How much of a difference does a bike upgrade actually make?

[khg]

Though a new bike, or new bling on your existing bike might not make you faster in itself, if it makes you excited and happy and gets you riding more, then you will be faster pretty soon. So yeah, I'm in the "go for it!" camp

Depending on what you like/don't like about your current bike, new wheels are a great option. You can get some *really* nice and lightweight wheels for under $1,000 and they can liven up the feel of your bike a lot. Again, they may not necessarily make you much faster (though aero wheels can really speed up your descending), but just make it more fun to zip around on your bike.

On the other hand, a new bike is never a bad idea either

[fallstoclimb]

Haha thank you for all of the encouragement!

And Muirenn, thank you for that master's thesis on bike stiffness!!! You really know your stuff and I learned a lot reading that
I just may print it out and file it for future access!

I didn't even know the CAAD10 had a women's version - I will definitely check that out.

[fallstoclimb]

This year's CAAD 10 model is SO PRETTY. I know I can't decide on looks alone, but I waaaaannnntttt

[Owlie]

Haha thank you for all of the encouragement!

And Muirenn, thank you for that master's thesis on bike stiffness!!! You really know your stuff and I learned a lot reading that
I just may print it out and file it for future access!

I didn't even know the CAAD10 had a women's version - I will definitely check that out.

I LOVE the women's CAAD10. Fits me out of the box, and much more comfy a ride than some carbon.

[Owlie]

Have you tried the CAADX? The geometry is almost the same as the women's CAAD10. My CAADX is eff TT 535, HT 140. Women's CAAD10 is 537, HT 150. Reach is within a couple of millimeters. I could ride the men's or women's CAAD10, but the men's is super aggressive. Not sure I'd want to.

I'd try one if I could find one in my size! (51cm CAAD10 (women's) is perfect. I'd need a 48 in the CAADX, since the 51 is a bit on the long side for me, I think.)

[nuliajuk]

Regarding the upright position (high head tube), don't forget that you can always flip the stem so that it slopes down instead of up. That lowers the bars considerably.
If there's a Look dealer nearby, have a look at the 566. I absolutely love mine. Here's the geometry chart:
http://www.lookcycle.com/media/uploa...s/GEOM_566.pdf

http://www.lookcycle.com/en/it/route...-new-bike.html

[nuliajuk]

It's what they'd probably call a sportive bike in Europe. Designed more for enthusiasts who just want to enjoy riding than for full-tilt racers, extremely comfortable on our rough potholed and frost-cracked roads. Flattened top tube, chain stays, and seat stays similar to a Cannondale Synapse for comfort.
That being said, it corners on a dime and if I were still racing I'd use it as a crit bike. It has the unusual property of being both straight-ahead stable and quick steering and lively.

[Trek420]

Sounds like a great bike.

Sounds like a great bike.

Thought about the wheels? One of the most effective upgrades is lighter faster wheels.