Armedruby

Hello everyone. My wife and I have decided to take up cycling. Neither of us have ridden much since our teens. We exercise some during the warmer months but none in the fall/winter. Time to get serious about something. I've been to 3 or 4 LBS's in the area. After describing what we're looking to do, not race but may do some group rides, all shops that sold Cannondales, first pointed me to the Cannondale CAAD9 5. They also sold Giant's and Orbea's. I road the CAAD9 5 around the block some (among others). Seemed as comfortable to me as the rest. I'm 95% sure the CAAD9 5 is the one I want to buy. I figure if it turns out that cycling is not for me, the CAAD9 is popular enough I can always sell it. Am I crazy to be considering a full race frame as a newbie and at my age? Most of my rides will be 25 miles or less I would imagine....more like 10 - 15.

gcottay

I'd suggest doing a ten or fifteen mile test ride before you make up your mind.

stapfam

Long test ride over differing road surfaces will let you know if it is a good idea or not.

I was an experienced rider with 16 years of MTB's when I went road. I got a basic comfort bike as my first one and relearnt cycling. Not quite like chalk and cheese but ride techniques and skills needed are way different. 12 months later- I was in the market for a new bike. That comfort bike had taught me a lot and I did some milage that year. Second bike was when I realised that the bike was not up to my standards. (Think N+1 here) I did get a race geometry frame- but by that time I knew the setup that I now required. There was no- way that when I started I could ride with my head between my knees- did not need a triple up the steep hills or could put up with the harshness that a Race frame and components can give. I can now though.

Not saying you are wrong- but you may find a Race Geometry bike a bit tiring untill you get some milage behind you. There are several bikes around that, in my mind, are more suitable as the starter bike. Still good bikes mind you but Find a Specialised or Trek dealer. This will just be to act as a comparison- And you may come back to a "Dale" being the bike for you.

bobthib

.

I'm going to be 62 Sunday. I got my full race frame in May. I chose that because I had been riding a borrowed 54 cm '89 Trek 1200 flat tube. I found I could be comfortable, but the 54 was a hair cramped. I opted for the BD Immortal Pro. It was a similar frame design to the Trek, and they said the sizing was the same as Trek and Fuji flat bars. I didn't want to fool around with a compact frame since I was buying online and I knew that a 56 would be perfect. Indeed it is.

Since I do mostly long club rides 40+ mi. I probably should have gotten a "compact frame" with a more upright positioning. I did get a pro Retul fit and that made a world of difference. I'm now very comfortable with the aggressive race frame.

The CAAD is very popular, but make sure you get a good fit. Visit several shops and have them fit you. Majority rules. My LBS told me I was a 52-54. Way off for a flat bar, but might have been right for a compact frame.

Fit is vital. A poor fitting road frame is "hell on wheels" A proper fit is heaven. Comfortable and you will deliver more power to the pedals.

kr32

Curious why a Cannondale dealer would steer you toward a Caad9 5 instead of a Synapse?

I bought a Carbon Six for my first one and it had a pretty high rise stem as I got more comfortable the stem got less rise and then flipped.

I say your not crazy but that is just me. I think you want it so go get it.

Sirveyir

I would suggest that you compare the Cannondale Synapse line vs. the CADD9. See which one you like and either would be easily resalable if road cycling was not for you. I would also do as much shopping for a good saddle as the bike because that and setup will have more to do with your comfort on the bike of your choice.

Terex

Just buy something and start riding. Sounds like you're not going to have any understanding of what you're doing until you get some miles in your legs (and butt). The bike you're looking at is fine and will allow you to really get into the sport if you want. Saddles can be replaced.

I hope you and your wife enjoy riding as much as I do.

big john

If you're doing less than 25 miles it won't matter much what you get, as long as it fits reasonably well. I suspect you may want to try some longer rides if you get that CAAD9, however. Pay particular attention to the bar height. If you are flexible it won't be as big an issue as if you are not.

Trundlecreak

Like others here, I wonder why it wasn't suggested that you go for the Synapse line. If you're not interested in full-on racing, I'd have thought that its somewhat more upright configuration would suit better. Trek and Giant have similar ranges. I'd talk seriously to a few other bike shops and ride their products.

DnvrFox

Goodness - you are 50?

I would suggest something with an electric assist. Otherwise, how ar you going to make it up your driveway?

Heck, if you have the $$, buy anything you like. However, it generally takes about a year of riding until one knows more exactly what they want, and that will change over the years. I am 70, and am still making some changes.

And, don't kid yourself. It won't be long until a 10-15 mile ride seems like nothing, a 25 miler is a "short ride" and you will be heading out for 50 - 100 mile rides.

Mostly, have fun.

FloridaBoy

What he said...and on some rough roads.

Armedruby

The LBS only brought up the Synapse after I did. I have a couple friends riding them. One Newbie and one experienced rider that rides century's on it. They both bought Synapse Carbon 3's. I rode a Synapse Carbon 5 (didn't want to spend the $ for the S3) around the block. I could tell is was more upright but I couldn't tell much about the comfort vs CAAD9 5. The Synapse Carbon 5 was still a little more than I wanted to spend on my first one so I asked about the Synapse AL 5. It's priced within a few $ of the CAAD9 5. The LBS told me the alloy Synapse and CAAD9 5 would ride about the same and that they could adjust the CAAD9 5 to 'sit' about like a Synapse (then why make a Synapse I thought). Anyone have experience on a Synapse AL 5 in comparison to a CAAD9 5? Thanks all!

stapfam

Problem with "Most" aluminium frames is that they give a harsh ride. This is supposed to be cured by going C.F. but that has not been my experience.

I do have a couple of moderately good bikes- both into the higher price range but not top notch. Now my Lightweight aluminium frame rides superbly. No harshness to it and it gives a compliant ride. The C.F. on the other hand has taken a bit osf sorting and changing a few parts to get it to stop beating me up. A certain amount of the characteristics of the ride qualities of both bikes is down to a few components. Wheels being the main one but wheels can give a jarring ride or can almost act like suspension to take the road shock out of a ride. So I now have two good bikes that I ride and both are comfortable for me.

The only way to check out a bike is by a test ride. Hopefully this would be up against another manufacturers bikes- but even within one manufacturer- different models will have different feel to them. By test riding and comparing the different models- you will find the differences. And hopefully one of them will be so good- It will be following you home.

RoMad

[QUOTE=Armedruby;The LBS told me the alloy Synapse and CAAD9 5 would ride about the same and that they could adjust the CAAD9 5 to 'sit' about like a Synapse (then why make a Synapse I thought). [/QUOTE]
It may just be me but it sounds like they want to sell you the CAAD9 5. I would try a couple of different shops and some other brands to get a few more ideas. On the subject of aluminum, I agree with the others that it is a harsher ride.
It really is not a huge deal what you buy on your first bike, because very few people who enjoy riding stick with their first bike for a long time. Just have a good time and post a picture of your new bike when you get it.

big john

There's nothing wrong with a CAAD 9. If you like it, get it. Probably easier to sell than a Synapse, too.

Sirveyir

At the price point that we are speaking of here, there is probably no significant difference in the ride quality of the Al or CF Synapse and the CAAD9, and it is probably lighter and stiffer than either Synapse. The CAAD9 was just introduced in 2007 as the ultimate refinement in the evolution of the welded aluminum frame that Cannondale pioneered in 1983. I have ridden Cannondale Al for 25 years. I currently ride a CAAD6 and a CAAD7 Optimo and my wife a CAAD4. We do not consider the ride harsh at all. Comfort seems to have more to do with saddle and set-up than frame material. The other plus is that the CAAD9 that Armedruby is looking at will be a last-of-the-breed "Handmade in the USA" frame, which should make him smile when he rides it.

yamura

I am 57 and bought a CAAD9 a couple years ago when I re-entered cycling. Also test rode a Fuji Roubaix Pro and if I remember right looked at whatever Giant model was similar at that time.

Suggest you try a few other makes/models; nothing wrong with the CAAD9 but in comparison to other similarly priced models you may find it a little rougher riding and harder to keep in a straight line, in other words, a great crit bike. I found that handlebar height/stem length does a lot to change that nervous feel (as well as riding miles, just learning to sit still!). Different saddle, handlebar tape, and wheel/tire combo can change the ride stiffness, too.

professorbob

CAAD 9 is light, stiff and if you're strong, very fast. The Synapse is a little more comfortable without giving up much in the way of performance. I'm suspecting that your shop has a few CAAD9's in stock but not the Synapse, hence they'd rather sell the CAAD9. Something to keep in mind... If you know you're going to commit to biking, get a little more bike than you think you'll need. That'll keep you from outgrowing a bike in a year or so, selling it at a hugh loss then buying something more expensive. In the long run, it'll save you money. Both the CAAD9 5 and the Synapse Al. 5 are upgradeable. Being fit properly will make the difference between enjoying riding and not enjoying riding. So don't just get a frame that fits, get the handlebars, stem, seat, pedals, and positioning of all these parts adjusted properly.

Armedruby

Your suspisions are spot on. No Synapse AL's in stock at all. They do have the Synapse in CF in stock ($600 more than the AL). This is tough! I may give the Giant Defys another look. Those were in stock and slightly less $ than the Synapse AL.

stapfam

I like Giants but haven't tried the defy range yet. Just look at the wheels on the lower bikes and "Possibly" get them upgraded before purchase.

Armedruby

Going today to look again. If money were no object, this wouldn't be a problem. I'm having to purchase 2 bikes (me and wife). I think I've settled on the Caad9 5 for me and still shopping for her. Hopefully I'm done today and riding tomorrow.

DnvrFox

https://www.nytro.com/products2.cfm/ID/3181
2009 Cannondale CAAD9 5
$1,039.99

George

+1, the Synapse was made for us old guys.

bykemike 

I just got an '09 Synapse 7t alloy and have been riding everyday for the last few days,yesterday 22 miles, and the ride is so very comfortable after my last couple of bikes I actually stopped and checked to see if I was losing air in the back tire. I don't know how they get an Alloy bike to ride like that..very pleased!

Mike

bykemike 

Stepfam said: "Not quite like chalk and cheese..."


That is freaking priceless! You English people have some of the greatest expressions.