What's so good about the caad9?

LuCAs...

Hello,
I'm currently looking for a bike through the cycle to work scheme (cyclesheme.co.uk) in the range of £800 - £1000.
Using the forum search, the caad9 seems to be recommended a lot! I just wanted to know your thoughts on it, as i am also looking at the Bianchi Via Nirone tiagra, the Trek 2.1 or a Planet X SL. Any owners of these bikes have any thoughts? How do they compare?
I will be going to try some of them as soon as possible, but advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

carl_p

I've recently bought a new CAAD9.

Unfortunately the poorly set up gears, shocker of a saddle and the shifters set too high on the drops spoilt my one and only 30 mile ride on it. On the plus side it is really light and quick so I'm reserving judgement at the moment. I really do like the understated looks (I went for matte bbq) and the virtually horizontal top tube. You certainly feel the bumps on a rough road so make sure your bidons fit the cages well otherwise they'll drive you bonkers. On a smooth surface though it wafts along. 22/23 mph on a flat road is fairly effortless. It's only as good on the hills as you are though. The build quality of the frame is incredible at any price point, you literally can't see the joins.

Depends what you want in a bike really so try a few. CTW schemes are ok but you are lumbered with the bike if you don't like so make sure it's the bike you really want.

macondo01

It feels so good to ride!!

pianoman

LuCAs, you're best waiting for NapoleonD's 10,000 word dissertation on the subject of the CAAD9

One thing I DO know about it though, is that the silver version looks fab. Of course, the fact that I own a titanium bike means I have a fetish for "bare metal" colours anyway :P

incog24

They love it on weightweenies and its trickled over onto here. Its a good crit bike because its pretty stiff, has a fairly aggressive geometry (if you want it to be, you can also stick loads of spacers in) and because its Alu you can get away with crashing it a bit more than carbon.

Personally I've ridden it and didn't think it was that special, and I wouldn't want it as my only bike with the state the roads are currently in. However, if I had the money to spend on a second bike for just crit racing, it would probably be on my list. But I'd rather just insure my bike and race and train on it...

Philby

You need to decide the type of riding you will be doing - as incog states the CAAD9 has quite an aggresive geometry which is quite racy. The Bianchi has a more relaxed geometry and is ideal for sportives. Cannondale have the Synapse which has a more relaxed geometry than the CAAD9.

All 4 of your choices are solid performers but the key is which one do you feel most comfortable on - so try before you buy.

LuCAs...

Would you advise me more towards a good quality aluminium frame (cannondale, etc) over a budget carbon? (Planet X)
Also, will the groupset make enough difference to make either better than the other?

Thanks

Teshu

I'd be interested to hear anything about the Planet X carbon frame or similar priced carbon frames.

Alex

Philby

Lots of good reviews of the Planet X and great bang for your buck. However of the 4 you highlighted its the only one you won't be able to sit on or test ride, so you would be taking a bit of a leap of faith.

Smitherz

Hi,
I recently bought a px sl ultegra build and I absolutely love it! The difference a carbon frame makes compared to the tanks I used to ride is unreal,especially uphill.

I'm a novice and bought it on the recommendation of a couple of close friends and the positive reviews I'd read. One of the guys is currently awaiting his dura ace build to turn up since seeing mine.

When I've shown it to people at work they can't believe the price you can get them for. They seem incredible value for money.

I must add that they look a lot better in the flesh than in the pics on the site.

It is a leap of faith not being able to see it first but I can't imagine you being disappointed.

Anonymous

Smitherz wrote:

Hi,
I recently bought a px sl ultegra build and I absolutely love it! The difference a carbon frame makes compared to the tanks I used to ride is unreal,especially uphill.

I'm a novice and bought it on the recommendation of a couple of close friends and the positive reviews I'd read. One of the guys is currently awaiting his dura ace build to turn up since seeing mine.

When I've shown it to people at work they can't believe the price you can get them for. They seem incredible value for money.

I must add that they look a lot better in the flesh than in the pics on the site.

It is a leap of faith not being able to see it first but I can't imagine you being disappointed.

You'd say the same with a CAAD9 though too. And it looks better!

kingrollo

A friend of mine had a caad 9 - and never really got on with it. I had a quick go on it - and it felt pretty standard to be honest. Don't get me wrong it is far from a bad bike - but if youre buying it expecting it to be a cut above anything else in that price range - I fear you will be dissapointed.

Anonymous

kingrollo wrote:

A friend of mine had a caad 9 - and never really got on with it. I had a quick go on it - and it felt pretty standard to be honest. Don't get me wrong it is far from a bad bike - but if youre buying it expecting it to be a cut above anything else in that price range - I fear you will be dissapointed.

Incorrect. They are fantastic. Stiffer than similarly priced carbon fibre frames and most other aluminium frames yet a smooth ride.

kingrollo

NapoleonD wrote:

kingrollo wrote:

A friend of mine had a caad 9 - and never really got on with it. I had a quick go on it - and it felt pretty standard to be honest. Don't get me wrong it is far from a bad bike - but if youre buying it expecting it to be a cut above anything else in that price range - I fear you will be dissapointed.

Incorrect. They are fantastic. Stiffer than similarly priced carbon fibre frames and most other aluminium frames yet a smooth ride.

Well at the time I road an Alu pinarello - which I thought was comparable in terms of stiffness - probably not lightness though. My friend brought an alu scott - and he is much happier with that.....horses for courses I suppose.

incog24

NapoleonD wrote:

Incorrect. They are fantastic. Stiffer than similarly priced carbon fibre frames and most other aluminium frames yet a smooth ride.

You do seem a little wrapped up in the hype here NapD...

Stiffer - yes it is pretty stiff, but similar price point frames are noodley...
Ride - Smoother? No, not in my experience...

So effectively you have a balance of longevity, stiffness, comfort. A similar carbon frame (e.g. PX) would be more comfortable, might not last as long, won't be as stiff. However, if this is one of the riders first bikes, the stiffness is very unlikely to be a limiting issue. They are also unlikely to trash the frame in a crash - mainly due the fact they aren't some Cat1 american who races crits twice weekly for the whole season, so the chances of it occurring are lower. My TCR advanced has had 8 crashes now? Carbon is strong...Comfort will be an issue as they're probably not massively used to road bikes, and this will be likely to become a winter bike one day.

Yes its a good bike, but its not always going to be the best choice!

Anonymous

Hyoe? I don't own one, I have a Cervelo S2 and a Litespeed Siena...

You said yourself similar price point frames are noodley.

As is the planet X

They are worth every inch of their praise...

Airwave

I've got a Cannondale six 13 which is a mix of alu&carbon.But i've ridden the caad 9 as well.The six is smoother but caad is just as good for throwing into corners,sprinting hard&beasting it up climbs.Every now&then a classic design comes along that performs above what you would expect at the price point.The caad9 is one of those designs.The Planet X might look good but it's not got the same pedigree as the Caad&would you still be riding it in 5yrs.I know guys who still ride the older caads,just because they still love em.