Delco

So after four hours of riding on this new S2 carbon frame and I have an updated opinion and observations to share. I have noticed that hill climbing is noticably faster on this bike although I am unsure if it is strictly related to gearing or a combination of gearing and the carbon frame. Old bike had a 52/42/30 crank and on the new bike I have a standard 53/39 and broke all my personal records on a ride i've been doing for a few months this past weekend. In the flats I definitely feel a smoother pedal stroke that seems to translate better into forward motion. The feeling is difficult to describe but I feel faster and that I get more out of my pedal stroke in the flats. The flat where I usually hammer is toward the end of the ride and this time I felt like I had more left in the tank even though I added an extra loop in the middle of my ride. The frame seems to soak up vibrations better and feels stiffer than my old aluminum frame, which makes the ride more pleasant overall.

In all I have been very pleased with riding this new bike, which is likely part I got a new toy and part just a higher quality bike. The more I ride the more I am able to notice the differences between the aluminum and carbon frames, it is difficult to describe but it is noticable an. I certainly have gained some speed as I did gain around a 0.5 mph average speed on a 30 mile ride vs mostly the same route but slightly shorter (25 miles).

My conclusion: You can buy speed but that speed gain is directly proportional to the differences between the old and new bike. In my case it was entry level aluminum road bike vs a mid range carbon race bike.

antmeeks

placebo...

kv501

Gear inches are gear inches.

Way too many variables for that.

It's perception. Comfort, yes, speed, no.

Bacciagalupe

Last week you were claiming that upgrading from an aluminum bike to the S2 made no difference.

Now, based on one ride -- which, if I'm reading correctly, is 25 miles instead of your usual 30 -- you're declaring that the S2 is 0.5mph faster?

I recommend you wait a year and start comparing averages. As in, long enough that you have a big range of rides to compare, and are no longer jazzed by the novelty of riding a new bike.

justkeepedaling

4 hours to do a 25 mile ride? I think not. There are a lot of variables, but having a lighter more aero and more comfortable (even if it's just in the head) ride is definitely not detrimental.

kv501

I am highly confident that the OP is 2ndGen returning to the board with a new bike and already talking in other threads about upgrades to his machine. He must have sold the million dollar CAAD.

Get ready for pictures, emoticons, dropping watts, and cockpit upgrade bling. I knew he wouldn't be able to stay away for long.

CrankAndYank

This.

pdedes

The more you type, the more I'm convinced you don't know what you're talking about.

roadwarrior

I love this place....every day I scan through the threads and am guaranteed to find a few that make me laugh out loud.

StanSeven

You're excited because it's a new bike and push harder. Me, I ride 5.0 mph on a new bike instead of 0.5.

pallen

How was the wind on your ride compared to "normal"?

Delco

1 - I have gone on 3 rides so far (4 hours total) on the new bike NOT 1 ride for four hours.
2 - Ride sunday on new bike was 2 hours for 30 miles (actually 1 hr 50 minutes)
3 - This post is my updated observations on how the bike compares to an old aluminum framed bike for those considering an upgrade as I did and want an unbiased opinion.
4 - I never had a Cannondale
5 - I never really posted much to this board until last week.
6 - I'm glad some of you are finding this funny, at least you're wasting your time reading my post.
7 - I'm trying to be as objective as I can and trying to avoid simply justifying my purchase.
8 - I am faster on this bike vs my old bike and enjoy riding it more as well (smoother more efficient pedal stroke).

I'll post an update on my experience as I ride more.

HAMMER MAN

As long as you enjoy your new ride is all that should matter.. many of the formites here are pretty sarcastic when it comes to riding. how your bike is set up and what you experience from riding a new purchase is all good inmo. Too many here emulate more of wanting to be the pro type racer, than actually enjoying a ride and understanding everyone is different with their wants and needs when it comes to riding and purchases

Enjoy many miles

clausen

Lighter bike will be faster climbing. A better fit can also easily give you the extra speed and comfort you describe. It's a nice upgrade, just enjoy it and don't worry about justifying it to anyone, especially to some of the idiots who post here.

calgary_jim

I just love how you guys can trash a rider so fast. Such a friendly forum.

8086bruce

Agree^! I also went from a alum to carbon bike this year and I'm faster. Not because of the bike but because I got a real fit done instead of a yeah it looks like it should work for you fit like my first road bike. The new one is set up a lot diff than my old bike and I'm faster and more comfortable because it fits me.

Dudelsack 

Deco, I will grant you the honorary age of 51. Visit the 50 plus forum and we will give some charitable feedback.

cellery

Not statistically significant. Now, I would be willing to help you run an experiment to determine if there is a causal relationship. As I also ride an aluminum bike, all you need to do is send me your S2 and I will record climbing times on both bikes. It's all strictly in the name of science.

Fan of Fanboys

Other than my intro thread this is only one I have read. And half of you seem nice, half seem like ********. Is this forum one of the places can't given opinion or fall outside certain parameters the guys with high post count dictate as cool?

bike4fun12

It's any forum you go to. 50% nice and 50% a******s. that's just how it is.

for the OP, I will agree with him to a certain degree. I went from a mountain bike to a hybrid for fitness and felt a big difference. tires were the biggest difference maker. I went from the hybrid to a road bike and didn't feel as much a difference but the difference was still there. most people won't/can't feel differences between an aluminum and carbon bike. after riding my CDale SS for a few months and then going back to my hybrid (aluminum) I did notice how smooth a carbon bike feels on the road. less bumpy.

another difference maker was the crankset I upgraded to (sram red) from a FSA omega. tuning the FSA omega to shift to the bigger gear was a pain but eventually it was good enough. I never felt 100% confident with it. so, on a weekend sale at my LBS I got the red and the difference is amazing. up shifts are super smooth and easy. worth every penny. I can say that this upgrade is not placebo at all.

like most say, lighter bikes will be better for climbs. on flat surfaces, not much differences. tires make the biggest difference.

clausen

Like any place how loud or often you speak has zero correlation to quality of content. After a while you will think we are all **********.

Homebrew01

Everyone is hung up on being "correct", because BF is a high quality, peer-reviewed scientific journal. So if you say your bike is "faster", you must prove it with a a repeatable, double-blind study and list the testing protocol.

antmeeks

Welcome to the BF 41. You seem like you'll fit right in.

pdedes

I'm just fulfilling my mandate; disabusing those with silly ideas.

Delco

Clausen, HAMMER, I appreciate your feedback and message. I love riding and learning more about riding so I get stronger and faster, it is great excercise and keeps the stress in check.

I see that there are some here that need to break balls by arguing any point even if it doesn't make sense, Pdedes for one. I'm sure he has a road bike purchased at Walmart since no bike will give any speed advantages.

That's right I used an emoticon....