Cannondale CAAD10
Discussion
Hi guys,
After some advice on a road bike. Been looking at various models and had thought I was settled on a Cannondale CAAD10 105. Reviews of last years model seem really good with the often quoted 'capable of going head to head with costlier carbon bikes and trouncing them'.
I've got my MTB booked in for a service at PedalOn next week so plan to take a look and have a chat with them but having spoken to a mate who rides road bikes he was pretty adament that I should be looking at Carbon. Which made me wonder whether I should save a bit more and maybe look at the Evo Supersix 105 (£1699) or the Carbon Synapse.
Any thoughts, anyone got a CAAD10 and pleased with it? Was hoping not to suffer budget creap if I can!
Cheers
Graham
After some advice on a road bike. Been looking at various models and had thought I was settled on a Cannondale CAAD10 105. Reviews of last years model seem really good with the often quoted 'capable of going head to head with costlier carbon bikes and trouncing them'.
I've got my MTB booked in for a service at PedalOn next week so plan to take a look and have a chat with them but having spoken to a mate who rides road bikes he was pretty adament that I should be looking at Carbon. Which made me wonder whether I should save a bit more and maybe look at the Evo Supersix 105 (£1699) or the Carbon Synapse.
Any thoughts, anyone got a CAAD10 and pleased with it? Was hoping not to suffer budget creap if I can!
Cheers
Graham
What kind of cycling are you thinking of doing though ?
Long distance sportives, triathlons, racing, Commuting daily?
Or is this a bit of Garage Jewellery for warm sunny days clogging the roads of surrey
Personally I think the Caad10 on decent wheels is a fine machine. I'd spend the extra on wheels. But I understand the dilemma.
Long distance sportives, triathlons, racing, Commuting daily?
Or is this a bit of Garage Jewellery for warm sunny days clogging the roads of surrey
Personally I think the Caad10 on decent wheels is a fine machine. I'd spend the extra on wheels. But I understand the dilemma.
I got the CAAD10 after following the same thought process. I couldn't justify the extra £400 or so just to get the carbon frame of the SuperSix. The CAAD10 is unbelievably light for an aluminium frame and I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference just by picking the two bikes up.
My advice, save the money on the frame and spend it elsewhere. There's some cracking offers on the 2013 CAAD10 105 at the minute for about £1,100. I spent £1,400 about a month before the sales started (although got some 'freebies' thrown in) and don't regret it one bit.
Edit to add: And I believe the Synapse has a different frame geometry to the 105 and SuperSix so will depend on what you are looking for.
My advice, save the money on the frame and spend it elsewhere. There's some cracking offers on the 2013 CAAD10 105 at the minute for about £1,100. I spent £1,400 about a month before the sales started (although got some 'freebies' thrown in) and don't regret it one bit.
Edit to add: And I believe the Synapse has a different frame geometry to the 105 and SuperSix so will depend on what you are looking for.
Edited by Leeds220 on Tuesday 24th September 12:01
Very happy with mine. My thoughts were similar...I'd have pretty much the best alu frame you can buy rather than a mediocre carbon one. It's light and I find it pretty comfortable as well - 4 hour ride at the weekend including some really crappy road surfaces and I thought the ride was excellent. Just wants to go as well, really stiff frame and feels great when you get out the saddle.
I've put a set of Hope wheels on it for now as the RS10s it came with aren't the best in terms of weight - next year I'll probably upgrade the wheels and then upgrade the groupset when the current one wears out - you can get these frames down to around 7kg fully built up...
I've put a set of Hope wheels on it for now as the RS10s it came with aren't the best in terms of weight - next year I'll probably upgrade the wheels and then upgrade the groupset when the current one wears out - you can get these frames down to around 7kg fully built up...
ParanoidAndroid said:
After some advice on a road bike. Been looking at various models and had thought I was settled on a Cannondale CAAD10 105. Reviews of last years model seem really good with the often quoted 'capable of going head to head with costlier carbon bikes and trouncing them'.
The quote is true, for all round ability my CAAD10 is on par with my Scott CR1 SL frameset which would usually retail around £2100. It's just ~200 grams heavier! Stiffness and handling are very similar, my Scott is actually a harsher ride than my CAAD (same wheels and almost identical componentry).Can't recommend the CAAD highly enough, if you can handle the race geometry
My 16 year old son races a 2013 Cannondale CAAD10 Ultegra. The CAAD10 has the same geometry as the Super Six and the two frames weigh the same. The Super Six Evo being High Modulus carbon is slightly lighter than the CAAD10 and the Super Six and slightly stiffer. If you want carbon then save your pennies and buy a Super Six Evo, but that is considerably more expensive. The CAAD10 is probably one of the best aluminium frames you can buy anywhere.
Speaking from direct experience, buy the CAAD10 and at the same time buy a decent set of wheels as the standard wheels are ok and use them for winter riding, but with a decent set of wheels the CAAD10 is transformed. My son uses Mavic Ksyrium SL's on the bike and 50mm carbon tubular wheels for racing. The Mavic Ksyrium SL's transformed the CAAD10 as it is now so much more responsive with the stiffer wheels.
If you take the difference in price between a CAAD10 105 and a Super Six 105, you will probably be left with around £400-£500, that will buy you the upgraded wheels and you will have a lot better bike for the same money.
Speaking from direct experience, buy the CAAD10 and at the same time buy a decent set of wheels as the standard wheels are ok and use them for winter riding, but with a decent set of wheels the CAAD10 is transformed. My son uses Mavic Ksyrium SL's on the bike and 50mm carbon tubular wheels for racing. The Mavic Ksyrium SL's transformed the CAAD10 as it is now so much more responsive with the stiffer wheels.
If you take the difference in price between a CAAD10 105 and a Super Six 105, you will probably be left with around £400-£500, that will buy you the upgraded wheels and you will have a lot better bike for the same money.
Edited by Andy OH on Tuesday 24th September 12:31
Another + for the CAAD10!
Had mine now for 18 months and still love it; I have no plans buying another one/Carbon because it is a awesome piece of kit.
As others have posted, I'm also going to upgrade the rims, been looking at the RS80 CC which I think will make mine look awesome. If anyone has a new set they are selling, I'm all ears :-)
Buy it and enjoy!
Had mine now for 18 months and still love it; I have no plans buying another one/Carbon because it is a awesome piece of kit.
As others have posted, I'm also going to upgrade the rims, been looking at the RS80 CC which I think will make mine look awesome. If anyone has a new set they are selling, I'm all ears :-)
Buy it and enjoy!
They're nice looking bikes which are capable of most things, they also hold their money well if you ever want to sell in the future.
itsnotarace
You mention handling the race geo, yet your saddle to bar drop is non existent, is that the right size, it doesn't look right with the saddle so low?
itsnotarace
You mention handling the race geo, yet your saddle to bar drop is non existent, is that the right size, it doesn't look right with the saddle so low?
Can't speak for the '10 directly but I've had my CAAD9 for 3 years now and I can't fault it. It's handled everything I've thrown at it over that time, from commuting to club 10s to 100 mile epics and still feels special. A recent wheel upgrade has given it an extra spring in it's step but I've still go no urge to upgrade the bike itself.
okgo said:
You mention handling the race geo, yet your saddle to bar drop is non existent, is that the right size, it doesn't look right with the saddle so low?
There's 6cm drop to the bars. One of the downsides of having shorter inseam of 30" is that less seatpost is exposed. Doesn't stop Cavendish tho, or is he not pro enough for you?http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-mar...
His bike setup is very similar to mine, other than he runs a few cm extra drop and his top tube slopes much more steeply, leaving more exposed seatpost
itsnotarace said:
There's 6cm drop to the bars. One of the downsides of having shorter inseam of 30" is that less seatpost is exposed. Doesn't stop Cavendish tho, or is he not pro enough for you?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-mar...
His bike setup is very similar to mine, other than he runs a few cm extra drop and his top tube slopes much more steeply, leaving more exposed seatpost
Same inseam, same setup too! No issues with the bike other than i'm pushing the wheels boundaries and can feel the flex, could probably benefit with stiffer wheels nowhttp://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/pro-bike-mar...
His bike setup is very similar to mine, other than he runs a few cm extra drop and his top tube slopes much more steeply, leaving more exposed seatpost
Edited by TSCfree on Tuesday 24th September 18:02
ParanoidAndroid said:
Hi guys,
After some advice on a road bike. Been looking at various models and had thought I was settled on a Cannondale CAAD10 105. Reviews of last years model seem really good with the often quoted 'capable of going head to head with costlier carbon bikes and trouncing them'.
I've got my MTB booked in for a service at PedalOn next week so plan to take a look and have a chat with them but having spoken to a mate who rides road bikes he was pretty adament that I should be looking at Carbon. Which made me wonder whether I should save a bit more and maybe look at the Evo Supersix 105 (£1699) or the Carbon Synapse.
Any thoughts, anyone got a CAAD10 and pleased with it? Was hoping not to suffer budget creap if I can!
Cheers
Graham
Then your mate is a clueless fool who's been suckered in by the marketing. Carbon this, carbon that...yawwwwnnnnnn...After some advice on a road bike. Been looking at various models and had thought I was settled on a Cannondale CAAD10 105. Reviews of last years model seem really good with the often quoted 'capable of going head to head with costlier carbon bikes and trouncing them'.
I've got my MTB booked in for a service at PedalOn next week so plan to take a look and have a chat with them but having spoken to a mate who rides road bikes he was pretty adament that I should be looking at Carbon. Which made me wonder whether I should save a bit more and maybe look at the Evo Supersix 105 (£1699) or the Carbon Synapse.
Any thoughts, anyone got a CAAD10 and pleased with it? Was hoping not to suffer budget creap if I can!
Cheers
Graham
Jimbo. said:
Then your mate is a clueless fool who's been suckered in by the marketing. Carbon this, carbon that...yawwwwnnnnnn...
Carbon fibre is quite often a 'marketing' upgrade. Lots is said about it's lightness, strength, and comfort, yet much of what is taken to describe all carbon fibre frames was only ever written about the high end stuff. Carbon fibre at the lower end of the market can be just as heavy as traditional metal frames, and is often overbuilt, with excess resin and a poor grasp of the laying up of the fabric in the construction process. These cheaper 'carbon fibre' frames can end up being as 'lifeless' as any 'BSO' from Sports Direct.It's the same with any frame material. The quality of the tubing is the first likely fail point. Take steel, for instance. My steel commuter/tourer, bought in the '90s, is generic 'Reynolds Cr-Mo' tubing. No numbers. Now it's a good, sturdy, but heavy bike. It does what it needs to do, without fuss or fanfare, but even the best artisan framebuilder would struggle to make a 'dream machine' with the same raw materials. I would love to compare it in a side-by-side test with something built with 753, 953 or Columbus tubing, and hand built by a master framebuilder.
The same is true of Carbon fibre, albeit most are now monocoque construction rather than a series of tubes joined together. Some companies actively research and test their carbon fibre products, working with partners in aerospace and motorsport, and consequently their output is far more expensive to buy than something that is little more than some black fabric and some resin bunged in a mould somewhere in China. One is not the same as the other, yet both are marketed as 'light, yet strong, stiff, yet comfortable, all-singing, all-dancing, Carbon Fibre!'
I don't have a Carbon Fibre bike. I would like one, but a good one is out of my reach. I would rather have a Titanium bike than a Carbon one anyway. But Ti is VERY out of reach. So I 'make do' with my Aluminium roadie, my steel commuter/winter hack, and an Aluminium MTB. None of my bikes is holding back my performance. Off road I'm held back by lack of confidence/skill (over confidence in my 20s cost me two fractured vertebrae, a fractured sternum, and many months of physiotherapy) and on-road I'm held back by a lack of fitness or any 'structured' training.
Like others have said, don't get sucked in by the hype. Not all Carbon Fibre is alike, and at the lower reaches of a given range of bikes, you'll get as much (perhaps more) out of the Aluminium framed offering at a similar price-point.
For the record, I own a 2010 Merida Road-Race 905, and I'm very happy with it. Given the choice, if I had to replace it, I would probably prefer a Cannondale or a Giant over either a Trek, or a Specialised, although I would always try to cast my net wider and include the likes of Willier, Orbea, etc in the research phase.
I've had mine for just over 12 months and its an excellent bike. Being my first road bike I didn't want something with the potential fragility of carbon and I also like to tinker so I wanted something that would be pretty robust. The only weakness in the entire bike is the bottom bracket but they are easy to maintain and replace. The wheels are not that great either. I bought some Fulcrum Quattro's and they transformed the bike. I've also changed most of the finishing kit but that was more for vanity than performance.
P
P
Thanks everyone for the feedback, any doubts I had have disappeared so will definitely take a proper look at one next week when the MTB goes in.
Forgot to mention in my original post that the bike will mainly be used for weekend riding. I did 34 miles on the MTB at the weekend, mix of on and off road but it was hard work so quite fancy something I can just get on and get the miles in (noted everyone's comments on the geometry of the Caad10). Will also be looking at Sportives and potentially have a trip penciled in to Majorca in Feb. Hence looking to get something over the next few months.
Interesting point about the wheels, the 2014 model has Shimano WH-RS11, guess the recommendation is to ditch these still? Notice Epic cycles will upgrade the wheels to Fulcrum Racing Quattro for an additional £26! http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Cannondale_CAAD10.htm...
Thanks again,
Graham
Forgot to mention in my original post that the bike will mainly be used for weekend riding. I did 34 miles on the MTB at the weekend, mix of on and off road but it was hard work so quite fancy something I can just get on and get the miles in (noted everyone's comments on the geometry of the Caad10). Will also be looking at Sportives and potentially have a trip penciled in to Majorca in Feb. Hence looking to get something over the next few months.
Interesting point about the wheels, the 2014 model has Shimano WH-RS11, guess the recommendation is to ditch these still? Notice Epic cycles will upgrade the wheels to Fulcrum Racing Quattro for an additional £26! http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Cannondale_CAAD10.htm...
Thanks again,
Graham
Edited by ParanoidAndroid on Thursday 26th September 11:50
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