New Rider: 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 vs 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10 3

Hi there- new rider looking to purchase my first road bicycle and very excited to be joining this community!

I have my eye on two NEW bikes and would love feedback. The first is a 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 (WSD) Carbon with Shimano 105 components (in feminine colors). The second is a Women's 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10 3 (alloy/carbon) with Shimano Ultegra components (in slightly more masculine colors).

I like the way both of them ride. I also know I may not have this bicycle forever so also need to consider the resale value of both bikes.

Any feedback on the comparison of these two is welcome - specifically on whether the carbon vs components issue can--or should--take precedence, all things equal and giving consideration to which might hold its value better.

Thanks much!

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Originally Posted by aschoenherr11

Hi there- new rider looking to purchase my first road bicycle and very excited to be joining this community!

I have my eye on two NEW bikes and would love feedback. The first is a 2011 Trek Madone 4.5 (WSD) Carbon with Shimano 105 components (in feminine colors). The second is a Women's 2012 Cannondale CAAD 10 3 (alloy/carbon) with Shimano Ultegra components (in slightly more masculine colors).

I like the way both of them ride. I also know I may not have this bicycle forever so also need to consider the resale value of both bikes.

Any feedback on the comparison of these two is welcome - specifically on whether the carbon vs components issue can--or should--take precedence, all things equal and giving consideration to which might hold its value better.

Thanks much!

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I'm a newbie, but I will let you know of my bike buying thoughts when I was bike hunting.

Assuming that you feel equally comfortable on both bikes and that the salesperson that you are buying from is a certified bike fitter who is ethical enough to sell you a bike that he/she thinks will fit you well, I would think that the 2012 CAAD 10 would be more "resellable" due to the Ultegra components and the 2012 year instead of 2011. Plus, it seems that in general slightly masculine colors are acceptable to more biker women than very feminine colors.

Also, a lot of the Team Estrogen members seem to have had problems with the Trek company whenever there was a bike issue (you can read about previous TE threads about their complaints regarding Trek). Whereas, Cannondale and Specialized seem to be better at customer service.

Just my 2 cents as a newbie.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

I agree with all TigerMom posted.

thanks so much - i truly appreciate your feedback!

As a Madone owner, I'll comment. I had a problem at 85 miles with my Madone. I thought the LBS would go to Trek and sort it out. Nope. My LBS, at their expense, replaced my bike for the exact same one (they did swap out wheels and tires since they were dirty). I do not know what Trek would have done whith what may have just been a major paint issue on the seat tube or maybe a structural one. The point here is another factor in the bike purchase equation is find a LBS you like and trust, as well as a bike that fits well and makes you smile.

P2

Usual wisdom is go for the nice frame first, then the components and wheels. However, given the customer service issues that Trek seems to have (and there was one thread with a high-end Madone; goodness knows what they'd (not) do with a mass-market Madone!), I'd be leery of buying one.

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Originally Posted by Owlie

Usual wisdom is go for the nice frame first, then the components and wheels. However, given the customer service issues that Trek seems to have (and there was one thread with a high-end Madone; goodness knows what they'd (not) do with a mass-market Madone!), I'd be leery of buying one.

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Ditto. And I prefer carbon to aluminum, but I'd buy just about anything before I'd buy a Trek.

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Originally Posted by pinsonp2

As a Madone owner, I'll comment. I had a problem at 85 miles with my Madone. I thought the LBS would go to Trek and sort it out. Nope. My LBS, at their expense, replaced my bike for the exact same one (they did swap out wheels and tires since they were dirty). I do not know what Trek would have done whith what may have just been a major paint issue on the seat tube or maybe a structural one. The point here is another factor in the bike purchase equation is find a LBS you like and trust, as well as a bike that fits well and makes you smile.

P2

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+1 :) The shop is one of the most important factors!
Regarding brands, you will find many satisfied Trek owners on bike forums, including this one. I know we have one forum member who had several unfortunate problems with her new high-end Madone that should not have happened. The bike shop she dealt with caused some (if not all) of the issues and wasn't competent in taking care of them. She later had some difficulty in dealing with Trek customer service as well. This would put anyone off on buying that brand again.

I think one of the key factors is to buy from a shop that you know or can surmise is a good, competent shop that stands by their customers and takes care of them. This can be a difficult thing to judge if you haven't bought a bike there or used the services of that particular shop. One bike shop I was considering buying bikes from two different times because their pricing was best got totally nixed off my list. Being by the beach they just get too overwhemed with customers. They weren't putting time into properly sizing their buyers, and were saying repairs would take two or more weeks because they were backlogged. I had them put a bike together for me to try and the build was sloppy. I decided it would be very unwise to buy from this shop. There are review sites for bike shops online that can give you an inkling as to how satisfied their customers are, and indeed, this particular shop's business was cited as a problem.

I have three different brands of bikes - a Trek, a Cannondale, and a Specialized, and all have been good bikes and problem free. My Trek and Cannondale were bought from a shop that's an authorized dealer for both brands, and they stand by any of the bikes they sell. They would take the bike back if I wasn't happy with it. The shop is run by a former olympic cyclist and is very professional.

Specialized happens to be my favorite brand right now, as I'm loving the technology behind my Ruby Comp and in general I think their bikes ride very well. I found a good local Specialized shop, and though I didn't buy my bike there because they didn't have my size, I recommended it to a friend of mine who was looking for his first road bike. He bought a leftover 2011 Specialized Tarmac that was probably sitting on the floor a while. He was thrilled with his bike until his shifting lever broke. Upset at first, he brought the bike back to the shop. They said no problem, they're replacing it and he'll have the bike bake in a couple of days. He left a happy camper. Moral of the story, the shop you buy from is VERY important. You want them to stand by the bike they sell you and resolve any issues competently and timely.

So getting back to your question, here's how I how I'd evaluate which to buy - CAADs are fine bikes, and I like Cannondale. There are many CAAD fans out there. But I'd probably go with the Madone. I think I'd much prefer the ride of a carbon frame. Carbon is smoother and lighter, and generally gives a nicer ride as it dampen vibrations better. You can change your components, but you can't change your frame. If you can get a carbon frame (last year's model) for the same price as an aluminum frame (this year's model) then I'd go with the carbon frame. The Madone is probably worth more.

The component groups are good on both bikes. Admittedly Ultegra is a bit smoother and lighter (and pricier). I have Ultegra and I'm very happy with it. But 105 is a good group, certainly sufficient for most riders, and should provide many years of happy riding. Both bikes have more aggressive, race-type geometry. So I wouldn't choose the CAAD just because it had Ultegra. My friend I mentioned above was having the same dilemma as you - an Orbea Orca (aluminum) with higher components or Tarmac (carbon) with Apex? The ride of the Tarmac won out. The shop was also recommending that he'd be better off going with the carbon frame.

However I WOULD choose the CAAD if you just like the ride better and/or the frame geometry fit you better. Going back to saying you can't change the frame, if the geometry is off on the Madone you will never be as happy on it. So make sure the shop or shops have a good reputation, are competent, and go with the bike that you like the ride of the best.

Let us know what you pick!

I have never ridden a Trek, but I have three Cannondales and I adore them all. I have 2010 CAAD 9 Feminine 5 and I love it almost as much as I love my husband (he thinks maybe even more!) It is my favorite bike. I have ridden thousands of miles on it and it is awesome. I have heard people say aluminum bikes are more "buzzy" because they are stiffer and you feel more of the road bumps. But the stiffness make riding hills easier, I feel more powerful and the bike practically rides itself. It is incredibly responsive and I feel like I am one with the bike when I ride. Last year I did three centuries and many rides of 60-plus miles and never felt like the road vibration was intolerable.
I also have a Cannondale Synapse and it's not quite as awesome, probably because it doesn't fit me as well (and I did have a pro bike fit). It's my winter bike. My third C'dale is a 20 year old M500 mountain bike.
Another thing I consider (and this is just the tree-hugger in me) is that once a carbon fiber bike is done (broken, cracked, whatever happens to cause its ultimate demise) it can't be recycled, and it ends up in a landfill where it never goes away. Aluminum is an element that can either be recycled, or remains inert in landfills.
I also agree with the sentiment about the more masculine color being a more re-sellable feature. If the CAAD you are looking at is the black one with the orange and red girly-swirlies, I think that bike looks SO cool!!!
Having said all that, I'm SO close to getting a custom titanium bike. I'll probably sell the Synapse at that point.
Good luck with your bike search.

TigerMom, can you say a little about how you ended up choosing the Amira vs. the Ruby or another brand altogether? I'm debating between the two right now, but I'm coming from a laid-out position due to a too-long top tube...

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Originally Posted by klbuchtason

TigerMom, can you say a little about how you ended up choosing the Amira vs. the Ruby or another brand altogether? I'm debating between the two right now, but I'm coming from a laid-out position due to a too-long top tube...

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I think if you researche some of the TE threads, you will find comments on the Amira and the Ruby.

I wanted a WSD bike because I am very short 5ft1in, so most of the male bikes are too big for me. Also, since I was new to biking, I wanted to make sure that the shifters/brakes fit better on my smaller female hands (WSD bikes tend to make handlebars/brakes/shifters for smaller hands)

I wanted WSD, carbon frame, Shimano 105 or better, and I wanted to pay less than $2000, even if it meant getting last year's leftover model. I got lucky because I paid for last year's model, but apparently my LBS was mistaken that the 2011 bike was still in stock and gave me the 2012 instead for the same price because the LBS was very honorable (Rock N Roady Cyclery in Anaheim, California if you are interested).

Apparently I have short legs and long torso and long arms, so the more aggressive Amira fit me better than the Ruby (I felt so hunched over and uncomfortable). I even had to get the 48cm instead of the 44cm, even though my crotch just touches the top tube because I felt so curled up on a 44cm Amira or Ruby. On my 48cm Amira Elite, I actually feel like I am in a relaxed fit position and not a racing position with my handlebars currently at the same level as my saddle.

As to other brands, I did not buy them because the other brands did not have a WSD bike with a less than $2000 price with the components that I had wanted from 2011 (I was trying to save money and got lucky with the 2012 bike instead).

By the way, we all love celebrating with you and admiring your bike choice/photos when you buy. Can't wait to read about your decision! Don't forget a certified bike fitting.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

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Originally Posted by MGM

Carbon is smoother and lighter, and generally gives a nicer ride as it dampen vibrations better. You can change your components, but you can't change your frame. If you can get a carbon frame (last year's model) for the same price as an aluminum frame (this year's model) then I'd go with the carbon frame. The Madone is probably worth more.

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First of all, not all carbon is created equal. Some carbon bikes are better quality and, therefore, more comfortable than others. So if you rode them both and they are both comfortable to you, than carbon versus alloy isn't really a factor in this case. I don't know what the quality of the Madone carbon is, so I can't comment on that.

Second of all, you CAN change the frame. You can change anything you want on a bike. My bike has been a evolution of changing parts, slowly over time. It used to be a CAAD9 frame with Dura Ace and, over time every single part of my bike has been changed out. I now have a Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Red. And before that CAAD9 frame, it was a CAAD8 frame and belonged to my husband. And before that CAA8 frame with DuraAce, it was some other lower level Cannondale with some other group set. He slowly upgraded the components and then changed out the frame last.

So don't choose the bike just on the frame, thinking you can change the group set and other components, but not the frame.

Of course, being a Cannondale person, I'm going to try steer you that way. However, in all honesty, I haven't ever ridden or researched the Madone, so I can't really compare. I do know that the CAAD series is popular, that professional cyclists ride them (or at least did in the Tour de France when I had mine) and that Ultegra is a better quality group set than 105. Based on comments my husband has made on the CAAD series, I believe the CAAD10 you are looking at would have better resale value.

Also, not all aluminum is created equal. I rode a CAAD 10 (the 5) and it felt better than the Specialized Roubaix I tested (it was probably built for someone who outweighs me by 30 pounds; Spec does size-specific carbon layup, apparently; it cornered like a brick). The guy at the shop said that it rode about as well as the SuperSix (the carbon version of the frame) for much less money. My next bike might well be a CAAD 10.

For some reason, the relaxed geometry aluminum frames seem to be a harsher ride than are the aggressive ones.

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Originally Posted by Owlie

For some reason, the relaxed geometry aluminum frames seem to be a harsher ride than are the aggressive ones.

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This would not surprise me. I found the Alum. Synapse to be very buzzy.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

This would not surprise me. I found the Alum. Synapse to be very buzzy.

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I found this too. The carbon Synapse was quite different.

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

First of all, not all carbon is created equal. Some carbon bikes are better quality and, therefore, more comfortable than others. So if you rode them both and they are both comfortable to you, than carbon .

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Agree, there are differing qualities of carbon used in bike frames. The OP could research that if she decides to go with the Madone.

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Originally Posted by Jiffer

Second of all, you CAN change the frame. You can change anything you want on a bike. My bike has been a evolution of changing parts, slowly over time. It used to be a CAAD9 frame with Dura Ace and, over time every single part of my bike has been changed out. I now have a Cannondale SuperSix with SRAM Red. And before that CAAD9 frame, it was a CAAD8 frame and belonged to my husband. And before that CAA8 frame with DuraAce, it was some other lower level Cannondale with some other group set. He slowly upgraded the components and then changed out the frame last.
So don't choose the bike just on the frame, thinking you can change the group set and other components, but not the frame.

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Lol, I was waiting for someone to say that. Of course you can change out a frame. You can change anything and everything on a bike, if you have the money and/or the know-how. But people don't go looking to buy a bike thinking that they're going to swap the frame out. They're looking for the right frame, the one that's comfortable and a good fit. Components are likely to be swapped out first as they need replacement.

I do envy you for having such a handy husband, DuraAce AND SRAM Red, lucky you! I'm taking it that you prefer the SRAM?

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Originally Posted by Owlie

Also, not all aluminum is created equal. I rode a CAAD 10 (the 5) and it felt better than the Specialized Roubaix I tested (it was probably built for someone who outweighs me by 30 pounds; Spec does size-specific carbon layup, apparently; it cornered like a brick). The guy at the shop said that it rode about as well as the SuperSix (the carbon version of the frame) for much less money. My next bike might well be a CAAD 10.

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I haven't ridden a CAAD10, but the difference between my CAAD9 and SuperSix is quite different. SuperSix has a substantially smoother feel IMHO. I don't know what changes they may have made to the CAAD10 that makes it a smoother ride . . . or if maybe the LBS guy didn't know what he was talking about. Just giving my two cents.

I still vote for the CAAD10 bike over Madone, though. ;)