My search for a bike...

AntLockyer

you may remeber I posted about my dads avice of buying a second hand bike. the search has been frustrating so I've decided to just bite the bulet and buy new. I figure I'm earning good money so I should stop being so cautious

Went to a couple of bike shops and one in particular seemed to give good advice on a first bike, not pushing anything in particular and giving me options at all price points.

The one that stood out is the Cannondale Caad9 (with a 105 gruppo so that I can upgrade easier than getting a 9 speed setup). Any opinions on this? I'm going for a test ride today to see how I get on.

cheers

AntLockyer

Wel the search is over. Bought the CAAD9 it felt good to me on the road, let me corner with confidence and was fast

ash68

sounds like you bought a good bike ant. I've never ridden a cannondale before but all the reviews I've seen are good.Take it your 105 is a 10 speed set up is it? Have you got a compact or triple chainset on?Think you did the right thing to bite the bullet and get a new bike from the off.Gives you plenty of motivation to get out and about now. Only thing is keeping it clean over the winter. Hope you enjoy getting the miles in mate. Have fun.

AntLockyer

Thanks, feels like a good bike to my road beginners mind

Yes 10 speed 105, I believe I got the compact. I did say it to the till bloke about 50 times. We shall see when he calls me on Tuesday.

AntLockyer

Actually I notice a price difference between the compact and regular double. They charged me for the cheaper non compact version

I can see an argument coming on.

Alex_Simmons/RST

Why argue if they charged you for the cheaper option? Unless it was the cheaper option and you didn't want that.

AntLockyer

Because I don't get to pick it up until next week and I suspect the wrong one will turn up.

AntLockyer

My dad said if the non compact turns up to just take it and not worry about it. What do you all think? Where I live is moderately hilly but he said I'll want to be able to ride up those sorts of hills with 'proper' gearing at some point so might as well start trying off the bat.

magibob

OK i give up. what's "Compact"?


Andy

gkerr4

compact is lower gearing basically.

it is the front chainset which is smaller - has less teeth - usually 50 on the big ring (as opposed to 53) and 34 or 36 on the small ring (as opposed to 39)


to get the small 34 tooth ring on you need a smaller bolt circle diameter than normal - hence why it is termed 'compact'

ash68

IMO having a compact might be the differnce between riding up the hills or walking on a standard chainset.Each to their own and no doubt others will have different opinions. If it was me i would 'phone them or call in ASAP to clarify what they have ordered for you. If you asked for and wanted a compact chainset that is what you should get. But at the end of the day it's your bike and your decision.

magibob

Thanks for the replies guys

Andy

AntLockyer

Ash68 you are right and I called them. It is the compact but I will have to wait 2 weeks as Cannodale are out of stock.

aarrgghh

giant_man

I think, because it's your first road bike, if it is a double then so be it. You could always change the chainset to a compact later I guess, but so far, you have nothing to compare the double to, do you?

AntLockyer

The hill that I have to ride up to get home I generally use a 40ish inch gear which I think is about the lowest on the double. The shop have confirmed I'm getting the compact so it's all good. Bought my first lycra today :shock: