New CAAD 12= The return of Aluminun bikes to the real world?
06-30-15, 10:36 AM
#1
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New CAAD 12= The return of Aluminun bikes to the real world?
I like the idea of a good old fashion Al bike frame . I can recall the old days when scandium was the greatest thing ever. Seems to me that if we can create a very light responsive bike for less money why not......The trend for $5K frames is a tad much fo rmy blood.
06-30-15, 10:45 AM
#2
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Agree but not about scandium... split my frame at the head tube so I had a bad experience with that. However, it seems to me that the latest hydroformed alloy bikes definitely are the affordable way to go for now...
06-30-15, 10:45 AM
#3
Vain, But Lacking Talent
Well, sure, except that the CAAD10 was available the whole time.
06-30-15, 10:46 AM
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yup, because the CAAD 10 and Smartweld were crap. 
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'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
06-30-15, 12:29 PM
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i don't get it...CAAD10 was already better than many carbon bikes. I know guys that race that choose to ride a CAAD10 Black over a carbon bike
06-30-15, 12:43 PM
#6
wears long socks
Aluminum isn't what the professionals ride, therefore people assume it is inferior.
Half of cycling is the gear, and what the professionals ride, is what the gear junkies want.
Since bike companies can mark-up carbon frames by 500%, they keep the pros on them...
06-30-15, 01:14 PM
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Riding buddy just got the CAAD10 Black Inc. with Red. I like it a lot better that most carbon I've tried. Looks cool, too.
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06-30-15, 01:17 PM
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Why did they skip 11?
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"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
06-30-15, 01:22 PM
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I heard it was to avoid references to Spinal Tap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xgx4k83zzc
06-30-15, 01:40 PM
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I like the CAAD10 more than the CAAD12. Internal cable routing is a HUGE pain and has next to zero benefits besides a slightly cleaner look.
06-30-15, 01:46 PM
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Teammate just won a Cat 3 race on Sunday on a E5 Smartweld Specialized. That aluminum is not holding anyone back.
06-30-15, 01:47 PM
#12
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06-30-15, 02:00 PM
#13
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Looks like Cannondale wants to be Specialized with its so called "SmartForm" aluminum "technology." Specialized already has "SmartWeld."
Even Wal-Mart bikes are made of hydroformed aluminium. Go check out their bikes; chances are more than a few will proclaim "HYDROFORMED" on its chainstay, along with the "Shimano" stickers.
Butting is nothing new; been around since steel. If your frame isn't butted then there's something wrong. Or you just have an exceptionally cheap frame. Even bottom-of-the-line Bikes Direct bikes are butted.
3D forging? What is 2D forging? Bikes are 3D; tubes are 3D; the 3D just makes an old process sound cool.
Double-pass smooth welding? Almost every high-end manufacturer of aluminum bikes does this now. Specialized. Trek. Etc. Look at their welds - smooth.
Post-weld heat treatment is a FEATURE? I would HOPE that this is standard since this is required; the aluminum around welded areas is weakened by the heat in the welding process. Heat treatment helps restore strength.
More marketing BS
Aluminum bikes and even aluminum bikes with carbon stays cost anywhere in the range of 20 to 40 bucks, according to the Bikes Direct owner.
The cheapest all-aluminum bike frame I see being sold by a reputable company is Nashbar, and it's being sold for 100 bucks. That's a 500% markup too.
SmartForm Alloy Construction combines several common aluminum construction types — hydroforming, taper butting, mechanical shaping, 3D forging, double-pass smooth welding, post-weld heat treat [...]
Even Wal-Mart bikes are made of hydroformed aluminium. Go check out their bikes; chances are more than a few will proclaim "HYDROFORMED" on its chainstay, along with the "Shimano" stickers.
Butting is nothing new; been around since steel. If your frame isn't butted then there's something wrong. Or you just have an exceptionally cheap frame. Even bottom-of-the-line Bikes Direct bikes are butted.
3D forging? What is 2D forging? Bikes are 3D; tubes are 3D; the 3D just makes an old process sound cool.
Double-pass smooth welding? Almost every high-end manufacturer of aluminum bikes does this now. Specialized. Trek. Etc. Look at their welds - smooth.
Post-weld heat treatment is a FEATURE? I would HOPE that this is standard since this is required; the aluminum around welded areas is weakened by the heat in the welding process. Heat treatment helps restore strength.
More marketing BS
The cheapest all-aluminum bike frame I see being sold by a reputable company is Nashbar, and it's being sold for 100 bucks. That's a 500% markup too.
Last edited by Deontologist; 06-30-15 at 02:04 PM.
06-30-15, 02:13 PM
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06-30-15, 02:30 PM
#15
Vain, But Lacking Talent
Internal cable routing is good if you want to put in miles in all conditions. And they aren't that hard to install. Looking clean doesn't hurt.
If you're a wuss, then yeah, external routing all the way.
If you're a wuss, then yeah, external routing all the way.
06-30-15, 02:39 PM
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I never thought aluminum went away for common riding, but I never think it will make a return to the pro's collections.
06-30-15, 02:44 PM
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__________________
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
06-30-15, 03:12 PM
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I also don't like how routing holes in the frame will necessarily weaken the frame.
06-30-15, 03:19 PM
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Gotta keep it new... mutate or die
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06-30-15, 03:24 PM
#20
Vain, But Lacking Talent
I wouldn't worry at all about holes for internal routing weakening a frame. They've been at this game for a very, very long time.
06-30-15, 03:58 PM
#22
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Marketing: Custom butted, hydroform TIG-welded aluminum endurance road frame with big steer tubes, threaded BB, replaceable rear derailleur hanger, carbon fiber blades and Shimano 105 or better components...
Reality: You're getting a lot for your money with these new alloy bikes, even at full MSRP.
Reality: You're getting a lot for your money with these new alloy bikes, even at full MSRP.
06-30-15, 04:42 PM
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06-30-15, 05:56 PM
#25
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So they say (e.g., Shimano Hollowtech II)
and,
...although, I don't know what Cannondale is up to these days. The OP is was talking about aluminum frames in general.
and,
"Because you have aluminum threads and surfaces, you can face the shell with a cutter and make it parallel if it is not. The bearing bores are usually round already, with aluminum cups because it is a machined surface, and if the bearing bores are too tight you can sand them out and get the fit just right for the bearings before you thread them into the frame. You cannot use a facing or cutting tool that I know of in a carbon shell."
Last edited by McBTC; 06-30-15 at 06:03 PM.