1 upgrade to my CAAD 8 6 that would make the most difference?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 22
Bikes: '12 CAAD 8, '96 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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!
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!
#2
Tour De French Fries
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 1,251
Bikes: 2010 Cervelo R3 SL & 2013 Airborne Goblin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
i would suggest GP4000S tires
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Utah
Posts: 953
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 548
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Utah
Posts: 953
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NNJ
Posts: 115
Bikes: 2015 CAAD 10 Ultegra; 2012 CAAD 8 Tiagra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
Last edited by musicman1; 09-11-12 at 02:28 PM.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 22
Bikes: '12 CAAD 8, '96 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the recommendation! Looks like the tires should be changed, not just for the ride but better for safety.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
#10
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times
in
99 Posts
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.
#11
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,842
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 919 Times
in
606 Posts
Spend your money on contact points: shorts/bibs, jerseys, shoes, gloves etc...
Winter is coming: tights, jacket, booties or winter shoes...
Winter is coming: tights, jacket, booties or winter shoes...
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#12
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: wessex
Posts: 4,423
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Put me on it, it will go much faster.
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 22
Bikes: '12 CAAD 8, '96 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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!
#14
Serious Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RVA
Posts: 9,308
Bikes: Emonda SL6
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5721 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times
in
99 Posts
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
#15
Bike Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Posts: 9,622
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 37 Times
in
27 Posts
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.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
#16
Beer >> Sanity
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,449
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 22
Bikes: '12 CAAD 8, '96 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
NewEnglandBiker
Road Cycling
9
05-24-11 07:59 PM
tgscordv6
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
48
07-31-10 05:50 PM