Hi all, newbie here. Just purchased my first "better" bike after riding 1,000 miles from 8-15-2011 through 12-31-2011 on my son's 30 lbs plus Schwinn mountain bike. Result of lower back surgery got me into it. I have lost 60 lbs(am currently 240 and down 4 pants sizes) and like to lose 15 more but I feel great and I love to ride. I regularly ride 15-17 miles daily in place of a lunch break (I work out of my home)and then 20 to 35 miles on a Saturday or Sunday.

Just ordered a CAAD8-6 Tiagra, black 54 inch frame with clip on pedals. Dealer is assembling and I have to go for a fitting on Tuesday. Really happy with this purchase as i have wanted a Cannondale for some time.

What is the general consensus of this bike? From the date I pick it up I will have 30 days to ride and return for a full refund/credit if Im not happy. Dealer also gave me free 30 day tune up and 3 free annual tune ups. So hello to all CAAD persons here and what say you?

I say great job!!! You chose the right bike! I have a CAAD9-6 and it has been amazing for the past 6000 miles.

At your weight, you should look for a set of heavy duty hand built wheels. I don't think the stock wheels will be sufficient.

Hi Fishy and thanks.

I am considering a wheel change as I had been breaking rear spokes quite often. But then again my old beater bike is a relatively inexpensive Schwinn and Im sure the rims and everything else are pretty fatigued. Ill bring it up at the shop on Tuesday when I go for the fitting.

I ride the same road bike and it has served me well over the last year or so. Since you have 30 days, ride it and see how it works for you.

As for the wheelset, I have since replaced my original set, which were maddux drx4000 rims with I *think* 32 spokes (they are now on my commuter so I can check for sure.) If those are still the same spec, you may be ok.

Have fun with the bike!

Hi mega and thanks for the advice. My good buddy that turned me onto the Cannondales (he owns 4 as of right now and is an avid on and off road rider) thought I might benefit from a wheel w/more spokes. Again, Ill check w/the shop mechanic and as u said I do have 30 days to see if the stock wheels will work out.

Congrats on the weight loss, that is awesome!!! :thumb:

If you're coming from riding a mountain bike, I think you will find the new CAAD8 a thrilling road ride. It had been years since I rode a bike when I went to the store to test ride a CAAD9, and from just a 15 minute ride around the neighborhood roads near the LBS I was blown away and totally sold.

If your LBS is willing to give a full cash refund within 30 days of purchase, that is pretty darn good. Many small shops have a store credit only, no refunds policy. Ride it and take it in for the 30 day tune up but also learn to do some minor adjustments yourself. Most of the free tune up stuff the store will do are probably things everybody can learn and do themselves very easily (derailleur adjustment, minor wheel truing, replacing cables/cable housing). I prefer to do as much wrenching myself at home as possible since I find it a pain to drive the bike to the store and leave it. Riding it to the store and having a friendly chat with the staff is a totally different matter though! :)

I wouldn't spend money on replacing the wheels right off the bat. Looking at the Cannondale website, the wheels look like 32 spoke laced cross 3, so they should hold up better for heavier riders than the low spoke wheels (16 spoke radial front, 20 spoke 2-cross/radial rear) that are spec'ed on the CAAD10 models. EDITED to add: Since some folks replied as I was typing, you can always go to a 36 spoke wheel in the rear later if the stock wheel doesn't work out, but why not ride it and see? On the 3 cross wheel, if you bust one spoke, you can probably still ride it home okay, maybe opening up the rear brake quick release.

Enjoy it and happy riding to ya!

I'd recommend these. They run $503 plus shipping for the Campy version. You can get them either 24/28 or 28/32, depending on your weight.

Thanks milk and rev. I appreciate the advice.

Skynkie, would you mind posting a few pics of the new Boyd Vitesse's mounted on your bike? Also, when you get a chance to ride them, please do post your ride impressions. I'm interested in purchasing this wheelset and would appreciate any feedback you have. Thanks!

Hed wheel with the C2 shape…they are the money.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6...460b320c_b.jpg

Just put a set of Boyd Vitesse on my 10-3. Love the look and the rear wheel seems to spin much more freely than the Mavic Aksium's that came with it. I'm quite eager to try them on the road.

Very nice muidaq. I'm leaning towards the Boyd Vitesse wheels too. Will likely go with 24-28 spoke count like yours.

Now I need to figure out the seat/seatpost and stem/handlebar.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the "-3" after CAAD10? Does it reflect the groupset choice?

Yup. That's the Ultegra option.

OK, since I bought my CAAD8 as a frame, I guess it's just a plain old - CAAD8.

It will have a campy groupset on it, though, for what that might be worth.

Awesome setup. I was happy to see the prices of the Boyd rims after reading a bunch of great reviews. I think they are going to be y first upgrade after a few miles on my '12 10-5. I need the 24-28 spoke model. Either Vitesse or might even go carbon clincher 50mm since it's really flat here in FL and seem like a great wheel.

looks sweet! though I admit I was hoping to be the first to post a CAAD10 with the new Vitesse; my fault for waiting 3 days to mount them ;)

http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g5...0/P1040052.JPG

I love the look, they're 400g lighter than the stock Fulcrum 7s I was rolling, and I can't wait to see how the 23mm width feels.

(no, I still haven't changed the white tape out. and now it's dirty and torn, to boot :()

in other news, I finally got to race my CAAD today. it won me a $25 prime :P :D

slynkie, best looking caad out.

+1, but it's probably just the wheels. :lol: No, really that is one sick looking bike.


Now slightly off topic. I first took the photo of my bike using my iPhone which has a 35mm focal length (equivalent) lens. It looked way odd. Later I shot it again with the exact same configuration on the bike with an 80mm lens on my DSLR...way better. Telephoto is definitely the way to go for bike portraits.

35mm - iPhone
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6...d97a30e0_z.jpg

80mm - DSLR
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6...460b320c_z.jpg

Congrats! Nice riding and nice bike... :thumb:

Your camera placement was also a lot better with the DSLR. Up higher so it's level with the bars, and aiming at the seat tube/top tube junction to clean up the seatstays. Did you change your distance from the bike, too?

Those look friggin' sweet. Oh, look at their name... :D

If my Eastons ever crap out, I should remember to get wheels like those. Wouldn't even gain any weight over the Eastons, either.

actually, if we must nitpick, i wish the wheels were silver! or crabbon.

Congrats! The bike is very hot!
I hope you like the Boyd's. Since my team is now sponsored by Boyd I'll probably pick up a pair.

That's awesome. Are you going to get one of their frames too? I want the 50mm clinchers but I should prob get the vitesse for now. I have never actually been on a road bike yet. My bike gets here htis week.