I have a CAAD9 with a 105 groupset. I bought this bike last June and I've ridden about 1,500 miles in the last 12 months. I think I'm falling in love with cycling all over again. The high I get after a ride is proving more powerful than I ever remembered. I have been riding since I was a kid growing up in Pennsylvania. I lived in the country so a bike was my first real form of transportation, but after turning 16 and getting my Drivers License, chasing girls was way more important.

I really like the CAAD, but it's somewhat entry level - as am I - and I really crave the cooler looking Carbon bikes with the flashy groupsets. My plan for the next 12 months is to get more serious and ride 300-400 miles per month. I'm slowly learning more and more about road bikes - thanks to BF - as I was always into MTB's in the past.

My question is this. Is a Carbon bike that much "better" than what I have now? I've read that they are lighter and absorb bumps and road chatter better than Aluminum. What are the other benefits to Carbon? Also, most of the bikes I find myself drooling over are priced in the $5,000 range. A far cry from the $1,300 I spent on the CAAD. I know these bikes have lighter components and newer technology, but for a guy that doesn't plan on racing would I really benefit from switching to a more advanced bike?

Maybe I'm just getting the itch because on these group rides I see so many high end bikes it's ridiculous. Maybe I'm just jealous. LOL

Any input would be nice. Thanks.

After moving from a aluminum bmc to a carbon one (warranty replacement), I do feel the difference in stiffness. It does feel "nicer" on the road. As far as whether it will help you on the bike, probably not. I probably would not spend all that money to upgrade from a CAAD9.

Your calling a CAAD9 somewhat entry level ?
You will never be happy with any thing. But Carbon is nice.

Please PM me your price on the CAAD 9 I could use another.

The CAAD 9 is as good as some full carbon bikes, man. Just saying...

That is true if you want to make a move of substance plan on paying $4,000 to $8,000 for a good carbon bike. With regard to carbon, I would look at other brands like Scott, Cervelo and BMC.

What? The CAAD9 is a good entry level bike. There are dozens of bikes out there that are considered upgrades.

The CAAD9 isn't the end all be all bike some preach. Usually this is the same crowd that hasn't owned a good carbon bike.

My first thought was "what size is it?"

The ONLY thing that makes the CAAD9 "entry level" is the price.
Performance-wise, it is regularly compared to frames costing 2+ times as much.
That speaks volumes when it's competition is Cervelo, Argon & custom aluminum and
not Trek 1.X, Specialized Allez or any of the other sub-$1000. bikes around at that time.
The U.K. has a nice article (nice, because I agree with it) comparing a CAAD9 with Tiagra
to a full carbon Planet-X running Ultegra 6700. The CAAD was preferred over it and it was
half the price of the Planet-X bike. And, you'll find plenty of riders who "have" owned
good carbon bikes who still love their CAADs. Why can't is be as good as almost everybody
believes it is? Why not? Why is it so impossible for a bike to cost less and be better AND
be ALUMINUM!

NSFW...

if you wanna upgrade, knock yourself out man... between the 'dale and the trek I'd take the 'dale... but that is a decision you need to make for yourself... I'd give strong consideration to a tarmac, maybe a giant tcr or something more 'exotic' if you gots da loot... odds are you'll get top dollar for your caad9... sounds like a good plan you got there...

Upgrade the engine.

[Tell 'em caloso sent ya. Rob'll throw in a jar of Enzo's. ]

I'd say go for the Carbon upgrade if it'll be a noticeable difference.
If you're going to put in more than 50 mile rides regularly, Carbon would be nice.

Is carbon "much" better? Not the entry level carbon frames. In fact, a CAAD9 is better than most entry-level frames.
You'll have to spend at least a good $2,000. to get a carbon bike that will be improved enough for you to notice.

Would "you" benefit? Only "if" you took advantage of all that Carbon had to offer (again, more comfort over longer rides).
And yeah, $5K should get you a real nice plastic bike! If you're willing to go that high, check this out:
https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...x-evo-sram-red
(what I'm working on next)

Thanks guys & girls for the input and advice. It gives me some things to think about for sure. Coloso mentioned I should just update the engine instead. He may be right. LOL
This bike is a 54cm and if I would sell it I may ask somewhere in the range of $1,000, but the more I think about it I'm thinking I should be patient and work on my skills & endurance before any splurge on a bike that I know I don't need but kinda want.

I own carbon fiber bicycles, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with aluminum. I think CAAD 9s are sweet bikes.

You don't need a new bike. You need to buy SRAM Rival, sell the 105 on eBay, and drive it like you stole it!

Seriously, as someone who just spent almost 3 weeks off the bike because of a serious sell/buy/build up/re-build up process (I'm already a pretty busy person) in prime riding season, I'm telling you not to worry about the bike and just ride the damn thing. I would still ditch the Shimano stuff and try Rival. It makes the entire riding experience much much more fun. Just being honest.

the biggest difference you'll notice with Carbon is comfort over longer rides, that is indisputable. i haven't ridden a Caad but really want to, from what I understand of them the engineering is well motivated and well applied, but I would still think a good carbon bike would be more comfortable on longer rides. I have a carbon road race bike and an aluminium training bike, plus an aluminium track bike, and if it was possible for you I'd continue to ride your Caad while you save for a carbon bike. You will have a bit more time to find a good deal, you won't have the pressure of 'needing' to buy a bike because you've just sold your last one, and you'll appreciate the variety of having 2 great bikes when you get your dream bike. That's what I'd do if I could, and if once you've got your nicer carbon bike and never ride your Caad, you can still move it on then.
(I've had this conversation with my Girlfriend many, many times. It occassionally works. After I've ironed, vacuumed, cooked dinneretc.etc. YMMV)

And if your 105 groupset works, keep it. No point moving sideways to Rival.

Stay on what you've got and get faster than all the dudes on the $5,000 carbon bikes. Then you can make them look like tools. Ride your damn bike.

Nothing wrong with the Super-Six if you like the Caad. Multiple bikes in the stable is nice. Its your cash, you work all day for it not us. If it makes you feel good to go blow your load on a nice carbon bike at the LBS then go for it.

I've been reading a lot about SRAM but never used the brand. Something to think about I suppose. Thanks for the info. On a side note I'm curious about the ownership of the SRAM company. Do you or anyone else know what country they originate from? I think Shimano is Japanese and Campy is European I believe. Just curious.

Very nice response.

This gives me more of the feedback I was searching for. Thanks!

Gumby,

I think you may be on to something here...LOL

This is probably the wisest thing to do...I've got a bike, just ride the damn thing!

Funny thing is I have a good friend of mine in Thailand with a CAAD3 and he's over there riding the piss out of it almost everyday with a bunch of guys in a group with the high-end bikes. He's way strong and pretty much smokes everyone else. It goes to show, it's the rider not the bike. I guess I always knew that. Thanks for reinforcing it.

They's American fool

I've got things to say but no type to write out a response.I have a caad9.5 and a trek 6 series with dura ace components. Pm me if you have specific questions. =)

Good luck.

Get a lighter set of wheels. Around 1500gr or less.

Going to a full Rival group will probably drop around 400gr.

A set of Zipp 404's