Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW F22
I am leaning toward the CAAD10 since I can make it more comfortable by upgrading wheels and seats down the road. Am I correct in this thinking?
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Looks like a good bike. If it fits you well, you should be happy with it. Keep the components clean and well maintained and they will last a long time.
It's rare that and upgraded wheel provides more comfort. Typically, one would upgrade a wheel set to save weight or achieve better aerodynamics. A lighter wheel needs to be stiffer to provide strength and a more aero wheel needs to be deeper which increases stiffness. Stiffness in a wheel leads to less comfort.
Tires however, can create comfort for a rider. I touched on 23mm, 25mm and 28mm sized tires above. The wider the tire the more comfortable they will be. Looks like the CAAD10 could accept even a 35mm tire which is far more comfortable than a 23mm.
Most people run 115 to 130 psi in a 23mm tire. You can get the same rolling resistance running 105 to 110 psi in a 25mm tire. Or lower rolling resistance with a wider tire using the same PSI. Lower PSI and larger contact patch both means more comfort.
Seats are completely subjective. Most shops will have a saddle testing program where you can borrow different types of saddle to try out for a week or so before you make your purchase. The right saddle will go a long way in making your riding experience more comfortable.