Need advice with bike purchase

[Nomadski]

Ive found what looks like a good bike at a decent price, its a Cannondale Caad 8 Tiaagra - £679.99 (brand new, but 2011 model)

Here are specs

(2011)

Options

51cm - In Stock (Already calculated this is my right frame size)

Frame

CAAD8 SI Alloy

Forks

Cannondale Ultra Carbon

Rear Derailleur

Shimano Tiagra Long Cage

Front Derailleur

Shimano Tiagra

Shifters

Shimano Tiagra

Chainset

FSA Omega MegaExo, 34/50

Bottom Bracket

FSA MegaExo

Chain

KMC 9 speed

Freewheel

SRAM PG-950 12-26T

Headset

CAAD8 SI

Stem

Cannondale C4, 31.8mm

Handlebars

Cannondale C4 Compact

Front Brake

Cannondale C4 w/cartridge pads and cold forged retainer

Rear Brake

Cannondale C4 w/cartridge pads and cold forged retainer

Brake Levers

Shimano Tiagra

Rims

Maddux DRX 4000

Front Hub

Formula RB-51

Rear Hub

Formula RB-52

Spokes

Stainless Steel

Tyres

Schwalbe Lugano 700x23c

Saddle

Cannondale Stage w/ Steel Rails

Seatpost

Cannondale C4

You guys know way more stuff than me (ie I know NOTHING) so does this seem a good deal? What would you change out / put in? Can do a certain amount of customisation if I know what I want putting in. I know I may want a gel seat..

Seems the chain sucks according to a few reviews Ive read, any suggestions?

I plan on doing long runs, so wanted a Sportive racer, but I find it hard to distinguish between "normal" and "Sportive" road racers - some sites don't tell you.

 

[Nomadski]

Delete pls.

 

[Rob3rt]

Sounds like a good price IMO. The Cannondale CAAD frames are regarded as one of the best if not the best alu frame around, they are comparable to many manufacturers carbon offerings in terms of weight and lateral stiffness.

You should check whether this edition of the frame has a bb30 bottom bracket shell, and if it does, find out if it comes with a bb30 chainset. It may have had an adapter fitted to run a standard chainset.

Forget the gel seat..... you might need a new saddle, but you wont want a soft gel seat, hard and well fitting > soft.

As for sportive bike, essentially the main difference is a taller headtube, hence providing a more upright position, in the Cannondale range the Synapse is the "sportive" bike. The CAAD is an out and out racer.

 

[Nomadski]

Are the chains and chainset two different things? (Really a beginner here!). What is the significance of the bottom bracket shell? Im guessing the adapter would be bad? May have to look at Synapse bikes then if they are better for longer runs.

 

[Rob3rt]

In the most basic terms, chainset is the part where the pedals attach that has the front chainrings (the front gears as we called them as kids).

The chain is, well the chain.

The bottom bracket shell is the part that holds the bottom bracket (i.e. the bearing and axle arrangement to which the chainset attaches). BB30 is just a standard, but it is theoretically better than other standards, so the adapter in some ways is a bad thing, its an extra interface for one and it negates some of the benefits of the BB30 design. On the other hand it doesn't matter all that much, but I would say if its not BB30 or if it is running a converter, then you should be looking for the full Shimano groupset if you are going to have the bike customised at the point fo sale, in this case it has a 3rd party chainset instead of a Shimano one. If it is BB30 and is not running an adapter, the 3rd parts chainset is expected because Shimano dont make a BB30 compatible one. I mentioned BB30 because it is a standard created by Cannondale so features on their bikes a lot and the bike you posted is made by Cannondale.

The Cannondale Synapse might suit you better, have a test ride of both if possible and then decide. The Synapse is more relaxed and comfortable, which suits many people, the CAAD frame is more aggressive and stiff, built for racing. Although it is still perfectly good for long rides.

 

[Nomadski]

Thanks for the info Robert. With my prior history of lower back issues Im thinking the less aggressive but still speedy and more comfortable Synapse is the way to go.

Looking at either

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY 6 TIAGRA (2012) £759.99
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b0s6p4331

or

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY 5 105 (2012) £879.99
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b0s6p4332

Specs of each -

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY 6 TIAGRA (2012) £759.99

Frame - Synapse Alloy, Optimized 6061 Alloy, SAVE, BB30

Forks - Synapse SAVE, carbon blades, 1-1/8"

Rear Derailleur - Shimano Tiagra 4600

Front Derailleur - Shimano Tiagra 4600, 34.9mm clamp

Shifters - Shimano Tiagra 4600 20 Speed

Chainset - FSA Omega, BB30, 50/34

Bottom Bracket - FSA BB30

Chain - KMC X10, 10-speed

Freewheel - Shimano Tiagra 4600, 12-28, 10-speed

Headset - Synapse Si, 25mm top cap

Stem - Cannondale C4, 31.8, 6 deg.

Handlebars - Cannondale C4 Compact

Front Brake - Cannondale C4, dual pivot, cartridge pad, long reach

Rear Brake - Cannondale C4, dual pivot, cartridge pad, long reach

Brake Levers - Shimano Tiagra 4600

Rims - Maddux RS 3.0, 32 hole

Front Hub - FORMULA RB-51

Rear Hub - FORMULA RB-52

Spokes - Stainless Steel, 15g

Tyres - Schwalbe Lugano, 700x25c

Saddle - Cannondale Stage Ergo w/ Steel Rails

Seatpost - Cannondale C4, alloy, 27.2 x 300 mm

Grips - Cannondale 3 mm Suede w/ gel backing grip tape


Or

CANNONDALE SYNAPSE ALLOY 5 105 (2012) £879.99

Frame - Synapse Alloy, Optimized 6061 Alloy, SAVE, BB30

Forks - Synapse SAVE, carbon blades, 1-1/8"

Rear Derailleur - Shimano 105 5700

Front Derailleur - Shimano 105 5700, 34.9mm clamp

Shifters - Shimano 105 5700 20 Speed

Chainset - FSA Gossamer, BB30, 50/34

Bottom Bracket - FSA BB30

Chain - KMC X10, 10-speed

Freewheel - Shimano Tiagra 4600, 12-28, 10-speed

Headset - Synapse Si, 25mm top cap

Stem - Cannondale C3, 31.8, 6 deg.

Handlebars - Cannondale C3 Compact

Front Brake - Tektro R539, dual pivot, cartridge pad, long reach

Rear Brake - Tektro R539, dual pivot, cartridge pad, long reach

Brake Levers - Shimano 105 5700

Rims - Shimano RS10

Front Hub - Shimano RS10

Rear Hub - Shimano RS10

Spokes - Shimano RS10

Tyres - Schwalbe Lugano 23c

Saddle - Cannondale Stage Ergo w/ Crmo Rails

Seatpost - Cannondale C3, carbon wrapped, 27.2 x 300 mm

Grips - Cannondale 3 mm Suede w/ gel backing grip tape


Is the 105 worth the extra £120 layout over the Tiagra?

Are they decent prices? (£759.99 and 879.99).

Thinking back to what you've been talking about, the frame I presume is still a Cannondale one given the Synapse name?

Cannondale C4 v Tektro R539 brakes? Been hearing mixed stuff about Tektro?

Again, any elements in these lists worth replacing with alternatives?

Anything else worth checking with these two bikes when I visit the LBS?

I notice both have the BB30 bottom bracket.

I will still have a ride of the Caad, but everything you have said matches up with general consensus and certainly seems to be a better prospect for me, I'm never going to be winning any races anyway, Im doing it for personal challenge, fitness and fun....even if I come in last. But I still want to be relatively comfortable with the best budget gear I can get for the price.

And thanks again for your info Robert, learning a great deal already.