CAAD10 vs. Specialized Amira Comp

[lsc]

Hello. First post, long time lurker here.
I was hoping to get some opinions on what's the better bike to buy.

Basically I have a rough budget of $2000. For the time being the bike would mainly be used for morning "training"/fitness/casual group rides but one day I'd like to race. I've been riding an old steel frame that weighs as much as drain pipe equipped with 600 and I just desperately want something modern that's better than me to motivate me to ride more (and that will make me go faster up hills). Currently most of my road rides are around 30mi and I like to include some hills, plus I commute on a fixed gear, but if time allows and when I have a roadie I like I'd be getting out on much longer rides on the weekend.

For $AU2000 I can get a demo 2011 Specialized Amira Comp - carbon frame, full Shimano 105, Fulcrum Racing 6 wheelset (research has led me to believe that means a 5 hub paired with a 7 rim).
http://www.specialized.com/au/gb/bc/...01&scname=Road

For $2200 RRP, hopefully less if I shop around (cheapest I've seen advertised is $1800 in another state), I can get a Cannondale CAAD10 - alloy frame, 105 except for the FSA Gossamer Pro BB30 cranks and Tektro R580 brakes, Shimano RS10 wheelset.
http://www.cannondale.com/aus/2011/b...0-womens-5-105

I'm not super fussed about the 105 components as they are more easily replaced/upgraded, and I imagine it would be better than my ancient 600 Ultegra. I have Rival on my cross bike and I don't love it enough to want to fork out the extra for the Rival CAAD10 - having said that if I could get it on special for the same price as the 105 version I'd pick it. The first thing I'd upgrade on either bike is the wheelset.

I know I should probably test ride the CAAD10 but it's really hard finding places to test ride bikes in my size. I've ridden at 48cm 2010 Amira Expert and that felt pretty good (regret not buying that one), and the Cannondale 44cm geo looks similar.

So I guess the question is about the frame... Entry-level carbon vs. top alloy? What would you get? And to throw something else in the equation, is the Supersix worth the extra grand over the CAAD10?

Thank you for your opinion in advance, ladies.

[Owlie]

Oh, I feel you--I'm weighing a CAAD10 (the 105, because Cannondale doesn't have an Ultegra option for the Women's CAAD10) and a Ruby Expert. If you can, go test-ride the CAAD10. How are the roads where you live? Is weight an issue? (Though the CAAD10 is quite light, so it may be a wash.) Are you susceptible to road buzz?

Re the two C'dales: "They" (meaning the Cannondale rep and the bike shop manager) said that if the fit is right, the CAAD10 rides just about as well as the SuperSix for a lot less money.

[zoom-zoom]

Re the two C'dales: "They" (meaning the Cannondale rep and the bike shop manager) said that if the fit is right, the CAAD10 rides just about as well as the SuperSix for a lot less money.

Yup. I went from an aluminum Synapse to a SuperSix. I didn't even look at the CAAD10. Our roads are VERY rough chipseal (when they finally start to get smooth the powers that be have them freshly re-done, so then they absolutely suck for at least another 3 years...bastids!) and I had horrible road buzz issues with my Synapse. If we had mostly smooth asphalt I have a feeling I would have ended up on the CAAD, but men's with Rival. I never got the hang of Shimano's shifting.

Other than frame material, I believe all that sets that CAAD10 and SuperSix apart are material. The geometry is the same.

[Owlie]

Huh, the rep did say he rode on MI's chipseal, though where I don't know. However, it seems like the guys are so much less susceptible to that road buzz.

[tulip]

Easy: whichever one fits you best. If the carbon one doesn't fit, it won't be comfortable to ride no matter what. Personally, I do not like aluminum bikes at all and won't even consider them, so I can't comment on the alu bike (except to say that an alu bike that fits is better than a carbon bike that doesn't).

If they don't fit, can you find some other models to try out? Don't disregard steel, either. There are some really nice steel bikes out there.

[Owlie]

Unless you're planning on racing, see if you can find a Jamis Quest Femme (the other bike on my list). Steel, 105 components, and a pretty reasonable price. I don't know that they have a distributor in Australia, though. Do go with whatever fits you best. Cannondale, at least in my experience, tends to make its bikes with rather long top-tubes. That said, according to the rep, I'm at the high end of the size range (I take 51-54cm WSD bikes--so I do know that it's often hard to find something to test-ride), and differences between the women-specific geometry and the unisex tend to be less as you go up the size range. You may be okay.

[lsc]

Thanks for the advice everybody. I suspected all replies would be go with whatever fits best and to test ride them. I agree... But like I mentioned, it's pretty hard finding shops that have bikes small enough for me to test ride. I will try a bit harder next week and call around.

Unless you're planning on racing, see if you can find a Jamis Quest Femme (the other bike on my list). Steel, 105 components, and a pretty reasonable price. I don't know that they have a distributor in Australia, though.

I checked the Australian distributors site and they don't bring it in which is a shame, the Jamis steel frames look really nice but I don't think there's a market for it here.

I'm not opposed to steel but if I did go that way I think I would fork out the extra money and go custom with 650c wheels (I'm 5'2"). I didn't mention but I have a custom 26 inch Gunnar Crosshairs with Rival which I've mainly only used for CX and riding trails, plus one weekend of credit card touring. It's a nice bike, but it's not a fast bike. Then I have my old steel roadie and two steel track bikes. I feel like I'm leaning towards carbon since it felt so good riding it up hills when I test rode an Amira, but it's my budget that is preventing me from getting something nice.

I guess it's back to dreaming about a new bike for me until I can test-ride some bikes... That or I should just buy the Amira before it's gone

[lsc]

As an aside, I find the changes to the 2012 Specialized bikes interesting. Well the names at least. It seems like there are now three levels of frames, Amira S-WORKS SL4, Amira Pro SL4, and just the Amira. But that's irrelevant to my question because I can't afford any of them on my student budget!

If anything though, it does highlight that the price of the 2011 demo Amira Comp is a good deal (even though the colors are ugly), as I'm pretty sure the frameset (FACT IS 9r carbon) is better than the 2012 Comp (FACT IS 8r carbon). Although the 2012 does come with an Ultegra rear mech, Ultegra shifters and FSA carbon crankset. It's just comparing apples with apples though.

[zoom-zoom]

I have a custom 26 inch Gunnar Crosshairs with Rival which I've mainly only used for CX and riding trails, plus one weekend of credit card touring. It's a nice bike, but it's not a fast bike.

Ha, no one told one of my friends that it's not fast. She rides about half the miles I do and is WAY stronger/faster than I. I actually know 3 people who ride this bike on road with slicks and for CX.

[lsc]

Ha, no one told one of my friends that it's not fast. She rides about half the miles I do and is WAY stronger/faster than I. I actually know 3 people who ride this bike on road with slicks and for CX.

Hah. So the engine is probably not fast in my case... Although I put slicks on it and rode about 200km in the coutryside one weekend and I just didn't like it, riding around the trails however I love it! I think when I get some fenders it'll be an amazing commuter too.

I just want a fancy modern bike I think.

[Caddy]

Don't get hung up on the Ultegras - 105s are fine, and if in the future you do feel the need to upgrade, the cost of one or two components is much less than finding a brand new frame that will fit you.

[louisianalouise]

Some input... I ride a Cannondale Supersix 52 - its the "mens" version and I have no issues with it. Men's bikes have better resale value and the differences are small, especially if you want that aggressive race position. I'd recommend switching out handlebars for 40cm vs 42 or 44 that come with bike.

My friend has a CAAD 10 in a 56 and it is an awesome bike. I would suggest thinking about SRAM rival - it beats 105 and Ultegra hands down. I have Dura-ace but if I was replacing or rebuilding my bike I would go with SRAM red or rival. My bike is team sponsored, and if I end up needing to buy one, that CAAD 10 has my name on it!

The Amira is cute, but I would choose high grade ALU over cheap carbon ANYDAY

[hammermama]

Recently, as I was trying to decide between 5 (yes, i could narrow the list down to 5!) new road bikes, 3 of which, I could not testride, I brought all the different geometries (printed out from online) to a professional fitter to discuss. He got me on the size cycle and we looked at all the geometries and talked about the kind of riding I do and by the end, the list was down to 2. then, it was all about paintjob

in your case, i think both of these are quite different geometries (head tube lenght, etc.) so, along with everybody else, I agree that the one that fits best, will be the best for you.

goodluck!

julie

[lsc]

Just an update... I took a very different route and got a second-hand XS Litespeed Bella with 650c wheels, all Ultegra except the Dura Ace crankset and cassette. I got it today and it was raining so I only rode to a friend's place but I love it already! Felt so good. Much nicer than the steel bike I've been riding, and much nicer than the Specialized Amira I test rode. It shifts so much nicer than the Rival on one of my other bikes too.

Thanks for all the input. I'll remember it for when I decide I want a carbon bike. I hope that is never

[lsc]

That's odd... I thought I replied a week or so ago with an update and thanking everyone for their input.

I got a really good deal on an XS 650c Litespeed Bella with Ultegra/Dura-Ace and I love it sooooo much. It fits like a glove and is really comfy to ride. Maybe one day I'll want a carbon SuperSix or Amira but for now I'm super happy. It's my second bike with 650c wheels and I have to say I much prefer the smaller wheel size on small frames.