Thoughts on CAAD 13

01-10-2021 7:03am #1

Hi folks,

I'm looking to upgrade from by entry level Cube which I've done a lot of mileage on over the last three years and is starting to cost me money as I didn't look after it as well as I should have. I'll keep it for the turbo trainer and as a winter bike but I really need an upgrade.

I'm a 60 cm frame so my options are quite limited. Have been keeping an eye out and there's very little available.

Spotted this in my local bike shop: https://www.cannondale.com/en/bikes/road/race/caad13/caad13-disc-105

I can get it for 2800e with pedals thrown in and then the bike to work will take it back to a little over 2k cost to me.

I'll end up at around 7000km for the year and usually keep an average well over 30kph for most spins. I plan on doing a lot of cycling on this bike but mostly on my own as I have a young family.

I've spoken to CAAD owners and they all rave about them and all the reviews are very positive. My concern is that with 105 and aluminium frame I'm not making much of an upgrade from my Cube Attain SL, which is a fine bike but owes me nothing now.

Any thoughts?

CantGetNoSleep · 01-10-2021 8:00am

While that is a nice bike I really can't believe the price. The wheels are heavy too so you'd end up risking another 500 more. Very hard to justify spending that money on it.

Just before lockdown I built up a CAAD12 105 disc for less than 1500 (frame cost about 550, groupset about 500, wheels about 200 & then saddle & bars etc).

Prices have gone up everywhere but I still think you would find a much better deal than that by looking around and waiting

Mr. Cats · 01-10-2021 8:21am

Think it’s really hard to advise on value at the moment as prices have risen so quickly all the new bikes look like really poor value compared with even a year ago.

As to your question, I haven’t ridden a CAAD but the frames have a reputation for being the best or one of the best Alu frames available, at least in earlier series. I don’t know if the latest series are as good as earlier ones - maybe something to check out. Fans seem to say that a CAAD frame is better/nicer than an entry level carbon frame at same price point. I would think that it will be a noticeable step up from your Cube, which although great value, are not the most refined frames in my experience.

Have you checked out Canyon? They seem to be one of the few brands where the new bike price inflation hasn’t gone completely mad. The bike2work with them is a bit more complicated I think but should be able to work it out with some perseverance. Stock levels seem to come and go so you may have to wait a few months but not usually anything crazy.

01-10-2021 8:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117961720#Comment_117961720

Thanks. I agree on price, but I've been looking around and waiting since last winter and nothing has come up and prices are going up. It's a tough one really, and there is no guarantee that I'll get anything next spring. I had my heart set on a Canyon but can't get it through Bike to Work.

Mr. Cats · 01-10-2021 8:30am

Just had a look at Canyon and at 2800 it’s carbon ultegra.

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/race-bikes/ultimate/cf-sl/ultimate-cf-sl-8-disc/2755.html?dwvar_2755_pv_rahmenfarbe=BK%2FBK

I know frame quality and wheels, finishing kit etc to take into account, but seems a better bet to me, unless you really prefer alu.

01-10-2021 8:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117961761#Comment_117961761

Yes, the 13 has got some great reviews and is reputed to be the best aluminium frame on the market. I have two friends with 12s and they adore them. If I go for a full carbon frame at the same price you are making a compromises elsewhere - group set, wheels etc.

As for Canyon, I've been on their website all the time since March and can't find what I want. Also, my work don't want to deal with an online retailer outside the country. I've got an approved list which I have to stick to.

Mr. Cats · 01-10-2021 8:34am

Ah sorry, posts crossed. I see it’s not an option for you.

01-10-2021 8:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117961776#Comment_117961776

Exactly what I've been watching but hasn't been in stock in a 60cm frame and my work have an approved list and won't deal with Canyon.

Macy0161 · 01-10-2021 10:16am

I think Cannondale, even in the before times, were overpriced for the aluminum frames (speaking as someone who has an AL Topstone, which I do love).

When I got my TCR, I looked at the CAAD - I've kinda always had a nagging doubt that they go so light with the tubing is it really much more robust than Carbon (which appears to be part of the logic as why people rate them).

01-10-2021 10:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962142#Comment_117962142

Thanks. I'd rather a robust aluminium than a lower end carbon which scrimps on the other components. I plan on doing a lot of mileage in this one and looking after it very well. At the moment I'm being swayed by a few CAAD owners, who swear by them.

fat bloke · 01-10-2021 12:01pm

I know I'm always beating the 2nd hand drum, and someone has to buy new bikes so that there can be used bikes, but I'd be using your literal height advantage to its fullest. Bide your time, if there's a new or nearly new bargain "one left, one size only" you can bet your a$$ it's an XS or an XL. I'm forever clicking on bargains of the century only to click away in disgust cos it's a size 60 or a size 46. When they come up in large sizes like that, it's a limited market and they're harder to shift, so I certainly in your position to either used or ex-stock well below RRP stuff.

You need to do the digging though.

Having said that, once you factor the bike to work scheme into it, it does take a bit of the sting out of the CAAD full RRP. How much of an upgrade it is over what you have already though... well only you can justify that to yourself really. I'm sure the caad is lovely. In my experience the finishing kits are a bit low rent. Cannondale are both stingy and hungry.

01-10-2021 12:18pm

That is mad money for that Cannondale. OP mentioned they had an entry level Cube, a Cube Agree C:62 goes for near enough the same money as that CAAD.

https://www.cube.eu/en/2022/bikes/road/road-race/agree/cube-agree-c62-pro-greyncarbon/

Mr. Cats · 01-10-2021 12:35pm

Another option here, although closer to 2500 but not using b2work voucher…

https://www.bike24.com/p2386522.html?menu=1000,173,157

Macy0161 · 01-10-2021 12:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962298#Comment_117962298

I guess that is my point/ concern - is it more robust as they go so light on the tubes? Anyway, it was that years TCR Advanced with Ultegra v the next years Ultegra CAAD with funky bottom bracket for give or take the same money. Only change in the TCR was the colour scheme.

01-10-2021 1:49pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962661#Comment_117962661

I wouldn't buy Cube again as the wheels were so poor on my entry level so the 1200 I spent on it quickly became 1800 after wheel replacement and some repairs. It also comes with SRAM as opposed to Shimano.

I suppose most of the cheaper carbons come with a major trade off.

01-10-2021 1:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962740#Comment_117962740

Nice but would work out nearly 500e more than the CAAD as couldn't use the BTW scheme with it.

01-10-2021 1:57pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117962594#Comment_117962594

I've been trawling the second had pages and all the online stores since March looking for a bike to no avail which is why I'm very tempted to go with the CAAD as I'm in danger of going another full year without a replacement and the Cube is starting to cost me money now in repairs.

Plastik · 01-10-2021 2:24pm

I've never tried a CAAD13 but I've a CAAD10 and SuperSix himod here with about 55,000km between them and I couldn't see myself changing either of them short of some sort of catastrophic failure. Fantastic bikes. CAADs are, and always have been, expensive to buy new "for aluminium". It was that way with the 10, the 12 and now the 13.

01-10-2021 4:38pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963367#Comment_117963367

Thanks. Those I've spoken to who have owned one have all given me pretty much the same feedback.

Large bottle small glass · 01-10-2021 6:16pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117963982#Comment_117963982

I've a friend with 115k km on a 2014 Caad 10.

Bear in mind all the glowing praise is for rim brake bikes, see if you can find out what adding disc has done to how it rides.

The old bike costing you money is money that has to be spent if you are keeping it, so shouldn't really be a reason to buy a new bike.

Drivetrains by their nature out and it'll be the case with any bike you buy

fat bloke · 01-10-2021 6:41pm

2800 you say?

You can do a lot better...

https://www.bunnyhop.de/Fahrraeder/Road/Cannondale-CAAD13-Disc-105-U-2021.htm?a=article&ProdNr=CANC13321U2044&p=8

https://www.bunnyhop.de/Fahrraeder/Road/Cannondale-CAAD13-Disc-105-F-2021.htm?a=article&ProdNr=CANC13271F1044&p=8

https://www.bunnyhop.de/Fahrraeder/Road/Cannondale-CAAD13-Disc-105-U-2021.htm?a=article&ProdNr=CANC13321U1044&p=8

01-10-2021 8:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117964399#Comment_117964399

Unfortunately, in this case it was my stupidity and neglect that caused the issues with the drive train. I didn't look after it for the first two years and am paying the price now. I have all the tools and a lot more knowledge now so I'll be looking after any new bike very well.

The CAAD 13 with disc brakes has equally good reviews.

01-10-2021 8:20pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117964460#Comment_117964460

Not much good to me as don't have my size and won't get me on the BTW but fairly sickening to see the price differences all the same.

themighty · 01-10-2021 10:32pm

I've a 2018 CAAD 12 Ultegra disc. I think the RRP was 2700. I picked it up a few months before the 13 was announced and got it for ~2000 at the time. It's hard to believe the prices have gone up so much that it's 2800 for the 105, sounds like gouging by the retailers not just the manufacturer increases.

Having said that it's a brilliant bike. Great fun to ride. It can be a bit harsh on rough roads but nothing like my previous ALU bike. The 13 supposed to be more compliant too.

nqtfarmer · 01-10-2021 10:42pm

I have a caad 12 and find it fantastic. Started racing A4 on it this year and am in no way out of place

CantGetNoSleep · 01-10-2021 11:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117964784#Comment_117964784

Even still what needs replacing? Chain, brake pads and cables are just normal wear and tear, then BB/ cassette, then chainrings if you weren't looking after it. Worst case scenario derailleurs. Looking at a few hundred euros.

I'm probably the worst on this forum for money spent on new bikes Vs km I use them for (although there would be a lot of candidates for that award) and my main hobby when I was bored in lockdown was buying a new bike, but it is still really hard for me to suggest to buy that bike at that price when it will be no better than what you have unless you upgrade the wheels

02-10-2021 7:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117965785#Comment_117965785

Appreciate the feedback.

nicksnikita · 02-10-2021 8:26am

Sounds like your mind’s already made up.

Watch out for sizing. Cannondale usually come up larger than other bikes so although you’re a 60cm Cube, you may be a 58cm caad.

I wouldn’t go near disc, personally. But that’s just me.

Mr. Cats · 02-10-2021 8:48am

Think Cube sizing is a bit funny also? I’m a 56 normally but my Cube is a 58.

02-10-2021 9:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117966234#Comment_117966234

Thanks for the tip. I'm every bit of 6ft 5" so it would want to be a huge 58, but I'll keep an eye out for it.

As for the mind being made up, I think you are right - every CAAD owner I've spoken to raves about them and says I won't regret it.

Mr. Cats · 02-10-2021 9:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117966365#Comment_117966365

They certainly have a cult following…

https://forum.cyclingtips.com/t/show-off-your-caad/

Thoughts on CAAD 13

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