The groupsets all DA
The wheels are R-550
The finishing kit is a mish mash and not very good (i don't get on with the bars particulalry, the stems cheep and the seatosts the OEM cannondale one)
I could squeeze a PX frame/fork, handbuilt wheels and new finishing kit out of £1000. Or I could splash out on a Dolan Ares Frameset, or a powertap hub/wheelset and a respray, or a million and one combinations.
I'm leaning towards the powertap TBH as it'd satisfy my geeky side, even if it is like puting a skoda diesel on a dyno. and i'm probably the weak link so it'd be the closest thign to spending money on improving that.
You don't mention what frameset you have? But in the absence of that information I would still say new frame set and wheels and pick up s/h finishing kit as and when you see something come up. Good roadie bars and stem etc can be had for peanuts s/h.
It's a cannondale CAAD5 from about 2004, not exactly superbike material, but I've no major complaints about it. Could be lighter, could be stiffer, could look better, but is so far crack and dent free, just showing the shigns of 10 years of cafe stops leant against fenceposts and salty winter roads have bubbled the paint arround the lower headset and bottle cage boss'.
new legs??? 😀 forget about the powertap, you'll get much more bang for your buck on wheels, most cannondale frames are decent so just get out and ride
[edit] CAAD5 is a good frame
Sounds like a nice, well used and reliable bike.
Think you know what you really need to be doing and it doesn't require a credit card 😉
powertap - if you're after a performance, rather than cosmetic, upgrade
What to upgrade on the road bike.............
the rider
get a coach, get a transferable performance gain
Lighter wheels,decent tyres ie.Schwalbe Ultremo.
Bars that you find comfy as it will make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Matching stem and seat post just for pimp value.
If I was buying now I'd check out Power2Max cranks - cheaper than a PowerTap and lighter. Unless you spend big money on rims a PowerTap wheel is heavy. I know my bike feels so much better on the occasions I put the Race X Lite back on.
Seems you want to spend £1K but don't know what on?
I'd go about the decision another way...think about what you want, what might wake a difference etc first.
Otherwise seems a risky way to blow £1K.
Have you been properly fitted for the bike? That might be a worthwhile place to start
You'd probably see the most improvement in your times spending on something like this: http://www.cyclegrancanaria.com/roadbiking.aspx
new wheels will save a lot of weight for half that money, i certainly wouldn't go powertap.
a good bike fit and more miles. save the rest of the money for when another shiny thing gets your attention!!
Would you really use a powertap to it's full potential? as in to get you winning races?
I get as much enjoyment out of my winter bike as I do my race bike, which is about 1/3 of the price.
If you don't like the bars, I'd advise you to switch to a classic/compact shape [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24146&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_name=UnitedKingdom ]Controltech Viento Classic Bars[/url]
far superior to ergo/anatomic shape bars. Also how low is the front end?
Other have suggested a bike fit, which I'd put in front of any component upgrade [url= http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/ ]Cadence Sport - Run by Ex TDF/Olympic rider Adrian Timmis[/url]
How is one shape of handlebar superior to others?
compact bars allow for shorter reach meaning you aren't straining to reach the drops for example.
Those are classics....compact is different to classic!
My point is there is no universal right/wrong in bike fit - some may like short reach, others not.
I'm talking about compacts in my last post, not classics. A compact classic shape is similar to a classic shape but with less drop.
Your point is that no one should respond to the OP's questions seeing as we'll all be incorrect, as what works for one person may not for another, right?
if you want to improve the rider then invest in the powertap.
if you want to improve the bike then invest in the bike upgrade (esp. the wheels) 🙂
If it's just upgrades for no specific reason then get whatever pleases you.
Though I'd go wheels/frame.
The powertap might seem a great idea whilst sat at the computer, but on the road you'll be patting yourself on the back for getting the carlos fandango super hot sexy wheels.
I'm leaning towards the powertap TBH as it'd satisfy my geeky side,
the money would be better spent on a Majorca training camp or a training plan from a good coach (imho)
No paddy my point is statements like "far superior to ergo/anatomic shape bars." are a mater of personal opinion, and not fact.