donreb

Hello everyone, I have a tiagra equipped caad9 6, however I have been looking to add a new bike to the stable with upgraded components. I don't have a problem with a alloy frame, and I like a full 105 bike including crank and brakes. Looked at caad 10, I think it would be an excellent bike, from a ride and handling standpoint, but not a fan of the FSA crank. I have a read a few reviews of the 2.3 with the carbon stays, but nothing for the current model. I know the caad frame is an exceptional one, how would you compare the trek 2.3 frame in weight, stiffness, and ride comfort. Thanks

2ndGen

Older 2.3's have carbon stays.
Current 2.3 is older 1.5.
Great frameset.
Smoother than a CAAD9.
CAAD9, more aggressive, stiffer, lighter.
The CAAD10 should be as/more of the same.

CAAD10 supposedly better than CAAD9,
but you will only know that after a test ride.

If you find a bike you love, don't disqualify it because of a part or two.
Remember, parts can always be changed/upgraded.

revchuck 

I've heard nothing but good things about the Trek 2.3, but are you just wanting to try a ten speed, or wanting to get another bike? If the former, you can just get the parts for the CAAD9. I've got a 2009 CAAD9 6, and the only original parts left on it are the frame, fork, seatpost and bars. I converted it to a ten speed with parts I got from a friend who upgraded his bike from Ultegra to Dura Ace plus a crankset from eBay. You can get a complete new ten speed drivetrain from Shimano, SRAM or Campy for less than the Trek 2.3, and have money left over.

Of course, if you've just got the jones for a new bike, far be it from me to stand in your way.

gunner65

Current 2.3 was the 1600 2.1 was the 1500. Not related to the newer series 1.

2ndGen

1600/1500 Treks have nothing to do with 2.X/1.X Treks.

If you read the 2009 Trekbikes.com specs and compare them to the 2010/11
Trekbikes.com specs for the 2.X, you'll find that they are the same frame
(besides actually looking at a 2.X in person as I have and having owned a 1.5).

2ndGen

I did the same thing with my CAAD9-7.
Full Dura Ace 7800 with Ultegra SL Crank & Ultegra Cassette,
along with a full carbon cockpit and cut fork.
Current stock items: wheelset/post/frameset/brakes.

gunner65

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2007/archive/1600

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/2_series/23/

Not a lot of difference...Down to the same seat post. The 2 series just replaced the numbering system. I own a 1600 and was ready to buy the 2.3 when I found the 16oo at a steal. OP its a great bike. I love mine.

rangerdavid

Trek Smek, the CAAD is da SHIZZZ!!

rusted_rider

just add a new gruppo(105,apex) to your current caad9

ILUVUK

i like this as the best option unless you're really wanting an entire new bike. 105 and rival are both in the $500-600 range for 8-piece groupsets on ebay.

2ndGen

2ndGen

1600 and 1.X/2.X Series are completely different.
1.X/2.X are Alpha Black Series frames (Treks best aluminum).
1600 is SLR Series aluminum.

Look at the dropouts of each bike as well.

Even the tubing is different. 1600 uses round tubing while the 1.X/2.X Series has oval hydro-formed tubing.

Also, the forks are different. 1.X/2.X has a Bontrager Race SpeedTrap
Compatible fork while the 1600 has a Bontrager Approved fork.

The only thing(s) those two bikes have in common is the material they're made of and some of the components,
but then that would make them the same as other bikes by other manufacturers with the same components as well.

bradtx

donreb, I use the trickle down method. Upgrade the CAAD9 to Ultegra SL or DA, find a used frameset/used complete for the takeoffs. Presto you have a good bike and a beater bike.

Brad

halfspeed

That ought to settle it once and for all.

gunner65

From Treks website

"Alpha Black, formerly Alpha SLR, is Trek’s high-performance aluminum alloy. Alpha Black is 6000 series aluminum that has been hydroformed or mechanically formed to optimize tube shape."

The components are nearly identical, The frame geometry same yes the 2. series has some updates (to be expected). Wheels had to change as the selects had issues. but the race lites are nearly identical wheels.

2ndGen

Almost all Trek's road bikes have the same geo from the 1.X all the way up to the Madones (give or take a degree).

Did you just prove that the tube shaping is different by posting what you quoted from Trek?
Did you just prove that it also uses a different manufacturing process to achieve the tube shapes?
Did you just prove that the 2.X Series Trek is different from the 1600 with it's updates?
Did you just prove that the only thing that the two bike models might have in common are components (in which case you
can say that Treks are just like Specialized or Cannondales that use 6000 Series aluminum and have identical components)?

"Nearly" identical wheels? Did you actually notice the spoke counts on those wheels?

The two bikes are different bikes.

Again, the only thing they share in common is the material that they are manufactured from and components.
Even the components are up for debate. Are we talking about 5600 105 VS 5700 105? (Again, "different")

IMO, components don't make the bike.
The frameset makes the bike.
And those two framesets are "not" the same.
Therefore, they are not the same bike.

But hey, I'm just going by what I read from your proposed proof.



Let's see if this helps...


1600


2.3


And here is the Trek 1.5 (my first roadbike)...it's the so-called "new" 2.3:

2ndGen

I think a better comparison of the 1600 series bike is to Treks lesser grade aluminum...the White Series.

Notice how it's description describes the 1600's design...

"Trek’s performance aluminum, Alpha White is straight gauge 6000-series aluminum with little or no forming."

With regards to Trek's Alpha Black Series, here's what the "entire" quote says;

"Trek’s high-performance aluminum alloy, Alpha Black is 6000-series aluminum that has
been hydroformed or mechanically formed to optimize the tube shape and butting profile.
Alpha Black frames may be smooth welded for aesthetics."

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/compa...lpha_aluminum/

2ndGen

Bingo...and sell off what isn't used to recoup some of the cost.

I pulled a new Dura Ace 7800 group for about $400. like this.