lutfan

Hey, I just needed a second opinion from anyone here. I'm getting a road bike soon, and I need to know which bike to get. These bikes cost relatively the same, and I'm caught in a rut between the two. Could anyone tell me which I should go for?

Both bikes have 105 components, although the CAAD9-5 has an FSA crank and Tektro brakes. Other than that they are pretty similar. I just need to make up my mind now, cos it's been bugging me and I am gonna get it soon.

If anyone could help me with my decision it would be great :-)

Cheers.

procrit

Both are great bikes. I think the CAAD 9 frame is the better of the two, but I don't think you'll have trouble racing either.

Ride both, pick the one that fits you better.

lutfan

Hey thanks for replying mate. Anyway. I'm not allowed to test ride any bikes where I'm at, so I just really need like.. a word from someone experienced. Like. Which frame is lighter? Which is stiffer, more responsive? The components don't bother me cos I can just change them. Would it be okay for racing in like.. amateur competitions?

fordfasterr

CAAD9.

I race this bike, and it is very stiff and compliant. For the price, you'll have trouble finding something better.

It's too bad you can't test ride them both.

One word of warning, don't get sucked into the carbon dream, I've ridden entry-level carbon and mid-high level carbon and the difference is HUGE > however, the CAAD9 is high-level aluminum and you know it's going to be strong, fast, responsive, and stiff.

The CAAD9 has an aggressive geometry which is great for racing purposes. With the right components, you can build it up to about 16 lb or so, maybe less if you spend a ton of money.. Mine weighs in around 17 lb.


Good luck ! (see a pic of mine in my signature).

lutfan

Oh thanks! I haven't test ridden either of them so it makes it REALLY hard for me to choose. I was gonna go with the CAAD9-5 actually, over the Trek. But I just needed assurance, cos somehow I feel the Trek has something good about it that the CAAD9 doesn't? I don't know.

I know CAAD9 frames are wonderful. I don't know about the Treks. Components don't matter to me cos I can always change them. So to me, it's just a question of which bike is better (in terms of weight, compliance, stiffness, durability).

I'm getting my bike in 3 days and I still cannot decide, hahaha.

jwible

Do you need the bike shipped or is the shop not letting you test ride? I would imagine if you walked in and arranged payment for one of the other I'd expect them to let you test ride.

lutfan

Nah, the shop doesn't let me. And the thing about it is if I wanna get a Trek I have to go to a Trek shop and if I want to get a cannondale, I have to go to the cannondale shop. So I couldn't possibly test ride both. Which is really sad. And if I could test ride them I prolly would know which bike I would wanna get anywayyyy haha. But, they don't allow test riding so yes, I'm stuck in a rut.

wanders

Maybe I've been spoiled here in NC, but I've never seen a shop that doesn't allow test riding.

Any way - I have a CAAD 9.

lutfan

Oooooooh nice. How does it ride? Is it a CAAD9-5? What would you say are it's pros and cons?

Namenda

Not letting you test ride is horse****. Find a different shop.

fordfasterr

Tell them that the ONLY reason you won't buy a bike from them is specifically because they won't let you test ride it.

Make sure the manager and the salesman are both present when you make that statement, then walk out the door.

jwible

Are you in the states? If so, post up a location. Maybe someone could let you test ride their bike if they were near by. Even if you're not in the states let us know where about you are. If you want to that is...

johnybutts

+1000

A shop that doesn't allow test rides has something to hide. Bicycles have, and always will be a try-before-you-buy product.

lutfan

Nah, I'm currently living in Singapore. They don't allow you to test bikes here, if I'm not wrong. It sucks really, so I have to live off reviews in making up my decision when I wanna buy my bike. Nah I don't know why it's like that here.

But I mean, the CAAD9s and Trek 2.1s are from authorized Cannondale and Trek distributors respectively, so I doubt they have to hide anything. It's just a stupid policy they have here I guess.