Test of the Cannondale Optimo 1

During the few years that aluminum reigned supreme in racing bike production, Cannondale established itself as one of the most innovative brands in the field with lightweight, high-performance frames. Nearly 25 years later, it still offers aluminum-framed bikes in its catalog, including the Caad Optimo, with a cable drivetrain and rim brakes for a delightfully retro look and performance. But Its price should also appeal to anyone looking for a reliable and practical machine for Sunday riding..

About Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Vincent Lyky

Almost 10 years ago, I remember having testIt was one of the first bicycles of route typed performance equipped with disc brakes. It was a Cannondale, then a prescriber of a technology that would evolve a lot in the following years, until it became essential today. At the time, I was far from being convinced by the disc, but I had the pleasure of riding a Caad 12, the latest high-end iteration of Cannondale's aluminum frames at the time, then offered with both rim brakes and disc brakes. Now, the brand only offers discs for its high-end carbon models, like most of its competitors. But However, it does not abandon rim brakes at the entry level, as demonstrated by the Caad Optimo, an aluminum designed to facilitate access to cycling for a large potential clientele.. The Caad Optimo with a 100% carbon fork is available in four versions, starting at €999 and up to €1499 for our model. test, with Shimano 8, 9, 10 and 11-speed drivetrains, aluminum wheels and components, and a clean line reminiscent of racing bikes from the early 2000s.

Moreover, for those who criticize the ever-rising price increases in the cycling industry, a quick look at the manufacturers' catalogs shows thatAt an equal level of performance, the Optimo 1, weighing just 9 kg, is less expensive than an equivalent model in 2002.. At the time, it took about €1700 to find a bike of equivalent performance, which comes to about €2400 today taking into account inflation. And a bike from the early 2000s did not yet have 11 speeds, a technology that only appeared at the end of that decade. Finally, there are carbon bikes with disc brakes on the market today for just under €2000, but they are not lighter than the Cannondale Optimo 1. So with a higher price, an equivalent weight and more complicated maintenance, they are not, in our opinion, better deals than this famous aluminum Cannondale, which is also very pleasant on the route.

Mastering aluminum

The SmartForm C2 aluminium frame uses tubes designed by hydroforming: this is a manufacturing process by deformation that consists of injecting a high-pressure fluid inside the tube to apply differentiated shapes and thicknesses, in order to optimise the mechanical characteristics of the structure. It is thus possible to combine the desired rigidity with high strength and low weight. The tubes are then welded together with a regular pass to avoid altering the quality of the material. The frame weight is announced at just over 1000 g, which is still barely superior to most carbon frames currently on the market.

The rear triangle benefits from Cannondale's own Save design, in order to promote the dissipation of vibrations and improve comfort. The shape of the tubes as well as their diameter and thickness are studied to act a bit like micro-suspensions. And since the Caad Optimo is intended to be an all-round bike, It is equipped with mountings for luggage racks and/or mudguards in case you want to extend its use to daily trips or long outings over several days.

Cannondale isn't the only major brand that still offers an aluminum frame. It's been a few years since I've had the chance to ride on this type of material, though. I admit to being surprised by the dynamism of the bike, in relation to its weight in any case.. I was expecting a very rigid bike, not to say stiff, and this is ultimately not the case. When dancing, the machine appears a little elastic, with a bottom bracket that weaves slightly under the pedal strokes, thus erasing their imperfections to return a little energy as if under the effect of a spring. It is not really efficient in absolute terms, but damn comfortable at the end of an outing or at the top of a difficulty because this feature prevents the bike from coming up against its inflexibility as with certain carbon frames. The Caad Optimo is an easy bike to take with you, whatever the conditions.

Its behavior is aerial and unbridled, lively, maneuverable and tolerant, and above all pleasant to pilot.. Thanks to the 100% carbon frame and fork, the bike's steering is very smooth to handle, ultra precise and direct when dancing or tackling steep gradients.tages. But the bike does not lack stability at high speed, and it is always reassuring on fast-paced descents. The low-rim aluminum wheels are also no strangers to this feeling of ease. They have almost no wind resistance and are extremely direct when changing direction. These are reliable and versatile entry-level wheels, which are ultimately much less demanding in terms of control and riding.tage at low speeds than the high carbon wheels that equip most higher-end bikes.

Good price/equipment ratio

Of course, rim brakes are no match for the modern disc brakes found on most bikes on the market today. In wet conditions, anticipation is essential, especially since the Tektro R741 calipers lack power. The tires mounted on the bike are Vittoria Rubino Pro 700×25, a section that is becoming increasingly rare and imposed here by the limited space between the calipers. These are durable tires with good rolling qualities, but very sharp to ride in the rain. Be careful of slipping! I almost got caught out twice during my first outing with the Caad Optimo.

The fact remains that braking is always controllable thanks to the comfortable Shimano 105 levers and efficient handling.. They are connected to 105 derailleurs with smooth and precise cables, whether changing gears on the 11-speed cassette or at the level of the FSA Gossamer aluminum crankset. The pilot stationtage and the seat post are Cannondale branded (in 6061 aluminum) and call for no comment. As for the saddle, also Cannondale brand, it is a little soft for sporty use, but stands out for its comfort over the kilometers. The choice of equipment is well seen here to keep the bike at a reasonable price while offering very correct services as soon as you do not want to push the machine to its limits. Compared to the Caad Optimo 2, 3 and 4, the main difference will be in the number of speeds offered (10, 9 and 8 speeds) with accessories a little heavier.

Great introduction

Finally, it is perhaps only in the area of ​​comfort that the Caad Optimo slightly lags behind carbon bikes in the same category. Not that it is as uncompromising as a time trial bike on bumpy surfaces, far from it, but let's say that The bike transmits a little more vibration than monocoque carbon models. It is above all the tire section imposed here by rim braking which contrasts with the dimensions of 28 or 30 commonly found on most recent bikes and which allows a lower inflation pressure which makes the difference.

For the rest, I expected to ride a clumsy bike that would be difficult to take to the train and to restart on the routes demanding with many changes of pace from my Parisian suburb. I was wrong. The Cannondale Caad Optimo is not lacking in dynamism, and even its slightly heavy wheels seemed extremely lively and easy to handle.. Obviously, by pushing the effort, the bike offers less absolute performance than a more high-end machine, whether on climbs or on the flat when riding fast with a big gear. But it is not directly made for that. It is an entry-level bike that is easy to ride and to pilot and does not neglect the essentials of what occasional riders or first-time buyers are looking for. It communicates pleasure in pedaling and that is why it is, in my opinion, a great bike.

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