Road Bike Racing - My Future Race Bike

First off, I'm on a tight budget - so if you are going to suggest something that cost too much more than my theoretical build - I'll probably just laugh and ignore your comments. I'd like to swap some parts off of the stock bike, I was hoping maybe an LBS would allow me to do that. I want to get a CAAD8 frame. I know of nowhere where you can get a CAAD8 frameset that isn't some stupid-expensive place from Europe that primarily for people who want CAAD8Si frames. I was thinking of getting an R900. Here are the stock specs:

Frame CAAD8 Optimo
Fork Slice Premium
Rims Gipiemme Grecal Parade
Hubs Gipiemme Grecal Parade
Spokes Gipiemme Grecal Parade
Tires Hutchinson Top Speed foldable, 700 x 23c
Pedals SpeedPlay X/1
Crank TruVatiV Rouleur, 39/53
Chain Campagnolo Record 10-speed
Rear Cogs Campagnolo Veloce, 12-25
Bottom Bracket TruVatiV Giga X Drive
Front Derailleur Campagnolo Veloce
Rear Derailleur Campagnolo Veloce
Shifters Campagnolo Veloce Ergopower
Handlebars FSA RD-250 Anatomic
Stem Cannondale 3-D Forged
Headset FSA Alloy integrated
Brakeset Cannondale Omega
Brakelevers Campagnolo Veloce Ergopower
Saddle Fi'zi:k Poggio Eco
Seat Post FSA SL-K Carbon w/Nano-Pro adjustment
Sizes 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63 cm

I'm 6'2". I like my frames a little bit on the small side - i'd probably get a 58cm.

The only thing I really don't like on there are the wheels. I haven't heard anything about them, and I was planning on having some nice race wheels built up anyway (SpeedDream, or AC Sprint 350s, or who knows.. something light and stiff - not so much aero). Do you think a reasonable bike shop would swap out those wheels for a set of Mavic Open Pros or MA3's with Campy hubs?

Also, I just noticed that the brakes are C'Dale brand brakes. Anyone have any experience with these. I'm on Sora with DA pads/carriers now. I'm not so concerned about weight, but i'd like to know about fading, etc, etc.

dude that sucks no one is replying.

Yeah. I got excited when i saw it bumped to the top - then i saw it was you. I'm gonna cry again...

Throw those brakes on a TT bike where braking doesn't matter...or have the bike shop swap em for campy brakes...

FYI even as a prodeal the CAAD 8 frames are like 6-700 so double that for retail...the 900 will be a better deal

Yeah, thats what I've heard. I didn't even know Cannondale would sell them even as pro-deals. Ah well... Yeah, might as well get the R900 and swap what i don't like.


When is the best time to buy a bike... In the fall, right? Just before winter sets in i should be able to get a 2005 maybe on sale or something, right?


I see that Cannondale has some test days during ride the rockies. I'm going to pick one of the days that isn't too long (in case the saddle bugs me or its just not comfortable) and also has a mix of flats, downhills, and climbs. I'm going to test ride an R900 at that point and see how I like it (see how I like Campy). Try some sprints, etc, etc. Should be fun...

Also, I just noticed that the brakes are C'Dale brand brakes. Anyone have any experience with these. I'm on Sora with DA pads/carriers now. I'm not so concerned about weight, but i'd like to know about fading, etc, etc.

Well, I can't speak to the quality of the Omegas, but I have an '04 R600 with Thetas and I hate them. I just ordered an Ultegra front derailleur and a set of Ultegra brakes because the Tiagra FD and C'dale brakes were just bollocks. You can give them a shot, but my bet is that you'll be quite pleased with any extra money you spend on brake upgrades.

Well, as I said I've got Sora brakes now and they don't bother me at all. I'll get to see how bad they are during ride the rockies. As was said before, it could come with no brakes and it would still be a killer deal for just the frame alone.

Yeah, if you're riding on Soras now, I can't imagine that you'll have many complaints about the Omegas. Have you not experienced any fade with your Soras? My Thetas seem to fade a bit under heavy usage.

I'm jealous about the CAAD8. I wish I had waited a year and picked up the R700 for the same price that I paid for my R600. The R700s have the CAAD7 and my R600 sports a CAAD5. Oh well.

Let me know how you like that frame, I'm still torn between going with a carbon Trek or the CAAD8.

I haven't riden a CAAD8 but I have riden Trek carbon bikes and I would say go for the CAAD8. I don't like trek carbon.

Ditto.. I don't like much carbon though... I actually sold a 5200 from that was the same size and year as my 2000 because I like the Aluminum better.