I have this Cannondale R400 (CAAD4 Frame about 1358 grams in my 56). Since I got the P2K, it just sits in the garage, about a year now. I am thinking road bike purchase, however, apart from the components not being as smooth and pleasing to use as the package on the P2K, as a Flatlander, how will the R400, as a frame, impact my speed over, let’s say, a Soloist frame? If the “problem” is the wheels, I could move over my Velomax wheels and upgrade the P2k to Zipps (a dream of mine), rather than spring on a complete new road bike.
You’re going to lose some speed to the Soloist frame. It’s aero tubing vs big fat round tubes, but it shouldn’t be that dramatic if you’re using it as a road bike and not for tris. If you’re group riding with it the aerodynamics comes form the pack so it’s not really an issue.
Buying the Zipps for the P2K and moving the Velomax wheels to the Canondale doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
Thank you. I think we are making progress.
Another option is to get a a 9/10 speed upgrade kit. New STIs, casette, rear der and a chain will make it as smooth as it can be. Pick up a new frame and some other bits later and you will have a beautiful custom ride.
I have the same thing at home (well almost - got the R400 gathering dust (it needs a new front derailleur and some general maintenance), but have the dual, not the p2k). While I’m not at the point of getting a new road bike yet, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make the r400 more functional - at one point it was my pride and joy (that is, my only road bike) so I can’t ditch it yet.
I like the idea of the upgrade…makes it like a whole new bike almost:)
Are you planning on riding the zipps all the time for training? Or will you only race your tri bike and train all the time on the road bike? It seems like a good idea, but you will likely need another set of training wheels. Clearly in florida you would run a disk rear correct?
Also, if you are going to ride the road bike all the time, I would spend a little more and make sure I got one that was really comfortable to ride all the time.
Have you checked out Airborne bikes? My LBS carries them and I was very impressed with the titanium models especially. Seemed to be priced very well, good value.
Monkster, are you trying to justify a new road bike purchase? If yes, then all reasoning is sound - go spend the $, and enjoy!
If you are wondering whether yer old “beater” road bike is worth riding anymore, it is, but only if you enjoy doing so.
I ride a '99 Klein, there aren’t many bigger-tubed road bikes out there. We’re talking full-on Fosters oil can sized downtube here. 
(only slight exaggeration) Believe me, it’s not slowing me down any.
If yer riding it for training, who cares if you are a tad “slower” on solo rides? It’s a better workout that way. And if yer in a group o’ roadies, then it really doesn’t matter, as you’ll be drafting 90%+ of the time most likely. For 2 years prior to getting my actual real road bike, I rode a converted Specialized Rockhopper as my “road” bike, just got a 48t big ring and skinny tires, and off I went. Worked fine, I never got dropped, and I got a killer workout compared to my compadres on their fancy schmancy road bikes.
Bang for the buck, get some stylie wheels for yer Tri bike (Renn disk, and HED/Zipp/whatever front wheel) and mebbe get new cables, rear der, chain (& cassette if needed), and tires for yer old trusty roadie, and it’ll ride like new.
Or, do both - get the wheels AND the new road bike. You have our permission.
FWIW, my ride is a '97 Cannondale R200 60cm. The derailers are shimano rx300 or something like that, I don’t even know! And that is my bike for both road and triathlons!! I have Syntace aero bars on that puppy! And let me tell you, sometimes I feel embarassed to walk into the TZ with my bike, but that’s all I can afford right now and probably for the next year or two! I don’t think it slows me down. I raced my first duathlon this year three weeks ago and placed 2nd in the Clydesdale division, averaging 19.2mph. I know I am not the fastest guy out there but it will have to do for now! Hmmm, I wonder how would I do with a true tri-bike??? Oh well, until I can get my hands in a tri-bike I can only dream!!!
I have a Solosit which is my primary road racing bike I also have a 2000 Trek OCLV which will soon be sold. Realistically I cant tell the difference in terms of speed between the two. Furthermore, as Cerveloguy rightly pointed out you are in a pack most of the time anyway, the pack tends to dictate the pace.
I once asked our coach what was the best bang for our buck in terms of speed gained: a power meter or a pair of race wheels. He said race wheels every time. He races semi pro and races with 404 all the time. He also happens to be a Polar rep.
If you decide to get rid of the 56 r400, I know a guy…
Seriously. Am looking for a good bike, nothing fancy. I posted WTB on classifieds.
Lehmkuhler
It seems like you can buy that Scattarooni bike at supergo for less than the components and they throw in a carbon road frame–all for $1999:
http://www.supergo.com/Profile_Combo.cfm?LProd_id=26317&CFID=5808226&CFTOKEN=68310956
I don’t work for them, I am just shocked.
I have the geometry now on the frame and I am going to compare it to the 2.5, just for fun.
The CAAD4 frame is an excellent frame. It’s light, stiff, hand made in the US and beautifully finished. Assuming it fits properly, you’re not going to be any faster on any other road bike frame - aero tubes or not.
That said, if you want a new bike, no amount of logic is going to make the old bike feel any better.
Nope–not sold on a new bike at all. Would rather not be a dope for once.
Do you deserve a new road bike? (In your mind?) That’s one way to think about it. Maybe put less $$ into getting something perfectly decent up and going, pretend to be a roadie for a while, put a few thousand miles on it, upgrade the P2K THEN spring for your dream road bike …
Example: My dad now rides a $5,000 Kuota, it just took 20 years to acquire … I think he really deserved it if I apply this scenerio: 5 years, a few thousand miles on a $300 Fuji; 5 years and 10,000 miles on a $1000 Bridgestone RB1 (beautiful bike, eaten by the top of the garage); 8 years and 30,000 mi. on a $2,000 Trek 5000; Now he’s got his Kuota. He did it the old-fashioned way: He earned it … But few of us are that patient. I’m not anyway. 
While the Kuota is a lot faster than the Fuji, its’ only marginally faster than the '91 Bridgestone (IMHO).
It seems like you can buy that Scattarooni bike at supergo for less than the components and they throw in a carbon road frame–all for $1999:
http://www.supergo.com/Profile_Combo.cfm?LProd_id=26317&CFID=5808226&CFTOKEN=68310956
I don’t work for them, I am just shocked.
Anyone have a ‘Scattarooni?’ I noticed that the aluminum one really is selling for less than the components. I’m looking for something to replace my 28# ‘road bike.’ My wife will killlllll me if I spend too much, so…it’s tempting. (She won’t be too happy about any new bike for that matter.)