Hi! Soo, I'm kind of new to this forum, but i love cycling and ppl here seen really helpful and informative. So, right now I'm riding a trek 1.1, i bought it new Last February. I bought it and fell in love with the sport. But, I'm ready to upgrade so i can begin racing and doing long distance. I definitely want cannon dale caad10, i know ppl who ride them and ive tried one and i really liked it, so there's no changing my mind there. Right now i have shimano 2300. The caad i get will either be shimano 105 or with sram force. I know there is a coupe hundred dollar price difference which I'm alright with if it is going to be worth my while. And i don't wasn't "sloppy" shifting, so i was thinking to go with sram. You guys have any input? I would really appreciate it. Thanks a lot!!

Ps, sorry for the long story

Yes they are both very different

But what's the difference? Like as far as performance

My new Tarmac came with SRAM Rival. Extremely positive shifting with it.

There's not going to be a big difference in performance in my opinion -- I have 105, Ultegra, and Red on my bikes and they all work great if you know how to set them up properly. You should try to ride each groupset and decide based on hood ergonomics and shifting feel. Some people are very sensitive to the shape of the hoods, so that can make a big difference in which you prefer. Also, some people prefer either STI or Doubletap shifting, so that is the other main criteria to consider, but explaining it won't help you decide because you gotta try it first hand to find out exactly how they feel and work. There is a weight difference, but that really isn't very important performance-wise.

Force is a worthy upgrade over 105.

Makes sense to me.

They both perform well. More about preference. I'm impartial because I prefer Campagnolo.

yes

Ergonomics are different. Will be personal preference.

105 front will likely have better front shifting due to the stiffer crankset and derailleurs and be more durable.

I think Force is quite a bit lighter. Lighter than even Ultegra.

For a newbe as you, what ever you end up using, SRAM or Shimano, you will probably become very quickly accustomed to and not notice the differences between the two groups, as in brand and line. As with the previous post, I am a Campy user and would find the SRAM much more to my liking. The way that you shift on SRAM v Shimano is different. Also, SRAM will feel a bit more mechanical as in it will require positive action to make the shift - which I prefer - and Shimano will be much lighter in the force that it takes to actuate the shift. Neither is better than the other, so to speak, but it is an individual preference type of thing. As for your choice of bikes, there is nothing wrong with Cannondale; they are great bikes. Is the frame aluminum that you are considering? If so, are you a small guy or a larger build body size? Aluminum is stiff and light and one of the best values when you consider dollar to pound. That said, its stiffness can fatigue some riders more rapidly than others. The bigger or heavier the rider, perhaps less fatigue from the stiff frame. You won't be able to notice this until you have been on the bike for a number of hours. Typically you try to get the best frame and fork that you can and upgrade the parts if and when you are ready. Don't cheap out on the frame as this is the heart and soul of the bike.

QUOTE=milkbaby;14817394]There's not going to be a big difference in performance in my opinion -- I have 105, Ultegra, and Red on my bikes and they all work great if you know how to set them up properly. You should try to ride each groupset and decide based on hood ergonomics and shifting feel. Some people are very sensitive to the shape of the hoods, d that can make a big difference in which you prefer. Also, some people prefer either STI or Doubletap shifting, so that is the other main criteria to consider, but explaining it won't help you decide because you gotta try it first hand to find out exactly how they feel and work. There is a weight difference, but that really isn't very important performance-wise.[/QUOTE]

What's the difference between sti and double tap?

Thanks. I am a bigger rider. And actually the main reason I'm going with the caad is because of the frames stiffness and weight. It only weighs 1150 grams. But i didn't understand what you meant from the fautigue part. Are you saying that bigger riders will get fatigued less quickly or the other way around?

Doubletap shifting is different from shimano.

I can't really say one is better than the other, personal preference.

Go to your bike shop and try both.

BTW I think either 105 or force are both fine groups. The force is lighter but both are fine.

It really is something you're going to have to feel to fully understand.

The biggest difference is that to shift using STI you're using two separate levers with one of them also serving as the brake lever to shift either up or down. SRAM's double-tap uses one lever behind the brake lever to shift both up and down (depending on how far you push it). It sounds weird, but I would agree with reviews that I have read that it become a very intuitive process once you're used to it. SRAM also feels different in that once you shift, you know it. Shimano is a little smoother and provides for a little more fine tuning using the levers, but I think some find it to be "mushy."

Personally I prefer SRAM in function and looks. I hate that the brake lever is also a shift lever with Shimano. Either way, you're going to get excellent shifting performance with either of those groups.

What's the difference between sti and double tap?



Thanks. I am a bigger rider. And actually the main reason I'm going with the caad is because of the frames stiffness and weight. It only weighs 1150 grams. But i didn't understand what you meant from the fautigue part. Are you saying that bigger riders will get fatigued less quickly or the other way around?[/QUOTE]
stiffness can affect fatigue because the stiffer a frame is the more it translates road vibration and bumps to the rider. Over time, feeling this vibration can wear you out quite a bit. That is the biggest advantage that carbon fiber frames have over aluminum, that they tend to dampen road noise a bit.
this doesn't affect larger riders as much as smaller ones.
that being said, a stiffer frame also translates more of your body motion to directly powering the bike. It's all a system of compromises.

I have 105 on one bike and Force on another. I love the double tap of the Force but the 105 is a lot smoother shifting. The shimano will run quieter than the Sram. Either will shift gears better than what you have. I will buck the normal trend on here and say go shimano but I've had bad luck with warrantee work with my Sram and oh yeah the parts breaking requiring the service. Don't fall into the Sram can be fixed, if that was the case I would have only waited 3 months for parts not a new shifter, good thing I had my other bike with good relible Shimano...

I have a CAAD9 and have ridden it on rides up to 100 miles without complaint. The CAAD10 is reportedly an even smoother ride, so you probably don't have to worry about that. You can always take the edge off road buzz with higher quality and wider tires like 25 to 28 mm which can be run at lower pressures to increase comfort.

Enjoy the ride and don't forget to post pictures of whichever new bike you end up getting!

I've had good experience with SRAM warranty coverage. But I'd rather not need it to begin with.

I like both Shimano and SRAM for different reasons, but the reliability makes me turn to Shimano nowadays.

How did you determine that? The Force crank is carbon and costs 50-75% more than a 105 crank. Rings may or may not be better but you tend to get what you pay for. I have a Force crank and never had an issue with shifting. Had 105 on a bike about 8 years ago and as I recall it shifted well too. Higher level components are usually lighter, probably stiffer, and may or may not last longer.

I don't have much experience, but I can say this: pretty much anything you decide to go with will be better than the 2300 stuff you have now. I rode an Orbea Aqua with 2300 and absolutely hated those tiny little shifting levers. The cables coming out of the sides of the brifter units looked ridiculous, too. I rode a Trek 1.2 with Sora that felt much better to me, but the Felt with 105 that I ended up with is even better!

i wont

why you say that? will i have to worry about the sram running down faster? because i wont have the money to replace anything if it gbreaks.

I think everyone has shown here that both are a great option. Force is lighter. 105 is cheaper. They definitely work differently and have different ergonomics. You really should ride one of each before you decide. Also, I think you are selling yourself short in picking the bike you are going to buy based on friends having CAAD's. Just like the groups, you should go ride on in your size. But, keep an open mind and ride others, too. Ride a Specialized Allez, Giant TCR, Felt F, etc. etc. It is amazing how, when ridden back to back, one bike may just "speak" to you. It may be more responsive, more comfortable, more fun. If you're going to spend the money, at least make sure it's the best bike FOR YOU, with group you like best. If it turns out to be a CAAD 10, GREAT! It's an awesome bike. So are the others, though. And the bike you like best is the bike you'll ride most! Have fun!

That's true, you make up a point. I'll go in and try a few, before i make up my mind. But i think I'll still be a little biased toward the caad. But i week definitely go in and try them.. Thanks!

Force vs 105 is not even a fair comparison. Apex vs 105 is more like it. If it is only a little bit more to get Force, it is definitely worth it.

I don't know about your bike shop, but on Cannondale's website the the Caad 10 Force is $1000 more than the 105. The Rival is a couple hundred more though.

Yeah i saw. My lbs had the force for 500 more than the shimano. Which isn't a huge deal to me if im gettingsomething that's worth it. And they are giving me a good deal on all the gear to