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!

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............

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.

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