word brotha.

Like I said earlier in the thread I test road a Dogma at work a few weeks ago, on top of that I also got to ride a CAAD9 and a Look 595, testing those three bikes taught me a LOT about the different types of rides out there. So I think shelling carbon or aluminum is silly as is saying a stiff frame is bad or saying a soggy frame is bad. Personally I think people would be better off if they approached buying a bike in a more personal manner instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks. There are SO many great frame designs out there and I always wonder how many people are riding a bike that works against them because they listened too heavily to someone else's opinion before buying.

Anyone can feel the difference. Not everyone can say it's worth the difference in price.

Yeah, price is the only thing keeping me from buying a CF frame.
I'll just make due with CF forks, bars, and seatpost.

No.

Just get a unicycle

I got my CAAD last June. I love it!!!

6 series madone felt much smoother than my alu allez and stiffer when putting on the power too. It made me no quicker at all though and I could never argue that it would be worth the money.........I still want a top end carbon frame though because I just love bikes...maybe not the trek though.

Both are decent bikes. I've never ridden the Velo but I can say that The CAAD 9 platform is very established and the geometry is spot on. Also, the CAAD is very solid on descents. For crits I'd get the CAAD but I would consider the Velo Vie for road racing.

I've been on a magnesium frame for the last four years. It's stiff, light, comfortable, and will last forever. I've owned aluminum and steel, and I know my next bike will be CF.

Unless I go proven, high-end carbon, I know I'll end up regretting my "upgrade." And to do it right, it'll cost me. Someone here says this, I think it's pcad, that after $3000, none of it is bad.

People keep harping about high quality alu vs. low quality carbon and to be honest I'm not convinced. Where is all this low quality carbon? I ride a Ribble Sportive (same as a Pedal Force RS2) which by any measure is very cheap for carbon. It's pretty darned light, stiff enough and comfortable. Granted, a CAAD9 is probably better as a pure crit racer for out and out stiffness but if you're getting one nice road bike for long rides, fast group rides AND racing then cheap carbon like mine is rather nice and quite hard to beat.

[snarky comment]

they aren't called crack-n-fail for nothin!!

[/snarky comment]

:D

i don't think i have seen these cheap carbon frames. can we have an example?

did you not read the "wet noodle" part? have you been on a carbon frame that flexes when you climb or sprint? ride quality is an issue as well. some carbon bikes eliminate any "road feel" all together, some see this as a positive...but most don't. again, these issues are not only with carbon bikes. i have heard plenty of mixed reviews on pedal force frames, some say they have a ton of flex, and others like bdcheung seem to have very little to complain about with them.

i had the option to get the pedal forces, planet x, ebay carbon, velo-vie or go for the alu caad9. after having already owned the caad9 i reaaaaly wanted to try carbon because, lets face it, the caad is not friendly on a rocky road at the end of 60 miles. but the reviews were just way too mixed on those cookie cutter frames. so until i can get on a cannondale super six or time rxr :D i'm on the caad 9.

ohh. what fun.

lets try this mystery meat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carbon-Fiber-Roa...ht_1544wt_1139

http://pedalforce.com/online/index.php?cPath=101740

http://www.planet-x-usa.com/pPCRFRMS...-Frameset.aspx

http://www.velovie.com/catdesc.php?c...16a08d8a7b0aa9

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_11835wt_913

i'm tempted. really cheap

Anyone except fauxto nick.

Yes, sir. For me, this is where all bike lust ends. Might as well throw in some Super Record for schlitz and giggles.

dude.

http://www.pistapalace.com/pics/kraken_big.jpg

i always post this photo...but it is my dream bike.
i consider myself lucky to have this shop so close to home. they really respect the build and know their sheeot!
http://pistapalace.com/

Yep, but with my Assaults. I'd be scared to ride those Lightweights. Unless of course someone was paying me to do it.

What's up with the gold brakes?

kind of their signature. just to change it up a bit, draw attention. i guess they did the job :)

My $0.02 for the OP.

You are racing, so buy what you can afford to replace. When I made the decision to start racing, I sold the R3 I had been riding, and bought a CAAD9. I reviewed my chances to get through Cat5s without incident and considered what I would do if I fractured my frame. I love(d) both bikes and would like to pick up a nice CF frame when income permits but for now I am happy to ride my CAAD9. Choice is yours, just remember to consider your wallet.