BarryJo

I recently bought a closeout 07 Caad9 with the Shimano 105 groupo. Of course I'm already wanting to begin upgrading the bike to make it lighter and hopefully a bit faster (although the engine still needs some work). I know the most obvious would be the wheel set, but I have a set of Ksyrium ES's on my Roubaix which I plan on switching back and forth between the two bikes.
I was looking for people's opinions on what else would help the bike's performance, in other words the biggest bang for the buck. I was thinking the front crank/ BB and rear cassette to Ultegra (the rear derailleur is already ultegra).
Are there other components that would be a better investment (shifter/brake handles, handlebars, front fork, seat post)?
I'm trying to keep this at or around $400, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,
JohnB

Laursen

Wait and save up some more money and buy a lighter wheelset. I also have a CAAD 9 with 105 groupo and just bought a pair og Vuelta Carbon Pro tubulars. That shaved approx. 600 grams of the total weight. Upgrading the wheelset or groupo will probably give you the most in weight savings and performance.

milchad

Focus on moving weight. Like you said, wheels are the obvious 1st thing to look at and it sounds like you have that covered. BB, Crank, pedals, tires and tubes come to mind. (maxxis ultralight tubes are nice @ 68 grams each) You'll save even more weight on the cassette if you go w/ the Dura Ace, but it's pretty expensive due to the Ti. Non-moving weight, I would look at your headset, stem, and handlebars. There's a lot of gram shaving that can be done in that area.

Cdy291

If you already have some good wheels nothing else really matters a whole bunch. If you don't like the saddle or the shape of the handle bars change those out otherwise keep saving and maybe get a full Ultegra or rival or maybe even dura ace group. Also depending on what kind of pedals you have there can be an improvement there.

Edit:
Shoes, can't forget about shoes.

JSellers

Sram Red for the cass is lighter than dura-ace and only little more in price.

BarryJo

I've read good things about SRAM Red (although I wasnt impressed with SRAM Force on a C-dale System 6 I tested last year) - but for almost 2x the cost I would be more inclined to go with the DA. I really love the crisp shifting of the Shimano Ultegra and DA and would be nervous about going with something different such as the SRAM or Campy components. I tend to be one of those people who stick with what they know.

I think I'll start with the front crank and BB, the rear cassette and go from there.

This Patentcad guy has me brainwashed that a set of Zipp wheels will make the most difference of any upgrade, but I don't want to be too appear too much of a Fred showing up on my group rides with wheels that cost more than my bike, so the Ksyriums ES's will have to do for this year

By the way, the Caad9 rocks, for an aluminum frame I like it better than my previous ride, Giant TCR C1 carbon frame, and there isn't that much difference in the weight of both bikes!

thanks for the replies....

ridethecliche

I dunno, I really like my 105 stuff, but then again, I don't know any better. (And I'm saving up for a PT so I can't be distracted )

yogi13

Upgrading the rear cassette to ultegra will buy you very little. Upgrading the shifters to ultegra sl is the biggie on the gruppo, but even that isn't huge. If you want to spend money on gear getting blingy wheels is the best upgrade, though if you already could run Mavic ES I'd consider saving up for powertap and work on the engine.

ridethecliche

A big +1!

I've started a fund for my powertap wheelset. I'm hoping to have enough saved up to buy one by the time road season starts next year. It'll be hard to justify spending so much on a wheelset though, especially because everyone seems to be telling me to save up for a set of used zipps with a powertap.

Camilo

If you just need to spend the money, I'd spend the whole wad on wheels and tires, trying to find wheels at that price that are worth $6-700+. But you already have a nice set of wheels that it would cost more than the bike to upgrade.

Otherwise save it. Frankly, you are very unlikely to feel any difference in even better wheels. Tires? I'd say they could be the thing that you'd notice most of anything. All the other parts you mention, it is absolutely (IMHO of course) a waste of money to replace parts unless you actually need them for fit or worn out reaons.

For example, if you do need parts (e.g. saddle, handlebars, stem, shoes) just to get fit right, no harm in paying a little extra for lighter or better parts. That's what I've been doing recently and it's a fun game to play because the difference between "good" and "excellent" parts in those categories is probably worth it, and that's your net cost (the difference, not the total cost) for the upgrade.

Probably the thing I regret most is the money I wasted (yes, wasted) on a carbon seat post because in my naivitee I let an LBS HACK convince me it would be a better ride. Total, absolute waste. I don't even think it looks better than the stock "cannondale" stem that came with my bike and weighs less than an ounce less (something like 20 grams). 20 grams is worth spending a couple of bucks on, but not a hundred!

But no way is it worth upgrading from 105 level components just to do it - either in terms of weight or performance. Replace parts if you need to, the frame is certainly worthy if you like it. But your general philosophy should be to enjoy a very nice bike and save the money and buy an Ultegra or better group'd bike in the future.

BarryJo

thanks again for all the replies -
regarding rear cassette, I don't know if it's just in my head, but the Ultegra stuff I had on my old bike seemed to shift a lot more efficently/ crisper than the 105s. Not that the 105s are bad mind you, just not as nice.
Anyway, I bought the bike for a winter ride, but I'm starting to like the bike so much I'll probably end up riding it a lot more than planned so the new wheel set might be in order later this year.
thanks again!
JohnB

Treefox

Get a turbo and double your training.

JSellers

Everyone I know that has gone to Sram has loved it and said shifting is better and the red cass is only about $30 more than ti D/A cass.

ottsville

Not in your head. The leap from 105 to ultegra is big

merlinextraligh

Don't buy upgrades Ride up grades.

sfcrossrider

Great advice. ti pedals, and lightweight make a HUGE difference on my CX bike.

paul_858

if you have fit/comfort issues, I suggest you spend that 400 bucks on getting the proper components to get you the perfect fit. Comfort > weight.

Cdy291

Getting a good fit on your bike from a pro fitter is worth more than some Zipps.

BarryJo

I got "fitted" when I bought the bike - the problem is I don't fit well on "performance" frames because I have this strange geometry where I'm 5'10" with short arms and legs. On the 54cm, to get a comfortable fit I need to give up the performance aspect of the bike by having them put on a high rise stem and a couple of spacers in between so the bike ends up looking like a cross between the Caad9 and Synapse.

So to get the bike where I want it I took out some of the spacers, moved the seat a little forward so I'm able to get lower on the handlebars. I like this feel because I can average about 20-22mph, but after about 5-10 minutes in the drops I need to come up to the hoods or the top bar and stretch out a little before going back into the drops

The shop assumed i wanted a "comfort fit" (I already have that on my Roubaix), so they want me to bring the bike back so they can try and get me a more agressive fit. We'll see how that works out....

Thanks again for all the replies, this place is a wealth of information.
JohnB

Al1943

+1
Upgrade only those parts that wear out. the biggest single component upgrade will be the shifters but nothing wrong with the 105's wear them out.
If you were to go with SRAM shifters you would also have to change the rear derailleur to SRAM. Shimano and SRAM have different cable pull and throw ratios.
New shoes if needed could be a better upgrade.
Buying new components now will offset the good deal you got on the CAAD 9.
Al