Guys,

I would like to ask for your opinion on the following. I have been looking to buy 2015 CAAD10 105 for about $1,600 but cam across brand new 2013 Ridley Excalibur for around $1,900. It has the following specs (got this info from the retailer):

- Ridley Excalibur carbon frame and fork
- Shimano Ultegra Shifters and derailleurs
- FSA Energy Crankset
- 4ZA bar, stem and seat post
- Prologo saddle
- Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels

What is your take on this? Would be happy to hear your thoughts! (Sorry if I posted in the wrong forum, I am new here.)

Thanks,
George

I've never ridden one, but Ridley is becoming more visible here since MEC started selling the brand. People seem to be pretty happy with them. At that price, it seems a well-equipped bike. Have you ridden it yet?

Both great bikes ride them and buy the one you like best.

No, I am going to ride both of them on the weekend and see how it goes. Also, CAAD10 has 105 5800 and Ultegra is 6700, if you want to factor this in.

It's stiff, light, and quick-handling. Best all around race bike I have ever owned.

A quick update. Where I am (which is in Edmonton, Alberta) retailers usually don't allow to test ride bikes, which is weird. I can "test-ride" CAAD10 in the parking lot and cannot test-ride Ridley at all. So I basically need to make this decision blindfolded. Any thoughts on this?

Need a Prestige Brand You got that .. If that is what you Need .

I wouldn't buy from them! Buying without a proper chance to try it only makes sense when you know the bike or the price is so low that if it isn't right, you can make money when you resell.

Would a trip to Calgary make sense? Perhaps the LBS's there are better.

Would this be of interest? Cannondale Synapse 6 Full Carbon Bike AS NEW /w Bike accessories I'm not sure about fit but its been advertised for a while so the price might be quite negotiable

You would have to start with the frameset of each of those bikes and compare the design features. Tapered head tubes, cable routing, etc.

Also note that the Ridley is a 2013 model that is no longer in production. Probably replaced with some other model with different features. Find out what they are. A 2013 Ridley in 2015 means it has been sitting around a couple of years.

Go to the Ridley web site and see what Ridley shows as a "complete bike" to see what is included in their build. Compare that with what the local dealer is offering.

Unfortunately, going down to Calgary is not an option. Also, the frame in the ad is too small for me. I need 58-59cm frame. We have two Cannondale retailers in town and none of them would give bikes for test rides. This is silly but that's how it is. I moved here from New York and it was a different story there.

Oregon has a Number of Canadians coming south To buy sales tax free bikes ..

Ridley stopped making the Excalibur after 2013, I'm going to assume based on marketing reasons. The Noah is their aero road frame, the Helium is the super light climber's bike. The Excalibur sort of sat in the middle of that lineup. The Excalibur is stiffer than the Helium and lighter than the Noah. It was cheaper than both of those bikes and it also has the benefit of using external cabling, a standard BSA bottom bracket, and a standard round seat post, so it's also a pretty easy bike to work on yourself and customize.

I suppose if you were looking at the "replacement" in Ridley's lineup, it would probably be the Fenix. The Fenix looks to have a taller headtube. Not quite an "endurance" bike, but could be set up that way if you wanted. Steering is said to be neutral, so I would assume it's more stable/slower steering than either the CAAD or Excalibur.

Also, note that Ridley has weird sizing. I am 5'10"/178cm and typically ride a 54 or 55. That's a "small" in Ridley (which is usually a M or M/L in other bikes). So take special care to look at the geometry chart, especially if you don't have a chance to test ride it.