Originally Posted by zjrog (Post 12153687)

Since I drooled through this whole thread, I HAVE to get my 98 R200 CAAD2 out... I'm 12 weeks post Total Knee Replacement, riding my hybrid on the indoor trainer, and planning to hit the trails with my MTB. But after this thread, I need to get that R200 out and put it on the trainer instead. Originally bought for my wife in 98, she wanted a triple crankset, so we splurged and upgraded to 105 triple and front derraileur. All the bike needs is tires/tubes, brake pads and bar tape. And a real good cleaning. Maybe a pic of it dirty later today.

Originally Posted by hkboy313 (Post 12153819)

yuck and ouch, how did you do that?

Originally Posted by 2ndGen (Post 12153857)

And right there I knew something was not right.

Originally Posted by 2ndGen (Post 12151713)

Yes it'll fit, but don't get that tube. Get a good quality tube (like a Continental Race Lite) for only $2.00 more.
Matter of fact, buy at least 4 tubes. 2 to replace the tubes that come with your bike, and 2 spares
(one you carry and one you have at home to replace the one you use on the road if you get a flat).
You'll avoid a lot of headaches by getting good tubes and the price difference is negligible.

Originally Posted by Excelsius (Post 12154689)

Around here where I ride, I need extra thorn protection. And what is the reason for replacing the standard tubes that come with Cannondale? If it is the extra few grams, I don't think it will matter for starters like me.

Originally Posted by Excelsius (Post 12154689)

Around here where I ride, I need extra thorn protection. And what is the reason for replacing the standard tubes that come with Cannondale? If it is the extra few grams, I don't think it will matter for starters like me.

Originally Posted by muidaq (Post 12156366)

I'm blaming you all for this. New cult member just joined the ranks. I just had to get rid of the crappy Sora triple so I figured I'd just upgrade the whole bike instead. :thumb:

Already have to take it in because one of the middle rear gears is skipping, both on the large and small front gear. Any idea if that's something a bike novice can diagnose? I made the mistake of buying from a not so L BS

Originally Posted by muidaq (Post 12156366)

I'm blaming you all for this. New cult member just joined the ranks. I just had to get rid of the crappy Sora triple so I figured I'd just upgrade the whole bike instead. :thumb:

Originally Posted by alpha_bravo (Post 12156492)

You've got the right idea, stick with it. Many members on this forum suffer from paralysis by analysis. You'll be just fine with your OEM gear on your Cannondale for quite a while. The stock tubes will be fine until they flat, nothing on the CAAD will prevent you from becoming a very experienced cyclist. As you ride more you will learn what gear works for you and your riding conditions.

As things wear out or need to be replaced, you will have a better idea for what you need. Expensive tubes might work well for a city cyclist, but for someone who rides around goat head thorns, a tube is a tube which is a tube - they all flat just as easily. Cheap tubes and a flat repair kit are a better buy than expensive tubes if you're assaulted by lots of thorns. For now just buy whatever keeps you riding... My $.02



That's some upgrade you made from Sora to top of the line CAAD!

It's pretty likely that you simply need to tighten up your rear deralieur cable. It's pretty easy to do, simply turn the rear barrel adjuster on the rear deralieur until the gears stop skipping. As your cables break in chances are good they will stretch a little and every few hundred miles you will likely need some form of adjustment in various parts of your bike. I would suggest reading through the maintenance section at the Park Tool website, Sheldon Brown's website, or picking up the book "Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance." All three are great references which guide you through solving just about all problems you'll encounter on your bike.

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...nts-derailleur

Originally Posted by tigerblock (Post 12156894)

Originally Posted by tigerblock (Post 12156894)

Originally Posted by muidaq (Post 12156366)

I'm blaming you all for this. New cult member just joined the ranks. I just had to get rid of the crappy Sora triple so I figured I'd just upgrade the whole bike instead. :thumb:

Already have to take it in because one of the middle rear gears is skipping, both on the large and small front gear. Any idea if that's something a bike novice can diagnose? I made the mistake of buying from a not so L BS

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/...5716cf5f77.jpg

Originally Posted by 2ndGen (Post 12154724)

Usually, OEM parts are the cheapest, bulk purchased items they could buy.
I wouldn't tell you to change tubes to save weight, but it just so happens that
in the Conti's case, they are excellent at retaining air and are light as well.

As for thorn protection, I'd say focus on your tires for that.
Anything that makes it through a tire will almost certainly make it through any tube you have.

What will matter for starters like you is being able to start and finish a ride.
With better quality tubes, your chances go up exponentially.

BTW...that CAAD10 looks like it won't need much to upgrade.
Saddle/bar/stem for fit (if necessary), bar tape for preference (again, if you're
not happy with OEM tape), tires & brake pads to unleash The Kraken in your bike.

For me? I probably wouldn't touch that cockpit (except maybe saddle) for a long time.
Tires, tubes and brake pads? Absolutely without a doubt. Other than that, that bike is a complete package.
If anything, when the money came in? I'd go with 105 brakes & crankset just to bring everything up to full spec.

That's really a great bike to start out with, not only for the money, but period. Are you getting black or red?


BTW...My suggestions for the best $200. you can initially spend on your bike are: ;

SwissStop GHP2 Pads
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...fL._SL500_.jpg

Continental Grand Prix 4000S Tires
http://www.westernbikeworks.com/prod...50/co4ks-1.jpg

Continental Race Lite Tubes
http://www.pinkbiketrading.com/images/Product/154.jpg

Fi'zi:k Microtex Tape & Gel
http://www.probikekit.com/_img_500x640/A0690.jpg

Originally Posted by alpha_bravo (Post 12156492)

You've got the right idea, stick with it. Many members on this forum suffer from paralysis by analysis. You'll be just fine with your OEM gear on your Cannondale for quite a while. The stock tubes will be fine until they flat, nothing on the CAAD will prevent you from becoming a very experienced cyclist. As you ride more you will learn what gear works for you and your riding conditions.

As things wear out or need to be replaced, you will have a better idea for what you need. Expensive tubes might work well for a city cyclist, but for someone who rides around goat head thorns, a tube is a tube which is a tube - they all flat just as easily. Cheap tubes and a flat repair kit are a better buy than expensive tubes if you're assaulted by lots of thorns. For now just buy whatever keeps you riding... My $.02

...

Originally Posted by Excelsius (Post 12154689)

Around here where I ride, I need extra thorn protection. And what is the reason for replacing the standard tubes that come with Cannondale? If it is the extra few grams, I don't think it will matter for starters like me.

Originally Posted by Excelsius (Post 12157472)

Yeah, since it's not clear to me exactly how the tubes improve performance and by how much, I'll stick with just regular ones. But in terms of upgrades, I think one thing that would really change performance would be new wheels since the rotational inertia would be significantly affected by lighter wheels. That will take me a while though.

I am getting the black one, but I am still torn between that and the CAAD10 4. Will start a thread just hear some ideas.

Originally Posted by twentysomething (Post 12158262)

Interesting thread. Newbie looking at a CAAD8 8 vs a Synapse. Trying to get into this without spending a LOT of money.
But the CAAD8 has the Shimano 2300's and the Synapse has Sora.
Not seeing a lot of good used bikes for sale in my area (Atlanta).
Although might not be the best place for asking opinions (CAAD Cult!), just thought I'd throw it out there.

Originally Posted by twentysomething (Post 12158262)

Interesting thread. Newbie looking at a CAAD8 8 vs a Synapse. Trying to get into this without spending a LOT of money.
But the CAAD8 has the Shimano 2300's and the Synapse has Sora.
Not seeing a lot of good used bikes for sale in my area (Atlanta).
Although might not be the best place for asking opinions (CAAD Cult!), just thought I'd throw it out there.

Originally Posted by 2ndGen (Post 12158344)

The Synapse is a more comfort oriented bike while the CAAD8 is definitely sportier. Both Sora and 2300 are pretty much on par with each other. But, for a couple hundred more, you should be able to pick up a Tiagra/105 bike which is well worth waiting for. Be patient and get the better bike from the beginning.

I'm seeing CAAD9's w/Tiagra going for around $900. and w/105 going for $1100.