hikerobby

Hi all! I'm upgrading from a touring bike to two bikes. One a simple single speed "coastie" for commuting, errands, rough roads and less worry about theft. And the other I want a fast road bike. Goals include winning the Tour. No, not really. Probably no racing ever. But maybe hood to coast or other centuries. I'd like to join some group rides, I have never done fast group rides, though I have biked across the country. So I want this bike to be my fair weather group ride, workout bike, and be able to do some long 60+ mile rides with it. Maybe even credit card touring. But I think the priority for me is light and fast, I am really feeling the weight of my touring bike lately. I road some at a LBS the other day and all the new ones were disappointing in my budget, thus going used gets me some light options in the $650-800 range.

Here are the options:
2006 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 with mostly Ultegra components
2012 Ridley x-fire carbon cyclocross -- mostly Ultegra with race lite wheels
2007 Trek Pilot 5.2 Carbon -- mostly Ultegra with race lite wheels
GIANT OCR CARBON w 105 components w RS30 Shimano wheelset
CANNONDALE CAAD9 w SLICE fork w SRAM Apex

I of course need to test ride all of them but are there any I shouldn't waste time coordinating craigslist test rides with? Any particular that stand out as waaay better than the others? I have done some research but have not been a road racer for years so maybe people who have experience w these bikes have opinions.

gsindela

All seem attractive. Forgive me for stating the obvious, but newer is probably better. And when buying used, pay particular attention to how well maintained it is. And this...

merlinextraligh

1) Buy the one that fits;

2) I'd scratch the cyclocross bike. It would be servicable, but not the tool of choice for your described purpose.

3) The Synapse, Pilot, and Giant OCR all are in the comfort/endurance category of bikes, which tend to favor a more up right position, than a more "racing" bike, such as the CAA9.

Nothing wrong with that and you may be more comfortable on longer rides with a bike in that category, but if the priority is light and fast, I'd tend to lean toward the CAAD9, and if I did go with one of the other make sure that I could set it up in a sufficiently aero fashion to meet your goal of going fast.

gsindela

Great advice here.

CliffordK

Isn't that a running event?

Do you have links to the bikes?

You do seem to jump categories a bit. The Ridley is listed as a cyclocross bike. Fat tires are "in", so it might be worth considering, but it is different from your other bikes. Also probably slightly heavier.

Look at gearing on used bikes. 9 speed, 10 speed, or 11 speed rear end. It may not make a whole lot of difference, but perhaps it is as important as the name on the groupset (105, Ultegra, etc) which doesn't say what the gearing is.

hikerobby

Links below.
The reason I considered ridley is bc it is Carbon and he says its 17lbs.
That's nice to hear about the CAAD9 being more racing geometry, maybe not what I want for long distance. But maybe I'll like it once I get on it.
You think the CAAD9 would be lighter than the cannondale synapse carbon?

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6071985584.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6089494527.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/yam/bik/6070837960.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6091329928.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6085191396.html

ps reach the beach is a bike ride within hood to coast

hikerobby

Well, to update, the Giant OCR3 Carbon was too small. And not very fast anyways. It was a nice bike though.
The Cannondale CAAD9 was too small as well, but it was INCREDIBLE!! It was insanely light. It made we want to find a CAAD9 in 56cm! I loved it! So fun and fast and just great feeling.

Test riding the Cannondale Synapse Carbon and the Trek Pilot tomorrow!

goenrdoug

If you liked the CAAD9, run, don't walk, and go get this one:
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6083319920.html

If it's already sold by the time you get there, you could look at these:
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/6092569037.html -- suitable, but a bit overpriced. Haggle. Then adjust the position of the shifters once it's yours.

Finally, you could rescue this beauty from Jose and finally clean the cassette properly for once in it's life:
https://bend.craigslist.org/bik/6090628074.html

hikerobby

Funny, I found that same bike this morning, was just gonna post it! Thanks for the other two options too!

So hopefully test riding the CAAD10 today, taking cash with me!

NormanF

If the CAAD10 fits - buy it!

A find like that doesn't come along very often. Good luck with your test ride.

goenrdoug

looks like someone bought the CAAD10. Was it you, OP?

hikerobby

I did! A little more $ than I wanted, I paid $900. But I think its a much nicer bike than any of the other options. The only bike worth upgrading to dura-ace if I wanted to. And after trying a few 54s and really liking the small, sports car zippy feel, getting back on a 56 felt a little more like coming home. I fit really well actually, will be nice for 40+ mile rides and occasional centuries. I might pay for a fitting, or not. Not sure what they'd say anyways.... Plus, that paint job!! OMG its just the best. Its mate black, it has the CAAD9 and cannondale but its written in black, murdered out. It looks like a stealth bomber, like silent death. I really dislike road bike paint jobs so that was actually a big deal. Its also discrete and not flashy for locking it up when I'm out and about. It looks sick if you look closely, but if you glance at it it just looks like a black bike. You have to lift it to realize what a nice bike it is.

One note, the seatpost seems to creak when I sit in it, when I sit down and come off of it, not while I'm sitting. Anything I can do about that? Another thing, it has a LOUD cassette, crazy annoying loud. The seller said it's for group riding, so other riders know when you stop pedeling, and that its a bit of a show-off move kind of like motorcyclists try to have the loudest pipe.

Now to get into road biking!!! I've biked across the country and mountain biked and commuted all my life, but I've never done a group ride or anything in a pace line or peloton, so heres to a new sport!!!

goenrdoug

awesome, congrats! We will need some properly posed pictures of it, you know!

As for the issues you noted:
1. the rear hub is just louder on some wheelsets than others. Eventually, you won't notice it. Or, if you prefer, consider it your low-effort-meter -- If you hear it, you better get to pedaling again!
2. The seatpost may have a tiny crack in it or may need some paste or may just be loose. For components of this quality level and delicacy, I'd suggest dropping by a shop and having them check it and tighten it with a torque wrench. They'll probably just do it for free or maybe for like $5 in cash or something. At worst, they'll want $20...

As for locking up your $1000 bike in a rack on the street, I'd probably think twice about that. Obviously, the area you're riding in has a lot to do with the choice, but I don't think I'd lock it up without keeping a line-of-sight on it. Personally, I live in a pretty decent area and I would give it a 50/50 chance of disappearing if I locked this up outside and unattended for thirty minutes. YMMV.

merlinextraligh

Seat post can be creaking either where it enters the frame, or at the seat rails.

I'd take both apart, clean them, then if AL, grease, if CF, use CF assembly paste. Reassemble.

hikerobby

file:///Users/robby007/Downloads/IMG_5201.JPG
file:///Users/robby007/Downloads/IMG_5193.JPG
file:///Users/robby007/Downloads/IMG_5191.JPG

Here she is! Not sure how to post pictures!

hikerobby

Try again

goenrdoug

yep, you did gooood! congrats!

bonz50

2nd