Road bike recommendations

I think the SuperSix was Topkey in Taiwan, and the SystemSix was US.

I understood that all CAAD9 frames were US built, and the CAAD10s are made in Taiwan.

The supply thing is madness though - such a massive cock up - they've basically killed any margin they had on the 2011 range (which would probably be considerable considering their offering of bottom end groupset with carbon frame for £17-1800).

From what I understand they're not exactly robust financially - I hope that missing 4-5 months of revenue doesn't finish them off

I imagine that if the bike costs £1,000 then £400 of that is margin.

In a sale that margin drops to say half and the bike's sold for £800, but that's shop margin rather than distributor, or Cannondale.

Could be a distie issue, but come mid year when shops are placing their orders for next years bikes and the 2011 bikes have not arrived yet- then I'd be starting to get worried about the sales prospects if I was Cannondale.

Is it just a UK, or even Europe, problem? If they shipped everything to the States due to high sales there, they needn't worry too much about foreign sales.

No problems with Cannondale stock in US judging by the amount of people buying them on WW

good work dan.. i am close to finishing my carbon project bike.. all new except the wheels mavic ksyrium elite and fsa kwing bars both bought last year..

planet x nanolight frame stealth black (naked) was £1,199 paid £499 now £699 and chorus 11 (2011) groupset minus hubs paid £770 retailed at £1199 full set... plus other bits saddle, pedals and tools etc. there are plenty of bargains out there for sure..should be on the road in a couple of weeks defo when the weather is good.. enjoy

Looks at new Boardman frame, looks at Cervelo S2 in the corner of the room; eyelid starts twitching

Looks at new Boardman frame, looks at Cervelo S2 in the corner of the room; eyelid starts twitching

Physics is the same for everybody, UCI rules are the same for everybody. If everybody gets their design right, all bikes look the same.

I know it's not in the same league as most of the bikes/frames mentioned but there seem to be a fair few Bianchi Nirone's on ebay at the mo. Like this for eg.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bianchi-Nirone-7-C2C-Road-Racing-Bike-2010-PDA530-/270707766651?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3f0770b57b

A lot of them have fairly mediocre groupsets, but with my budget I'm more interested in the frame. Anyone know what they're like?

Am I always just going to be paying a premium because of the Italian name? Would Ribble or PX be a better way to go?

Cheers.

Apparently they're actually good frames - just that alu is unfashionable. If I was buying an alu bike I'd probably buy a cheap caad cannondale, but that's just personal preference.

Thats what I am looking for as well.

There are quite a few caad 8's knocking around new. I know there's a big jump between the caad 9 and 10, but what are the earlier ones like? caad 8 and 7 specifically.

I'm not sure - lighter and stiffer the higher the number I'm guessing. From looking at the difference between the 8,9 and 10 there might also be geometry differences.

Where's andyp when you need him? :)

I'm not that expert in Cannondale (although I nearly got a job with them once, years ago).

The CAAD range has evolved over time as Cannondale have made changes due to fashion or a change in components. The CAAD9 introduced a BB30 bottom bracket, had a larger top tube at the junction with the head tube and had a different seat stay/seat tube design. The CAAD9 was the last aluminium Cannondale to be made in the USA too. I like aluminium as a frame material for a proper racing bike and the CAADx tends to be a more robust version than most.

As for the Bianchi, don't kid yourself it's hand crafted by some Italian artisan, pretty much all Bianchis are made in Taiwan and/or China.

Looks at new Boardman frame, looks at Cervelo S2 in the corner of the room; eyelid starts twitching

Now I'm look at the Storck Scenero and getting really freaked out. £1200 for a carbon Storck?

Then again the Rose bike completes are making Canyon look expensive; alu frame carbon forks full 105 group and Easton deep wheels for £900

^ Cheers for the info.

I'm under no illusions about where/how any bikes/frames are made. TBH I don't care that much about where a frame is made. Although I do dislike the premium some manufactures put on their product for what is effectively a paintjob.

However, as I am mainly looking at second hand, I'm limited to what's out there. And there are a lot of the lower end Bianchi's. So laws of supply and demand, plus being happy with having any colourscheme makes them appear to be a viable option.

I guess what I'm saying is, are they any good, or is there something materially better for the money?

Also there's a seller on ebay with 4 CAAD10's 48cm-55 I think. Just in case anyone is struggling to find one.

have you looked at Kinesis frames - really good and cheap as chips new? Scherrit was quite keen on them. I think Hippy has one too.

I get to do all of this again when I build a winter bike in 9 months time :)

Oh, and that guy wants £850 for CAADX frames? :-/

I like Kinesis. hippy only got one cos I had one ;)

My winter training frame was about £150 f+f 10 year ago, and is still going strong. It's seen an unhealthy amount of turbo abuse, gone down on black ice a few times, and even won a couple of Sunday morning crits. And the company maintains a decent dialogue with customers, and acts on their feedback.

They also do great cross frames, with some pedigree.

When getting a winter/training bike should one try to get something as close as possible to the geometry of the "main" bike, or is this not important for the majority of us?

You're getting a cross bike, aren't you? That'd do. A lot of people spend the coldest months a little more upright (though this may just equate to less time on the drops). The body's not quite as limber.

I think clearances for at least 25s - and proper mudguards - does the most for on the bike comfort in the winter. Clip-on mudguards get on my tits, and so does a soggy bum, despite the fact that sounds anatomically impossible.

Of course, mudguards on cross bikes are shit, but if you ride cross, you're probably prepared to get drenched and caked in shit at the drop of a hat.

Now I'm look at the Storck Scenero and getting really freaked out..

gets #1 spot in c+ best bike under £2k

Of course, mudguards on cross bikes are shit, but if you ride cross, you're probably prepared to get drenched and caked in shit at the drop of a hat.

You rang.

I wasn't talking about getting shat and pissed on by babies.

Dan, I know you have a bike now, but was it a 56 you were after? : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANNONDALE-SYSTEM-SIX-CARBON-FRAME-/130491915044?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item1e61ec9b24

Now I'm look at the Storck Scenero and getting really freaked out. £1200 for a carbon Storck?

The scenero is a fantastic frame, and has all the quality and design you'd expect from storck. I tried to buy one on closeout last year.

The fact is though that they are heavy by todays standards, and practically obease by storcks standards. They also come with a alu steerer, no BB30, no tapered steerer, or any of the things that have become standard on high end frames. So they are'nt as well priced on paper as you may think at first. Thats just on paper though, still brilliant frameset. I was gutted when I could'nt get mine (could've fitted a 47, but the geo on that one looks nasty).

Also for those considering alu. The vision light gets glowing reviews.