CAAD 7 Build

Who are you (no off-topic talk please)

Moderators: MrCurrieinahurry, maxim809, Moderator Team

ahumblecycler
Posts: 559
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:47 pm
Location: NKC, MO

by ahumblecycler

Great looking build! CAAD7 has a special place in my heart as it was my first real road bike. I still remember how my heart ached when I sold it and how it carried over onto my new ride - my first carbon bike Kuota Kebel - that brought disappointment in its overall ride.

Cherish that bike and hit me up first if you ever think (don't do it, trust me) you want to sell it.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
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dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Thanks Ahumblecycler, I've been really enjoying it! I think I'll update with some pics/weight now that I've mostly got everything sorted!
(Should come out around 7.3-7.4 kg)

I was in Victoria, BC last week where there are more hills than the flat prairies where I live so I managed to get a nice ride in with some climbing. Unfortunately it was on a 1970's Raleigh so the climbs made me miss the CAAD. Hoping I can resist the itch to chase something newer/better but I'll let you know if I ever think I need to sell. ;)

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

So winter is upon us and some further tinkering has begun.

Brakes:
Bontrager Speedstop Pros, I modeled a brake bridge to run these brakes on my frame and fork and after a bit of prototyping have a semi final product.
Cut on waterjet and tapped to accept direct mount brakes. The bridge/brakes have more clearance than the frame however they would be maxed out with a 32C tire. 240g ==>103g saved
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dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Time to clean up some components:
Clean stem graphics with acetone.
Cranks done with razor blade and refinished with Polyurethane Clear Coat and wet sand/polish.
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Also some fun graphics for the frame:
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dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

I also managed to snag an Easton EC90 SL straight blade fork as the Aero hylix fork was never a favourite.
Bonus... fork weighs 30g less than the Hylix.
338g ==> 33g saved

Current build weight 7.38 kg with the heavy wheels. Still trying to find a light set of carbon ones potentially. Could save up to 800g with a tubular setup. Kinda tempting.

dcj10
Posts: 91
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 4:22 pm

by dcj10

This route looks more fun than just buying the latest fashion item. I'm speaking as someone who has gone down both routes in the past. The Caad7 frame just looks right. To me, the bike is screaming out to be under the UCI limit, and still everyday rideable.
Main ride Aethos Expert 2021 https://weightweenies.starbike.com/for ... 0&t=169445
First reserve Pegoretti steel 2012 Ciavete paint viewtopic.php?f=10&t=168091

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Yes, I've definitely had fun with it so far! Wheels are so $$$ but really the only major weight savings left. Maybe some Used Keo Blades as I like the LOOK system and would throw the current pedals on the steel commuter.

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Small update of changes to come and photos to follow:

1. I found some DT 350 Hubs for <$100 used so looks like I'll be relacing the H+Sons soon Should come in around 1551g built up.
2. I can now run true 11sp cassettes instead of the sunrace I've been running with a manually milled spider I modified to run on the Ultegra hub.

A few items I'll be checking out in pursuit of a light-ish overall wheel weight:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001 ... 4c4dIpKUnc Might be soft as butter but hub came with a campy freehub and I needed to try an HG one anyhow.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001 ... 4c4dIpKUnc supposedly 10 grams and some folks seem to be running without issues.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003 ... 4c4dIpKUnc Seen some good reviews as well so taking the jump for spring

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002 ... MKxj1&mp=1 All steel, hopefully shifting is smooth.

Overall the above items should net some savings

Wheels: -270g
Bars: -29g
Cassette: -129g

Will look into some lightweight 28c Tires while I'm rebuilding the wheels potentially another 90g savings available without too much loss in durability.

Final weight should sit just under the UCI limit, would like to grab one of the Legalize my Cannondale jerseys just for the laugh.

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Oh I forgot, some other minor changes:

Found some housing that is just like standard housing only using alloy strands instead of steel and brought the total housing and cable weight to approx. 97g

Another 20g saved with fresh bartape.

mike
Resident Pro
Posts: 2994
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 9:42 pm

by mike

Nice build love the work done

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

OgEvkin Bars came in:
IMG_5540.jpg
Love the tapered instead of stepped round bar look. Heavier than I had hoped from previous weights of these.
Will likely sand and clearcoat however, I'll get a final weight then.

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Slowly coming back together for the spring:
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Decided to get matching R8000 brifters and figured I'd do some updating to the old steel rig at the same time.
IMG_5672.jpg
Sekines are not super common nor esspecially nice but were made here in MB, Canada for a while so we have many of these existing mainly as beater winter bikes or fixies. The frame sits around 2400g and will be about 8.5kg built with the Mavic SUP wheels which match nicely and should be a decent steel bike for some touring.

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

Time for another quick update.
The relaced H+Son wheelset came out great and I have been loving the ride with 28mm Veloflex Corsa Evo's. They also come in around 1612g which is a nice weight for some reliable alloy wheels.

In other news the I found a small crack in the rim of the wheelset on my spare bike and sadly had to retire them and start searching for another pair. This however provided a great opportunity to pick up some more "old outdated tech" in the form of some tubular FFWD F4R's in great condition for $300. I created some matte black vinyl decals to update the design a little and now it's at least a bit better aesthetically
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These weigh a nice 1245g and look great on either bike. The CAAD now weighs in just under 6.7 kg with the FFWDs and Just about 6.9 kg with the alloy wheels. I've been mostly focusing on riding it now. :)
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User avatar
spokenwords
Posts: 335
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:21 am

by spokenwords

Nice! and thanks for all the updates. I think Simoni and Cunego rode polished Caad 7's in the TdF but I could be mistaken. Other than the creaks and ticks from the bottom bracket shell they were well engineered frames (and the b.b. noise was usually taken care of easily).
"Notice how the door closes when the chimes of freedom ring." Joe Strummer
"this goes to 11" Nigel Tufnel
Dont move to Austin
Major Taylor rules.

dpries
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:24 pm

by dpries

@spokenwords interesting to hear! This CAAD still has a threaded BSA BB.
The CAAD has been great this summer however it has had some parts pulled in order to build up another project...

As it is now
CAAD.PNG

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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