Is it worth changing the Caad9?
rozza28
Posts: 29
I'm having a bit of a dilemma, and could do with some advice!
I currently have a Caad9 which I have owned for 4 years which i have upgraded to a decent spec and had a bike fit. I'm happy with the geometry and the way it rides on smooth roads and short distances. I've changed to 25mm tyres and carbon seat post.
The problem I have is any distance over 40 - 50 miles or on broken road surfaces (which is most of the time)I feel really beaten up.
I recently hired a carbon framed bike (Ambrosio) while on holiday in Majorca and was impressed with how smooth it was or was it the road surface!
So I'm thinking of changing the caad9 for something carbon but can't seem to get a test ride on anything other than round a car park. Which doesn't really tell me if a new carbon framed bike will be any better on British roads than what I already own.
So has anyone owned a caad9 or ally framed bike and changed to something else and noticed any significant difference in comfort. Or should I just man up, get fitter and ride through the pain.
I don't do anything competitive and ride for pleasure but I do like to have a nice bike.
Any advice welcome
I currently have a Caad9 which I have owned for 4 years which i have upgraded to a decent spec and had a bike fit. I'm happy with the geometry and the way it rides on smooth roads and short distances. I've changed to 25mm tyres and carbon seat post.
The problem I have is any distance over 40 - 50 miles or on broken road surfaces (which is most of the time)I feel really beaten up.
I recently hired a carbon framed bike (Ambrosio) while on holiday in Majorca and was impressed with how smooth it was or was it the road surface!
So I'm thinking of changing the caad9 for something carbon but can't seem to get a test ride on anything other than round a car park. Which doesn't really tell me if a new carbon framed bike will be any better on British roads than what I already own.
So has anyone owned a caad9 or ally framed bike and changed to something else and noticed any significant difference in comfort. Or should I just man up, get fitter and ride through the pain.
I don't do anything competitive and ride for pleasure but I do like to have a nice bike.
Any advice welcome
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Comments
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I think if you can afford why not. People will say that comfort and carbon is all very subjective and I suspect that is true. What I know is I went from an Allez (alu frame) to a Van Nic (Ti frame) and on to a Cinelli (carbon frame) and the carbon bike for me is the best bike I have ridden and with 23mm tyres gives a very forgiving ride. I found the Ti too flexi but then I am a fat git so that must have had something to do with it :oops:
I now keep looking at steel but cant part with my Cinelli CF because its the most comfortable bike I have ever owned plus I think it looks cool in blue. Whatever you do don't sell the Caad as you will regret it.0 -
+1 on not getting rid of your caad9 even if you get another frame. A classic.0
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Big point there is the roads in Majorca. They're sublime. I rode a bottom of the range aluminium bike out there, nothing like as refined as a CAAD9 and it was heaven. Anything feels wonderful on them.
Keep the Caad9.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
I've also had a CAAD9 for 4 years. A couple of years ago I upgraded to a De Rosa R838 and kept the CAAD9 as my winter bike. The De Rosa is a beautiful bike and I love it for many reasons but it isn't significantly more comfortable than the CAAD. As posters above have said, I think that's because the CAAD9 is a really well developed bike. Something carbon a bit more comfort oriented than the De Rosa might show up a bit more of a difference in the comfort stakes but I'm not convinced it would be massively better. I don't really suffer on longer rides on either bike. So, apply n+1 and buy a carbon but keep the CAAD9!!0
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Yup, keep the CAAD9 but if the right deal comes up for a CF bike that takes your fancy then go for it.0
