2014 Cannondale EVO 5 v. 2014 CAAD10 3 Ultegra v. 2013 Fuji Altamira 2.0 LE
 

Hey all! I'm somewhere north of 50 years and entering some local crit and road races this year. I'm two days away from doing some test rides, spending a few "large" on an upgrade, and I need some opinions and advice.

I started riding again last January and figured I'd upgrade if still riding a year later and lost weight (20lbs so far, to 180). Currently, I'm riding a 2007 Trek 1000, entry-level with Tiagra components, a good second-hand buy with an upgraded Neuvation wheelset and saddle. I've found over 3K miles that I prefer 20-40 mile rides (avg 17mph solo, depending on hills), pushing hard to 90%+ of max HR, looking for hills to climb, descend and climb them again, diving into corners, and sprint intervals. I'm in no danger of doing any long MS benefits or metrics. Not my style.

I really, really like the 2014 EVO 5 (with 105 components) ($2,270 MSRP/$2,099 retail) at my LBS. It's aggressive and has great reviews. With the EVO, I figure I'm also buying the bike, the shop, the sales person, and the mechanic. It's a good place with good people. But, Performance Bicycle has a 2013 Fuji Altamira 2.0 LE (with Ultegra components) ($2,599 MSRP/$1,899 on sale). I don't care for the store, there's never a salesperson around, which is good, because they are clueless when asked the difference between the Altamira/SST/Gran Fondo.

Now I'm starting to think, at my skill level, do I really need carbon? I could get a CAAD10 ($2,270 MSRP/$2,099 retail) with Ultegra components at my LBS. It's also light and aggressive, but with better components. Same price as the EVO 5. I know, I know, I need to test ride. But what do you folks think is most important? Upgraded components v. carbon v. aluminum v. buying from local bike shop???

41?

Short answer: whichever fits you best.

Longer answer: VeloNews just did a comparison wherein they compared the EVO5 w/105 to two aluminum bikes, a Raleigh and the Specialized Allez w/Ultegra. The Cannondale won by a point due to its excellent frame, the Allez was second due to the better component build with a very good frame. IMO, you'd do better to compare the CAAD10 and the Allez with the same components. The main difference between them is the head tube length - the Allez's is considerably taller than the CAAD10's. I've got both an Allez and a CAAD9 (same geometry as the CAAD10), and for me the Allez is the better fit. If the Cannondale is the better fit for you, and you can afford going to the EVO 3, that'd be the best of both worlds.

I've never ridden the Fuji, but have heard nothing but good reviews on them. If you go that route, that Ultegra will be the ten speed version as opposed to the 11 speed version on the 2014s.

BTW, if you want to do road races, you'll have to get used to more than 40 miles. ;)

41

Position on the bike (Power/Cda) and your weight (Power/weight) are more important than the bike assuming it is in working order to commence racing. And as Revchuck said, fit is important which gets back to position.

Unless your current bike just does not work, I suggest doing a race or two and see what other racers are riding. Are you going to join a club or team? Many times the racing club will have team deals on bikes and you may want one of those. My racing club gets great deals on bikes, wheels and components as well as an excellent discount from a local bike shop on all merchandise.

Solo rides are great training but it is the dynamics of the peloton that offers the most challenge to new racers. Cornering shoulder to shoulder with others at high speed and matching accelerations is what racing is about. Likewise, being able to hide in the peloton and conserve energy is extremely important.

If you want a new bike then test ride and buy one. But know in advance, it will not make much difference in the outcome of your races.

Can I give a shameless plug for the CAAD 10? I race one and train on it, as well. Fit is everything, and it fits me perfectly. It's light (I can get it to down to just above 15 pounds with carbon tubies when it's in crit trim), it doesn't ride like aluminum (at all!), it's stable, handles very, very well, and is comfortable. Mine is a 10.3 - Ultegra. I immediately replaced the wheels, bar tape, and saddle, and frankly I haven't looked back. Sure, if I could afford it, I could buy an Evo, but why? The extra 2% of performance wouldn't do me a bit of good, and I'd be wasting the money.

IMHO, of course. Hermes nailed it - fit!

You should make a run up to Joe's Pro Bikes. Joe does Fuji and they have a master's racing team that's got some great folks on it. Tell him the Cat 1 from California sent you, I raced for them for 4 years. If you're starting out you would get a lot of help and support from the guys. It's a small shop and Joe can be crusty on the surface but he's a big softie otherwise.

Fuji has been sponsoring the team for quite a while. I've had several of their bikes (still have the SST) and have been quite happy with the product.

Perfect. Just the feedback I needed. Of course, now I'm thinking the CAAD 10 with Ultegra components makes the best sense. Or maybe go with the EVO as a carbon frame/fork platform and upgrade the components from there? And now I need to stop by Joe's (it's not far) and check out his Fuji's. Sheeeessshhhh! :crash: Alright. I'm out the door for my test rides.

Post Script. I've heard of Joe's a couple times now. Someone told me that is THE place to get fitted. Doesn't matter where you buy your bike, take it to Joe, and pay the money. His shop is the best.

Racing is so much a local phenomena. Getting to know the other racers and local shops and teams is part of the fun of racing. BF is a great place to expand the network of racing contacts and expertise but the first step is leaning the local racing scene.

Hi Minnesota Expat, when I saw San Antonio I figured I'd just wait for Racer Ex to share his local knowledge (among his vast array of knowledge). Broken record -- fit is key. Not much to learn from a shop test ride on a bike that doesn't fit right. Having owned way too many bikes in my life there are a scant few that have been dogs and none of them were from major manufacturer's.

BTW, red bikes are faster than bikes of any other color.

Alright, with all due consideration, it's a done deed. A bright new and very shiny EVO 5 is sitting in the garage (it was in the living room most of the day). Thanks all. More later.

If it's not dirty by this time tomorrow, we're comin' after you! :D

I think we have a new winner in the Bike Purchase Speed Contest.

A first ride report and a picture are mandatory stuff in this neighborhood.

Congrats.

I know the purchase sounds spontaneous, but I've been stalking these boards for awhile and maintaining a spreadsheet of different bikes, components and prices for much longer. Plus, there's 300-400 years of Puritan/Quaker/Presbyterian genes of parsimonious thriftiness coursing through my veins and driving my decision! But, your endorsement of the CAAD 10 made a lot of sense. Ultegra components and a bike almost as light as the EVO? How do you argue with that? But I can also use my carbon fiber EVO frame as a platform for significant upgrades and end up with a very hot ride :). Also, Texas chip-seal has been creating sores on my aluminum riding posterior! This should be a little smoother ride.

Okay. I'm a newbie. What is "41"? I've seen it a few times now in the threads. Yeah, I read the VELO review and that was the tipping point for me on the EVO 5. I hear what you're saying re the aluminum Allez and CAAD 10, and EVO 3 with Ultegra. But like I said to sarals, it's about comfort on the roads and also about price point (about $2K). And the Allez was above my price point at the LBS.

Oh yeah, and riding more than 40 miles. You're right, I need to continue to develop the ability to ride 40+ miles and that will come. I just want to be riding 40+ miles aggressively, rather than casually or part of a group that stops every 10 miles to take pictures or eat kolaches. There are some groups in San Antonio like that and it's great. It's not me.

I really appreciate the recommendation and intend to stop by Joe's soon. Plus, it's enroute to an excellent ride west of town with some serious up and down climbing :). In the end, I'm good with my shop, which is probably like Joe's. It's owned and run by local cyclists that are active competitors and well connected in the local cycling community. BTW, have you ever heard of Britton's?

Yeah, yeah. And we know it's true that cops always stop red cars for speeding, right? The bottomline; Ms Expat thinks my bright and shiny white, green and blue ride is "hot". And at the end of the day, I know where my bread is buttered :lol:. Which leads me to a good story (the back story is, our daughter is starting school next year at an exclusive and expensive private college);

So a few weeks ago I called Ms Expat over to the computer and showed her a picture of the $4,400 EVO Red with SRAM Red components. I tell her all about it, she patiently says, "Nice bike". I forget about the EVO Red and we have a nice Christmas and New Years. Fast forward to this afternoon. I go for a ride, then go for a test ride on the EVO, spend a lot of time with Beau, buy the bike ($2,200), get fitted, drive home, and try to sneak it into the garage.

Ms Expat is too smart for that, she pokes her head into the garage and says, "I suppose you bought your dream bike and I'm figuring that $4,400 bike is your birthday present (next month), right?". She smiles and shuts the door. So. I was trying to sneak a $2,200 bike into the house and the Household CEO was okay with me spending $4,400?! All I'm thinking is, how do I return this and buy the EVO 3? Go figure (insert head-slap here).

Expat - "41" is the general road subforum. There's a bigger sample size there, because there are a bunch more people who post there as opposed to the racing subforums. The downside is that the experience/knowledge level there is lower than in the racing subforums.

Yes. The namesake owner of several years ago decided to take his group ride people on the state TT course...during the state TT (or the TTT, my memory fails me), knowing full well what was going on that day. i think had had a beef with the promoter or someone else associated with the event or some other sand in his underwear.

There's nothing quite like coming up on a panicked century rider at 30+ MPH on a TT bike to obtain that shot of adreneline you need to finish the last 10k with a bang as you swerve out into the traffic.

His response to the somewhat disgruntled racing community was (and I paraphrase): "eff U it's a public road".

Don't know if the shop is under new ownership. If not feel free to shoplift stuff and break bottles in his parking lot.

I think I just saw my new signature quote.

Yeah, I did...

Expat, enjoy that new Cannondale! It didn't take me long to fall head over heals for mine. And, that was after riding a really sweet Bianchi 928 for a while.

And, welcome to the group.

Minnesota Expat, nice bike buy. Your wife kind of sounds like mine regarding bike purchases. We have to sons in college right now so I have been a bit more judicious in my purchases.

My race bike is a SuperSix EVO. This will be my second year on this frame (the components have been on a couple of prior race bikes). I like it very much. It handles well on descents and in criteriums and I appreciate its light weight on climbs.

Enjoy it.

(BTW, I did a mail order frame purchase from Britton's maybe eight years ago. It was not a good experience. Hopefully things have changed there for the better.)

Congrats on the new bike.

I spent the day trying to find and then test riding an EVO, CAAD10, and Synapse. Ended up with EVO-5 in the end. The CAAD10 was harsher on broken pavement and I don't know if it would be comfortable for 4+ hour rides. After riding race bikes for years, I felt like I was sitting up right on the Synapse. I was more interested in the frame than components, as I am going to strip the Dura Ace group from my old bike.

I spent the summer and fall at Lackland. You are preaching to the choir about the chip seal around SA. Watch out for the loose dogs on the southside of town. I hit one near Devine and now have a cracked SuperSix Hi-Mod frame to show for it. (Along with some new road rash scars.)

Look up Jeff Porter with Velo Valero. They have a fast paced Wednesday night ride, during the summer, from Mays Elementary to Boerne and back. They also ride almost every Saturday during the year.

Jerry