Road Cycling - So I got my first road bike.. (CAAD9)

I just won this on Ebay. I'm a novice at road biking and this will be my first true road bike. Did I do alright?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Cannondale-CAAD9-54cm_W0QQitemZ290282221346QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item290282221346&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Cannondale-CAAD9-54cm_W0QQitemZ290282221346QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item290282221346&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

That's the URL, hopefully it shows up. I'm excited but intimidated at the same time. I'm a college student so spending this type of money is uncommon.

Flame on!

Edit: Here's a big shout out to Paul Barnard from LA. He's on bikeforums and has been an invaluable asset in assisting me with getting started in cycling. Thanks Paul!

Thats a nice looking bike

Do you frequently seek advice after taking action?

You did fine, especially for a first road bike.

great price

Do you frequently seek advice after taking action?

I know I did fine, I just like to hear what others think about it. You can flame better than that...

Nice bike. Infinitely upgradeable frame.

I know I did fine, I just like to hear what others think about it. You can flame better than that...

Without doubt a nice bike. But I'm not sure about its new rider who flame-baits.

From what I have heard, the CAAD9 frame is the ultimate entryish aluminum frame. That is, it is very upgradable without wasting money. But what do I know, I ride steel.

Without doubt a nice bike. But I'm not sure about its new rider who flame-baits.

I was just preparing myself for what seems the inevitable on these forums. I have frequented these forums for three months now and have seen enough senseless belittling of new riders. I am not trying to appear cocky or initiate conflict, but if someone does end up flaming as is typical, I am ready and it won't phase me.

i love that bike! If it was a 56 I would have bought it.

good purchase. Personally I just bought a caad9 as well - a 2008 though. Reynolds UL fork...

I personally think the Caad9 frame is one of the best 2.5 hour frames made. It sprints and it climbs. It is cheap to replace if it goes down.

Is there a better crit frame? ;)

Nice bike. Infinitely upgradeable frame.

That's what I'm hoping. That was one of the main reasons I ended up choosing the CAAD9 as I picked up on that sentiment from frequenting these forums.

Thanks for all the comments everyone! :)

From what I have heard, the CAAD9 frame is the ultimate entryish aluminum frame.

Nothing "entryish" about it.

i love that bike! If it was a 56 I would have bought it.

good purchase. Personally I just bought a caad9 as well - a 2008 though. Reynolds UL fork...

I personally think the Caad9 frame is one of the best 2.5 hour frames made. It sprints and it climbs. It is cheap to replace if it goes down.

Is there a better privateer race frame? ;)

Fixed, and no.

Excellent choice.

Hey I got the exact same thing! Same size, R6, and barely used. Except mine was the 2008 version. That's a great bike and a really price.

Tough to beat at that price!

And the mix of sora-tiagra is not bad since only the front derailleur is sora.

Now go ride it.

Do you frequently seek advice after taking action?

Many people do; seeking validation of their purchase from others to avoid buyer's remorse. Nothing wrong with that.

Perfect bike

Great first bike, by the way!
NOTE: But please do remove the dork disc from the rear wheel upon arrival.

Great first bike, by the way!
NOTE: But please do remove the dork disc from the rear wheel upon arrival.

What exactly is the dork disk, that plastic thing behind the rear derailleur? What is it for? How do I take it off?

Thanks! I wouldn't want to be a noob and a dork!

What exactly is the dork disk, that plastic thing behind the rear derailleur? What is it for? How do I take it off?

Thanks! I wouldn't want to be a noob and a dork!

lol! :lol:
Yes, the clear plastic disc (behind the cassette). And yes, "noob and a dork" is a frightening and terrible combination.

If you don't want to do it yourself, your LBS would probably do it for free. But really, it's pretty easy.

You could do it the right way by taking off the cassette first, which requires a cassette tool and a chain whip. Or you could do it the caloso way, which requires tin snips or garden shears. Just don't cut off a finger.

Good choice. Got the exact same one, it was my second bike purchase. I'm looking forward to building it to the 14-15lb range.

I'm also thinking about building a CAAD race bike. Tough to beat.

I'm building a crit bike with an '05 Caad8 frame from ebay. Caad-whatever comes pretty highly recommended, although the ride might be a bit more harsh than some of the less-stiff frames.

Congrats on your purchase of the finest aluminum bike ever built. Now get the frickin thing off the bar and set em up!

I bought the Caad9 5 over the summer,and so far I am very pleased. This looks like a great bike for a great price. Good find, and have fun with it.

Nice bike. Once you start riding you'll be glad you spent that money.

Enjoy.

I'm building a crit bike with an '05 Caad8 frame from ebay. Caad-whatever comes pretty highly recommended, although the ride might be a bit more harsh than some of the less-stiff frames.

My CAAD9 is pretty plush compared to my Helium...I don't find it harsh at all. Of course, it's not as stiff as the Helium either...

FWIW, I paid $750 w/o wheels for my CAAD9 with new Ultegra SL...deals are out there right now!:thumb:

the bike is crap and requires proper disposal... I can help you with that! :D

I guess I did alright then! I'm off to a Christmas party. I can post some pictures whenever I get it all built up if you want, but it's just going to be stock, so nothing exciting. Thanks for all the reassurance!

i am about to pick up the 09 caad9 grey frame set for $700...and build...i was thinking of going pedal force because i like to throw in longer rides and was worried about the alu caad and it being a "harsh" ride... but everyone who owns a caad9 say it has no problem with longer distance as well....

people say it is a great crit bike as if that is all it is good for.

Why would anybody flame you? I wish my first bike had been a CAAD9. I love that paint job too.

One thing: as soon as you can, switch those pedals out. Putting those on a CAAD9 is like bringing a ***** to the Four Seasons.

My wife and I both race, and we just got team deals on the CAAD9, also in white. They are really awesome frames, and they are solid performers. When I picked my wife's up at the shop, it took me a long time to get it to the door because everyone wanted to admire it. Like everyone else has said, now go and ride it until you drop.

That's such a nice-looking color scheme that I'm tempted to upgrade from my '07 red-white-black-raw clearcoat CAAD8 just for the cleaner style.

I just paid about $100 more for my CAAD9 7 in BBQ black, I love the color of my bike. I just noticed my LBS left the dork plastic on my bike too :( Looks like i'm gonna have to go the garden shears way.

I don't know why the 6 comes with the sora FD and the 7 Tiagra FD. Probably because they have different cranks?

I have the same frame with a white fork. I built it with Rival, and used white tape with red hoods. Dare I say it's very pimp. It also costs less than most peoples wheels, and looks better than any plastic bike. With carbon tubulars it around 16.5 pounds of ass kicking terror.

Light, stiff, comfy, and cheap. Why anyone who races would bother with anything else is an effing mystery.

ya did well.

Such a beautiful bike. I've always loved white bikes. The Tiagra group, while being low in Shimano's component line, is quite nice. I ride full Tiagra with a 105 RD and I've set it up smooth as can be.

I'm also thinking about building a CAAD race bike. Tough to beat.

What aren't you planning to do other than ride ;)