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Originally Posted by Velo_Tut
(Post 13882248)
***THIS ^^^
It's taken me over a year to finally find the perfect setup for my CAAD9. By that I mean the perfect handlebar height, seat height, pedal and shoe position, etc. For the longest time both my feet and junk would go numb after only 10 miles and my neck would kill me. I guess I'm hesitant to slam my stem and mess up the geometry I've finally succeeded in mastering. That having been said, I ride more efficiently now, my pedal stroke has been perfected, I don't mash like I use to, and I can stay in the drops for well over 30 mins. Perhaps it's time to at least move some spacers around and easy myself into a slammed stem position. I'd like to think I'm more flexible now that I've been putting so many hours in the saddle, but perhaps it's all just an attempt to be accepted in the "Hot or Not" thread.... yeah, I went there. The more one rides, the more in tune they get with their bike and the more they dial their bike in to meet their needs. And, my stem was lowered "before" I even had my CAAD (on my Trek years ago). As for the Hot or Not Thread, if I cared about what people thought, I'd be riding a CAAD10 right now. ;) Personally, I've never had nothing go numb on me. But then again, we're different and I was riding with a stem height that was appropriate to my riding style. You should try it and not be afraid of being more comfortable just because you don't want anybody to think that you're following a trend. When you stop experimenting, you end up where you're at. :thumb: |
Originally Posted by milkbaby
(Post 13882373)
There's nothing that says you can't lower the bars one spacer at a time. Once you hit an uncomfortable or less powerful position, move it back. I've ridden a 70+ mile solo TT riding 90% of the time in the drops and hooks. I still think a lot of people have gone crazy with respect to what looks aesthetically pleasing... I'm not going to set up my bike to please the whacked out tastes of some bike geek on the internet. I set it up to please the whacked out bike geek that sleeps in my bed. :)
But then again, if a person doesn't want to experiment and remain where they are at, more power to them too. All I can say is that the day I dropped my stem the first time, it was a revelation for me and I loved it. If it looks good too? Well folks, that's just a two-fer. But to automatically assume that one does it to be with the in-crowd is conjecture at best. Some people care too much about what other people do with their bikes. Creepy. :lol: |
Originally Posted by 2ndGen
(Post 13882362)
Shoe shiners are bent over all day too.
You're focusing on the position and not the flexibility of the work. This is precisely why I chose a specific example and compared it to the welder's example showing how activity (not position alone) dictates flexibility for that particular trade. Stem at same size: Road with classic curve bar. Couldn't ride it for more than 6 minutes. Went with a compact bar. Could ride it comfortably for a lot longer than 6 minutes. Never measured how long because I didn't care especially since I don't ride in the drops. Again, not everybody wants to ride in the drops for more than 6 minutes anyway. Right? BUT the point is that the stem height was the same. So, like me, if they ride the hoods most of the time, then slamming the stem won't hurt them. Now if one of the rules is that riders MUST ride in the drops for more than 6 minutes, again, I wasn't aware. And, I wouldn't do it anyway just to follow what someone else thinks is best. My advice, make the bike fit you for the type of riding you do (not what others think is cool whether it's a slammed stem or a bar with 70 5mm spacers under it). I've noticed that fads come and go. Comfort levels evolve. Auto mechanics are bent over a car...sometimes for long periods of time...they don't sit on a block like shoe shiners or welders. So mechanics should be super flexible too right?
Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
(Post 13882321)
I mean do it if your fit or fitness dictates it. A new rider friend of mine has his stem slammed, because it looks good to him...even though he told me while in the drops...his thighs hits his stomach when pedaling. He'd rather look cool than use his drops...but if thats what makes him happy then so be it. I told him he might as well just get flat bars.
I was fitted with my stem all the way down, but...I'm more torso than leg...so I don't have a large saddle to bar drop. |
Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
(Post 13882321)
I mean do it if your fit or fitness dictates it. A new rider friend of mine has his stem slammed, because it looks good to him...even though he told me while in the drops...his thighs hits his stomach when pedaling. He'd rather look cool than use his drops...but if thats what makes him happy then so be it. I told him he might as well just get flat bars.
I was fitted with my stem all the way down, but...I'm more torso than leg...so I don't have a large saddle to bar drop. I personally think it should be a progression and series of trial & error height experiments. He should've started high then play with it a bit. It only takes 5 minutes even our on the road. But then again, I could be completely wrong and he could be completely right. ;) I took my stem all the way down to the top cover (literally slammed with no spacers). That wasn't "it" for me. I didn't like how it looked. I didn't like how it felt. Amazing what (1) 2mm spacer can do. My mechanic and I settled on that and it was done. The first time I took it out for a ride, I loved it. Every time I ride it now, I love it. I'm reminded that it was the right thing to do. Again, I'm no racer. My needs are different. What some may have missed here is that even though I dropped the stem 12.5mm, my stem angle is actually "up". I went from 17 degree to 6 degree. Super comfortable. Again, like with the compact bar switch, it's not just about stem height alone. I have what I feel is the total package (for now). I may raise the stem in the future, I may go back to a 17 degree stem later on. Who knows? My body will let me know. :) |
Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
(Post 13882406)
I did(post #2924)...you have very selective reading. You see what you want to see.
Auto mechanics are bent over a car...sometimes for long periods of time...they don't sit on a block like shoe shiners or welders. So mechanics should be super flexible too right? Do they move from car to car every 60 seconds or just stay in the same place? I really don't know enough to answer about auto mechanics. Sorry. |
Try pulling a cylinder head in 60 seconds...
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Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
(Post 13882432)
Try pulling a cylinder head in 60 seconds...
Different work. Like I explained with the welder. One stays in the same place, the other moves across 1200 square feet of surface area. Now, does anybody know the price of tea in China? :lol: (an another note...congrats on post #500 :thumb: ) |
You used a poor example in the first place. ;)
Pulling and replacing a head can take a mechanic several hours. I don't know the price of tea in China...but I know the tea is better for sure. Been there. :) |
Originally Posted by I <3 Robots
(Post 13882515)
You used a poor example in the first place. ;)
Pulling and replacing a head can take a mechanic several hours. I don't know the price of tea in China...but I know the tea is better for sure. Been there. :) I used the right example to make "my" point. I can't judge your example for your's and your's wouldn't work with mine. See? Once again, it's a case of the "do what you likes". :D |
Originally Posted by fishymamba
(Post 13881004)
But my BB30 CAAD9 came with a Tiagra crank.
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Originally Posted by 2ndGen
(Post 13882526)
No.
I used the right example to make "my" point. I can't judge your example for your's and your's wouldn't work with mine. See? Once again, it's a case of the "do what you likes". :D |
Originally Posted by Ultraslide
(Post 13882543)
That's a new one on me. Sure there isn't an adapter?
Sounds like this might be a case of one of those mis-labled frames. |
Hello all,
Im looking at purchasing either a new 2012 CAAD8 105 (£1050) or the old 2011 CAAD10 105 (£1099), any views? |
Originally Posted by boogyworm
(Post 13883177)
Hello all,
Im looking at purchasing either a new 2012 CAAD8 105 (£1050) or the old 2011 CAAD10 105 (£1099), any views? Without a doubt. Nothing wrong with the 8 for what it's worth, but of those two choices, the 10 is the one to go with. |
Originally Posted by Ultraslide
(Post 13880836)
If you have no prefernce then just get the Liquigas frame with 105. The difference is nominal at best. I just went from Shimano to SRAM and I like the SRAM kit okay but it's not an incredible improvement functionally speaking. Don't overthink it. Get the bike. Ride.
Yeah I really should just go 105 and down the road I can upgrade if I see fit. Who knows I might want something better than Rival at that point. I am 215lbs and not sure about the stock wheels but I guess I can ride them and see if I have any issues keeping them true. Will definately upgrade them at some point. I like the Zipp 101 wheels. |
Originally Posted by Ultraslide
(Post 13882543)
That's a new one on me. Sure there isn't an adapter?
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Brotha you will not have any problem with the stock wheels. I started riding my caad10
at 300 lbs those rs10 it comes with are bullet proof. I put 1500 miles on them no problem. Then again I am a cautious rider. Ride the till you decide what kind I'd wheels you want!! Just saying! QUOTE=NWS Alpine;13883356]Yeah I really should just go 105 and down the road I can upgrade if I see fit. Who knows I might want something better than Rival at that point. I am 215lbs and not sure about the stock wheels but I guess I can ride them and see if I have any issues keeping them true. Will definately upgrade them at some point. I like the Zipp 101 wheels.[/QUOTE] |
Originally Posted by musiquero
(Post 13883775)
Brotha you will not have any problem with the stock wheels. I started riding my caad10
at 300 lbs those rs10 it comes with are bullet proof. I put 1500 miles on them no problem. Then again I am a cautious rider. Ride the till you decide what kind I'd wheels you want!! Just saying! |
Originally Posted by boogyworm
(Post 13883177)
Hello all,
Im looking at purchasing either a new 2012 CAAD8 105 (£1050) or the old 2011 CAAD10 105 (£1099), any views? |
I'm 245 now and I'm riding easton 90aero Carbon clinchers now and they support my big a$$!.
What ideally want are the mavic ultimate cosmic carbone!! Then I would fresh!!
Originally Posted by NWS Alpine
(Post 13883810)
That's good to hear. I didn't want to deal with getting them fixed often.
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I'm 245 now and I'm riding easton 90aero Carbon clinchers now and they support my big a$$!.
What ideally want are the mavic ultimate cosmic carbone!! Then I would fresh!!
Originally Posted by NWS Alpine
(Post 13883810)
That's good to hear. I didn't want to deal with getting them fixed often.
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Did my initial fitting today and ordered a '12 CAAD10 5 in the liquigas replica color. After going through a bunch of stuff I was fit to a 58cm frame. He is going to call it in tomorrow to check stock. If I don't hear back then all is good. Does anyone know current warehouse stock for this bike in my frame size? Hopefully not on backorder.
Also picked up their shop livery bib shorts and jersey. They are made by campo and look sweet and were sold to me at cost (free advertising for them!). They had more of the upper end stuff from castelli, santini, and some other stuff. Also ordered some Sidi genius 5 shoes in white. Mating those to a pair of white Look Keo 2 Max pedals. They sold all the shimano models, speedplay, look, and one or two other brands. |
For anyone who's interested...My build is done. :D
Update: 7210g/15.87lbs (w/pedals of course) Wow. I made it. I'm done. For now. For a while. But, I made it. I was blindly right to believe that the saddle would tie the bike together. Like I said before, once I did one thing to this bike, something else would jump out at me. It became a never-ending cycle (no pun intended). Maybe that's why The Riddler's Question Mark kept calling out to me as a theme. I didn't know why I couldn't be happy with the bike, why I had to keep doing something to it or why I felt it needed more. Now that I see it in person as I'd see it in my head, I understand. I didn't know what exactly it was that I was looking for or trying to achieve with this build. It was literally an Enigma. Today, I figured it out. Balance. That is what I was after. Not murdered-out after all. But, balanced. For the first time ever I'm looking at it and don't see where I can improve it. I mean really, I'm content. The only thing that'll take it to the next level would be a set of 58mm carbon clinchers for effect, but right now, the Ksyriums are looking so hot. Next, a nice ride to dial it in here and there, a nice detailing session and pictures. This ain't no "too pretty to ride" bike, but it's a real world, pound the pavement rig. Damn I have a smile on my face right now. Pictures coming tomorrow. Current Build Sheet: Group: -KMC X10SL DLC Black Chain -Praxis Clover 53/39 Chainrings -Far & Near Chainring Bolts -Ultegra SL Crank 172.5 -Dura-Ace 7800 Bottom Bracket -Dura-Ace 7800 12-23 Cassette -Dura-Ace 7800 Front Derailleur -Dura-Ace 7800 Rear Derailleur -Dura-Ace 7800 Shifters -Dura-Ace 7900 Pedals -Ultralight CNC Brakes -SwissStop GHP2 (Green) Brake Pads Cockpit: -Edge 120mm Stem -FSA K-Wing Compact 44cm -Carbon Bar Plugs -Fizik MicroTex Tape & Gel -Fizik Antares 00 Saddle -Woodman Deathgrip SL Ti Seat Post Clamp -Fizik Cyrano Seatpost (Carbon) [cut 27.2/170mm] -Edge Composites 1.0 Fork -Carbon Top Cap -Cane Creek IS41 9.5mm Headset Upper Assembly -Carbon Chainstay Protector Wheels: -Continental Grand Prix 4000s 23c Tires -Continental Race 28 Supersonic Tubes -2011 Mavic Ksyrium Elite -KCNC Ti Skewers Notable touches: -Custom matched fork graphics to match frame outline -All-Carbon contact points (pedals, bar, stem, steerer, seat post) -Custom sticker to cover warning label on seat tube -Carbon tape wrapped shifter levers & plates -The only OEM part on this bike is literally the frame -Madonna Di Ghissallo Head Tube Medallian (Patron Saint of Cyclists) Budget: I paid $815. for the 2009 Cannondale CAAD9-7 and got $215. for the OEM parts I sold off (still have OEM fork/wheelset/tires/fr der/seat post/brakeset) which brings my original price down to $600. [easily far less than just buying the frameset alone as I had once considered]. I put about $3,400. of upgrades into it bringing my total to $4,000. (If I sell-off my leftover OEM bits, I could bring that down to $3,400.) Granted, for $5,000., I could've gotten a new '12 EVO 2 Red. The frame would've been better (duh). Identical wheelset. Groupset wouldn't needed to be touched on it. But, I'd have to spend a good $1,500. to customize it sot that would put it at $6,500. - the parts I upgrade & sell-off $300. = $6,200. That's $2,800. more than the CAAD. And, the Evo would've been easily down to the high 13lb range. And it would've been brand new. And it would've been an awesome bike. BUT, I never had $5,000. at any one time to ever spend on a bicycle. So, the $3,400./15.87lb Made In USA CAAD9 is a treasure to me. I'll have an EVO later this year, but I will also have The CAAD as well. :D Some teasers shots... http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...rades004-1.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g001.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...s00Pics003.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...s00Pics013.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g005.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9/7220g006.jpg |
How is that saddle? I've been contemplating the Antares cause I'm wider but have heard a lot of people saying they have to sit way back on it.
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Originally Posted by BmoreDrew
(Post 13894494)
How is that saddle? I've been contemplating the Antares cause I'm wider but have heard a lot of people saying they have to sit way back on it.
I'm not going to say it's comfortable, but I don't find it uncomfortable. For me, the shape is fine. As I've said before, it's closer to the original saddle that came on the CAAD (San Marco Ponza Power). http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...87lbs014-1.jpg http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...1587lbs005.jpg |
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