New bike, first ride thoughts

[Biff600]

Well my new bike arrived today, and to say I'm amazed is an understatement of epic proportions.

It's a Cannondale CAAD8 105 in a 51cm frame to cope with my stumpy legs !

I cannot get over how light it it, how easy it is to ride and how quick I can it to go (all this compared to my previous bike which was akin to several planets !)

I only initially intended to do about 5 or 6 miles, but ended up doing nearer 25. However, I'm suffering for it now, although I was wearing padded shorts, I still feel like I have rejoined the Navy !

I was a bit disappointed that my trusty Cateye Vectra didn't fit around the fork leg, so I purchased a new Strada model, hopefully my nether regions will be not so sore so I can try it out tomorrow

 

[cyberknight]

Nice !
Your numb bum/nads coud be caused by that saddle , looks like its not level although it could be photo angle ?

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

Me likey ,very nice.
Looks proper in that red,and I'm digging the wheels .
@cyberknight could be right though about the saddle,it looks quite far back to me as well .

 

[steve50]

as above, the saddle angle looks a little steep which could cause you slide forward onto the nose of the saddle. Re the sore backside, it could be like that for a while until you break your arse into the saddle, make a point of getting up off the saddle as much as and whenever possible, let the pedals take the strain.
Your saddle also looks to be a tad too high if you are short in the leg (29" inside leg ?) ideally you want to be able to sit on your saddle and with your leg on the downstroke of the pedal you should still have a slight bend at the knee

 

[jefmcg]

I'm suffering for it now, although I was wearing padded shorts, I still feel like I have rejoined the Navy !

I can't understand the navy reference, unless it "rum, sodomy and the lash"

(red, Cannondale, 105. Lovely!)

 

[Spiderweb]

Lovely bike. Download the free Strava app to keep a record of all your rides, mileage and average speeds. It's great for seeing how you improve as you gain cycle fitness.

 

[mjr]

Pet hate of mine, that saddle isn't saddle shaped. There's no dip forwards-backwards so you'd slide about, especially if it's not level.

Other than that, glad you're liking it.

 

[e-rider]

all you need now are some black pedals to match the rest of the bike

 

[Pale Rider]

Another vote for tinkering with the saddle position.

Dead level is a good starting point and will probably do the job.

If not, as a generalisation men tend to be more comfortable with the nose slightly higher, while ladies tend to prefer a nose down aspect.

 

[Biff600]

Another vote for tinkering with the saddle position.

Dead level is a good starting point and will probably do the job.

I've changed the saddle for the gel one I had on my old MTB, adjusted it it and leveled it using a spirit level. Nipped out for a quick 10 miles and although my arse is still sore from yesterday, it felt a lot more comfortable. Especially when I got home and dipped myself in sudocrem !!

So many thanks for all the goodly advice, as I said, I am a right 'rouge derrière' when it comes to road cycling

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

. Especially when I got home and dipped myself in sudocrem !!

I don't think we need to know your fetishes

 

[Broadside]

Nice bike, but I thought you were looking to buy a treader?

Glad you are enjoying it.

 

[Felix79]

I recently got myself an older 2012 CAAD8 and I've really fallen in love with it too. I really like the colour of your frame, mines a black/white combo, but yours really does stand out.

I was having a lot of problems with the Cannondale saddle that came on my CAAD8 too, so I changed it over to a Fizik Arione which I have found to be much better.

Enjoy your new bike anyway dudey!

 

[MarquisMatsugae]

Fizik good.
'Dale good.
All good in the hood

 

[jefmcg]

I've changed the saddle for the gel

I'm out of touch, but isn't there a law against putting a gel saddle on a Cannondale?

(It's generally regarded that gel saddles, while feeling more comfortable when you first get on, push into the the softer tissues and will cause more problems than a well matched harder saddle. A saddle that you only contact on your "sit-bones" will be more comfortable in the long term than one that gently contacts you in a lot more places)