90 percent of women will buy it. I don’t know how well that idea would go over as a topic though
Why doesn’t Cannondale use 7000 series alloys?
With over 20 years of building aluminum bikes (Cannondale has never even made a steel frame) our experience has shown us that 6061 and Optimo alloys are superior to 7000 aluminum at the welded joint. Despite advances in heat treatment, 7000 series alloy still exhibit a large drop in mechanical properties at the welded tube junction, resulting a frame that is either heavier or does not pass Cannondale’s stringent ESAL testing.
wow, more confused. Does that mean that the two I’m looking at aren’t good bikes?
Also - they said r seven hundred, not seven thousand. ?
**1. What is Optimo aluminum and how was it developed? **
Optimo aluminum was developed in a partnership with Alcoa and was introduced to the market in 2002 with the CAAD7 road frame. The development process of the specific elements of the alloy took over 18 months, and Cannondale has exclusive use of this alloy in the bicycle industry.
2. What are the specific properties of Optimo?
Optimo aluminum is a 6000 series alloy that has superior properties to 6061, 6066, and 6069. Compared to 6061, Optimo’s proprietary mix contains slightly more silicon and less magnesium, which results in higher ultimate tensile strength and higher elongation. A higher ultimate tensile strength means that Cannondale’s engineers can use less material, saving weight while still resulting in a frame that passes Cannondale’s industry leading test requirements. The higher elongation makes the welded frame structure less susceptible to fatigue cracks since the material can “stretch” more without initiating the microscopic damage that can grow into cracks.
**3. Why doesn’t Cannondale use 7000 series alloys? **
With over 20 years of building aluminum bikes (Cannondale has never even made a steel frame) our experience has shown us that 6061 and Optimo alloys are superior to 7000 aluminum at the welded joint. Despite advances in heat treatment, 7000 series alloy still exhibit a large drop in mechanical properties at the welded tube junction, resulting a frame that is either heavier or does not pass Cannondale’s stringent ESAL testing.
well you see fluorescent yellow isn’t cute thats the problem.
I do however agree with you on the paint job thing. I told my dad i feel like i am in 1910 and can buy any bike i want as long as its black cause that seems to be the only color anyone wants to put out this year. besides a couple companies.
I really, really, don’t quite know what I’m doing here. I liked the bike I rode this summer (CAAD 5) so I’m looking at a newer one but similar to it! I don’t know all these bike terms!
Frame CAAD8 Optimo 
Fork Slice Ultra 
Rear Shock N/A 
Rims Shimano WH-R550 
Hubs Shimano WH-R550 
Spokes Shimano WH-R550 
Tires Hutchinson Top Speed foldable, 700 x 23c 
Pedals N/A 
Crank TruVatiV Elita SL, 39/53 
Chain Shimano 9-speed 
Rear Cogs SAM PG-950, 12-26 
Bottom Bracket TruVatiV Giga X Pipe 
Front Derailleur Shimano 105 
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra 
Shifters Shimano 105 
Handlebars Cannondale Fire, 31.8 mm 
Stem Cannondale Fire 3-D Forged 
Headset FSA Alloy integrated 
Brakeset Cannondale Theta 
Brakelevers Shimano 105 
Saddle Cannondale Road 
Seat Post Cannondale Carbon-wrapped 
Colors Race Red (gloss) (RED), Fine Silver (gloss) (SLV).
Sizes 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63 cm