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Carbon or Caad10 ??

by SteveSportive
Tue, Apr 14, 2015 23:51
9

Hi,

I currently ride a Moda Prima but am looking to upgrade to a new frameset that will take Shimano DI2. I am stuck between a Caad10 2015 frameset or, after riding a carbon De Rosa, moving up to a carbon frameset ( poss Planet X RT90 ) . Reviews I have read suggest the Caad is as good as low to mid end carbon frames unless I look towards hi-mod but that will have an impact on the wheelset I would spec to keep the weight of the build as low as possible. I would appreciate any comment regards the pro's and cons of ally v carbon. I enjoy my current ride which is a mix of both ally and carbon and is comfy enough for sportives but I can't resist DI2 and like a more racy set up. Thanks in advance...............

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9 comments

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simonsays | 9 years ago
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I have just bought the CAAD 10 as a replacement for my Supersix Evo Hi Mod while Cannondale sort out a warrenty problem with it (awful service!)

My thinking was it will be close to the geometry of the Evo and mainly I have power meter on a Hollogram cranks so could easily swap it between bikes.

The CAAD 10 is very good. It handles better than the Evo, which shakes its head on steep bumpy descents. It is only 450grams heavier(about 2/3 of a Bidon) and is £500 cheaper!

I have it built up with Ultegra and nice wheels and I can't really tell the difference between them.

With regards to strength, the aluminium frames will stand up to falls better. The lateral strength of high end carbon frame on impact is very low. I have lost a carbon frame to a side impact on the seat stay that would not a bothered alloy one.

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jamesplanetx | 9 years ago
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Th RT 90 would be the perfect bike for you. Its Di2 ready and now also available with Ultegra Di2. The carbon layup mixes T800 with Hi-Mod carbon, making the bike stiff in all the right places but not unbearable in terms of comfort.

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notfastenough | 9 years ago
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I test rode a bunch of bikes including a CAAD (might have been an 8). I seem to recall loving the stiffness and liveliness of it (think I described it as making me chase a car down the road like a daft dog), although it seemed rather harsh overall. If I could have ridden it with a choice of components I might have felt differently. I ended up with a Trek Madone 4 series (seemed to offer the best blend of stiffness, speed, comfort etc), but I'd be wary of buying a Planet X and expecting it to ride the same as the De Rosa. The Planet X may be a great choice for you, but buy it because you like the handling/ride/whatever characteristics of that frame, rather than another.

What's your budget, anyway?

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Stef Marazzi | 9 years ago
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Caad 10, my brother in law just did a frame with Ultegra, Cannondales own chainset, and Zondas, 7.1 Kilos, its awesome!

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Mombee | 9 years ago
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If you need one bike for regular rides all year round (through the depths of the winter), then definitely go aluminium… if you plan to avoid the worst of the weather (even in the summer) and/or maybe have a second 'winter' hack, then definitely give a carbon bike a spin before you make a decision.

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Nixster replied to Mombee | 9 years ago
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Mombee wrote:

If you need one bike for regular rides all year round (through the depths of the winter), then definitely go aluminium… if you plan to avoid the worst of the weather (even in the summer) and/or maybe have a second 'winter' hack, then definitely give a carbon bike a spin before you make a decision.

I don't get that - Carbon is not affected by road salt etc and aluminium is. I rode my Supersix all the way through winter and other than me dropping it, it suffered no ill effects. And it suffered no ill effects from me dropping it either!

If you're getting at the angle of 'you're more likely to drop it and break it in the winter' then I haven't seen any robust evidence to suggest that aluminium is harder to break. And it certainly isn't easier to fix. Cheaper, probably, to bin a frame but not harder to break in the first place.

Having said all that I'm really curious to try a comparison between my Supersix and a CAAD10, so I think the OP should go with the CAAD and let us know how you get on!

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fredinchina | 9 years ago
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definitely go CAAD10. Highest end aluminium>low-mid carbon any day 1 Well, that's what I did 4

extra cash went on a seat, helmet, water bottle, tools, co2, etc.

Bike rides awesome, and the new helmet is top notch

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2 Wheeled Idiot | 9 years ago
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Caad 10 and spend the extra money compared to carbon on upgrades and nice kit 1
If worried about comfort you could get one of those canyon vcls seatposts...

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SteveSportive replied to 2 Wheeled Idiot | 9 years ago
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Thanks for the reply, going down the Caad10 route would definitely leave more money for a really decent set of wheels, I would probably swap the Deda cockpit set up from my Moda onto the frame too !!!

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