Sora equipped bike -> SRAM rival?
 

Hi, I'm thinking of getting the least expensive Cannondale frame (Synapse or CAAD9), equipped with Sora. Then I'll switch out the shift levers, and front and rear deraileurs for SRAM Rival parts. Do I need to replace anything else, like the freewheel or chain?

Another question: My current Campy equipped bike has some light wheels I'd like to use with whatever new bike I'd get. What would I need to do to make it work with the SRAM groupset? Can it even fit a SRAM freewheel? I don't think so but just making sure.

If your gonna swap the shifters RD, and FD you might as well get the brakes and crank as well. The shifters are the most expensive part, and the stock crank on the cheapest CAAD9 and Synapse is a POS. BTW I just did the same thing with my CAAD9-7.

10sp cassette

May I ask how much it cost in the end? Wondering now if it's more economical to get a Rival equipped bike.

D'oh! I forgot.

You can get a whole rival group for around $800, maybe less.

My CAAD9-6 that I had my shop upgrade to full Rival cost me $1500+tax.

I found a full group of 2009 rival for 450.....deals are out there...

Wow!!! Where where? Do tell :)

The Rival cranks and brakes are HUGE upgrades. I switched from Ultegra and an FSA SL-K crankset and the difference in the brakes and cranks was immediately noticeable. If you're going to switch the others, go all the way IMHO.

You can take off the Campy freehub and put on a Shimano one (which works with your Rival cassette), but they use different tools.

I have a Fuji newest 2.0, which is all Sora equipped except for Tiagra RD. From the comments on brake and cranks, I can understand how brake upgrades would affect performance, however I was wondering what the noticable difference is on cranks. What is the performance difference on higher end cranks vs lower? How are these noticable and would they really be nociable to a casual or newer rider?

Don't bother with Sora. The only thing you wouldn't change would be the brakes, and since Sora brakes suck, might as well get full Rival to begin with.

You'd have to get Rival crank + BB since Sora is not 10 speed, so the Sora crank will not work very well with the 10 speed chain.

I know the CAAD 9 has a religious following, but if you are wanting an aluminum, race-oriented frame with Rival, why not check out the Competitive Cyclist deal that they have been advertising on this site?

+1 on the streetfighter. I have heard good things about this bike, and its a great deal to. I have a caad9 it is also an awsome bike.

Someone here did this very thing - THEVERGE took his 2008 Fuji Newest 3.0 with Sora/2200 and swapped it out for SRAM Rival that he found on eBay. He has a SWEET set up without spending a fortune. Drop him a PM :)

Craigslist.....just gotta find that special someone that needs the money...

Ah, gotcha! Well, I just got a nearly new frame, fork, cranks, stem, and computer for *free* off craigslist, so I've probably depleted my "great deal" karma for the time being. :)