For full disclosure, I am asking about this speficially because I managed to find stock for it - there's a lot of scarcity otherwise. Maybe I am suffering from FOMO, but I figure I'd get something now before it gets worse (again).
here is the bike in question. The bike is full 105, but I grouped Ultegra and 105 since (according to some stuff i read), the 105 is the predecessor to the Ultegra <shrug>
www.cannondale.com
I guess I am ultimately asking if this is good value, otherwise, I'll take my chances and get something like a Giant Contend
Smooth, fast, and fun. This versatile aluminum road bike has been revamped to give it a well-rounded performance ride quality. It’s the perfect choice to help you push the pace, ride more miles,...
www.bikedepot.com
how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go? For reference I have my race bike that started 105 and has been gradually upgraded to full Ultegra, a cross bike that’s a Frankenstein bike build from the parts bin that recently went from 10 speed 105 to 11 speed 105 and my daughters Tiagra road bike. Few others in the garage that don’t have bearing on choices your looking at. Oh, and my first road bike was Sora, a triple crank no less that I was still using when I first started racing. Point being, I have a lot of direct experience with everything your asking.
First, ultegra vs 105 shifters. The only thing Ultegra will do for you is add cost. There is zero difference in performance. Zero difference in feel. Weight difference is absolutely meaningless in real world. I had 105 on the race bike that I had to replace after crashing and I went Ultegra for vanity and vanity only. Point being, don’t pay extra for Ultegra.
105 these days is awesome. Like really awesome. The jump made from 10 spd 105 to 11 spd 105 was light years. Shocking how good it is. But it’s also so good the only thing Ultegra saves you is a few grams of weight.
What else is awesome? Tiagra is awesome. Seriously, it’s really really good. 10 sp Tiagra is way, way better than 10 speed 105 was. Or 10 speed Ultegra for that matter. Funny thing is 10 speed Tiagra is actually 11 speed gear, they just took out a position from the shifters. When I upgraded my cycloscross bike to 11 speed 105 I used a 10 speed tiagra rear derailleur cause it’s identical to an 11 speed 105 derailleur but half the price. I stuck it on a scale with an old 105 11 seed derailleur and the weight difference is less than a carbon fibre bottle cafe. The Tiagra shifters are great, the shifting is great. So again, if your not racing at a crazy high level it’s down to vanity. And for guys that are racing at high level, it’s still mostly vanity. Which is actually a big thing in bike racing. I couldn’t show up at a bike race on tiagra, just the way it is. Cyclocross races sure, okay to have a Tiagra part but within half a lap too much mud for anyone to see it. Then again, I’m one of the few guys still racing cross in Ontario that hasn’t shelled out $5k to upgrade to a disk brake bike.
So if you can get a 105 bike in your budget then go for it. But, if your just out for recreation and fitness, don’t discount Tiagra. Cause when your riding, you will not be able to tell the difference. Hell, Sora is actually really good too, only real limitation is number of gears and in this case the comfort of the shifters is a noticeable downgrade.
Now the CAAD your looking at…The CAAD is a seriously good racing bike. Better than most entry level carbon bikes by a mile. Don’t discount it cause it’s aluminum. But It’s also a racing geometry. Make sure you sit on it and make sure that’s what you actually want. And if it means you going to ride it with 3” of spacers under the stem then my opinion you’re better off with that giant you linked to that has more “relaxed geometry.
So a lot depends on what type of riding you’re doing, and how aggressive a fit you want on your bike.
I will say, if you’re going to be doing group rides with roadies, then maybe shell for the 105 if your budget works. As much as I think tiagra is functionally just as good, at a certain point in cycling you won’t want to be the only guy in the group on tiagra, and you’ll end up spending a pile extra to upgrade. 105 isn’t Ultegra, but every single cyclist knows it’s just as good and respects it.
Can’t say much about hydro disk brakes, don’t own a bike with em. I’ve tried a couple and they do feel great, but no idea what the maintenance is like.
Happy to answer any specific questions.
