i'd say it would be cheaper to get the complete bike all together. im not even sure if costs are added for labor? if you build your own bike i think u have more freedom in choosing the right stuff for yourself, but it might cost more just because you need to find individual pieces...thats my opinion

You might find that if you pick up a complete bike, you'll likely want to make upgrades later on, unless you have the cash to drop on exactly what you want right away. Other thing is if you're building your own bike, it's going to take significant amount of time looking for the right prices on items. Are you willing to make that time sacrifice away from riding on the road? (presuming you don't have another road bike).

Yup. Think of it as there being one markup on a complete bike versus a bunch of markups on individual parts. Even just in shipping costs, the bike in its box is one piece, while all the components arrive in other boxes and multiple shipping pieces, often not even on the same truck.

I saved money on my last build only because I got nearly everything on sale, used, or at a shop liquidation. It still wasn't cheap, mind you, but it was cheaper than it would have been for a complete new bike of identical parts.

I just finished my CAAD9 build, from the frameset up. Got some nice deals and it took my less than 3 weeks to finish. Cost about the same as a new bike ($1200) but with better components. I had a good amount of fun doing it though

To get exactly the bike you want is darn near impossible with a brand new OEM bike.
One almost always has to upgrade wheelsets, tires, brake pads, cockpit (to match the rider) and definitely pedals.
Of course, depending on the rider and the bike in question.

It's almost always cheaper to build from scratch.
As mentioned, you might still pay what it would've cost you anyway in the end,
but your particular bike will be built to your spec without needing any further investment.

I priced my bike against a CAAD9-1. My bike will be undeniably better when completed for about the same price.
The only difference will be that the CAAD1 will have "some" Dura Ace 7900 parts while mine is mostly Dura Ace 7800.
Other than that, I'll have a better set of wheels than the CAAD9-1, a much better cockpit and just better everything in general.

Or, you can do like I did. Buy the cheapest model you can so you can ride it as you build it and sell off your OEM parts like I did.
I was going to buy a CAAD9 frameset for about $800. (w/taxes). I got a complete CAAD9-7 ready to roll for $815. (incl. tax).
Sold off the some of the drivetrain and cockpit for about $200. So, my current cost is down to $615. and
I have the frameset plus the wheelset that I'll use for beaters in the winter and still have some parts left over.

Plus, it's fun to really notice the difference of an upgrade once installed.
I appreciate it so much more when I have such a direct comparison.

And it "is" really fun to build up your bike and tweak it to your own taste and to personalize it to your needs.

My next bike will be a custom built machine. I'm planning on a Cannondale SuperSix HiMOD
build or possibly a Trek Madone 6.X build for the winter to keep my cabin fever in check.

hmm, that makes me feel bad, like i wasted money on a complete bike. though i got a discount off because they were selling them out. i dont have the knowledge to build nor the tools so i guess my route was ok...? well i definitely need to upgrade my saddle because the prologo hurts like crazy.

wheels would be great! but still looking... who here prefers clinchers over tubulars? full carbon clinchers? i really dont know the differences and there are so many brands!

hey your builds are awesome! btw your links for cervelo and caad are swapped...

What do you guys think about a CAAD9 w/ full Tiagra, handmade in USA w/ bb30, New, my LBS will let me have it for $1050. Good deal or could I do better?

If it's Tiagra you should be able to do better than that, especially if it's a 2010. Season end sales should have dropped the price below $1050. I'd still stick with a Caad9 and personally I'd snatch up the last of the "Handmade in USA".

Thats what I'm saying. This is their last 2010/made in USA caad9. Just not sure if it's worth grabbing.

Not all true. I have a 98 CAD2 that I have had no issues what soever in the tush region.


edit: Oh and I'm new to riding and got my first road bike in June, a 98 CAD 2. Here she is. I'm nearly completed with it as of last week.

Falcon757, What it costs to build a bike just as you want it depends a little on timing. I couldn't order the frameset color I wanted on a 2.8, but was able to score an end of the year type of deal on a complete bike with little added expense. That group sat in a box for awhile, but was eventually reused on my daughter's bike build. Savings on that project made a significant upgrade for her doable.

The important part of building a bike like you want it is that you don't need to get another bike for years, if ever. The bike was then rebuilt from full Ultegra to a 105 triple when I injured my knee to enable me to keep riding. That bike is now 14 years old and there is no need nor want to replace it. I even went from STI levers to down tube shifters for the hell of it.

Brad

The CAAD's forefather:

full tiagra? i thought the lowest (9-7) was tiagra/sora mix. maybe the lbs upgraded it?

If I recall, the CAAD9-7 wasn't offered in 2010. Was one of the main reasons why I went with a CAAD9-6 earlier this year. It does come with a Sora front derailleur but the rest of the drivetrain spec is Tiagra if I remember correctly.

That's the way my 2009 CAAD9 6 was set up when new. It's not that way anymore.

This is precisely why I love the CAAD9 so much.
It's one of the last of the straight bar/classic designs.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the tapered tubes on my Trek 1.5 and like what I see on the CAAD10 a lot.
But, I had to have a CAAD9 over anything for my "better" entry-level bike.

^^^ I highly agree 2ndGen. Personally I like the clean lines of my 2010 CAAD9.

My first road bike and first post here on bikeforums.net...



Got this off craigslist for $700: Ultegra 9sp components, FSA wheel set.

Nice. You got a good deal, go ride that thing!

9-7 came with Sora shifters/fr der & Tiagra rear.
I got lucky and got Tiagra fr der. with my 9-7.

Congrats and welcome to The Clan!

more like welcome to the addiction!!!! Nice looking bike there.... Ride it like you stole it!!

Just curious what everyone's thoughts are on the 2010 nu team blue caad9's. I am considering picking up one of these frames, but have not seen one in person. When I search for pic's of them online it seems like the shade of blue always looks kind of different from pic to pic. From most of the pictures I see, it seems to be a really light blue, almost like a sky blue. some other pics I have seen, the bike looks more like a primary blue. So if anyone has one and can tell me what the actual color looks like in person then that would be great.

Thanks.

Yep, sold off 2 other bikes, still have my Giant TCR training bike while I wait....3 more weeks....3 more weeks.....