Upgrading My Ride
 

I've spent the last 10 years commuting on my heavy Breezer bike. 35+ pounds before I load up the paniers.

Now my commute has gone from 3 miles round trip to 15. Don't judge, but I'm getting old (just turned 57), so I'm treating myself to a major upgrade. I want a very light, very fast minimalist machine that surpasses my old Peugeot PX-10 from the 1970s.

I'm getting a Cannondale CAAD 10 5 105 on sale. It's 19 pounds, aluminum and very responsive.

I'll wean myself down to a medium sized seat bag for bare essentials.

I have achieved grudging spousal approval (although she researched the retail price and freaked. Apparently, she last bought a bike in 1982).

Totally stoked.

After ten years, it is nice to treat yourself to a new lighter bike. Your commute is longer but it just means more time to have fun with your new ride. Congratulations.

Tell the spouse I said it was okay to get the new bike.

Wow......that's a nice ride. Great components.

The wheels shown on the C'dale site are what I'm using now. Quite low spoke count, I squeeze the spokes weekly to keep ahead of any loose tension. No problems at all yet. I hit a speed bump that I couldn't see due to lighting conditions a few weeks ago. It was at the bottom of a hill in a residential area to keep speeds down. I just knew that was all she wrote for the front wheel. Not the slightest problem, I was impressed.

Excellent! Enjoy your new bike when you get it, and don't forget to post pictures! :thumb:

Mmmm. Good choice for a bike, but rack and/or good fenders are going to be unlikely. But you'll love the bike!

Correct. I'm going with a seat bag and a skunk stripe of mud in lieu of rack and fenders.

Bought it.

Won't be able to sleep tonight, dreaming of tomorrow's ride!

Here's to hoping the dream lasts............:beer:

VIVE LE DIFFERENCE!!!

Wow, I felt like greased lightning this morning on my new dream bike. Shaved 5 minutes off my commute (now 24 minutes vs. 18 by car), feasted on the hills that had sapped my resolve on the old steel 35 pounder. Once I really become one with this ride, I may choose the 50% longer, but more buccolic route.

Downsides:

1) I'm getting noticeably less exercise due to my bike's efficiency.
2) Much less cargo room, necessitating the weekend delivery of supplies

That's a hot bike. Since you're complaining about lack of exercise, that just means you have to take a longer route ;)

Congrats.

No judgment here! I enjoy commuting most on my road bike. You can make up for the "less effort" by riding faster. :thumb:

Yep, on the ride home I averaged 17.9 MPH. I'll do better, but I am an old man with a bad back.