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1 upgrade to my CAAD 8 6 that would make the most difference?

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

1 upgrade to my CAAD 8 6 that would make the most difference?

Old 09-11-12, 02:00 PM
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1 upgrade to my CAAD 8 6 that would make the most difference?

I have a 2012 CAAD 8 6 (Tiagra) I bought earlier this year. I usually "go big" right out of the box with stuff I buy, but just getting back into riding I wanted to start off sensible. I have bought a Cateye Strada computer, FSA SL-K seatpost, Specialized Romin seat and Shimano 105 pedals.

I'm not trying to make this bike into something it shouldn't be as I only ride around town in the evenings and weekends. I just ride for pleasure and exerciser but is there an item that changed would make a huge difference on this bike? I feel it shifts fine, cranks fine and brakes fine, but is there a totally crap piece on here I should upgrade? Would getting Vuelta Corsa Pro wheels be far superior to the Maddux one's on there? Thanks for any input!
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Old 09-11-12, 02:07 PM
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if you havent already, get rid of the Lugano tires. It made more of a difference than anything on my CAAD10

i would suggest GP4000S tires
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Old 09-11-12, 02:09 PM
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I'd replace the tires with something nice like a pair of Continental GP4000s' but that's all I can think of. Nothing else is really going to make any difference for casual riding.
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Old 09-11-12, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Elduderino2412
if you havent already, get rid of the Lugano tires. It made more of a difference than anything on my CAAD10
I don't know if it's just mental, but I didn't feel any difference with a change of tires. Bought a pair of Michelin Krylion carbons. I know they're not race tires but I thought they would at least make some difference.
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Old 09-11-12, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by cvall91
I don't know if it's just mental, but I didn't feel any difference with a change of tires. Bought a pair of Michelin Krylion carbons. I know they're not race tires but I thought they would at least make some difference.
If you've been riding them both at proper inflation you probably won't notice much of a difference. They will be more puncture resistant, you'll have a little better control in the wet, and they'll last a little longer. Not things you'll notice, but things that are all great to have.
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Old 09-11-12, 02:23 PM
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I agree about the shi**y Lugano tires.

I had them on my CAAD 8 and the front tire had a tread failure and the bike dumped me hard while I was cruisng at around 23 MPH.

I recently replaced the stock KMD chain with Shimano and the rear cassette to Ultegra after 2500 miles.

I replaced the stock Maddox wheels w/Mavic Askiums after two spokes broke on the rear wheel after only 500 miles.

Im going to upgrade the stock Cannondale seat next.

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Old 09-11-12, 02:48 PM
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Thanks for the recommendation! Looks like the tires should be changed, not just for the ride but better for safety.
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Old 09-11-12, 02:52 PM
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The engine, duh.
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Old 09-11-12, 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by mattm
The engine, duh.
Bloody well right.
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Old 09-11-12, 06:45 PM
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Ride lots. Like others said, +10 for good tires at the proper pressure. Don't bother with the Vuelta Pro wheels, those are really no lighter or smoother than what you have, although they probably look better which can induce you to ride more which in turn leads to a better engine, so maybe prettier wheels do make you faster... That said, I have Corsa Superlite wheels which replaced the stock Bontrager wheels on my Trek, they have pretty decent hubs and are nearly 1.5lbs lighter than the Pro wheels you're looking at and I love them, they have definitely made a difference (albeit minor) in my speed on the bike. Also, for the price (~$300) you're hard pressed to find another set of wheels that is around 1450g.
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Old 09-11-12, 06:49 PM
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Old 09-11-12, 06:50 PM
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Put me on it, it will go much faster.
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Old 09-11-12, 06:57 PM
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I figured if I ride more and push hard on this, when I do upgrade to a lighter bike, I'll be that much faster and the ride will be easier. That's why I don't see a point in putting much $ in this one at this time but will tweet a few things. I do like wheels with less spokes as a bike just looks faster sitting still. I guess I'll get some better tires and just ride as much as I can. Thanks!
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Old 09-11-12, 07:30 PM
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Where in VA are you? If you are in RVA like me, come ride with some of the quick groups (Carytown, Spin Mafia, ect.). Riding on a hard ride with Cat1/2/3 guys is guaranteed to increase your speed more than even a $6000 bike... Either that, or it'll make you quit the sport
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Old 09-11-12, 07:54 PM
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Save your dollars up for some serious wheels. All the upgrades I did to the Giant, only two made any real difference, 1, Tire Upgrade (slight improvement) 2. Upgrade to Ksyrium SL or Elite ( noticable difference right away). IMHO the weak spot on most road bikes priced below 5K are the wheels.
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Old 09-11-12, 07:54 PM
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Probably nothing will make much difference. Tires and wheels can be a nice upgrade but they don't make a BIG difference. Most everything is comfort or bling oriented. Not that there's anything wrong with that. After making a few "upgrades" myself I can't say the bike rides much different but wheels and tires dropped a bit of weight and seemed to have smoothed things out a tad. Just focus on the engine.
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Old 09-11-12, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan333SP
Where in VA are you? If you are in RVA like me, come ride with some of the quick groups (Carytown, Spin Mafia, ect.). Riding on a hard ride with Cat1/2/3 guys is guaranteed to increase your speed more than even a $6000 bike... Either that, or it'll make you quit the sport
I'm outside of C'ville in Waynesboro. I've got a buddy that said he'd ride his Mt bike so I could keep up. I need to get out with him one day.
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