I am in need of a new race bike. I have done tons of racing this year with just one bike for both training and racing, but I am realizing that I need a second bike. I am plan to buy a new bike and have my current as my training/nasty (dirt/pave race) bike. I want to be reasonable with what I buy with the perspective that I have taken a 2006 model 9spd aluminum bike, invested in a couple of great wheel set options that get it just under 18lbs and have done really well this season. It is just NOT about the bike, but I think with newer technology I can gain some stiffness, will have a 10spd for neutral wheel car days, and will have 2 race bikes. I pretty much have my mind made up on a Caad 10 3 (ultegra/FSA SLK), and the new colors (white with a little red) are exactly what I am looking for. I can pick one up for $2100, sell the wheels for $200 (I don't need more wheels) for a net $1900.
However, today I was in my LBS and they have a Caad 10 5 (105/FSA gossomer) that has a small paint chip on the top tube that I can pick up for $1000!! However, it is red with some white, which is my least favorite color. I could pick this bike up, sell the wheels and components, swap over to (Ultegra/FSA SLK) and have around $1450 in the bike, so the same bike as the Caad 10 3 for $450 less.
I have also been doing some stage races and time trials and it seems that I really enjoy time trials and am pretty good at them, but I don't have a time trial bike. At this point I will not be able to do any of the above options and get a TT bike and I will just continue using a road bike with aero bars and a seat/seatpost change. But if I just keep the Caad 10 5 "as is", I will only have $850 in it after I sell off the wheels, if I went this route I could swing a Cannondale Slice with the 105 components and have a TT bike and 2 road bikes. This option will get me minimal to no weight savings from what I have currently.
I am just not sure what to do:
option #1- wait and get the bike that I want in the exact color that I want
option #2- get the Caad 10 5, swap components and have the bike that I would like just not the same color, and with a paint chip.
option #3- get the Caad 10 5, figure 105 components will perform nearly as well as Ultegra (likely better than my 2006 ultegra), and then buy a TT bike with average components.
Wheels should not be a consideration with any of my options, I have some Ksyrium SLs and Easton EC 90s.
If you think that there is a better "other" option, let me know, but I am only really in the market for a Cannondale as that is what my LBS has to offer.
However, today I was in my LBS and they have a Caad 10 5 (105/FSA gossomer) that has a small paint chip on the top tube that I can pick up for $1000!! However, it is red with some white, which is my least favorite color. I could pick this bike up, sell the wheels and components, swap over to (Ultegra/FSA SLK) and have around $1450 in the bike, so the same bike as the Caad 10 3 for $450 less.
I have also been doing some stage races and time trials and it seems that I really enjoy time trials and am pretty good at them, but I don't have a time trial bike. At this point I will not be able to do any of the above options and get a TT bike and I will just continue using a road bike with aero bars and a seat/seatpost change. But if I just keep the Caad 10 5 "as is", I will only have $850 in it after I sell off the wheels, if I went this route I could swing a Cannondale Slice with the 105 components and have a TT bike and 2 road bikes. This option will get me minimal to no weight savings from what I have currently.
I am just not sure what to do:
option #1- wait and get the bike that I want in the exact color that I want
option #2- get the Caad 10 5, swap components and have the bike that I would like just not the same color, and with a paint chip.
option #3- get the Caad 10 5, figure 105 components will perform nearly as well as Ultegra (likely better than my 2006 ultegra), and then buy a TT bike with average components.
Wheels should not be a consideration with any of my options, I have some Ksyrium SLs and Easton EC 90s.
If you think that there is a better "other" option, let me know, but I am only really in the market for a Cannondale as that is what my LBS has to offer.