Help! It's happened; n+1....

[Brandane]

Was in my nearest branch of Evans yesterday when I saw it. A Cannondale CAAD8. And it whispered to me "Go on, you know you want me!" So I came home, straight onto the internet to do some research. Of course what I find is that although the 8 series are good, go for the superior 9 series; but surely there comes a point when you have to stick rather than twist?

The model I really want is the CAAD8 105 compact at £999, hopefully to be bought under the CTW scheme or financed by the sale of my now redundant motorbike . For the same price I could get a 9 series but with lower spec which would probably mean spending more money on upgrades over time. At least the 8 series with the 105 spec is top notch out of the box (the Shimano wheels clinch it for me!).

I am no Tour de France racer, just a 48 year old who has been hooked into this new sport and wants something a bit lighter and faster on the road than my Tricross (which is a great bike and I will be keeping it for longer distance touring where load carrying is an issue, and for riding rougher tracks).

So............. anyone got a CAAD8 with the 105 spec and can convince me that this is a good idea? Or is it wiser to get a 9 in the long run? And why are displays of bikes soooo seductive? A year ago, if someone had told me I would be trading in my motorbike for a pedal bike I would have laughed out loud!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The frame's the thing more than the groupset - go for the CAAD9. What's the 9 got - Tiagra? That's still a good groupset.
You'll probably end up wanting to upgrade the wheels before anything else.

 

[Brandane]

The frame's the thing more than the groupset - go for the CAAD9. What's the 9 got - Tiagra? That's still a good groupset.
You'll probably end up wanting to upgrade the wheels before anything else.

Yes, the CAAD9 at that price has the Tiagra groupset, and Shimano R500 wheels. Swaying towards the 9 now! According to Evans website though, the 58cm is no longer available (both for the 8 and 9 series) so might have to start phoning around. Wheelbase in Kendal list them in stock, AND they have interest free credit .

 

[dan_bo]

You won't be disappointed with either- and to be honest you'd be hard pushed to notice the difference between the two frames.


But i'd go for the CAAD9.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I've still got a 90s CAAD2 in 58cm if you get stuck - cost you a couple of quid less than £999 too.

 

[Howard]

I have a CAAD9 105 '09 (non BB30) and I love it. I've never ridden a CAAD8, so I can't really compare.

It's a very aggressive bike - so if you are looking for speed you won't be dissapointed. It's also big, so I wonder how tall you are if you are looking for 58cm; I'm 5 10" and I have a 50cm (long legs, short torso/arms)

Some things to note about the '10 Tiagra version:

1. It has a BB30 adapter, so it's not really true BB30 unless you upgrade it
2. it's 18 speed whereas the 105 is 20.

To be honest if you choose either I doubt you'd be dissapointed. The CAAD9 in black does look amazing, though

 

[Brandane]

It's also big, so I wonder how tall you are if you are looking for 58cm; I'm 5 10" and I have a 50cm (long legs, short torso/arms)

Hmmmm.............. I was going by the sizing guide on the Evans website. I am 6'00" with 34" inside leg. Certainly wouldn't be buying over the 'net without going for a ride first, hence why I was keen on buying from Evans. Next nearest available one looks like the Edinburgh Co-op (I am in Ayrshire).

Edit.... According to the Edinburgh Co-op site, my size is a 56cm.

 

[accountantpete]

CAAD9 would be my tip - then upgrade to Ultegra next year.

 

[Rob3rt]

Im 6'2", I ride a '10 CAAD9 w/Tiagra. My bike is a 58cm frame.


I'd take CAAD9 over CAAD8, CAAD9 looks a LOT better! Lets be fair here, whats going to make you want to ride the bike more? Having a really nice looking frame (as well as being widely acclaimed as one of the best aluminium frames on the market) or some 105 logo's on your groupset?

 

[Howard]

Edit.... According to the Edinburgh Co-op site, my size is a 56cm.

Get the smallest one that fits - lots of seattube! Try a 54 and see if that works. Easier to make a small work than one that's too large.

 

[Brandane]

Get the smallest one that fits - lots of seattube! Try a 54 and see if that works. Easier to make a small work than one that's too large.

Would that not mean riding too much in the "hunched over the bars" position? I know that you should be slightly higher up at the back end on a road bike, but not overly so....... I like to be able to spend a good few hours in the saddle without having to slowly unfold myself at the end of the ride .

 

[potsy]

You're getting a lovely bike whichever you go for Brandane,colleague of mine has the Caad 9 Tiagra and loves it,only thing is it only comes out when the weather is dry,so he doesn't get out much

 

[Howard]

Would that not mean riding too much in the "hunched over the bars" position? I know that you should be slightly higher up at the back end on a road bike, but not overly so....... I like to be able to spend a good few hours in the saddle without having to slowly unfold myself at the end of the ride .

From my experience the difference in top tube lengths when going up or down a CAAD9 size was not great enough to drastically alter the riding position: The top tube on a 54cm is only 1.5cm shorter than a 56. So if the top tube on a 56 is roughly the right length, it follows that the top tube on a 54 will be OK too - certainly at least worth a try.

In doing so you'll get more seat tube and that can affect ride comfort positively.

Ultimately only you know what riding position will work for you, but I'd always lean towards the smallest frame that works for me because it means carrying around less frame, more seat tube for comfort and at the end of the day if it requires a longer stem the ride, if anything, relaxes a bit.

 

[Fiona N]

Wheelbase in Kendal list them in stock, AND they have interest free credit .

Go for Wheelbase - great guys up there in Staveley