Sell Me on a CAAD10
 

All you Cult of CAAD10 members,sell me on one. I've heard a lot of people say they're better than a lot ot other carbons. Tell me why. Lighter stronger what?

I have never personally said it is better than carbon, but a high end aluminum frame to some people is better than low end carbon. The CAAD stock is pretty light but if you put the work in you can get it really light. I have taken several different brands of bikes for long rides, when it comes to aluminum, nothing compared. There were carbon bikes that had a better ride but that meant spending an extra few hundred or maybe even a grand depending on what group you wanted. Right now the 2014 line is set to be released in the near future, you can get a 2013 for a great price, but IMHO the 2014 paint schemes look better on some of the bikes. Test ride one, not a parking lot ride, a nice long ride and I bet that would sell you.

That's kind of the problem. I'm really interested in a new synapse. by what I've seen described it's should be just what i'm looking for. but on the other hand there are some good prices on 13's i'm coming from a Allez.

I like the Synapse, but if I were buying one it would have to be carbon.

A Carbon Synapse or a Alloy synapse? I've had my 13 Caad 10 for about a month. I really like it but never considered the Synapse. For me, I chose the Caad 10 over the supersix carbon mostly due to practicality. We'll see. I'm trying to change my thinking that a bike has to be kept for a long time. So a carbon bike may be in the future.

Carbon The Caad10 is the only non carbon I'm considering.

The CAAD10 is just a really good bike in so many ways. I got one in late 2010 to compliment a Specialized Roubaix. I figured the CAAD would be a bit more snappy in terms of handling and being aluminum I wouldn't worry about crashing it so much as I was just getting into racing. It turned out that the CAAD is indeed a sweet handling bike, noticeably a better descender than my Roubaix, but it also surprisingly comfortable. I ended up riding Death Ride on it in 2011 over my Roubaix for what that's worth - I find I care less about carbon vs aluminum these days.

It took a lot of high end carbon frames before I found one that was as good or better than my CAAD10. Still miss the frame from time to time.

Depends on the rider. I'm a big guy and ride pretty hard. One test ride was all it took to decide between the CAAD and SuperSix. CAAD was noticeably firmer climbing out of the saddle. This was NOT true of the EVO but that wasn't in the budget :-)

The CAAD10 and Synapse are very different bikes besides carbon vs aluminum. You need to decide which geometry you prefer more than what material you prefer in my opinion.
Anyway i had a CAAD10 and i loved it. It felt really quick and nimble. Only thing i like better about the carbon bike is there is a little less road chatter.
BTW i've never ridden a Synapse, but it's supposed to be a much more relaxed geo.

Slightly off-topic, but which is more relaxed fit, Synapse (aluminum) or CAAD8?

Having tried both I say the Synapse, while the CAAD8 is not the same as the CAAD10, it's still a slightly more aggressive ride than synapse.

Reciprocating weight is huge. It is worth your while, and as much treasure as you can spare to remove every single gram from your wheels and drive train. Much of the time I am work people are paying me to make race car parts, and "every pound out of the drivetrain is 10 pounds off the car" is the popular theory among people who know far far more than I about race cars. (I do know how to make the parts, but I haven't a clue as to how they are compiled into a race car.) And I have always believed the same thing is even more true about bikes. Taking weight out of the rest of the bike... Assuming the bike is some sort of modern road bike, and not a hybrid lumbering along at 37lbs, seems to be a waste of treasure and time to me.

Hmmm .. I was 90% sure you were going to say CAAD8. CAAD8 doesn't even come in a carbon version, correct?

correct, the Synapse comes in carbon, or you will have to go SuperSix. The CAAD8 is just a economical aluminum frame C'dale still has around. I honestly think th current CAAD8 is not as nice as the older generation CAAD8.

That's why I assumed the Synapse would be more aggressive geometry, since they offer a carbon version. I guess I need to do some research. I'm still trying to help a friend find a bike, but he isn't as aggressive as myself (I have a CAAD10, as you know).

I obviously don't know your friend, but I am sure if he were to take the synapse out for a ride he would like it. Does he fancy the CAAD8 more or is I more accessible? Is there no interest in the Synapse.

Oh, my friend has no clue LOL. He wants to "upgrade" from his current bike, so his son can get the old bike and he can get the new bike. I told him "if the old bike fits you well, that might be a mistake." He hasn't ridden the CAAD8, Synapse, or any Cannondale for that matter.

Anyway, I don't want to send the thread too far off track. Sorry OP.

Caad10 descends very fast ,snappy acceleration ,i also find the ride very smooth and not as jittery as some claim

The CAAD 10 is a very well engineered frame set, aggressive in its nature but not overly stiff in its tube profiles or geometry. There are several levels on components to choose from according to what you want and/or need for your riding. A Synapse, in Aluminum or CF is different in its geometry and tube shapes and profiles. Look at the seat stays of a Synapse and the slight curve they have as they approach the top. These are engineered to be compliant in rougher roads, the CAAD 10 has straight seat stays that are a bit stiffer, not totally because they are aluminum. I have ridden my 2012 CAAD 10 4 for 1-1/2 years now, a bit over 2000 miles and it suits me perfectly. I do not race and I am heavy, 212 lbs, and fortunately the roads in our area are fairly well maintained. If I were looking for a Sportive or Century bike strictly, I might consider the Synapse as it is easier on you over longer distances and rougher road surfaces.

What type of riding do you want to do? What are the road surfaces you will be using like? Are you going to be a distance rider? These will determine what bike you want to buy and you need to ride both the CAAD 10 and Synapse over some distance to tell which will suit you best. Only you can make the final decision, not what the 41 says you should do.

Bill

If you have an Allez, there is no reason to buy a Caad 10. They are very comparable frames - and I actually think the new Allez's are better than the Caads.

If you want a Synapse, then get a Synapse. It is a very different geometry and different ride. The Allez and Caad 10 comparison is really Apples to Apples. Allez/Caad to Synapse/Roubaix would be more apples to oranges.

I do come from an Allez and just sold it. I'm very interested in the new Synapse. If the hype is to be believed and some diagrams are correct the new geo is halfway between comfort and race. i would like to know what geo's they used. Is it the old synapse or some other competitors bike. To me it seems just what i'm looking for as an old fart. Having never ridden a Cannondale i do want to test an Evo and caad 10 just to see how they feel. My fall back ride would be a Roubaix.

Why of why did I have to read your post in this thread? I am a current Specialized Roubaix owner and love my bike. However, I've been thinking about doing the same thing you did and want to add a CAAD-10 to my stable. I want a decent backup bike, am intrigued by the benefits/weight of aluminum and plan to use the CAAD on my shorter, faster rides. My only dilemma comes down to which groupset I want and/or the color selections. I find this year's color choices rather boring in the CAAD-10. I love the light blue and orange (Gulf Racing Scheme) paint scheme from last year, but they're impossible to find.

Shorter and faster rides? Felt F5 if you can find one on clearance.

Gorgeous bike, but the CAA10 is about $400 cheaper with equal performance. I'd use the extra money savings to put towards some nice new wheels.