Beginner Bike: CAAD8 vs Triban 540

[hamsterlegs]

Hi there - after 3 years of deliberating I am about to buy my first ever bike (aside from a grifter many years ago!).

I initially was planning on the B'Twin Triban 540 which seems to get good reviews, but have this morning just seen an offer on a 2014 CAAD 8 Sora Compact, which is £100 less.

I intend to just ride for fun, but may do a triathlon in the future and may race against some buddies just for fun. No commuting.

Which would you go for?

CAAD8
Frame CAAD8, Optimized 6061 Alloy, SAVE
Forks Cannondale Ultra, Carbon blades, 1-1/8"
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora 3500
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora 3500, 31.8 clamp
Shifters Shimano Sora 3500 18 Speed
Chainset FSA Vero, 50/34
Bottom Bracket FSA Cartridge
Chain KMC Z99, 9-speed
Freewheel SRAM PG-950, 12-26, 9-speed
Headset Tange Seiki Integrated, 25mm top cap
Stem Cannondale C4, 31.8mm, 6 deg.
Handlebars Cannondale C4 Compact
Front Brake Cannondale C4, dual pivot
Rear Brake Cannondale C4, dual pivot
Brake Levers Shimano Sora 3500
Rims Maddux RS 3.0, 32-hole
Front Hub Cannondale C4
Rear Hub Cannondale C4
Spokes Stainless Steel, 15g
Tyres Schwalbe Lugano, 700x23c
Saddle Cannondale Stage Ergo w/ Steel Rails
Seatpost Cannondale C4, Alloy, 27.2mmx300mm
Pedals Wellgo w/ Clip and Strap
Grips Cannondale Bar Tape w/Gel, 2.5mm

BTwin
FRAME
New B'Twin Sport sloped frame made of 6061 T6 aluminium headtube for an integrated headset. Short frame geometry.
Weight: 1900 g in size 57.
Strong, versatile frame: mudguard and front and rear pannier racks can be mounted.
FORK/SUSPENSION
B'TWIN Sport fork with carbon blades and Aheadset aluminium 1"1/8 steerer tube.
Inserts on blades for mounting a front pannier rack.
This fork combines strength, low weight, and precision.
DRIVE TRAIN
Shimano 105 shifters: the market benchmark.Weight: 485 g.
Shimano 105 double front derailleur.
Shimano 105 10-speed rear derailleur.
CRANKSET / CASSETTE
SHIMANO TIAGRA 10-speed 12/28 (12/13/14/15/17/19/21/23/25/28) cassette.
PROWHEEL OUNCE 721 compact, 50 x 34 chainset.
Crank length varies according to size of bike:

XS, S: 170 mm / M: 172.5 mm / L, XL: 175 mm.
BRAKES
B'TWIN long dual-pivot callipers: reliability and power; a mudguard with stays can be fitted.
HANDLEBAR/STEM/STEERING
New, ergonomic B'TWIN SPORT handlebars for better grip and excellent comfort.
Handlebar width end to end: XXXS, XXS: 380 mm / XS, S: 400 mm / M, L: 420 mm / XL, XXL: 440 mm.
WHEELS
New Mavic Aksium ONE wheels
S6000 Aluminium
ETRTO Dimension: 622 x 15 C
Height 24 mm for increased lateral rigidity.
Steel spokes (20 front and 20 rear).
Sealed cartridge bearings.
TYRES
Hutchinson Equinox 700x25 folding bead tyres for higher performance and greater comfort.

SADDLE / SEAT POST
New B'TWIN ERGO FIT saddle.
B'TWIN Sport aluminium seat post.
Diameter: 27.2 mm.
Length: 350 mm.
PEDALS
VP 383 pedals with toe clips.
WEIGHT
9.5 kg in size M, without pedals.

 

[42x16ss]

The CAAD 8, it's a great frame. If you get addicted you can throw on a better set of wheels and/or a new groupset and not be wasting the upgrades with a poor frame.

The B Twin does come much better spec'd though...

 

[Benotti69]

Cannondale and upgrade your equipment or buy a better bike secondhand.

 

[avanti]

My wife has Sora on her bike which is several years old now. The problem with her Sora is that it does not allow partial shifts so no trimming of the chain line. It may be different these days but I would check it out with your LBS.

I suggest buying the Cannondale CAAD 8 - 105 if you have the funds. Ask your LBS when they go on sale.

 

[winkybiker]

Re:

My wife has Sora on her bike which is several years old now. The problem with her Sora is that it does not allow partial shifts so no trimming of the chain line. It may be different these days but I would check it out with your LBS.

I suggest buying the Cannondale CAAD 8 - 105 if you have the funds. Ask your LBS when they go on sale.

Yeah, 105 is great kit. The lowest level of "proper" components. I'd save/wait for that if you can. The Cannondale aluminium frames are a proven commodity. The best aluminium frames in the business.