bh20

Hey group, I have been racking my brain the last couple of weeks on which new bike to purchase. I narrowed them down to the Specialized Allez Elite, and Cannondale CAAD9-5. I really wanted the CAAD but it is looking ike I can get the Allez at a better price with pretty much same components.

My LBS just emailed me and said he could order me a 2010 CAAD9-5 and sale it for $1300 - or - he has a new CAAD8 frameset that he said would build and put the same components as the CAAD9-5 on for $1000.

The CAAD8 deal seems too good.

any thoughts/advice?

ch3n207

Get the caad9 frames. A lot more people have them for a reason. It has a better pedigree in races than the allez. I asked my local bike stores yesterday how much a frame would set me back. The 2010 frames are $900 for frameset with full carbon fork. It'll probably be cheaper with aluminium steerer fork but nah. Im contemplating on the cervelo s1 or caad9.

m4ximusprim3

I am in a very similar situation- I've been wanting a lighter bike for a while (my current road bike is also my commuter and weighs like 24 lbs) and have been looking at carbon, but there's a CAAD9 with full SRAM Rival group on CL right now for $700, which seems like a good deal. He claims it's about 18 lbs, which seems about the same weight as a madone 4.7, which was my first pick.

Any reason I shouldn't go for the CAAD?

PS: Here's a pic of the bike if anyone's interested.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/2807561...77165/sizes/l/

RoboChrist

I'd hit it.

San Rensho 

Caad 8 and 9 have exactly the same geometry, look on Cannondales website. There will be absolutely no difference in ride between the two.

I would get the 8 but try to beat him up a little more on the price. He understands that it will be very difficult for him to sell the 8, since everyone wants the newest, so give it a try.

lineinthewater

Aren't caad7, caad8, and caad9 kind-of in same generation - very similar in geometry/look/ride/etc? Just trying to educate myself.

DrPete 

The 8 and 9 are quite similar IIRC--I think the only change was to the seatstays, and it was a minor one. If you can find one, a used CAAD8 frameset in good condition is a diamond in the rough. And no, you can't have mine.

wirelessness

That is NOT a good price on a CAAD9-5. Granted it's a 2010 but since nothing has really changed since '09 who cares.

My local Cannondale dealer is out of CAAD9's and is probably waiting for 2010's as well. In the mean time they are blowing out some of the 09 full carbon models. You can get a Six Carbon w/ 105 for $1359!!!! Seems like a way better option than a CAAD9 to me.

bh20

just got back from the LBS and I ended up going with the new CAAD8 frameset w/premium carbon fork. Owner threw in some Easton wheels, 105's all the way, lifetime free tune-ups, free 105 pedals. got the whole setup for $1100.

Seemed to be a pretty good deal that I could not pass on.

The paint job on the frame is nothing I have ever seen on a cann: dark metallic blue/ fade to black with white lettering. Pretty sharp to me.

Thanks for the replies!

RudeSiggy

awesome deal.

RudeSiggy

oh and now you need to post pics

bh20

i'm picking her up Saturday. I'll post some then, as soon as I figure out how to

Tsuru

Nice! but yeah, pix please!

thegunner

should've gotten a bmc man...

Thomas_CAAD9

Not to be biased but I have a CAAD9 105 at the moment. It's blisteringly fast even with someone as unfit and fat as me pedalling it.

Bike weight is 21.2lbs stock but you could easily drop more than a lb changing the tyres and tubes.

My only complaint is that the Fizik saddle is hideously uncomfortable and is going soon.

Enjoy the CAAD you'll never regret it.

San Rensho 

Yep, my Cadd4 has essentially the same geometry as this years, but mine has a slightly higher BB, which I prefer. Great handling bikes for criterium/road racing. The price can't be beat for the performance.

ljrichar

Just know that the "new" Caad 8 frames are not the same as the Caad 9 frames.

ljrichar

Get it now.

intence

I was going to point that out, that the 2010 CAAD8s are NOT the same as the older CAAD8s.

ljrichar

Different geometry, materials, & not made in US, as I was told by my Cannondale dealer. I'm not trying to make you feel bad about your purchase, just letting it all hang out.

milkbaby

Is it just me or is the price for the CAAD9 frameset a ripoff compared to the complete bikes?!?

As for the new CAAD8s, you could always plaster some "Handmade in the USA" decals on the seatstays if you wanted too...

m4ximusprim3

That was my inclination too. I guess it's time to buy the wife some flowers

Waves77

A friend of mine has a US made Caad8 from a couple years back, the frame is slightly different than my Caad9 FWIW. Both ride awesome though!

Dilberto

Buy any new CAAD 9 and just upgrade it as you wish(my latest upgrade- 300g Slice Si fork). I easily built a 16 pound rocket...all for under $1600:

bh20

hopefully this worked