Late/Last-minute advice on buying a used Cannondale on eBay

[mhespenheide]

Since following the "gravel grinder" thread and seeing Beeatnik's CAAD with relatively giant tires, I've obsessed the last couple of days about picking up a recent Cannondale CAAD and stuffing some fat slicks in there. (Particularly since the roads around here seem uniformly poor.)

I'm not the keenest on eBay, but this one's due up soon:
Cannondale-CAAD-10-3-Ultegra-Size-60-used (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Cannondale-CAAD-10-3-Ultegra-Size-60-used-caad10-/231386954050?_trksid=p2054897.l4275)

I like the aesthetic of it, and it seems like a reasonable deal. Can anyone give feedback about whether I should go for it? Good price? What should I look out for with a modern CAAD?
:confused:

I'm honestly unlikely to pull the trigger this fast, but if I'm going to be kicking myself for missing out on it, who knows... I'm likely to hold off and take a longer view. I do like the matte/gloss black.

If it makes any difference, I'd almost certainly sell my current #1, a Cervelo R3 that I bought used last winter but have never really connected with emotionally. The R3 feels "too nice" for me, and can really only fit 25's (possible squeezing 25's on wide rims depending on the tire).

Thanks for any input.

[rnhood]

I'm not sure what size tire the CAAD 10 will take. However, if you're in the market for a all around bike - gravel, good roads, poor roads, greenways, etc then take a look at the new CAADX 105. A brand new CAADX 105 will only cost you a couple hundred more and, you will be getting a new bike with warranty. And, a bike that will take just about any tire you want to run....with fenders....and a rack if you want to do some overnighters. And with road tires, you can still participate in fast group rides. Just far more versatility in my opinion.

The CAAD10 is a good choice for racing or fast group rides. But so is your R3 - which there is nothing wrong with. Its still a modern high performance road bike. Maybe you need to be fit again, or maybe buy a new set of DA C24 wheels. It'll add life to the ride. If you're buying a bike to gain rougher duty and all around use, I think its far more prudent to get an all-around bike like the CAADX. Use your R3 for the fast group rides.

[bcroslin]

Just for perspective, I picked up the CAAD 10 frame set I'm riding here on the forum for $450. It was used but in great shape and included a head set and BB.

[soupless]

I'd say that's a good deal at right around $1k.

[beeatnik]

mhespenheide, the caad10 w/ Ultegra is a great deal at $1000. since it's a larger frame size the price will be depressed by a few hundred. I'm going to see if the fork fits a 32. I'll post a pic in an hour.

edit:

CAAD10 with 32mm Vittoria CX tires:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/15631067729_c9ab6bd3a2_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/15816891395_f1c336bc6a_b.jpg

[mhespenheide]

edit:

CAAD10 with 32mm Vittoria CX tires:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7463/15631067729_c9ab6bd3a2_b.jpg


I'm officially infatuated.
:no: :rolleyes:

Didn't pull the trigger on this one, but I may try to contact the seller...

[mhespenheide]

The CAAD10 is a good choice for racing or fast group rides. But so is your R3 - which there is nothing wrong with. Its still a modern high performance road bike. Maybe you need to be fit again, or maybe buy a new set of DA C24 wheels. It'll add life to the ride. If you're buying a bike to gain rougher duty and all around use, I think its far more prudent to get an all-around bike like the CAADX. Use your R3 for the fast group rides.

I know there's nothing wrong with the R3. The primary "problem", I think, is that I'm a little too blue-collar a rider for it. It's my first carbon bike, and it doesn't pull at me like I expected it to. And I bought it soon after moving to Seattle, with its collection of poorly-kept roads.

You're entirely on point with the "maybe you need to be fit again", but in the I need better fitness sense, not points of contact with the bike...

[Davist]

32s MIGHT fit in the back, I've used 28c Schwalbe Ultremos (>28mm) on 23mm Archetypes without issue all summer. Currently on conti 4 seasons which are taller and there seems to be lotsa daylight..

Wish my Supersix EVO had the same rear tire clearance..

[druptight]

They relisted. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Cannondale-CAAD-10-3-Ultegra-Size-60-used-caad10-/231394871839?

I'd send them a note offering $800, or maybe try to negotiate for $1000 w/ free shipping. You have to figure if it's been listed and not moving they might be motivated to move on price a bit - although you wouldn't know it since it was relisted at the exact same price.

Or you could go for a local deal: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4755305247.html

[RedRider]

If you plan to ride on gravel and rough roads I would suggest you also look at the Cannondale Synapse. The CADD9/10 is a road racing geometry and a great value for that purpose. The Synapse, also available in aluminum, is what the Cannondale Team rode for Paris Roubaix (carbon version) and other pave-rough courses. The Synapse would be my choice for that use. They make an aluminum model with 105 and disk brakes for about $1500... that's a new 2015 bike.
** disclaimer. I am not a Cannondale dealer but have owned a few in a previous life.

[JAGI410]

+1 on the Synapse, they are fantastic bikes. More tire clearance, more comfortable, and just as fast.

[alessandro]

Or you could go for a local deal: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4755305247.html

Ooo! Get that one, with the dog. :)

[mhespenheide]

They relisted. http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Cannondale-CAAD-10-3-Ultegra-Size-60-used-caad10-/231394871839?

I'd send them a note offering $800, or maybe try to negotiate for $1000 w/ free shipping. You have to figure if it's been listed and not moving they might be motivated to move on price a bit - although you wouldn't know it since it was relisted at the exact same price.

Or you could go for a local deal: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4755305247.html

Thanks for the heads-up on the local 60cm. I've got a saved search for the local CL, but only going down to 61cm, so I missed that one...

[beeatnik]

32s MIGHT fit in the back, I've used 28c Schwalbe Ultremos (>28mm) on 23mm Archetypes without issue all summer. Currently on conti 4 seasons which are taller and there seems to be lotsa daylight..

Wish my Supersix EVO had the same rear tire clearance..

My EVO does not have the same clearance, not even close; I can only fit a 25. But I think it's pretty common to Black Incs or the HM frames. My buddy's Black Inc can just clear a 24 but it rubs on the chainstay under power.

[joev]

From a several Cannondale bike owner, a thought out of left field is to find an older Cannondale hybrid, H300 or H700. I bought an H700 for my son for college for $275 and it has 700x38 tires, shimano XT/LX derailleurs, cantilevers, and a killer paint job with sparkles. My wife has the H300. Both ride solid, fast. You can spend the money you save for second set of wheels and run knobbies on one and a smooth casing on the other.

[zachateseveryth]

This might be a bit further out in the weeds, but I have a 58cm Allez Elite frame I'm looking to unload. cheap.

[josephr]

Just for perspective, I picked up the CAAD 10 frame set I'm riding here on the forum for $450. It was used but in great shape and included a head set and BB.

+1 on posting a WTB on here before eBay...heck, I'd look anywhere before there.

other comments---
My go-to bike is a Synapse aluminum....never put anything larger than 28s on it, but there's plenty of room...could easily run 32s.

don't know if you pulled the trigger on the CAAD10, but the CAADX 105 disc is the deal of the year for the ~$1500 do-it-all category.

[binxnyrwarrsoul]

Plus 2 on a WTB here. Ebay for anything not new, pass. Too much grief, misrepresentation etc.

And plus 1 on the CAADX, three bros of mine absolutely love it.