Should I even care about a carbon bike?
11-06-15, 05:08 PM
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Should I even care about a carbon bike?
Looking for a new bike. I narrowed it down to two of cannondales offerings both for the 2016 lineup: caad12 or a standard Supersix
I've never owned a carbon bike before as my current one is a caad10.
I really don't care for the "comfort" people always talk about when referring carbon bikes. I'm more interested in stiffness, compliance, weight, and power transfer etc...
I ask because money is tight and I can get a much better specd alloy bike for the same price as a low end carbon bike.
Is there really any need for a carbon bike for me? Will a Cat 4 going on cat 3 next season really feel the difference?
If you tell me I would feel the stiffness etc between the carbon supersix more than the caad12 then I'll surely buy the carbon bike because that's my priority. But if you tell me it's infintismally small that only a professional would be able to feel it, then I'll just go with the caad12.
I've never owned a carbon bike before as my current one is a caad10.
I really don't care for the "comfort" people always talk about when referring carbon bikes. I'm more interested in stiffness, compliance, weight, and power transfer etc...
I ask because money is tight and I can get a much better specd alloy bike for the same price as a low end carbon bike.
Is there really any need for a carbon bike for me? Will a Cat 4 going on cat 3 next season really feel the difference?
If you tell me I would feel the stiffness etc between the carbon supersix more than the caad12 then I'll surely buy the carbon bike because that's my priority. But if you tell me it's infintismally small that only a professional would be able to feel it, then I'll just go with the caad12.
11-06-15, 05:16 PM
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IMHO...CAAD12 or Spesh Allez. Put the money in wheels and call it good.
Good luck with your racing.
Money no object, go carbon for the weight savings more than any benefit in compliance or stiffness.
New Al framesets mentioned aren't your daddy's Oldsmobile..new breed of Al is awesome.
Good luck with your racing.
Money no object, go carbon for the weight savings more than any benefit in compliance or stiffness.
New Al framesets mentioned aren't your daddy's Oldsmobile..new breed of Al is awesome.
11-06-15, 05:19 PM
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I'll play devils advocate here.
Will you really feel the difference between the different specs you are talking about? Will you really notice a difference between 105 and Dura Ace?
Will you really feel the difference between the different specs you are talking about? Will you really notice a difference between 105 and Dura Ace?
11-06-15, 05:20 PM
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Here we go. 
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11-06-15, 05:24 PM
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11-06-15, 05:28 PM
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+1. ...or just a wheelset upgrade on the CAAD10. ...or 5800 plus a wheelset upgrade. ...or...well you get the idea.
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11-06-15, 05:30 PM
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I'm in the upgrade the Caad10 camp only because I have a Caad10, love it, and want to make it better so I have been upgrading the cockpit to Fizik 00 Carbon and have a nice set of tubeless 38mm deep Carbon wheels on the way as we speak. While I'd certainly take a Caad12 frame as an upgrade, I don't see the value in buying a whole bike over what I already have?
In my search that landed me my aforementioned Caad10, I rode several Carbon bikes up to $4,000 that just didn't have the snappy, solid feel of the Caad's frame, they all seemed to bounce or flex when I stood up and put the power down. ( I am a heavier guy @225lbs).
I say Caad12 or upgrade the Caad10.
In my search that landed me my aforementioned Caad10, I rode several Carbon bikes up to $4,000 that just didn't have the snappy, solid feel of the Caad's frame, they all seemed to bounce or flex when I stood up and put the power down. ( I am a heavier guy @225lbs).
I say Caad12 or upgrade the Caad10.
11-06-15, 05:57 PM
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I also say if money is tight why would you consider buying a CAAD12 which is basically the same bike you already own?
And I also agree if you are going to spend, spend on upgrades. You could get DA 9000 group for about $1200 or Red for $1400 and either Chinese carbon wheels or Fulcrum or similar for $500. But, depending on your current CAAD10's specs you would probably shave 3 lbs off your bike and have a great 15lb race bike. Or you could do Ultegra Di2 for same price. Or you could do Ultegra mechanical or Force with new wheels and still get close to 15 lb mark and spend 50% or less of the price of the new bike
And I also agree if you are going to spend, spend on upgrades. You could get DA 9000 group for about $1200 or Red for $1400 and either Chinese carbon wheels or Fulcrum or similar for $500. But, depending on your current CAAD10's specs you would probably shave 3 lbs off your bike and have a great 15lb race bike. Or you could do Ultegra Di2 for same price. Or you could do Ultegra mechanical or Force with new wheels and still get close to 15 lb mark and spend 50% or less of the price of the new bike
11-06-15, 06:00 PM
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At this stage in my life (52 years old, getting in cycling shape, hope to race next year), the only reason I've found for my desire to have a cf bike is because I have never had one.
When shopping for my first "serious" bike I settled on my CAAD 10 because it's light, stiff, and lively. I'm only about 150 lbs, but can certainly feel it.
The 105 components are very nice (didn't want to go below that). It's a great bike.
As others have said, go ahead and upgrade the CAAD 10.
I mean, unless you have your heart set on buying another bike just to have another bike...which seems normal to me.
When shopping for my first "serious" bike I settled on my CAAD 10 because it's light, stiff, and lively. I'm only about 150 lbs, but can certainly feel it.
The 105 components are very nice (didn't want to go below that). It's a great bike.
As others have said, go ahead and upgrade the CAAD 10.
I mean, unless you have your heart set on buying another bike just to have another bike...which seems normal to me.
11-06-15, 06:16 PM
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I know serious racers that save their good bikes for training. That's especially true with crits. Ask this question on the 33. You'll be surprised on what many will tell you.
11-06-15, 06:27 PM
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Go for it dude...
11-06-15, 06:34 PM
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11-06-15, 09:36 PM
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Yep...Been riding carbon frames for a while but switch it out and went with a Trek ALR, move my Ultegra 11 speed and Boyd wheels over to it. Ride is outstanding. Don't even notice that it is an Alloy frame it rides so smooth.
11-06-15, 09:50 PM
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You hear about the feel of steel--it's real, meaning... it's good. Carbon is better. Alloy gives you the best value: you can pay 40% more for essentially the same bike in CF. But, if you think you can get your money's worth out of it, go CF if you want the best ride. CF is stiff but absorbs shock without needing to flex. Any bike you get will have CF forks so that tells you something.
Last edited by McBTC; 11-06-15 at 10:04 PM.
11-06-15, 09:57 PM
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Let's be honest, if initial cost is not a consideration, Cannondale SuperSix EVO or CAAD 12, which one would you pick? The only reason you would choose CAAD 12 is cost: the initial cost to buy it and the potential cost to replace it if you crash.
Now, in terms of the total cost of ownership, I think carbon will probably come out ahead at the end when the time comes to sell. A used alloy, may be with the exception of Cannondale CAAD on BF, won't be worth much while the carbon frame may get a lot your money back especially if you bought the carbon frame used in the first place.
Now, in terms of the total cost of ownership, I think carbon will probably come out ahead at the end when the time comes to sell. A used alloy, may be with the exception of Cannondale CAAD on BF, won't be worth much while the carbon frame may get a lot your money back especially if you bought the carbon frame used in the first place.
11-06-15, 10:29 PM
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Now, in terms of the total cost of ownership, I think carbon will probably come out ahead at the end when the time comes to sell. A used alloy, may be with the exception of Cannondale CAAD on BF, won't be worth much while the carbon frame may get a lot your money back especially if you bought the carbon frame used in the first place.
11-07-15, 09:43 AM
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O
Makes a lot of sense. Good analysis!
Let's be honest, if initial cost is not a consideration, Cannondale SuperSix EVO or CAAD 12, which one would you pick? The only reason you would choose CAAD 12 is cost: the initial cost to buy it and the potential cost to replace it if you crash.
Now, in terms of the total cost of ownership, I think carbon will probably come out ahead at the end when the time comes to sell. A used alloy, may be with the exception of Cannondale CAAD on BF, won't be worth much while the carbon frame may get a lot your money back especially if you bought the carbon frame used in the first place.
Now, in terms of the total cost of ownership, I think carbon will probably come out ahead at the end when the time comes to sell. A used alloy, may be with the exception of Cannondale CAAD on BF, won't be worth much while the carbon frame may get a lot your money back especially if you bought the carbon frame used in the first place.
11-07-15, 03:43 PM
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Please just buy the most expensive carbon bicycle you can afford. If you don't, then companies won't be able to afford to give them to professional riders for free anymore.
11-07-15, 03:55 PM
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Op??
Last edited by Slackerprince; 11-07-15 at 03:57 PM. Reason: edit
11-07-15, 04:17 PM
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