Brad from SA

Hey Guys, i need some advice
I am in the new market for a bike and i was wanting to spend no more than 2k on a decent bike. I think i narrowed my choices down to 2 differnt bikes:
1. Cannondale CAAD9 with 105/Ultegra Mix
2. Felt F5C Carbon with 1-5/Ultegra Mix

But my main area of concern is the frames on each bike. Today i went to my LBS and test road the Felt up a few small hills and down them too, and it felt good (no pun intended). It wasnt look spongy, it felt like it could hold my weight. I havent driven the Cannondale yet, but hopefully tomorrow the LBS will have one in for me to ride.
Are these good bikes for 1500?
Is there any better bikes for me reguarding componetry, frame, wheelset,...?
I NEED SOME HELP, IM REALLY IN A TIE HERE!
LET ME KNOW!
thanks
B

BananaTugger

Caad 9.

Noles Fan

I less than three my CAAD9

Brad from SA

OK? but why specifically the CAAD9, Alluminum, Over the FELT carbon?

Pharmr

I think it really will depend on what your going to use the bike for....if your going to race I'd say CAAD9....if your looking for a plusher ride for longer rides then you might be better off with the Felt.

Brad from SA

well i was really looking for the middle, i may eventually get into the racing thing but for now, atlesast a few years or before i go big time. i want a bike for centurys, and longer rides.. my only concern with the low end carbon was the chance of it breaking if i hit a pot hole going fast.. here in GA, pot holes are EVERYWHERE..

Brad from SA

Any other opinions?? Im making my decision by tonight and negotiating and picking the bike up tomorrow! Need all the help NOW

wanders

Caad 9.

Brad from SA

Y?? i understand you guys sahre opinions but back them up please

BananaTugger

Just buy it already.

Brad from SA

im trying to make an educated buy.. i dont want to be throwing away money essentually or setteling on a ****ty bike.. or a bike that i dont like,

10 Wheels

I sure do like my Felt F-80.
Bought New in March, now have 5,500 miles on it.

BananaTugger

The bike you want is called the CAAD 9.

ljrichar

You really shouldn't be rushed into making a decision. If you don't know why you want to buy one over the other, why not hold off a bit?

There are many factors to consider, ie...

Which one fits best?
What is the price difference between bikes?
What year model are the bikes?

You asked a very generic question, hence the generic answers.

All that being said...

Caad9

wanders

Owners bias.

10 Wheels

A Perfect Fit means more than anything.

Brad from SA

ok well, both bikes are 08s and they are basicall the same price give or take a few hundred.. the caads 1200 and the felts 1500, but thats not the issue here. my issue is the low carbon thread count and i dont know how concerned i should be about it. NICEBIKE

BananaTugger

Are you saying the Felt is infertile or something?

Anyway, the CAAD 9 represents the culmination of about 15 years of aluminum frame design all mashed together to produce the best frame for the money that is currently available on the market.

It's light, it's strong, it's stiff, it's fast.

Brad from SA

no im not, im saying that for 1500 dollars how good could my thread count be? im sure high end cf felts are AMAING but im not looking at the high end spectrum

Noles Fan

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/459480-lessons-learned-new-road-cyclist.html

"1. Carbon vs. Alum vs. Carbon vs. Alum - I probably like a lot of bikers went back and forth. In the end, I couldn't tell too much of a difference between an all Carbon Fiber bike vs. one with Carbon front and rears. Honestly I didn't feel it was worth an extra $1,000. Now the increase in components might be worth it to you, but not the frame for me. In addition I had concerns about damaging the CF frame and it being toast."
-Sommy

This guy's got it figured out.

PS: I did read how the price difference was 300.

BananaTugger

Thread count is irrelevant.

Brad from SA

how so?. what determines the cfs strength??

BananaTugger

The fibres themselves.

Brad from SA

ok so now that im leaning towards the CAAD 9, which mix do i really want? ive had 105 ultegra and really liked it, is there a big deference between that and the dura ace mix or all ultegra?

wanders

You can rest easy with the Caad 9. It's aluminum.