CAAD or SuperSix??
Discussion
I've been riding a B'Twin Triban 3 since I got into cycling last year but I've always fancied a Cannondale and think it's time to make use of Rule #12.
With the release of the 2014 bikes I've decided I much prefer the looks of the 2013 bikes but know I shouldn't base my thoughts on that alone, but need to make a decision soon before the old stock is sold off in 52cm.
The CAAD10 105 (Liquigas) is what I've had my heart set on all year, but now the new models are out I can get a SuperSix 105 Liguigas for about the same price the CAAD10 105 used to retail for. I can also get the new SuperSix Evo 105 2014 for a little more.
I know that people always say get the best frame you can afford, but is that what appears to be the very well reviewed and tested aluminium CAAD10 or slightly more exotic carbon fibre SuperSix, although possibly at the lesser end of Carbon fibre market given the price point CF goes up to, not accounting for groupset, wheels etc or now the SuperSix Evo.
Using man maths, knowing I've waited until now I know I'll be making a saving (CAAD10 was about c£1400), so cansave the difference spend the same and add a bit to end up with a better bike
Do I:
CAAD10 105 2013 (£1200) -and make a saving then upgrade the wheelset and maybe upgrade to Ultegra at a later date.
SuperSix 105 2013 (£1500) - and be happy but only have saved ~100g in thee frame (a lot of money for not a lot and know that the Evo Is a the newer possibly better bike?)
SuperSix Evo 105 2014 (£1700)- even though I'm less keen on the finishing kit, but possibly long term it wont look as dated?
I know the CAAD10 Ultegra 2013 is around this price point too but I think it looks a bit dull.
Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas to add to the mix?
With the release of the 2014 bikes I've decided I much prefer the looks of the 2013 bikes but know I shouldn't base my thoughts on that alone, but need to make a decision soon before the old stock is sold off in 52cm.
The CAAD10 105 (Liquigas) is what I've had my heart set on all year, but now the new models are out I can get a SuperSix 105 Liguigas for about the same price the CAAD10 105 used to retail for. I can also get the new SuperSix Evo 105 2014 for a little more.
I know that people always say get the best frame you can afford, but is that what appears to be the very well reviewed and tested aluminium CAAD10 or slightly more exotic carbon fibre SuperSix, although possibly at the lesser end of Carbon fibre market given the price point CF goes up to, not accounting for groupset, wheels etc or now the SuperSix Evo.
Using man maths, knowing I've waited until now I know I'll be making a saving (CAAD10 was about c£1400), so can
Do I:
CAAD10 105 2013 (£1200) -
SuperSix 105 2013 (£1500) - and be happy but only have saved ~100g in thee frame (a lot of money for not a lot and know that the Evo Is a the newer possibly better bike?)
SuperSix Evo 105 2014 (£1700)- even though I'm less keen on the finishing kit, but possibly long term it wont look as dated?
I know the CAAD10 Ultegra 2013 is around this price point too but I think it looks a bit dull.
Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas to add to the mix?
Edited by 3013buz on Saturday 24th August 19:45
Edited by 3013buz on Saturday 24th August 19:47
Jimbo. said:
If it was me, CAAD, then spend the £300 on:
Turbo trainer for the Triban
Tyres
Riding kit
All that will be infinitely better for your riding than the few hundred grams saved with a carbon frame. But that's just me.
Loving this one Jimbo, been considering a Kurt Kinetic recently too now the evenings are drawing in. The saving in weight does make it seem a lot for little return. Turbo trainer for the Triban
Tyres
Riding kit
All that will be infinitely better for your riding than the few hundred grams saved with a carbon frame. But that's just me.
TheLemming said:
And there's full carbon, full ultegra available at that price too....
Tell me more!!! 
When I was looking at the same bikes when they were full price (they reduced them two weeks after I bought one although I got £200 worth of accessories thrown in) I couldn't justify the extra cost of the SuperSix for negligible weight gains. Being slightly "heavier" as well I wasn't convinced to go full carbon just yet - probably nothing to worry about but still.
I have to say the CAAD10 105 is amazing though and I have no after purchase regrets whatsoever.
I have to say the CAAD10 105 is amazing though and I have no after purchase regrets whatsoever.
Whichever leaves you enough cash for everything else....
I would agree with BadgerBenji, get the best frame you can afford and then you can always upgrade bits as you go along.
I had originally decided to buy a CAAD 10 myself early last year, it's a very good bike and loved the geo of it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a Supersix 105, I knew that I would want a carbon frame eventually, so just upped my budget a bit and went for it. Was a very good decision.
Since then I have put new wheels on and just taken delivery of a SRAM Red groupset. It's an addictive slippery slope
I had originally decided to buy a CAAD 10 myself early last year, it's a very good bike and loved the geo of it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a Supersix 105, I knew that I would want a carbon frame eventually, so just upped my budget a bit and went for it. Was a very good decision.
Since then I have put new wheels on and just taken delivery of a SRAM Red groupset. It's an addictive slippery slope
After all the replies of CAAD you two had to throw some spanners in the works 
They're both my stumbling blocks.
it seems so much more cost effective to save the weight difference elsewhere e.g in the wheels and as I only ride recreationally I don't think it'll make a lot of real world difference.
Eg Shimano RS10's - Stock - 1845g
vs Shimano RS80's - £281 - 1521g (-324g)
Does carbon fibre fatigue over time or is that an old wives tale?
I'm guessing it "should" stand up to getting dropped when I forget I'm still clipped in when I've come to a stop having watched the Martyn Ashton Road Bike Part video.
They're both my stumbling blocks. BadgerBenji said:
Isn't the 2014 super six this years hi mod version, personally I always go for getting the best frame you can afford then you can always change the other bits as they wear/snap/afford them.
Yeah, I'm under the impression they're filtering down technologies from what I've read so far on road.cc and bikeradar. ChrisMCoupe said:
I would agree with BadgerBenji, get the best frame you can afford and then you can always upgrade bits as you go along.
I had originally decided to buy a CAAD 10 myself early last year, it's a very good bike and loved the geo of it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a Supersix 105, I knew that I would want a carbon frame eventually, so just upped my budget a bit and went for it. Was a very good decision.
Since then I have put new wheels on and just taken delivery of a SRAM Red groupset. It's an addictive slippery slope
And that there are my two issues, but at the same time, having looked through thisI had originally decided to buy a CAAD 10 myself early last year, it's a very good bike and loved the geo of it. In the end I pulled the trigger on a Supersix 105, I knew that I would want a carbon frame eventually, so just upped my budget a bit and went for it. Was a very good decision.
Since then I have put new wheels on and just taken delivery of a SRAM Red groupset. It's an addictive slippery slope
it seems so much more cost effective to save the weight difference elsewhere e.g in the wheels and as I only ride recreationally I don't think it'll make a lot of real world difference.
Eg Shimano RS10's - Stock - 1845g
vs Shimano RS80's - £281 - 1521g (-324g)
Does carbon fibre fatigue over time or is that an old wives tale?
I'm guessing it "should" stand up to getting dropped when I forget I'm still clipped in when I've come to a stop having watched the Martyn Ashton Road Bike Part video.
It's time for another spanner. weight is touted about as the holy grail, but it's only part of the story, light bikes feel better, but in real world terms, it's surprising how heavy you have to go before it starts getting a big issue for how many watts extra you need to generate to move it, and in the main you will be riding on the flat so once moving it's not an issue, whereas aerodynamics is. It's the murky world of minimal gains, which the marketing men and forum debaters get endless mileage from.
Sometimes it's about the feel, not all frames will feel the same because they are made from the same material, it's the same with making everything as stiff as possible, if the world was a perfectly smooth surface it would be ok, but it's not. As with any design it's a compromise.
As for breaking carbon frames, my Cannondale SuperX is justing going into it's second season of racing, having been raced all winter and summer, not to mention the odd training ride on it, still going strong, including jumping things at my local trail centres, so far no problems.
Sometimes it's about the feel, not all frames will feel the same because they are made from the same material, it's the same with making everything as stiff as possible, if the world was a perfectly smooth surface it would be ok, but it's not. As with any design it's a compromise.
As for breaking carbon frames, my Cannondale SuperX is justing going into it's second season of racing, having been raced all winter and summer, not to mention the odd training ride on it, still going strong, including jumping things at my local trail centres, so far no problems.
I had been riding a Condor Barrachi Carbon for a number of years (2004) with a series of upgrades. The frame developed some cracks so it had been retired.
I have donated the group set, wheels and replaced a few bits (stem,bars,saddle and post) on to my 2013 CAAD 10 that was a winter bike. Its really a great comparable ride. better in fact, feels faster and more responsive. really happy with it.
The frame is a real keeper, the rest is up to you if you upgrade or not.. that's a question of budget and choice.
The frame performs as well as a decent carbon frame and its made from tin, I think it has a much better look than the Supersix, My nephew has a Supersix and whilst its a great bike, side by side the CAAD looks much more elegant, The Super is very clumsy and ungainly, particularly around the bottom end,
The choice is yours..
I have donated the group set, wheels and replaced a few bits (stem,bars,saddle and post) on to my 2013 CAAD 10 that was a winter bike. Its really a great comparable ride. better in fact, feels faster and more responsive. really happy with it.
The frame is a real keeper, the rest is up to you if you upgrade or not.. that's a question of budget and choice.
The frame performs as well as a decent carbon frame and its made from tin, I think it has a much better look than the Supersix, My nephew has a Supersix and whilst its a great bike, side by side the CAAD looks much more elegant, The Super is very clumsy and ungainly, particularly around the bottom end,
The choice is yours..
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