CAAD 9 v CAAD 8 ?

wolftone

Caad 9 with full tiagra groupset v Caad 8 with full 105 groupset.
Both priced at £999. (On primerasports.com)
Bike needed for nice day long rides around the South Downs and general fitness work.
Which would the learned people on Bikeradar recommend and why?

mf5

CAAD 9, as the frame is alot better than the CAAD 8, and at the end of the day it will be cheaper for you to upgrade the groupset further down the line than the frame. CAAD 9 in my opinion is the best alu frame package

Evil Laugh

The one that you feel most comfortable on.

mcrdave

I think the CAAD 8 has mudguard mounts, 9 doesn't if that sways it? I didn't realise the actually frame was different though.

carl_p

Not sure I'd choose a CAAD9 for day long rides...

Philby

Thought the CAAD9 had quite a racy geometry and the Synapse was Cannondale's model with a more relaxed geometry.

unixnerd

I may be wrong but I seem to remember hearing that CAAD8 is better for heavier riders as the wall thickness isn't as thin. I could be wrong though.

I have a CAAD5 with mainly 105 components and a Tiagra front mech. Great bike.

Do both your options have the same wheels and crankset?

pedromondo

Hey Wolftone. What did you go for in the end ? I'm in the same dilemma between caad9 toagra and caad8 105 for the same money (same shop even !!) I prefer the look of the caad8 and like the 105 spec (though the chainset and brakes aren't 105 - only the shifters and derailleurs) but people say the caad9 is a better frame and that full tiagra isn't much different to partial 105.

I'd be interested in what you chose. Cheers
Pete

Ricey77

I had the same dilemma.
In the end I opted for the CAAD9, after reading the reviews, and seeing the two bikes next to each other. The finish on the CAAD9 frame is far superior.
Pick it up next week !

macondo01

Just a few questions:

Have you done much cycling before?

Have you had a road bike before? If so which one?

Have you thought about other things you'd like to do with your bike, like touring, off road, club rides, audax, sportives etc?

Are you wanting to bomb across the Downs or do more leisurely riding?

pedromondo

Hi Macondo,

Don't know whether your question is to the original poster Wolftone or me.

For me I've done lots of cycling over the years. My last 'racer' had two gear levers on the down tube which shows how long ago that was ! Recently I've mainly done off-road cycling (can't call it mountain biking as there aren't any mountains in Hampshire !) but last year I bought a flat bar road bike to get me in to road cycling again. Started at about 4 mile rides and I'm now up to 70. It's a pretty basic bike but does the job (Schwinn supersport gs). I now use that to cycle to work a couple of times a week (c25 mile round trup) and am looking for a 'nice' bike for 50-odd mile Sunday rides at 15mph. I'm an old git so looking for comfort rather than outright speed on my own and with others.

I think I've just pointed myself in the direction of the 8. Have arranged to ride both 8 & 9 side by side later this week. I'll report back on my decision but still interested in what choice others made.

Cheers

Pete

macondo01

Hi Pete. Sorry I wasnt clear. I did mean the OP but as you say you're in a similar dilemma to Wolftone.

Last year I was choosing a road bie, a move on from my old steel vintage one. A CAAD9 was top of my list. Evans put me off it saying it was too harsh but I persisted and took one out for a test ride from another bike shop. I didnt find it harsh. It was light, stiff and felt brilliant. Its surefootedness made me feel confident . With the positive reports from here and in particular from NapD, I bought one.

I am 44 and it really makes me feel young (most of the time!) riding this bike.

I haven't tried the CAAD8 so would be interested in your feedback. The Synapse might be another to try if its within budget.

pedromondo

Cheers Macondo and sorry to Wolftone for hijacking his thread ;-)

We're the same age so maybe the 9 won't be too bad for an owld fella like meself. Synapse is out of my budget unfortunately. I will feed back my impressions after the test rides.

Pete