Steingarten

Tech question, help required! I own a CAAD10 2012 w/ Ultegra 6700, a double crank set with the standard 12-25 cassette. Now, living in the mountains, I would need the 12-30 cassette.

A question: is there enough clearance for the rear derailleur to take the bigger cassette? Also, do I need a longer chain for the bigger cassette?

Any help is invaluable! Thanks!

prankster

You may need a longer cage

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0087BJZZA

and a new chain.

bianchi10

A 12-28 wouldn't be enough? I live in Portland Oregon and do a lot of climbing. 12-28 seems to be a good ratio for hills and flats for me.

Steingarten

Thanks prankster and bianchi10! I'll probably just go with the 12-28 too. After all, it's not about the gear, but more about the shut-up-legs!

iFold

it's like "whoever tries to touch this CAAD will get bitten!"

decycle

I currently own a CAAD10 and I'm thinking of buying a cheaper Cannondale as a second road bike that I will never upgrade.
I'm thinking about a cheaper and more relaxed CAAD8 or a Synapse alloy. (Maybe with Sora for about 1K or maybe with 2300 for less $$.)

According to Cannondale the stack of Synapse is 58cm and its reach is 38.7 while the CAAD8 has 57.3cm and 39cm in size 56.
They are very close as far as geometry is concerned.

How these two compare as far as handling, comfort, build quality, flex, power transfer, weight, etc.
Will I love them as much as I love my CAAD10?

I don't have the option to ride them before buying so I'm asking for your opinion.

jdip

While they may have similar reach, I believe the Synapse has a more "upright" position than the matching CAAD 8 size. The Synapse also has a slightly longer wheelbase and hence the CAAD 8 has more responsive handling. If you want a more relaxed and comfortable ride, go for the Synapse over the CAAD 8. If you are only choosing between those two I would definitely go for the Synapse as you already have the more aggressive race geometry covered with the CAAD 10, which is superior to the CAAD 8 frame anyway.

FPSDavid

New stem + stem "slamming", step 1: Complete!



Now to ride it for a while and go see my fitter in a couple weeks, before I get the steerer cut, to just have one 5mm spacer on top.

danielrbaer

What I have so far:
Only thing i've changed from stock is the saddle. Just got a new, lower headset bearing cover and cut the steerer.

Jdarrow86

I'm looking at purchasing a 2013 CAAD 10 105 that is 54cm on craigslist for about $950. However there are no bike shops in my area that carry CAADs so I can't go test ride the bike before I drive down to get it. The seller is about 2.5-3 hour drive one way. So I'm looking for a little help regarding sizing. The LBS has fitted me for specialized allez bike at 54cm and a synapse at 54cm. I'm 5'8.5 with a pant inseam of 32 inches. I know thats the best info for sizing but that is all I have at the moment. Do believe that this bike would fit me?

Beaker

That's a very safe bet IMO. Any minor adjustments could be made with components (stem, crank arms etc)

on the path

Mine came with 12-27. I'm getting used to it by riding lots of hills. I'll probably still reach for a lower gear from time to time...

h2oxtc

No problem with the 12-30. Put the same on my wife's bike this summer and it shifts flawlessly.

h2oxtc

I'm going to guess that neither will live up to your expectation after riding the CAAD10. Why not buy another 10?

Steingarten

Fantastic, thanks h2oxtc!

On an another note: does anyone have suggestions on how to make a CAAD10 more tri-compatible? I'm doing a mini triathlon relay race later in the summer (40k ride), and would need aero bars (at least) for that purpose. Any recommendations?

Also if you have some recommendations for affordable aero wheels (~500 USD), please do share! Thanks.

LordLivingston

I am 5'7 with an inseam of 30 inches. I was looking at the same bikes as you - CAAD 10 105 and Allez. The Specialized shop pegged me at a 54 but I always felt it was close but just a little too big somehow. When I rode the CAAD 10, the 52 felt better and that's what I purchased. For you, if the Allez 54 felt good, the CAAD 54 should work out of the box or with minor adjustments. Nice price too.

tldr: I agree with Beaker

THSdrummer

You can replicate an aero position by slamming the saddle forward, possibly even flipping the seatpost around so you have offset going forward. With a seat in this position, you can replicate an authentic tri position better in aero bars.

I did a triathlon on my CAAD10 stock. I just lowered the stem a spacer to try to get lower and rode on the hoods for climbs and spent the rest of the time in the drops.

dave1442397

I agree with the other posters that you should be fine on a 54. I'm 5'7.5" with an inseam of just over 30" and the 54cm frame is perfect. I've put almost 9,000 miles on my CAAD 10-4 and love it.

rcracin

Finally found one in my size. Deed is done.

Steingarten

Fantastic, cheers. Ordered a 3T Mistral aero bar set, will keep your tips in mind when starting to adjust my position. I'm a big guy (6'6"), so getting an optimal fit might take.. the whole summer

THSdrummer

Nice. Clip-ons aren't bad considering you're on a road bike, but that's the real deal stuff.

Definitely play around with the fit before hand. If you can, do a little research on triathlon specific positions. I know they're more forward than road positions. I do know the typical triathlon position (and thus triathlon bikes) are not UCI legal because the nose of the saddle is within 5cm (5mm?) of the BB. As I recall seat tubes on triathlon bikes are 76*, where as, typical road geometries are 72*. I'm going off of memory though, haha, so you might want to double check those numbers.

I'd also considering a new saddle, or at least something with a more comfy nose. I know when I get real aggressive on my road bike, my road saddle is the last thing I want and makes my position extremely uncomfortable.

Just a few more things to consider from one who has done a triathlon on a CAAD to someone who is about to enter the club! My course was so hilly, I was flying by aero bikes on each and every climb. The CAAD definitely shown that day.

yallgotfakepoo

As many CAAD guys have Hollowgrams, I figured I'd post this here: I have a set of brand new green crankbolts and bearing covers that don't match my setup. If anybody wants to trade straight up for some black, silver, or red crankbolts, shoot me a PM. I'm just looking to swap. Thanks, and go CAAD.

mrjim

Nice , congrats.
Love the pics and location BTW.

rcracin

Thanks. 38 mile ride from Queens. Sore as hell today. Hoping to make longer rides a habit.

mrjim

Addiction more like.