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The Cult of CAAD...

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

The Cult of CAAD...

Old 03-02-12, 07:18 PM
  #3026  
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Hi mega and thanks for the advice. My good buddy that turned me onto the Cannondales (he owns 4 as of right now and is an avid on and off road rider) thought I might benefit from a wheel w/more spokes. Again, Ill check w/the shop mechanic and as u said I do have 30 days to see if the stock wheels will work out.
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Old 03-02-12, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by musicman1
Hi all, newbie here. Just purchased my first "better" bike after riding 1,000 miles from 8-15-2011 through 12-31-2011 on my son's 30 lbs plus Schwinn mountain bike. Result of lower back surgery got me into it. I have lost 60 lbs(am currently 240 and down 4 pants sizes) and like to lose 15 more but I feel great and I love to ride. I regularly ride 15-17 miles daily in place of a lunch break (I work out of my home)and then 20 to 35 miles on a Saturday or Sunday.

Just ordered a CAAD8 6 Tiagra, black 54 inch frame with clip on pedals. Dealer is assembling and I have to go for a fitting on Tuesday. Really happy with this purchase as i have wanted a Cannondale for some time.

What is the general consensus of this bike? From the date I pick it up I will have 30 days to ride and return for a full refund/credit if Im not happy. Dealer also gave me free 30 day tune up and 3 free annual tune ups. So hello to all CAAD persons here and what say you?
Congrats on the weight loss, that is awesome!!!

If you're coming from riding a mountain bike, I think you will find the new CAAD8 a thrilling road ride. It had been years since I rode a bike when I went to the store to test ride a CAAD9, and from just a 15 minute ride around the neighborhood roads near the LBS I was blown away and totally sold.

If your LBS is willing to give a full cash refund within 30 days of purchase, that is pretty darn good. Many small shops have a store credit only, no refunds policy. Ride it and take it in for the 30 day tune up but also learn to do some minor adjustments yourself. Most of the free tune up stuff the store will do are probably things everybody can learn and do themselves very easily (derailleur adjustment, minor wheel truing, replacing cables/cable housing). I prefer to do as much wrenching myself at home as possible since I find it a pain to drive the bike to the store and leave it. Riding it to the store and having a friendly chat with the staff is a totally different matter though!

I wouldn't spend money on replacing the wheels right off the bat. Looking at the Cannondale website, the wheels look like 32 spoke laced cross 3, so they should hold up better for heavier riders than the low spoke wheels (16 spoke radial front, 20 spoke 2-cross/radial rear) that are spec'ed on the CAAD10 models. EDITED to add: Since some folks replied as I was typing, you can always go to a 36 spoke wheel in the rear later if the stock wheel doesn't work out, but why not ride it and see? On the 3 cross wheel, if you bust one spoke, you can probably still ride it home okay, maybe opening up the rear brake quick release.

Enjoy it and happy riding to ya!

Last edited by milkbaby; 03-02-12 at 07:39 PM.
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Old 03-02-12, 09:05 PM
  #3028  
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Originally Posted by speedevil
I'm working on my newly purchased CAAD8 frame. I've picked up a Campy Veloce groupset in black - this is the 2011 model that has the ultra-torque cranks and the ultra-shift levers. Both the Veloce crank and levers got dumbed down for 2012 so I'm happy with this group.

Now I'm pondering wheels. I would like a minimum of 28 spokes in the back, 24 up front. I'm not the fastest nor the lightest, so my main emphasis is on good quality and longevity. If I'm a few seconds slower than everyone else I don't really care. The terrain where I ride is mostly flat with some hills. The wind can be a real workout though, so maybe the hills around here are made from moving air.

I'm seriously considering ROL Race SLX wheels at around $650 for the set. Any other suggestions? I was looking at Soul 2.0 Max but I think buying from someone in the States would be wiser - maybe I'm wrong. I'd like to stay in the vicinity of $5-600 for the wheels.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
I'd recommend these. They run $503 plus shipping for the Campy version. You can get them either 24/28 or 28/32, depending on your weight.
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Old 03-02-12, 10:52 PM
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Thanks milk and rev. I appreciate the advice.
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Old 03-02-12, 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by slynkie
My new set just arrived today - https://www.boydcycling.com/vitesse-alloy-clincher/
I got the 20/24 model but they offer 24/28 as well. Obviously I can't give a ride report yet, but the reports for their previous model vitesse are good, and I'm confident the 23mm wide rims have only made them better.

Skynkie, would you mind posting a few pics of the new Boyd Vitesse's mounted on your bike? Also, when you get a chance to ride them, please do post your ride impressions. I'm interested in purchasing this wheelset and would appreciate any feedback you have. Thanks!
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Old 03-03-12, 09:03 AM
  #3031  
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Hed wheel with the C2 shape…they are the money.
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Old 03-04-12, 10:19 AM
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Just put a set of Boyd Vitesse on my 10-3. Love the look and the rear wheel seems to spin much more freely than the Mavic Aksium's that came with it. I'm quite eager to try them on the road.

Last edited by muidaq; 03-04-12 at 01:01 PM. Reason: better photo
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Old 03-04-12, 10:50 AM
  #3033  
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Very nice muidaq. I'm leaning towards the Boyd Vitesse wheels too. Will likely go with 24-28 spoke count like yours.

Now I need to figure out the seat/seatpost and stem/handlebar.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "-3" after CAAD10? Does it reflect the groupset choice?
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Old 03-04-12, 10:59 AM
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Yup. That's the Ultegra option.
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Old 03-04-12, 11:27 AM
  #3035  
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OK, since I bought my CAAD8 as a frame, I guess it's just a plain old - CAAD8.

It will have a campy groupset on it, though, for what that might be worth.
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Old 03-04-12, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by muidaq


Just put a set of Boyd Vitesse on my 10-3. Love the look and the rear wheel seems to spin much more freely than the Mavic Aksium's that came with it. I'm quite eager to try them on the road.
Awesome setup. I was happy to see the prices of the Boyd rims after reading a bunch of great reviews. I think they are going to be y first upgrade after a few miles on my '12 10-5. I need the 24-28 spoke model. Either Vitesse or might even go carbon clincher 50mm since it's really flat here in FL and seem like a great wheel.
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Old 03-04-12, 04:15 PM
  #3037  
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Originally Posted by muidaq


Just put a set of Boyd Vitesse on my 10-3. Love the look and the rear wheel seems to spin much more freely than the Mavic Aksium's that came with it. I'm quite eager to try them on the road.
looks sweet! though I admit I was hoping to be the first to post a CAAD10 with the new Vitesse; my fault for waiting 3 days to mount them



I love the look, they're 400g lighter than the stock Fulcrum 7s I was rolling, and I can't wait to see how the 23mm width feels.

(no, I still haven't changed the white tape out. and now it's dirty and torn, to boot )
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Old 03-04-12, 04:16 PM
  #3038  
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in other news, I finally got to race my CAAD today. it won me a $25 prime
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Old 03-04-12, 06:06 PM
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slynkie, best looking caad out.
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Old 03-04-12, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by adriano
slynkie, best looking caad out.
+1, but it's probably just the wheels. No, really that is one sick looking bike.


Now slightly off topic. I first took the photo of my bike using my iPhone which has a 35mm focal length (equivalent) lens. It looked way odd. Later I shot it again with the exact same configuration on the bike with an 80mm lens on my DSLR...way better. Telephoto is definitely the way to go for bike portraits.

35mm - iPhone


80mm - DSLR
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Old 03-04-12, 11:29 PM
  #3041  
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Originally Posted by slynkie
in other news, I finally got to race my CAAD today. it won me a $25 prime
Congrats! Nice riding and nice bike...
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Old 03-04-12, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by muidaq
Now slightly off topic. I first took the photo of my bike using my iPhone which has a 35mm focal length (equivalent) lens. It looked way odd. Later I shot it again with the exact same configuration on the bike with an 80mm lens on my DSLR...way better. Telephoto is definitely the way to go for bike portraits.
Your camera placement was also a lot better with the DSLR. Up higher so it's level with the bars, and aiming at the seat tube/top tube junction to clean up the seatstays. Did you change your distance from the bike, too?
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Old 03-05-12, 12:44 AM
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Originally Posted by revchuck
I'd recommend these. They run $503 plus shipping for the Campy version. You can get them either 24/28 or 28/32, depending on your weight.
Those look friggin' sweet. Oh, look at their name...

If my Eastons ever crap out, I should remember to get wheels like those. Wouldn't even gain any weight over the Eastons, either.
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Old 03-05-12, 06:35 AM
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actually, if we must nitpick, i wish the wheels were silver! or crabbon.
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Old 03-05-12, 12:51 PM
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Originally Posted by slynkie
in other news, I finally got to race my CAAD today. it won me a $25 prime
Congrats! The bike is very hot!
I hope you like the Boyd's. Since my team is now sponsored by Boyd I'll probably pick up a pair.
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Old 03-05-12, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Ultraslide
Congrats! The bike is very hot!
I hope you like the Boyd's. Since my team is now sponsored by Boyd I'll probably pick up a pair.

That's awesome. Are you going to get one of their frames too? I want the 50mm clinchers but I should prob get the vitesse for now. I have never actually been on a road bike yet. My bike gets here htis week.
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Old 03-05-12, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by NWS Alpine
That's awesome. Are you going to get one of their frames too? I want the 50mm clinchers but I should prob get the vitesse for now. I have never actually been on a road bike yet. My bike gets here htis week.
Cannondale is the bike sponsor. I'm on a Caad 10 with Hed Ardennes for now. The 23mm wide Vitesses' weren't available when we ordered for the team. Most folks got 38 or 50mm carbon tubulars and seem very happy with them.
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Old 03-05-12, 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Ultraslide
Cannondale is the bike sponsor. I'm on a Caad 10 with Hed Ardennes for now. The 23mm wide Vitesses' weren't available when we ordered for the team. Most folks got 38 or 50mm carbon tubulars and seem very happy with them.
If you've already got a set of Ardennes, I wouldn't suggest going for the Vitesse, unless you're just trying to be sponsor-correct (and IMO, you've no obligation to be sponsor-correct if the components aren't FREE)...

Grab the 50mm tubulars and enjoy.

(btw - thanks everyone for the complements on the bike, and the prime )
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Old 03-05-12, 04:57 PM
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OK, continuing to put the components together for my CAAD8. I ordered Boyd Vitesse (24-28) wheels today. So I've got the frame, I've ordered the Campy groupset and the wheels.

I still need tubes, tires, brake pads, seatpost, saddle, stem, handlebars, and wrap. I don't know what will be needed to install the groupset, I can think of at least 3 tools for that - BB bearing cup tool, chainwhip, and cassette lockring tool.

Anybody in the Chicago/northern IL area that can help with the build? This is my first.
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Old 03-05-12, 09:59 PM
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Purely out of curiosity, what's the difference between a Synapse 5 105 and a CAAD10 5 105, just the geometry of the frame? They're approx. same price.
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