I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2009 caad9-5
 

So i talked to pops today about how i am saving up for a new bike and how i was looking at the caad9-7 and caad9-6, and he was like "how much are they?" and i told him they were both sitting at around a grand. So after a while about talking about the caad9-7 vs 6 vs 5 he said "it seams that the 9-5 would be the bike for you" and i said "yeah, but what about the $$$, i don't have the extra 300 sitting around" and he was like "well since this is good for you and it is better then an xbox or a playstation, i can throw 500 at it to help you out" (i don't play video games.) Of course i was like :eek::eek::eek::eek::love::thumb::D:D.

So we are heading out to my LBS to order a 50 or 52 cm caad9-5 for 1299 im paying 800 of it, he is paying 500 of it. I was thinking black, but what do yall think? This is not my first road bike, but it is my first *good* bike. Any tips for fitting? Any saddle recommendations? I hear that the ponza is a real ass hatchet. Do most LBS's do fittings for free when you drop 1300 on a bike? I have shoes, 105 pedals, a nice bib, ect so i am pretty set on those accessories. I picked up an edge 305 on sale on ebay for 150 with cadance and hrm. Are there any better bikes for the money? I have done quite a bit of research on the caad9's and people seem to love them.

http://www.bowcycle.com/bc09/images/...-5-compact.jpg

By the way, i am 15.

Caad-9.

On this forum, caad9's are basically a religious item ahha. I've never ridden one, but they definitely don't have the reputation they do for nothing. They are obviously a fast, still and reliable frameset. As far as fitting, depends on the shop. Mine did a fitting when I got my fuji ($1000), but I have made adjustments as I have gotten more used to cycling. As far as white v. black, in photos the white looks better, but in person they both look bad ass...

It really depend on your bike shop, i went to a LBS in my area and they don't really spend the time on bike fitting you but instead tells you to ride in the parking lot and see how it is and adjust to your needs. I feel like since i don't know much about bikes, i want a shop with excellent service so they can give me some advice on bikes and other upgrades. I know that some better bike stores will firr you either on a roller or a trainer.

Cool Dad!

It sounds good for you...the store should give some aspect of a fit...for other stuff, try it out and see what you like...congrats...hats off to your dad!!

Caad9 ftmfw

The white one is a pain to keep clean. But not if u r a bike nerd like me !

Ponza is a
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_HS1spWnkn4...20/Hatchet.jpg for me.

Nice bike, ride lots.

I vote white one.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2...d9ra95cwht.jpg

DO EEEET

http://www.jkemppainen.com/up/Owen%2...%20Do%20It.jpg

Your only 15? I would advise you to buy a used bike for half that or less. Go as big as you can so that you don't outgrow it too fast. One that you'll be happy with for 4-5 years until you stop growing.

Either way, make sure dad is gifting you the money, no strings. Your obviously the best judge of him, but I know friends that had cars "given" to them in HS, but the parents would take it away or restrict use.

Should i pick up a 52 or 54? I am 5'5 with shorter legs. My dad is 5'9. My actual measured inseam from floor to crotch with cycling bib on is 28.5 inches.

White for sure. I get bling comments on it all the time haha. And yeah, budget for a new saddle as well...you'll be needing a new one most likely.

Nice choice of bike.

The bike shop should give you a "fitting" although I can't imagine it will be a detailed one. You should be fine. Just make sure you can go back in a month or two for a fitting fine tune or stem swap etc.

If you are still growing (which I imagine you are) then take that into consideration but make sure it's ridable to start with. The 5 may be too big for 5'5"

Don't worry about the saddle straight away unless your shop is giving you a part exchange. You may as well try it for a while.

Nice that your dad is helping out, I look forward to doing the same for my daughter.

Good luck

Ponza saddle is an ass hatchet, can't believe I waited a thousand miles to put a good saddle on...I just kept thinking, "oh, it'll break in"... but it didn't. Too bad they don't sell the nekid ones anymore, but that black one is sexy.

I love these kind of stories. I love the fact that at 15 you want a bike and not an xbox or Playstation. Awesome dad too!!

The CAAD9 is a great bike. I commute on it, race crits and do Rough Riding on it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/...ece5cb4d_b.jpg

Commuter trainer

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/...5b3baf82_b.jpg

Rouch Riding Bike with 28mm tires

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/...768eac98_b.jpg

Crit bike

As far as the fit I think they should do a little something for you...I would at my shop. You're still growing so you should go back every 6 months or so depending on your growth spurts.

Nice rims! Personally, i hate video games. I also hate going to friends houses and they instantly fire up the computer, xbox, ps3, wii, ect, ect, and then they beat the ***** out of me on the video game because i don't know what it means to "shoot the main terrorist then the asian guy in the head, then blow up the house and kill the three bystanders so there are no witnesses"

And im just like ??? no wonder the average american child's mind is compromised.

Get the white caad9, i have one and it is a beauty. Congrats..........

It seems like alot of people hate the "ponza power seat" i actually like it, it is the most comfortable seat i have ever owned, serious.

:twitchy:

I am local to a performance bike, i hear that they do saddle exchanges if you don't like the saddle you buy from them. Is this true? If so, what saddles should i be looking at?

It's extremely personal. Saddles like the Toupe, Aliante, Arione, etc are common choices, but you really have to try saddles out to see which you like.

I'm running a Prologo Nago Pas and I like it a lot thus far (and it matches the bike flawlessly, bling bonus)

Ya i knew that i would get a response like that. I was running the stock bontrager seat on my previous trek madone, now that was an uncomfortable seat.
For some resason i think the pnza power is a comfortable seat, and hey i look at it like this, i dont have to go spend an extra $100 like most people, to replace the seat.

Hey, if it works for you that's great but after a 50 mile ride with it my junk was numb for almost two days. That didn't make me think twice about going to get it swapped out at the LBS the next day. They did a trade-in and after all was said and done I got my new seat for half off, it's quite a bit lighter too.

I now have zero numbness or soreness.

I had the same is with my bontrager seat "junk going numb" after a decent ride, but with the ponza power i have put almost 600 miles on it, and not even a soar. go figure huh.

Pull that trigger!