new2biking

hey all.

so a few weeks ago i posted about how i bought a new CAAD9 R5. i like the bike, i really do. i gave it some time. road a lot. to and from work. in fact i got a job at a new bike store. unfortunately we don't carry any cannondales. with this being said. my remorse comes in at how my bike looks. I initially bought a brushed aluminum bike version of the bike. they told me at the store they could get the white, but then last minute as soon as i loved the biek said "oh no sorry, we can't get that color" and so i decided to go ahead and buy.

well. now looking back i'm pissed. i wish i had held off if the store was really not goin to be able to do what they had said. i feel like i kinda got burned in a way.

now i'm trying to find a place that sells cannondale and see if they can get the lightning white frame for me. do you think any of them would be willing to switch out the frame? i have someone who can build the bike for me. no problem. the frame is perfect still with no scratches or dents. is this a possibility you think?

Surferbruce

doubtful, but you could always try.
i'd just stick with it, it'll grow on you. get a white saddle and bar tape. buyrs remorse sucks, but if it's just the frame color, i'd htfu the and get on with it. ride that puppy.

new2biking

i was almost goin to sell my caad9 frame to get the salsa campeon. however a guy at work said to just stick with what i got. that it's a fine bike, first bike and will be treated like **** over time. now, i like to take care of what i got and want it to look the way i want. so thats why i want a white frame.

if i was to build up a bike and everything, with my discount i could probably make a brand new bike, for the money i put into my caad9 with 105 and ultegra, but get ultegra and or dura-ace components...

its tough too cause i was thinking of getting an Orbea Onyx before I left for school this summer.. but after riding more i think i like aluminum. i think it supports my size and weight that much better...

any thoughts?

Farby

I don't think you will find another shop who is going to let you switch a used frame you bought elsewhere for a brand new frame in another color.
The store didn't burn you. Once they told you they couldn't get the color, you should have shopped elsewhere. Sorry..

new2biking

true. and lookin back i should have stopped. i guess it's just the whole thing of the now and then.

maddyfish

Paint it?

dcbikeguy

Sounds like you'll change your mind again in about 5 minutes.

And please use capital letters too.

re-cycler

What size frame did you get? I'm looking at the same bike.

GP

If you are never going to be happy with the brushed frame, buy a white one, switch out the components and sell it. You just have to decide if it bothers you enough to take the loss.

monkeyevil

BarracksSi

I'll trade you my red & silver CAAD8 for your brushed aluminum '9.

Eh, maybe not... I kinda like mine..

new2biking

it does bug me a hell of a lot. i ride a 60 cm frame. i love the bike. im glad i got the aluminum rear stays. cause i feel that carbon is too soft. i thought about painting it myself im just a little unsure of my skills haha. do they have the cannondale decals elsewhere so if i did paint it i could put them on?

Surferbruce

dude, you're new2biking, give it all some time and just ride. when you make a comment like carbon is too soft, it belies how much there is to learn. you have a great bike, just dig it and roll.

grahny

Paint the top of the top tube white and when you're riding it you won't know the difference.... and I agree, carbon is waaay too soft. It's like the charmin of bike materials ... I'm holding out for the quilted northern monocoque comfort cruiser frame.

Seriously... go ride and forget about it. I doubt any shop will swap out a frame for you if you didn't buy it from them. Personally, I don't like the look of compact frames, but I ride one. Can't tell the difference when I'm riding.

artifice

out on the road it doesn't matter as much what your bike looks like as it does on here- spend more time on the road, and less on bf

but seriously, you'll learn to live with the color. I don't like the color of my bike but I know its the best one for me. I also ski- and I don't like the color of them either, but they're amazing skis. Its not the equipment its the motor you should be worried about. ride, ride, ride!

Beaker

Listen to these words - they are important

celerystalksme

eh...i have found that the aesthetics of a bike eventually evens out...

if you thought your new bike looked like the hottest thing on the planet, it still looks in 6 months, but you start lusting after other bikes. and the mediocre looking bike you got because you couldn't pass up the deal, the fit, or you couldn't resist impulse buy...you start to think it's not so bad after 6 months...

just embrace it and ride on!!!!!!!!

speedybob

Yeah, I kinda know what you mean because I put alot of value in how the bike looks. Honestly what I have noticed is that what people see when you are riding is your jersey design mostly, and the bike color is less important. But of course, if you want to see it in your house in the right color, then thats too bad. My advice would be to not paint it, it wont look or feel as good as a new bike. You should either look at the pluses of this finish (will still look good in 10 years, wont get scratches) or if it is really bothersome, exchange it somehow, maybe for an 09.

tmass

Does the LBS have a 30 day return?(If it has been less than 30 days) You might want to consider some proffesional decals to boost the appearance.

flaco

Sheesh, let it go and just ride. Now if your bike was the wrong size, you could have some legitimate cause for remorse.

conncyclist

What he said

ridethecliche

Just ride...

waterrockets 

It's a tool, not a jewel. You are the only one who will ever care what color your bike is. If you bought the wrong color, then buy the right color, and just deal with the cost.

You either need to accept the cost or accept the silver.

The way this is starting out, I'm thinking this bike will be hanging on a wall for months at a time by 2009.

Pharmr

the brushed alum. looks good...I'd just go with it.....but if it bothers you that much then get a new frame...IMO that's a lot of hassle for a different color.

Ralleh

I would much rather have the brushed aluminum. White never looks good on bikes, in my opinion.