sci guy's & SmellyAir's CAAD4 Bike Build Bromance
So lots of you probably saw I got myself a 2001 Cannondale R1000 CAAD4 to rebuild and have posted a few times about it in the Cult of CAAD thread - and recently inspired SoSmellyAir to go in search of a turn of the century CAAD frame as well. He was able to find himself a 2000 R4000 CAAD4 frame & fork. We've been chatting via PM helping each other out with some parts and questions, and decided to make a thread where we can share the progress of our similar builds as they go!
It should be a fun mess because the bikes look so similar - and the colorways are just barely different - so keeping track of which is which should be fun :lol: We'll each post our own updates, obviously. Should be fun to see how they compare to each other when done! While I'll post a bunch of update photos here, the entirety of the project photos can always be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rattle...57720188715900 So I'll start. Here's how my R1000 looked in the FB Marketplace ad I found from a lady in New Jersey (I'm in Houston, TX). https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3be32afaac.jpg and here it is in person, after pulling it out of the box https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ee0e4c99f8.jpg I've got to go do some more actual work work, so I'll post some more detailed pics of the "how it came" later, and I've got some in-progress build pics too. Can't wait for this to be done! |
For me, this all started after convincing the sci guy to spend his tax refund on a Campy Zonda wheelset despite the apparent risk that a 25 mm tire mounted on a 622 x 17C wheel may barely clear the rear brake bridge of a CAAD4. (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...bang-buck.html)
After he determined that the wheels do fit (with a different 25 mm tire), I thought: why not do the same thing? I already have an extra pair of 622 x 17C wheels after upgrading to CF wheels on the Synapse, and those wheels are not the only unused spare parts. The more I looked into this, the more I learned about how Cannondale advanced aluminum frame development through each generation of the CAAD, which turns out to have quite a cult following. (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...cult-caad.html) I started searching for an earlier Made in the USA model ... ... and found a 2000 CAAD4 R4000 frame with a very similar paint scheme on eBay. Here it is so far: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d9f783afd0.jpg Progress will be slow. The only thing I know about building a bike is that the fork should be inserted in the other direction. |
Except the fork was made in France by Time. The 1" steerer does present a slight wrinkle, but at least it is not threaded!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a12a0cd333.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b22725fdd.jpg |
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22517798)
The only thing I know about building a bike is that the fork should be inserted in the other direction.
|
OK, have a few minutes so I'll throw out some more pics.
The bike was in impressively excellent condition - the components are in such good shape it almost was like it had been ridden like 10 times and then set aside for 20 years. Despite this, my plan was to rebuild it with modern 105. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1cca2aff11.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7e82c2c0d.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f1a8723395.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...202d21775d.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e0de5c292.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e4dcb07c40.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2a065c5c5e.jpg I wish I had a TIME fork, but I guess I'll settle, lol https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c868980f1.jpg |
In my excitement at joining the Cult of CAAD, I forgot to test if the rear wheel fits; it does ...
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac7d54561f.jpg ... but just barely, and this is a Continental GP 25 mm with a few hundred miles on it too. Thankfully irony did not rear its ugly head this morning. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3c4e1b2426.jpg |
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22517975)
The bike was in impressively excellent condition - the components are in such good shape it almost was like it had been ridden like 10 times and then set aside for 20 years.
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22517975)
Despite this, my plan was to rebuild it with modern 105.
|
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22518075)
Indeed. Clean those old components and sell them to others doing a period correct restoration.
This is definitely the way to go. I have ordered some 105-R7000 components too. |
Few more pics..
Once I got it all stripped down, I took the glamour shot https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d02fb31fc.jpg Then I had to start figuring out what I needed/wanted that fit the frame. The copy of the catalogue on vintagecannondale.com was very hard to read any words/numbers, and doesn't always have all the exact sizes of parts, so, time to measure. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7af1f35a6f.jpg This was before the time of zero stack headsets I believe, so external cup it was! I went with the Cane Creek 40, EC34. A solid, middle of the road quality headset. Also picked up a shimano BBR60 bottom bracket (68mm). Decided to weigh it against the old one - quite the hefty difference. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb254f7dbb.jpg The old/new headsets were virtually the same weight, though. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c555e761a.jpg Finally, it took about 3 months, but I finally found almost everything i needed to start. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8a321bc812.jpg Missing from the pic is the seatpost, which I already had installed on the bike, and the stem which I was waiting to order for sizing - but I ordered a Zipp Service Course SL in 80mm length. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47e74dde9d.jpg |
More build stuffs -
The Campy Zondas that SoSmellyAir suggested. And I love them. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12c3c35e1d.jpg So I'm huge on aesthetics. I love colors. My bikes are a reflection of my personality and I love bright colorful things. I abhor black bikes. And part of the fun for me is to make sure as much as possible is color matched. I rebuilt the same exact bike model for my buddy, and I decided to use red for the highlights, so I didn't want to duplicate that. So I decided to go with yellow - and tried to match the colors to the yellow Cannondale decals on the frame. Cable housing matched pretty ok https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bc0ca0185.jpg Tire color splash matched pretty good too https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c09a4c7dc9.jpg And the match between the housing & the tires was also pretty good https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be78ae399c.jpg I originally ordered some Tacx Deva bottle cages in yellow - as they're some of my favorite cages, but the yellow color was not a good match. it was very dull/faded/putrid. Not close enough to work. So I had to return them. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a741f5d01f.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b6ed8c6172.jpg The pictures don't really show it, but it was really bad. Instead, I ordered some Supacaz multi-color cages from eBay. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a0cf6c0d7.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f7a06f006.jpg |
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22519853)
The Campy Zondas that SoSmellyAir suggested. And I love them.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12c3c35e1d.jpg
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22519853)
So I'm huge on aesthetics. I love colors. My bikes are a reflection of my personality and I love bright colorful things. I abhor black bikes. And part of the fun for me is to make sure as much as possible is color matched. I rebuilt the same exact bike model for my buddy, and I decided to use red for the highlights, so I didn't want to duplicate that. So I decided to go with yellow - and tried to match the colors to the yellow Cannondale decals on the frame.
Cable housing matched pretty ok https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bc0ca0185.jpg Tire color splash matched pretty good too https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c09a4c7dc9.jpg And the match between the housing & the tires was also pretty good Instead, I ordered some Supacaz multi-color cages from eBay. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f7a06f006.jpg |
It is not so much a bromance as an upcoming battle of the color coordinated vs. the color blind.
|
Looking great so far, love those bottle cages! Like you I need color in my life, I have the brightest bike in our area and proud of it!
enjoy the builds looking forward to seeing the finished steeds |
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22519219)
Also picked up a shimano BBR60 bottom bracket (68mm). Decided to weigh it against the old one - quite the hefty difference.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb254f7dbb.jpg |
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
(Post 22520246)
For what its worth, you need to consider the axle that is attached to your driveside crankarm. That is, in part, why your bottom brackets are so much different in weight- the axle is missing from the modern external BB.
My 105-R7000 components (STI levers, brakes, and derailleurs) from Merlin Cycles arrived today in OEM cardboard boxes, so no photo of impressive spread like the sci guy. The STI levers came with cables, so boring black it will be, unless the sci guy has any left over after he is done, please mail me 1 ft. for the RD! It is the only part of my frame that is yellow. The Ultegra RD pulleys and Dura-Ace bottom bracket came in blue Shimano retail boxes. |
Originally Posted by robbyville
(Post 22520184)
Looking great so far, love those bottle cages! Like you I need color in my life, I have the brightest bike in our area and proud of it!
enjoy the builds looking forward to seeing the finished steeds my other bikes (by coincidence) are both old school steel blue (both are vintage steel bikes). White cables, silver/stainless components. |
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22520250)
True. Based on my research a Hollowtech II bottom bracket and axle saves just over 100 g compared to a JIS square taper BB.
My 105-R7000 components (STI levers, brakes, and derailleurs) from Merlin Cycles arrived today in OEM cardboard boxes, so no photo of impressive spread like the sci guy. The STI levers came with cables, so boring black it will be, unless the sci guy has any left over after he is done, please mail me 1 ft. for the RD! It is the only part of my frame that is yellow. The Ultegra RD pulleys and Dura-Ace bottom bracket came in blue Shimano retail boxes. the brake cables are a carbon grey weave color. It looked good on my buddies bike so I’m using it on mine too. |
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22520261)
my levers came in the retail box with cables and housing as well but I wanted yellow shift cables so I’ll just stash the stock ones.
the brake cables are a carbon grey weave color. It looked good on my buddies bike so I’m using it on mine too. My CAAD4 frame has more red and orange than yellow so I am not sure yellow cable housings would work. I have no time to work on it now but I go into the garage every so often just to admire the paint job, and I assume you do too! In this day and age of single color paint schemes, our CAAD4 frames look custom painted! |
Originally Posted by the sci guy
(Post 22520251)
same! My 2016 Roubaix was a bright highlighter-ish yellow with nice blue color swaths, thst I matched cages and tape to. It was flashy and I loved it.
my other bikes (by coincidence) are both old school steel blue (both are vintage steel bikes). White cables, silver/stainless components. Can’t wait to see these bikes built out. |
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22520302)
Fancy! My Synapse also has different shift and brake cable housing colors, but mostly because (1) it took a long time to replace the internally routed shift cables and housings after I snapped the RD cable, and (2) the brake cables were still fine.
My CAAD4 frame has more red and orange than yellow so I am not sure yellow cable housings would work. I have no time to work on it now but I go into the garage every so often just to admire the paint job, and I assume you do too! In this day and age of single color paint schemes, our CAAD4 frames look custom painted! |
As I mentioned, I did a little restore/update build on the exact same bike (model & year) that I found here in houston for a riding buddy, in a size 58 frame for him. I ended up having a tire clearance problem with the rear brake bridge. The little bulge where the brake screwed into stuck down a little bit and the tires I put on were hitting it pretty hard. We had taken off the 700x23 tires and I wanted to put on 700x28 Panaracer Pasaleas. But, it was not to be. After some research, some asking here, and talking to my bike shop buddy, I found out these older Rxxxx frames are tire size limited because of that damn brake bridge. There's plenty of clearance in the front fork, and between the chainstays, and behind the seat tube. It's just that freakin bridge. So, 700x25s it was. The issue was on the old Dura-Ace wheels that came with his bike (we sold them because they were so hard to work with), AND on the Mavic CXP Elites we got to replace them.
So, I was worried that because the Campy Zonda wheelset I ended up getting was actually a 17mm internal width and not 15, I was going to have another problem since wider IW means larger volume. So, I was super nervous when the tires I ordered showed up. It's worth noting that I had a set of 28mm Pasaleas just sitting around and I did try to mount them to the Zondas just for the hell of it, but I just couldn't get those suckers on there - I think it's the wire bead, because I had no issues mounting the foldable tires I ordered. I got a set of Vittoria Rubino Pros in 700x25, with the yellow stripe to match my colorway highlights I was doing. I've never had colored tires before - i bet they'll be dirty af after 2 rides. Anyway, i mounted everything up and I was SO relieved when it cleared the brake bridge. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4f3f8fd5ee.jpg |
I haven't yet dropped the $200 on Parktool's headset press, but my buddy has so I went over to his place and we put the headset in
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4d16a53fe7.jpg Then I swung by a local shop and had them smack on the crown race https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fe3c398f20.jpg Right now the fork is in there with a parts bin stem on it to hold it in place. New stem is supposed to arrive today according to tracking. In the meantime, BB and crank installed https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fd8a0607e3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6bbd980892.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3da008191c.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4bd24b92de.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...204e834765.jpg |
the sci guy is making good progress!
I am still debating whether to attempt the headset install with (1) a $20 headset cup removal tool, (2) a $30 headset press from Amazon, and (3) a section of hard PVC pipe (for setting the crown race) as shown on YouTube, or calling LBS to get a price for knocking out the old one and installing the new one. The $30 press may be a handy tool to have in the future if I ever need to replace the BB on the Synapse. I would gladly pay an LBS (> above costs) to do all this but don't feel like leaving my frame and fork there for days. Major work deadlines at the beginning of next months so no progress so far. |
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22522107)
the sci guy is making good progress!
I am still debating whether to attempt the headset install with (1) a $20 headset cup removal tool, (2) a $30 headset press from Amazon, and (3) a section of hard PVC pipe (for setting the crown race) as shown on YouTube, or calling LBS to get a price for knocking out the old one and installing the new one. The $30 press may be a handy tool to have in the future if I ever need to replace the BB on the Synapse. I would gladly pay an LBS (> above costs) to do all this but don't feel like leaving my frame and fork there for days. Major work deadlines at the beginning of next months so no progress so far. $7 in threaded rod plus some metal washers ant a couple hex nuts has installed the last 15 headsets I've installed. CC40, campy, shimano, ritchey, fsa, 1" threaded, 1 1/8" threadless...all go on just fine. |
Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
(Post 22522107)
the sci guy is making good progress!
I am still debating whether to attempt the headset install with (1) a $20 headset cup removal tool, (2) a $30 headset press from Amazon, and (3) a section of hard PVC pipe (for setting the crown race) as shown on YouTube, or calling LBS to get a price for knocking out the old one and installing the new one. The $30 press may be a handy tool to have in the future if I ever need to replace the BB on the Synapse. I would gladly pay an LBS (> above costs) to do all this but don't feel like leaving my frame and fork there for days. Major work deadlines at the beginning of next months so no progress so far. https://www.amazon.com/BlueSunshine-...NrPXRydWU&th=1 |
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