Beast v2. After an introduction to the road through the creation of the original big boys CAAD 5 and the subsequent kilometres logged (and of course enjoyment) it became apparent one steed was not going to be enough.

This time around I decided to put something together that was going to be a little bit racier, and it all starts with the frame. With a desire for something carbon coming crashing to earth quite quickly through the umm-ing and ahh-ing of a custom builder not certain on the ability of a carbon lugged frame of the size big enough for the weight and power output of a 6′ 9″ rider, it was back to the drawing board. After much thought it was decided to keep on the same path with the CAAD which has proved supremely stiff and has taken the daily abuse given it with apparent ease.

Wanting something a bit meaner and stealthier this time around a custom matte black finish with dark red decals was specially ordered from Cannondale US.

In the meantime decisions on groupset and wheels had to be made, having found the SRAM mix of Force and Rival to be reliable and strong on the original bike, SRAM again seemed the obvious choice. Though nearly tripping and coughing up for Red, it was the all-black look of Rival that would ultimately take its place matching the desired look best and of course at a cheaper price with comparable performance but a bit more weight (though not a killer given the mass the bike will have to carry anyway.)

A double chainset with 180mm arms wasn’t available at time of purchase so a compact was ordered, but a set of 53/39 chainrings to fit the 110mm BCD cranks were ordered from ControlTech in order to have the ‘big boys size’.

Brakes are Token Accuras, CNC’d for lightweight and of course black to match the rest of the bike. Finishing kit is a Goodridge brake cable set, American Classic seat post, Fizik Arione saddle, PRO stem and handlebars, KCNC seat clamp and jockey wheels and Token carbon bottle cages.

Wheels are always a challenge and this time I wanted something with a deeper dish. Thankfully a few manufacturers are producing tougher versions of their wheels for just bigger boy, in this instance American Classic Carbon 58 clinchers, which look great and are rated up to 100kg, the new found weight that they’ll have to support.

Build was done in stages over a few weeks, while waiting for parts, but the first ride will take place when the last of the bits arrive, and of course when a nice day presents itself.

The result? A mean and stealthy looking bike that looks great! And hopefully should ride just as well.