CAAD 10 Bars

cornerblock

I am after a bit of advice regarding the CAAD 10. I went into my LBS the other day for tyres, and ended up having a test ride of the 105 spec bike.(as you do!) Absolutely loved it, I really noticed an instant response when I put a little spurt of energy on the pedals. It seemed for an aluminium frame, even with a basic wheelset (Shimano RS10), to be a better ride than the lower end carbon bikes I have ridden.

Anyway I was so impressed a deposit was put down immediately, and I look forward to picking it up this week. Aside from explaining to the wife why I need another bike, my only concern is the bars, they are Cannondale C3 Compact. I'm interested to know from anyone who has experience of these, how they rate for comfort and handling. As it comes with full carbon forks, I'd like to avoid any discomfort from a set of poor bars.

So are they worth sticking with or should they be upgraded to do the rest of the bike justice. Would appreciate any opinion on the bars and bike in general.

Thanks.

jordan_217

Congratulations on buying a new bike, bet you can't wait to pick it up?!

I don't have any experience of this bike or the bars but my two pence worth - why not wait till you get the bike and get out on it a few times and see what the bars are like? You may need to fettle with the position to get it to your liking but you might not have any problems.

Did you get any tyres then?

Enjoy your new bike!

cornerblock

Thanks jordan, yes I am really looking forward to picking it up and putting it to good use!

Yes I could stick with the spec bars for a while, but I have read somewhere that they are a not the best and may make the ride feel a bit harsh. So would like to know if that is the experience of other CAAD 10 owners. Also I may have the chance to pick up a set of carbon bars at a good price.

And no I never did get those tyres! Might get them when I collect the bike.

gingermagician

I have the C3 Compact bars on my 2011 alloy Synapse and have had no issues with them. Front end ride (via a similar carbon SAVE fork) is nice and smooth, but handling is sharp when you want it to be (would imagine the CAAD10 is even sharper)

If it were me, first job would be to get the crappy Lugano tyres off it if - suffered a few punctures while I had them on, pretty much a liability at this time of year.

Lusting after the 2012 CAAD10 myself - thinking it would complement the Synapse nicely... :roll: . And the Liquigas colour scheme is uber 8)

Mr Bungle

Ive got the same with my CAAD 8 - cannondale C3 31.8mm

I have considered an upgrade myself. I upgraded the wheels a while back and it made loads of difference,

Ive seen someone selling them on ebay for £20, so I am thinking at least I should get something for the old ones.

In your experience, what kind of a difference would better bars make? and how much should i be looking at paying..

cornerblock

GingerMagician wrote:

I have the C3 Compact bars on my 2011 alloy Synapse and have had no issues with them. Front end ride (via a similar carbon SAVE fork) is nice and smooth, but handling is sharp when you want it to be (would imagine the CAAD10 is even sharper)

If it were me, first job would be to get the crappy Lugano tyres off it if - suffered a few punctures while I had them on, pretty much a liability at this time of year.

Lusting after the 2012 CAAD10 myself - thinking it would complement the Synapse nicely... :roll: . And the Liquigas colour scheme is uber 8)

Thanks GingerMagician, the first thing I intend to do is put some better wheels on, I have a set of Dura Ace c24. So I really can't wait to ride it again. I cannot get over how responsive it was. I had read so many good things about the CAAD frames and how for an aluminium frame they were better than low end carbon frames. On first impressions I'd agree 100%.

I may stick with the C3 Compacts for a few rides and see how it feels, although I may still get the better bars from a friend who is selling them cheaply just in case!

cornerblock

Mr Bungle wrote:

Ive got the same with my CAAD 8 - cannondale C3 31.8mm

I have considered an upgrade myself. I upgraded the wheels a while back and it made loads of difference,

Ive seen someone selling them on ebay for £20, so I am thinking at least I should get something for the old ones.

In your experience, what kind of a difference would better bars make? and how much should i be looking at paying..

You're right, I reckon the most noticeable immediate upgrade are the wheels. I'm sure the C3 Compact bars are fine, just would like the ride to be as comfortable as possible, and avoid any road buzz/ vibrations from lower spec bars. I get the feeling that this frame deserves a better set of bars to get the maximum enjoyment from it.(get me! sound like I know what I'm talking about!)

Cost of a decent set of bars? I don't really know at what price range you start to notice a difference. A set of 3T ErgoSum Pro Bars can be got for about £50+. Although have a chance on a pair of 3T ErgoSum Team Bars which I'd hope would make a difference, as new they are about £180.

Mr Bungle

thats weird you say that, Im actually looking at the 3T stem and bars.

What attracts me is a lot of reviews say the geometry really makes you want to stay in the drops a lot longer

Im looking at the cheaper option you mention - watching some on Ebay, but failing that I think wiggle are 20% off on these at the mo.

porker33

I ride a carbon Madone 5.2, when I am not out on the Caad10.....I haven't noticed any real deterioration in comfort, just a different ride.

The first money to spend is to get rid of the standard issue tyres and fit something decent.

Crankbrother

I still use the stock bars that came with my Six13 ... All I done was buy some gel bar tape to replace what was there ... I also used a few bits of the old tape to do the same job as the fizik gel pads you can buy ... Added comfort for £10 and in the colour I wanted ...

I also changed the tyres to what I was used to before even riding the ones with the bike ...

One other small thing to check is that you are able to use your mini pump on the supplied valves before heading out and the worst happening ... My bike was supplied with the unthreaded kind so when deflated there wasn't much valve above the rim to grip the pump on and create the seal ... I chnged to threaded conti ones when i changed the tyres ... Sounds daft but it might make the difference one day ...

cornerblock

Thanks for your opinions everyone, I will give the C3 Compact bars a go, can always upgrade later if there is any discomfort. I am picking the bike up in the morning so will miss the Saturday club run. Strange, I always feel as excited as a little kid when I am getting a new bike! Will be out on it later in the day after changing the wheels over. Can't wait.

gingermagician

We want pictures 8)