CAAD10 vs. Specialized Amira Comp

[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