Yet another coke vs. pepsi thread (cannondale v Trek)
 

I am in the market for a new bike as like an idiot last year I sold mine.

I have been looking at the 2010 Trek 2.3 for $1549
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/2_series/23/

or the Cannondale CAAD 9 5 for $1399
http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng...9RA95C-CAAD9-5


I also have the option to buy a brand new 2006 trek Madone 5.2 for $1995
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...chive/madone52

i really liked my madone 5.0 before I sold it but now that I have 2 kids - I am not sure I want to dump the extra $400 into it.

Any advice for a fitness rider?

Equipment is very close. Not sure how the two wheelsets stack up against one another. Otherwise, the Trek has Shimano brakes, the Cdale has Tektro brakes (which with a pad change will probably be just as good as the shimano's really). Ride both, see which feels better. Buy it.

Sorry forgot to mention that I am 6'7" and require a 63 or 64 which is not in stock around here. All my LBS require a deposit to get one in stock to ride.

But from what I hear the carbon fiber is not leaps and bounds better?

Well I was going to stay out as I am biased to my caad 9 5, but here we go.

1--If you are that tall you prob weigh a good deal. I would say cannondale for the strength and rigidity of the frame. I feel they have the best aluminum frames in the world. Still hand welded in USA in 2010. (Also your link is the 2009 edition)

2-- cause of your size the BB30 bottom bracket. Bigger and stronger under torque which you will be putting more of on the crank set. I weigh 185 and 6'2" and really feel that when I push hard in sprint and or climb hard all of my efforts are transferred directly into forward motion with nice stiff frame and BB30.

3--Life time warranty on the frame.

5.2! no contest

Yeah, that seems to be in his price range. :rolleyes:

see above...

You all have no concern that it is 4 years old?

I vote for the 2.3. I don't know how it shapes up to the C'dale on beefiness, but Trek tends to have a slightly better feel (at least for me) on their road bikes. Everybody is different, and a lot depends on how you fit with a particular bike, however. I do know that the Trek will be solid, and will last you forever, I just don't know how it compares when you really go down on the cranks, but it should be a close comparison between them.

The extra $400 dollars for the 5.2 will be worth it, but don't make the jump unless you can really, really afford it. It's still not likely, but it is much more possible to mess up a carbon frame beyond repair than it is a aluminum frame. I'd not buy it unless you can afford to lose it if the worst should happen.

If it were me, I'd get the Cannondale and put the money saved towards a powertap.

Age of frame doesn't matter a ton, as long as you're confident it's been treated well.

5.2 for sure

No concern that the 5.2 is 4 years old - even if it is being sold as new...... what about technology advancements?

Sorry did not refresh my browser and missed earlier posts

Yeah this does not seem like a very practical option.......

this bike is still above any entry level carbon bike, the 5.2 that is. and in three years, the level of shifters on here are still around and going to be great. buy the 5.2 if you can afford it. it will be worth it.

screw the powertap, no reason for that really

Why exactly are you limiting your $2000 pick to a 4 year old Madone 5.2? For ~$2000 there are plenty of 2010 bikes I'd take over a 4 year old Madone 5.2.

Oh definitely *I* would be concerned!

:lol: That's funny.

Before BillyD bought any pre-owned carbon it would have to be thoroughly CAT-scanned and MRI'd. I wouldn't be confident without it.

OP, go with one of the alum bikes.

Such as?

sorry - such as?

No reason at all, unless you're interested in upgrading the engine.

If you're looking for carbon fiber:

2010 Cannondale Six Carbon 5
2010 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5
2010 Specialized Tarmac Elite
2010 Specialized Roubaix Elite
2010 Giant Defy Advanced 3
2010 Trek Madone 4.5
etc, etc, etc.

You're not exactly lacking for choices these days. The advances in frame design and sheer resale value of a 2010 versus a 2006 bike doesn't make that 4 yr old Madone 5.2 very appealing by comparison in my book.

Get the Trek, either one. You'll piss off BF and you'll be happy.

2200 could get you a cervelo s1

that 5.2 has gotta be one of the ugliest bikes ive ever seen. ride the cannondale and trek and see which you like better. the caad9 is easily a better frame hands down but if the trek feels better then go for it... and plus the cannondale is the cheapest of the 3 for the best production aluminum frame on the market