DOS

I turn 50 soon and am thinking of gifting myself an upgrade to my well loved but 12 yr old CAAD7.

I have always enjoyed the bike and dont feel it lacks for performance -- CAAD7 is a very good frame -- so I feel like the up charge for carbon would not be worth the expense and am leaning toward modern alu.

My criteria:

Performance and responsiveness comparable to my CAAD7, which I have always found very responsive, particularly aceleration in sprints and going up hill.

Maybe a slightly smoother ride, although I have no complaints about CAAD7

Would prefer clamp on FD because I am planning to get frameset and install 6800 grouppo I already have

Options I am considering

CAAD12 because its new and almost same geometry as my CAAAD7. I WOULD have to live with brazeon FD

CAAD10 because I may be able to get one cheap now that CAAD12 is out and it is still an excellent frame

Canyon Ultimate Alu because its different than what everyone else has, but brazeon

Bowman Palace because it is different and pretty and offers clamp on FD

Specialized Allez DSW because it gets good reviews and has clamp on derailleur. Somewhat different geometry than what I am used to on my 58cm frame (tall head tube and a bit longer TT) but I am thinking size 56 will put me in same position given similar stack and reach numbers.

I will have opportunities to test ride CAAD12 and Specialized but not the others so that may limit me to just those 2.

Welcome comments on ride quality of various options from anyone who owns or has ridden any of the above

Lazyass

I've ridden none of them but I would choose the CAAD10. I like the classic geometry with a level top tube and I don't like internal cable routing like the 12 has.

NormanF

Aluminum is light, durable and corrosion-free.

Its a great material to build bikes with and the ride quality is as good as it gets.

Plus, its more affordable than carbon and titanium.

Darth Lefty 

Test ride and decide if it makes any difference. After the invention of curvy stays, it may not.

nemeseri

I own two of those bikes (caad10 and specialized allez smartweld 2015). Also my buddy has a canyon endurace cf.

I compared the caad and allez in this post if you are interested:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...smartweld.html
Please note that the 2016 Allez may be slightly different.

Here are my thoughts:
x) You can get the caad10 dirt cheap right now. In the bay area they run around 1200-1300 with 105s and full warranty. That's such a sweet deal that I'm considering getting one just as a backup.
x) Are you sure that you can get caad12 as a frameset?
x) The caad12 has BB30a, so you might need a different BB for your crankset
x) The caad12 has a proprietary seatpost..
x) I wouldn't go with a clamp on FD. You can get a 6800 FD quite cheap from the UK. Think about the weight savings
x) Both cannondale and specialized have an amazing warranty policy in the US. They have great customer service. That's not necessarily true for your other brands in the US.
x) How would you order a Canyon in the US? How would you deal with warranty issues?
x) The canyon has a 1 1/4 stearing tube. It's quite hard to find a stem that fits it.
x) Canyon uses a special headset with no top cap. My buddy had some problem with that and ultimately he had to convert it to a standard type. That took some time, money, etc.

Bottom line: I'd get the caad10. Or maybe the caad12 if it fits the same and money doesn't matter. If you are based in the EU, I'd consider the other brands. If the caad7 works for you now, why would you want something else than a newer caad? You won't find a better alloy bike. Just something close to it with a better paint job.

dtrain

6800 FD's aren't that expensive - don't let that drive your decision (not in the least).

milkbaby

This for sure! Sell the clamp on FD on eBay and use the funds to buy the braze on version.

DOS

Thanks for this. I did not know about the 12 had a proprietary post, I am not a fan of that proprietary stuff as it limits options.

I dont know if I can get the 12 in frameset, the option isn't yet available online but I am hoping it becomes available later in the eyar or early next. My first step will be to go to shop where I bought the CAAD7 to see if there is an option via c'dale frame trade in program. As far as the clamp on issue, its not a deal killer by any stretch, just a preference. I find clamp ons to be less finicky to keep dialed in (but maybe thats just me) and fear brazeon tabs as just one more thing that gould break.

topflightpro

Last time I spoke with the local Cannondale rep, he told me that Cannondale will have no Caad 12s or Evo HMs available as framesets this year. That could change, but I doubt it.

Also, Caad 12 has a different geometry from your Caad 7. Cannondale changed the geometry for the Evo HM and 12 this year. Given your interests, you'd probably actually like the Caad 12 geometry better than what you currently have.

And you are not very likely to find a frameset that uses a clamp on FD. With carbon and aluminum, manufacturers have gotten a lot more creative with tube shapes, meaning you're probably going to have to buy a new FD. Fortunately, FDs are not that expensive.

StanSeven

I don't know the CAAD 12 frame weight but a DA built up bike w/out pedals is 18lbs. Not very light? That's close to steel

Bluechip

Really? My CAAD9 with Force, aluminum wheels, Speedplay pedals and two cages is pretty much 17 lbs. even.

rpenmanparker 

Stan, sure that may be, but the point is that the CAAD12 is capable of yielding at <13 lb bike without stupid, non functional parts choices.

rpenmanparker 

OP, you may have to buy the CAAD 12 in the cheapest built up complete bike that it come in. Then modify it as you like, and part out the leftover stuff on ebay. That is probably a pretty cheap way to get what you want.

Jarrett2

Lazyass

I thought you were talking about a whole bike. If you're wanting a frameset, the Kinesis frames are supposed to be pretty nice. They have threaded bottom brackets and clamp on FD's. PBK has them.

All Frames | ProBikeKit

nemeseri

Where did this number come from? The DA - disc brake version weights around that, but obviously you won't get that version if weight matters to you.

According to this post, the Ultegra Rim brake version with cheap stock Aksiums, weights @ 16.51 lbs (!!). The Black Inc. version is @ 14.84 lbs: 2016 Cannondale SuperSix EVO & CAAD12 road bike lineup ? Actual Weights

StanSeven

OI saw the weight in two different reviews. I searched and found one and it is the DA-disc version. Thats a huge difference of 1.5 lbs using Ultegra and rim brakes. I'll take a look at the various components of each later and see what else is there.

DOS

Geometrys are pretty close, actually. Same TT, slight difference in angles (73 vs73.2 st), 2mm difference iin ht. Stack and reach within a couple of mm.

rms13

The 18 lb DA is disc. The 105 with rim brakes weighs the same. Who wants disc brakes now at 2 lb penalty? The caad12 black is sub 15 lbs. You can easily build a caad 12 or caad 10 under 15 lbs with the right parts

2016 Cannondale SuperSix EVO & CAAD12 road bike lineup ? Actual Weights

bonz50

I would submit that if you love your caad7, upgrade all your running gear instead. get 6800 group or 9000, some fancy new wheels, etc. and keep riding it....

dtrain

He already has a 6800 group. But - depending on his current set - new wheels could make a nice difference.

bonz50

missed that in the OP, but there is still 9000 or a di2 setup if you were so inclined...

BoSoxYacht

aluminum is not corrosion-free

Jarrett2

Yeah, but the ride quality is as good as it gets...

popeye

On BF well yea.