_gobears_

I am a college student and I have been riding to class on my singlespeed everyday for the past few months. I've finally decided I want to get more into road cycling and am looking at purchasing a decent road bike. Right now I am on spring break so I took a trip to the LBS to check out their stock. The shop owner is helping a guy on craigslist sell a bike (2011 Cannondale CAAD 10 Rival). However, its a 58cm and I am 5'11" so I usually ride a 56cm. The seller wants $800 for the bike and its practically brand new. The gears work perfectly and the bike shows very little overall use. The shop owner said he could work with the stem and seatpost to help it fit a bit better, but I was fine riding it behind the shop. Is it worth the money if the bike is technically a bit big for me?

Black wallnut 

$800 for a 4 year old used bike is not a deal in my book. YOu could buy a brand new one for that, although lower priced model and lower grade components but with a frame warranty, correct size and after sale service..... Shop around for a LBS that has a bike that meets your budget and treats you right.

10 Wheels

You saw it, rode it, what do you think.

No pics so condition is unknown to us.

dtrain

For a nearly new condition CAAD 10? $800 is pretty decent (but not a steal). It has to fit for this to make sense; and SRAM isn't for everyone.

_gobears_

Personally, I like bike but I still think $800 is a bit steep. I'm trying to get him down to 650-700.

At this point I'm not used to shifting on road bikes so I'm not so sure about how Shimano and SRAM are different. Shifting with the Rival was smooth and quick so I was pretty content with that.

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the bike but it looks basically like this with all stock components and wheelset:
https://img1.findthebest.com/sites/de...ival_86288.png

rms13

I just paid $500 for a 2012 with 105. I am also about 5'11 and got a 56 and had a 54 caad9.

Lazyass

$800 for a 2011 CAAD 10 is too much? Try to find one on CL that cheap.

rpenmanparker 

Rival is a sweet group. There is nothing at all wrong with it compared to Simano 105 that an impartial reviewer could point to.

Proper fit is important, but is isn't just about the nominal, numerical size. It is much more complicated than saying that you are so tall and always ride a such and such size. It is about your leg length, trunk length, arm length on the one hand and bicycle stack and reach on the other. In the absence of a detailed professional fitting, you should always try three bikes, kind of like in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears". One size you think is normally right for you, one size smaller and one size larger. Even though this particular used bike is only one size, surely the dealer (a Cannondale shop I hope?) has the same model in the larger and smaller sizes. Try them all, and then make your decision. If this is not a Cannondale dealer, go to a shop that is to learn what size Caad 10 you require. Then you will know if the used 58 is for you.

goenrdoug

Jeeze, where? CL or shop?

_gobears_

Good idea. The LBS mainly sells Specialized and other mountain bike brands, but I can head on over to REI later today to try this out. Thanks for the advice.

dtrain

Vinnie's Van under the Broadway Bridge.

Snakepit

Although $800 is not a bad price for the CAAD10, I would still have reservations about not having a warranty and the LBS trying to make a bigger frame fit you. When I was shopping for bikes, one LBS owner told me that he would rather not make a sale instead of selling me a bike that didn't fit me right. He said he could probably make a bigger frame fit with a much shorter stem but it would look goofy and didn't want other cyclists in town knowing that his shop sold bikes regardless of fit.

In my opinion you might be better served going with a bike that fits you right and comes with a warranty.

_gobears_

Let me clear up the fact that the LBS owner didn't push me to get the bike in the first place. I told him I was interested and he let me test ride. He knew it would be a bit big and he said if I wanted to make the bike fit a bit better, he would do his best with a smaller stem and other modifications. He isn't forcing me to do anything or trying to push a sale, but he is trying to do his best to help. If anything, he said he gets bikes like these all the time and that we could wait on another one that fit a bit better for when I come home from school for the summer. Right now I'm just trying to explore my options and I wanted to see what you guys think.

_gobears_

Finally found the ad for the bike

2011 58cm CAAD 10 Rival

Shuffleman

It does seem a little high but it is probably negotiable. If it is too big than be patient and watch CL something should pop up over time. You are average in size so a good bike should be readily available on a regular basis.

MasterBastian

According to the ad, the owner is saying this second owner, 4 year old bike, is nearly new. it's probably in decent shape but nearly new is misleading in my opinion. Plug the info into Home - Used Bicycles for Sale - BicycleBlueBook.com and see what it values the bike at. If it were me and I was in your situation a year ago...I would buy something new, probably a late model 14, that I can get a deal on, and start a relationship with a lbs. they will prove valuable down the road and you will get a warranty along with your purchase. You will start your new obsession with your very own brand new, all you, rig!

rms13

Lbs here was selling last year caad 10 105 for $1175 a few months ago. I'd see if you can find one somewhere although 54-56 are the most popular sizes so it can be harder to find left overs in those sizes

Paul Barnard

Cannondale seems to run a little large for a given size. I rode a Trek 58 and it fits about like a Cannondale 56. That was about 5 years ago. I am 5'11"