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I am looking to upgrade bikes and am struggling to decide. I really like the way the r1000 feels, but wanted to know if I would miss out by not getting a bike with carbon seat stays. Any advice? Oh, by the way...right now I ride a Cannondale R400 (all aluminum).
I did. Well, I do. I loved them, at first. As I started doing longer and longer rides, the stiffness started to get to me. Mine were 2004's, so they might have addressed the harshness issue. For rides under 50, they're fine. When I started doing centuries every week, I started to have hand issues from the vibrations. I added gel bar wrap and double wrap the bars, and added a carbon seatpost to reduce the vibrations. That helped a little. I ended up with an all-carbon bike when I got trigger finger in both hands.
I still ride one of them on my trainer, and the other one still gets ridden when I visit my BF, and I still like everything else about them. Oh - the saddle had to go when I started the long rides too, but everyone is different about that.
Thanks! That helps:) . I do want to keep the price down some and I haven't done a ride over 50 since I had kids.:eek: But the kids are getting older now and i plan on doing a lot more riding. This is going to take a little more thinking!
I am planning on doing 70 in the fall...but that might be on the tandem. Hmmm.
Guess I'll have to keep testin' them out!
Hey, I have a R400, too! And the R1000 wsd is my dream upgrade, too (one day...). My current bike is a caad3, so I have little doubt that a caad8 (or 9) will feel like silk to me. I love the "zip" of c'dale--even in my current ride--although I have little inclination to do distances longer than 50-60 miles. Just wanted to wish you luck in your purchase.
Since you already have the R400 which is also all aluminum, maybe you could try to work up to doing several longer rides on that and see if the road vibration gets to you. Adding a carbon fork (~$350), seat post (~$175), handlebars (~$350) and perhaps a stem ($175) can also add upwards of $1,000 to the price of your bike. How much is the difference in price between the R1000 and a similar model with carbon seat stays? Do either of those come with a carbon fork or other carbon components?Quote:
Originally Posted by tsali911
When I was shopping for my first road bike, most people advised me to get the best frame I could afford, since it's a bigger investment than the group & kit, which you can build up later. For comfort and durability, I chose a custom steel frame with a carbon fork, which I absolutely love and has been very comfy even on rides of 70-100 miles. But now that I'm becoming obsessed with climbing and with riding disgustingly long distances, I'm thinking carbon, carbon, carbon, and saving up to buy a Ti/carbon or all carbon frame. :D
~Cari
Okay, okay...so I have been looking at the Litespeed Bella;) . She is a beauty! The frame felt great when I rode her...but she is a few hundred $ more than I really wanted (can afford) to spend. DH also thinks I should go for the better components on the R1000. I keep trying to work out how I could afford the Bella.
Anyway, I have also been checking out the Trek 5000 WSD. It does have carbon seatstays in addition to the carbon seat post and fork. Trying to decide if the LBS will come down on the price at all since he will have to order it direct from Trek.
It all comes down to money~what I have to give up to get what i really want.
Someone is coming to look at my R400 today~I got all sentimental thinking about selling her. I think that might be painful --we have been through a lot together.
Thanks for your insight! I'll let you know what happens tonite! I might be out getting the new bike tomorrow:D !
No new bike yet. She needed to talk to BF and wants him to look at mine. The Bella is looking better all the time.
I ride Cannondales all the time. from an older CAAD 5 frame to two different CAAD 7 frames. I have raced, toured and done many long rides on all of them. The CAAD 7(and of course the newer models)ride entirely different than the older models,, including my old CAAD 5 and the R4oo. Obviously, the more expensive frames are not only lighter, but dampen vibration and do not absorb all of the energy that you put into the bike to make it move. If you compare like priced bikes, I think that you will find that they are a great deal!! There are certainly lots of bikes out there, and perhaps some that ride better... but the question to ask is what do they cost? It would be like comparing a VW to a Volvo...both very nice, but not comparable at all.
If you're wanting something with carbon chainstays, then move up from the R1ooo and then really have a good idea what is the most comfortable for you with the amount of money that you have to spend. Last that I knew, Cannondale also had a trade in policy on their frames... if you decide that down the road you want something a bit nicer, then you can trade your current frame in and apply the credit towards something else... a great option!!
Have fun looking!!