[johnaird123]

I’ll be looking for a road bike soon on my work’s C2W scheme and I have narrowed down my search to a couple of bikes. Looking for any input as I’m torn between frame and componentry:

1. Cannonsale CAAD8 105 £999 (http://m.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad8-105-2015-road-bike-ec071009). Kitted out with mostly 105, but I know the CAAD frames are known for being good.

2. Scott Speedster 10 £999 (http://m.evanscycles.com/products/scott/speedster-10-2015-road-bike-ec075443). Fitted with mixture of 105 and Ultegra.

I only have a short commute so keen on a racier frame for the weekends (this is why I discounted the Synapse). I’m also stuck to Evans due to C2W.

One other thing, I’m not digging the fluoro colour. Not that important but if there isn’t much between them this will come into it.

Advice?

Cheers.

Topic

[Stef Marazzi]

Yet anther vote for the Caad

Yet anther vote for the Caad 8, I have a 2010 one, with a mixture of 105 and Sora on and love it. Hollowtech bottom bracket on mine. Also since the Caad 12 came out, worth checking ebay, loads and loads of very cheap Caad 8s, 9s, and 10s on there.

Caad 8s going for £200-£400 quid

Caad 9s about £350 to £400

Caad 10s about £500 to £700.

All stunning rides.

I’m 5’11 with 32 inside leg, and ride a 56cm, long arms though, and I reckon a 54cm may have been too small for me. They are a “bit” bigger, but not as mad as Ridleys are, which size up massive.

[DavidBlaney1984]

The speedster 10 is now
The speedster 10 is now available for £649. However a colleague got it for £500 on Fri 19th Feb!!!!!!!

[TwoWheelPhil]

Another one here for a vote
Another one here for a vote for the CAAD8. I bought a 2014 Tiagra model from Evans in November.
No experience of the Scott or any other road bike for that matter as this is my first road bike after exclusively mountain biking up until now, but I’m well chuffed.
Always had a soft spot for Cannondales. Go for it, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed 😉

[johnaird123]

Thanks everyone, seems like
Thanks everyone, seems like there is a clear winner. Would have been good to hear accounts of the Scott bike, but can’t argue with the reputation of the CAAD frame.

Must be Mad, I plan to do just that. No doubt something else will catch my eye…

[Must be Mad]

I’m sure the Scott is good
I’m sure the Scott is good (and it made my shortlist too), but I went for the CAAD 8 (with tigra). Never regretted my choice, and absolutely love the bike. Nice quick handling; just feels like to want to be ridden fast.

The stock wheels and tyres are OK, but a good upgrade when you have the money – and this is a bike worth keeping and upgrading.

Why not pay your local Evens a vist and try them both out?

[Speedymike99]

I am mightily impressed with
I am mightily impressed with my CAAD 8 Tiagra 2012.
First road bike purchase 3 yrs ago after some years away from cycling & have been very happy with my choice.
Completely agree re wheels – have swapped them out for Mavic Aksiums & notable improvement in performance despite them being pretty much entry level for Mavic

I added an SL4 Tarmac Ultegra 12 months ago – although a racier position and slicker gear changes from the Ultegra 6800 there is really very little difference in speed &
rideability in a bike 1/3 of the price.

If you have not seen it look up the roadcc review of the CAAD8 Tiagra from several years ago – 4.5/5.

[Topcat]

I love my CAAD 8, the only
I love my CAAD 8, the only weakness in my opinion being the standard wheels. After one winter of riding through the odd rain storm and general spray the rear wheel was ruined. The weather proofing in the free hub is useless and the water can get through into the drive side hub bearings.

I ended up putting Ultegra 6800 wheels on which has made the bike feel much faster!

[Anonymous]

Loved my CAAD8 until its
Loved my CAAD8 until its demise. So comfortable. 🙁 I like that Garmindale green too. Had a 54cm which fitted my 31in inside leg nicely.

As for the wheels, you might be surprised how light they are… the front one (which I’ve been using for wheelbuilding practice) is only about 850g according to my kitchen scales.

[BikeBud]

Agree with TheHound. I like
Agree with TheHound. I like my CAAD8 – stiff but comfortable, good handling, low enough position. At 6’1″ I ride the 56cm frame and it is perfect.

I’ve ridden a 100mile+ ride on it without any problems and will be using it to race on this season.

No experience of the Scott.

[TheHound]

Can’t speak for the Scott,
Can’t speak for the Scott, and looks are a personal choice, I like the bright green.

But the CAAD8 is an exceptional bike. The handling is on the slower side, more stable than racy, which makes it pretty composed on the usual crap roads. Be aware that the 105 model comes with BB30, which is horrific to work with in my opinion.

Also the CAAD8 is a big bike. I’m 5’10, 33″ inside leg and had a 56cm frame, which in hindsight was too big compared to the 53cm Bianchi I have now.

My brother has the CAAD8 now. He’s 6’1-2 and it fits him much better and he loves it. He chucks through a load more power than I do and he says it handles it well.

Hope that helps in some way.

[JamesE279]

I didn’t fancy the bright
I didn’t fancy the bright green CAAD8 either, so I went for a CAAD10 105 (10-speed) on the C2W scheme and just paid the £300 difference.

I also have a CAAD 8 Sora from a few years ago, the frame is very good, the low down sora groupset (especially with the thumb shifters of that vintage) was ok but you’ll be much happier with 105 or similar.

The Maddux wheels that the cheaper models sometimes come with are a bit slow but ok. However if you’re on the heavy side like me, you may find the rear spokes start going after a few months.

J

[Author]

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