Raleigh Maverick Elite / CAADX Tiagra

[EasyPeez]

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone out there rides either of these and if so how they are shaping up over time?
I'm looking at a new bike for commuting, will be doing 20 miles a day, 5 days a week, in all weathers with guards and panniers on, but also want something that can also offer speedy fun at weekends/evenings on tarmac and light gravel.

If you own a CAADX or a Maverick I'd appreciate it if you could let me know how you think it'll cope with that regime, and also list your + and - for the bikes generally.

Also, with the CAADX, if I choose that one I was planning to get the Tiagra plus pannier and rack etc on the C2W scheme but am now wondering if I should order in a 105 instead and top-up for the panniers separately. Thoughts? Is the 105 groupset so much better than the Tiagra?

Cheers,

Andy

 

[raleighnut]

105 is where the real quality Shimano components start, IMO of course.

 

[mythste]

Ive been debating the CAADX tiagra/105. Having seen them in the flesh, the 105 "looks" much better. I couldnt get on with those red accents (if its the 2015 model you're looking at) After a bit of reading, the 105 is probably worth an extra £100, though I'm personally holding out for a Bianchi Zurigo, because it is pretty ticks all the boxes.

 

[Pale Rider]

There is a good point in favour of the Raleigh, assuming I read the specs correctly.

Nearly all cable operated disc brakes only have one pad which moves, fine as far as it goes but they can be fiddly to keep properly adjusted.

The Raleigh has 'dual actuation' discs on which both pads clamp the rotor.

These should work better and be less sensitive to adjustment.

 

[EasyPeez]

There is a good point in favour of the Raleigh, assuming I read the specs correctly.

Nearly all cable operated disc brakes only have one pad which moves, fine as far as it goes but they can be fiddly to keep properly adjusted.

The Raleigh has 'dual actuation' discs on which both pads clamp the rotor.

These should work better and be less sensitive to adjustment.

Thanks, I'd not picked up on that at all. I did really like the ride on the Raleigh and if felt surprisingly quick off the mark. It's shame they don't do a 105 version though as I don't really feel happy settling for Sora at these prices, and the Comp Rival model with the SRAM is a bit out of my price range. Plus I would never buy a red bike anyway.

 

[EasyPeez]

Ive been debating the CAADX tiagra/105. Having seen them in the flesh, the 105 "looks" much better. I couldnt get on with those red accents (if its the 2015 model you're looking at) After a bit of reading, the 105 is probably worth an extra £100, though I'm personally holding out for a Bianchi Zurigo, because it is pretty ticks all the boxes.

Eye of the beholder and all that I suppose as I prefer the Tiagra decals and am not blown away by the Bianchi's looks. Be boring if we were all the same though, eh?

 

[Drago]

105 is where the real quality Shimano components start, IMO of course.

I'd go as low as Tiagra, seeing as the 2014 Tiggy kit is a virtual carbon copy of 2010 105. I own road bikes with both and were I blindfolded wouldn't be able to tell the difference (don't try it, you'll crash a lot in a blindfold).

 

[mythste]

Eye of the beholder and all that I suppose as I prefer the Tiagra decals and am not blown away by the Bianchi's looks. Be boring if we were all the same though, eh?

On one of the threads I posted someone mentioned that its just as important to be inspired by the look of the machine in order to be motivated to get out on it - which made a lot of sense to me, the Bianchi really spoke to me visually and if the tiagra model CAADX does the same for you, then go right on ahead!

 

[EasyPeez]

On one of the threads I posted someone mentioned that its just as important to be inspired by the look of the machine in order to be motivated to get out on it - which made a lot of sense to me, the Bianchi really spoke to me visually and if the tiagra model CAADX does the same for you, then go right on ahead!

That makes a lot of sense. But considering I'm managing to motivate myself to get out in all weathers every day on a £200 Land Rover MTB at the moment, I don't think red or white stickers are going to make or break it for me motivation-wise! If I go for the Cannondale I think I'll go for the 105. Thanks. Hope you enjoy the Bianchi. It does look like a good bike :-)