Road Cycling - Will a new bike really make a difference?

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cnudell
06-26-04, 01:16 PM
I am riding a 2001 Cannondale R1000si Triple. The frame is aluminum CAD5 and the component set is Shimano Ultegara. I put 10,000 mile on the bike (3000/year).

I am considering a new bike with Carbon frame and DuraAce component group (something like: Trek 5500 or Giant TCR Composite 0).

I am riding with local clubs, “friendly” racing, 30-70 mile rides, a few Centuries per year.

For those who had experience switching from Aluminum to Carbon: Am I going to really feel a difference in performance (the Cannondale is an entry level racing bike)?

How long should a bike like my last?

tbick
06-26-04, 01:38 PM
I have an R500 and an R3000 (with combined miles of about 8,000 over the past few years) and have asked the same question for about a year now.

I basically have been getting the same two answers.

People that have switched from Cannondale to carbon (many were cat 2-4 racers) all will say the carbon absorbs a little better, but how much depends upon the geometry of the bikes. And just about every one of them says the carbon isn't as reponsive and they miss the "snap" that you get out of a Cannondale frame.

People that have never ridden a Cannondale will tell you they have heard that Cannondale is a harsh ride and if you were smart you would switch to a carbon bike.

I have never ridden a carbon bike so I personally can't say.
TrekRider
06-26-04, 02:38 PM
I have an R500 and an R3000 (with combined miles of about 8,000 over the past few years) and have asked the same question for about a year now.

I basically have been getting the same two answers.

People that have switched from Cannondale to carbon (many were cat 2-4 racers) all will say the carbon absorbs a little better, but how much depends upon the geometry of the bikes. And just about every one of them says the carbon isn't as reponsive and they miss the "snap" that you get out of a Cannondale frame.

People that have never ridden a Cannondale will tell you they have heard that Cannondale is a harsh ride and if you were smart you would switch to a carbon bike.

I have never ridden a carbon bike so I personally can't say.

Having test rode a Cannondale R1000, a full carbon Trek 5200, and owning a steel/carbon hybrid Lemond Zurich, I can tell you that, to me at least, the Trek was more skittish than the Cannondale, which are "supposed" to be "twitchy" on descents. The only reason I didn't get the 'Dale is the Lemond geometry seems like it was custom made for me and the steel/carbon is more attuned to my riding style.

But, if you want the best of both worlds, a full carbon bike AND a Cannondale, why not get the new 613?