slimyfrog

I started looking into my second road bike (had a jr Bianchi as a kid 35 years ago lol) and I have a series of things I'm looking for. These are construed from my own experiences. It would really help me to get some feedback from more experienced riders to see if I'm misguided.

I bike about 40 to 50 miles on weekend, mostly hilly terrain and I'd like to start doing harder climbs (DIABLO!!) and centuries.

Aluminum frame:
I'm not careful enough with my things for a full carbon frame and my bike rack suspends bikes from the top tube. Alum frames can be plenty light for my weekend rides and occasional century. From what I gather carbon is rather... Delicate.

10 or 11 speed:
My current (hybrid) bike has 8 (11-32). Even though my cadence might be 85-95, shifting drops me into 70-75 and takes a lot of effort to regain cruising cadence.

Compact crankset:
This year I went from fearing climbs to really loving them and the mind process it takes. I'll be doing a lot of then. I don't particularlt care for speed.

Aggressive geometry:
To be different from my 'sporty' hybrid. I could lower the stem another inch, but that feels like putting a spoiler on a minivan.

Components
No experience with these really but I hear 105 is a good price vs quality spot. My bike has bottom end shimano (acera I believe). They have shifted reliably for many years and many miles but shifting is loud and frightening to small pets, children and myself sometimes. I'm sure anything else will seem fantastic to me.

Wheels
No clear opinion except I have 700x35c 75psi. Feels comfy, but much too... spongy when I climb. Might be the frame contributing to the spongy feeling as well, but I like to blame the tires.

Brakes
No duck brakes. Those things are dangerous!

Thank you in advance.

Frank72

Possibly a Caad10 105 might fit the bill. Here's a link: Cannondale CAAD10 5 105 Bike - 2015 - REI.com

rms13

A higher end alum frame like a CAAD is just as fragile or more fragile than a lot of carbon. Look at how many CAAD frames have dented top tubes just from the bars swinging around and hitting them

inspclouseau

Mrs. Clouseau and I just came off aluminum road bikes. We could barely make 30 miles without being in total agony from the bone jarring vibrations. I even had a carbon fork and seat post.

We both made the move to carbon frames and now what used to be a painful limitation has simply become a fitness limitation. I always read that the comfort increase going fron alloy to carbon could barely be measured in degrees, but I am not kidding, we both came out blown away by the increase in comfort.

Carbon being fragile is a misconception. While maybe not safe to ride a damaged frame, because it may spontaneously light on fire, this only happens in a crash. Aluminum is no different, except the frame just snaps in half. That said, I probably would never run out and put carbon bars on unless I was racing.

Also, how many bikes you see on trunk racks and roof racks flying down the highway over 70mph? I don't think your rack is any different. I do use rags though where it straps in to protect the paint.

Don't forget many frame manufacturers have frame replacement programs should you crash it into the tree.

If you are still worried about how dainty the material is, be just as concerned with aluminum and go with steel or ti.

Lazyass

That's one of the more ridiculous statements I've read this week. The OP doesn't want carbon so stop sucking up bandwidth whoring it.

Anyway OP, here's a couple:

Fuji Roubaix 1.0 LE Road Bike - 2015 Performance Exclusive

Fuji Roubaix 1.3 Road Bike - 2015

rms13

That is also a misconception. Yes old (like 20 years ago) or really low end aluminum might have a bone jarring ride but nicer modern alum frames like CAAD, Allez, Canyon, Emonda, Racelight etc are just as comfortable as carbon.

Stratocaster

I'm also looking for a bike with the same specs as yours, except for the "aggressive geometry", as I already have a 2015 CAAD 10 105.
I think the CAAD 10 is what you're looking for - nice and light with everything you mentioned (not sure about "duck brakes" though). The ride is nice - especially when you consider the eastern PA roads that I ride on.

...in case you're wondering why I'm looking for another bike: I want a bike that is a little less "aggressive"...for some longer rides. I want a bike that I can attach another water bottle holder, maybe a pump, bag under the seat, etc.
I have some aspirations of racing with the CAAD 10, so I'd rather not be saddled with having to attach and unattach this stuff to only 1 bike.
Plus, there's that N+1 thing.

inspclouseau

Its my experience, my opinion, and my excitement of my new found comfort. F off you arrogant ass.

inspclouseau

Everything I researched agrees with this, and why I basically said so in my post. My aluminum was a 2012 Scott, not that its old, maybe bad tech.

Mindcrime

Felt bikes! Competative pricing, fantastic rides. There are several that fit your bill.

C Law

Have you looked at steel?

Stratocaster

Ha! That's what I'm looking at! - the Felt Z85.
I was also checking out a Giant Defy 1...also a nice bike. The 54 seems a bit larger than the Felt size 54 to me. The Felt fits about perfect for me.

Lazyass

It shows you either have lack of experience or you're just soft. "Bone jarring"? "Total agony"? Come on, man.

No need for a little hissyfit. Grow some skin. Violating the rules, BTW.

Lazyass

The Felts are sweet. I don't like the Defy. The frame design just looks corny.

inspclouseau

Yes bone jarring, maybe metaphoric, but point made. I was without doubt, in agony. Loved the sport, determined to go on, but highly unpleasant. New bike (Same fit BTW), pain literally gone. It's not a point of having a host fit or thin skin, your comment was just offensive and arrogant. See it time and again on here. It's annoying and elitist.

Stratocaster

By the way - I wouldn't say that carbon is "delicate".
I choose aluminum based on price and what I really "need".

Lazyass

Forgive me if I giggle at a man who feels actual agony because of a frame material. I don't even know any female cyclists who do. You'll be okay, it's just the internet. In any case, the guy is looking for an aluminum bike. He wasn't asking for opinions on aluminum. You've contributed nothing and just wasted more bandwidth.

Mindcrime

You wont be disappointed. Its my favorite bike. I've put on over 5k miles since I bought it a little under a year ago. Performs like a champ, and to clarify, im a clyde. Started riding that bike at near 270 (around 250 now.) I am NOT however particularly pokey, I usually average 18 mph on most of my rides (that aren't super hilly.) You can get excellent performance from the Z series, even though they are 'endurance' frames.

Biggest suggestion? Whatever you buy, GET A FITTING. Don't make the mistakes I did, they cost me two months off the bike for knee pain. Makes all the difference.

Frank72

Whatever you get look for a 2015 closeout to save some cash.

mcours2006

Those Fujis and Felts are good value, OP. Any of these bikes would be a huge step up from what you're currently riding. I know, I used to ride a Bianchi hybrid with riser bars, 3x6 Acera drivetrain and huge 38mm city tires. Then I acquired a Specialized Roubaix. Talk about night and day.

Stratocaster

I'll also add (and I think lazyass will confirm) that you can look for a 2015 Focus Culebro. They fit along the lines of a CAAD 10...VERY nice components at a good price.

Trakhak

Post of the day---tellin' it like it is.

Trakhak

In fairness, given the staggering amount of "steel=sweet, aluminum=harsh" brainwashing that goes on around here, it's not surprising that some of the more susceptible among us feel what they expect to feel.

mcours2006

I don't feel the brainwashing going on at all. There are proponents on all the camps extolling the virtues of each. That is, at least, my impression. Though I do feel that people romanticize steel more so than the others.

Personally, however, my ass and I can't really feel a noticeable difference in ride quality. Maybe I'm just not experienced enough. The fit of the bike factors much more into the comfort and feel than the material with which it is made. I do own bikes made from each.

slimyfrog

Thank you everyone for the replies. It was interesting to read I probably would not have to baby carbon as much as I thought I guess I'm overly paranoid about destroying a new expensive toy.

I had not discovered Felt yet. The Z's look really beautiful to me and I like that there are plenty of reviews available. The Z85 might be a perfect fit for what I'm looking for.

With a different geometry I also found the Bulls Harrier, but there isn't much to go on and I do have some internal conflicts to resolve about ordering a bike over the interwebs... I don't want bike shops to disappear the way some other stores have.

And I will definitely get a fit. I'm dealing with knee pain right now caused by doing more hills than I should have with my seat 1.5 inches too low :/