Cannondale CAAD9 Tiagra vs Orbea Aqua TVL 105?

dr cox

Hi there. I've enjoyed reading the comments in the forum and wanted to add a quandary of my own.

I'm looking to buy my first road bike for under £1k (having only ridden mtb previously) and have done a bit of research and a few test rides. I'm considering going for a top end alu frame rather than a budget carbon one. The story so far...

Focus Cayo 105 Ltd Edition - riding position was too aggressive but a wonderful bike.

Boardman series - first visit to Halfords confirmed what I already knew. It's been hard work just seeing the bike let alone riding or buying it. Really struggling with the idea of giving £1k to the 'experts' there, although the team carbon looked great. (Couldn't ride it though as wasn't allowed and they had built the wrong size.) Rather fearful of the after-service too.

As a result I've narrowed it down to the Cannondale CAAD9 Tiagra and the Orbea Aqua TVL CT.

The CAAD9 clearly has a great frame and but poorer kit by comparison and the Orbea is perhaps the opposite.

Does anyone have any experience of either of these or have any advice, assuming they are both as nice to ride as each other?

Thanks a lot in advance.

mf5

I have a cannondale CAAD9 and its an excellent bike with an excellent frame, you can always upgrade components in the future

carl_p

Hmm you certainly have been reading the forums...... and say the same thing that everyone else does about those bikes/stores.

I think you need to decide what you want from a bike. The Cayo, Boardman and CAAD9 all have "aggressive" geometries, is that what you want? Personally if I wanted a Boardman, then I'd get one, regardless if it's from Halfords. All 3 are very good bikes and you won't go wrong with any of them.

I have a CAAD9. It's a great bike, feels very assured, light and quick. I'll be honest though and say my body still hasn't adapted to it over a longer rides, where I have a few comfort issues, but that's not wholly down to the bike.

The carbon frame Orbeas are very well thought of, but I don't read much about their Alu bikes.

How quickly you want the bike could be an issue - from what I've read on here demand for Cannondales/CAAD9s is exceeding supply and you could have a wait?