aero road helmet - pass (maybe next time I’m due for a helmet)
race fit jersey - check
50mm aero wheels - I’d be interested with a wheel upgrade. Which wheels did you go with?
fastest tubeless tires GP5000, aero optimized - check
waxed chain - check
I bought Farsports wheels, direct from China. Being that they were $600 shipped with CXray spokes and DT Swiss 350 hubs, it was a no-brainer. I think the same set is around $720 now (covid, supply chain issues, etc). A few times a year, you can catch a 10% sale.
My team got a deal on Trek helmets so I picked up a Ballista. I was surprised how you can feel the helmet catch the air depending on your head’s orientation. I was also skeptical about the lack of vents but now I love the design as I no longer need sunscreen on my head. The air flows into the helmet at the brow and cools just fine even on hot days.
There is really no very rational reason for upgrading your CAAD10…
I have one with a similar setup yours: CAAD10 from 2015 with Ultegra 6800 mechanical groupset and HED Ardennes Plus wheels. I also ride a couple of significantly fancier bikes, at least on paper, but the CAAD10 remains a fantastic machine with impeccable handling, a decent weight and very little hassle in terms of maintenance. It’s been a good friend over some of the biggest mountain passes in Europe, and its use value easily outstrips its resale value. I may replace the Ultegra groupset with a SRAM AXS system at some point, and perhaps throw on a new wheelset once the HED’s braking surface gives in, but the bike itself reimains an all time favourite, and provides a similar riding experience to far more expensive bikes.
Strip the bike, custom pain the frame, and be the envy of everyone around. You’ll have an amazing bike, a new sense of pride, and something different from everyone else that really stands out. And…the new bike won’t be faster.