CAAD10 sizing problem
#1
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 11
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CAAD10 sizing problem
Hello
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Hello
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
#3
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 19
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: Road, mountain and track bikes and tandems.
All the sizes that you mention, for someone who is 5'10", are really too short. I would highly recommend that you check out some bikes with more like 56 to 56.5 cm top tubes. I am only 5'6" and ride bikes with 52 -54 top tubes. Look at Peter Sagan, he's about 5'10" and his Specialized has a 56cm top tube and a 140cm stem.
#4
52 is too small for even an uber flexible rider.
54 is very racy...would need longer stem...big saddle to bar drop.
56 is a more standard size for your dimensions with more conventional saddle to bar drop.
Lance is exactly your size and rode a Trek 58cm throughout his career...considered a large bike for his body size and proportions.
54 is very racy...would need longer stem...big saddle to bar drop.
56 is a more standard size for your dimensions with more conventional saddle to bar drop.
Lance is exactly your size and rode a Trek 58cm throughout his career...considered a large bike for his body size and proportions.
#5
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: West Gippy, Australia
Bikes: 2017 Ridley Noah SL - Candy Apple DA9000, 2011 CAAD10 Berzerker Ult6800, 2013 FOCUS Mares CX Ult6800
Yep, I would've said 54-56, definitley not 52 - but that's just me and others prefer the crazy-small frame with longer seatposts / stems....
#8
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,047
Likes: 302
From: location location
Bikes: MBK Super Mirage 1991, CAAD10, Yuba Mundo Lux, and a Cannondale Criterium Single Speed
I'm 5'10, 32" leg and ride a 54cm CAAD10 with a 120mm stem and 15-20mm of spacers under. Whenever I rode with the stock stem slammed, my knees would hit the end-caps of the drop bars when out of the saddle.
I don't think my position is super aggressive, but I can get a flat back in the drops when I want to.
I don't think my position is super aggressive, but I can get a flat back in the drops when I want to.
#12
All the sizes that you mention, for someone who is 5'10", are really too short. I would highly recommend that you check out some bikes with more like 56 to 56.5 cm top tubes. I am only 5'6" and ride bikes with 52 -54 top tubes. Look at Peter Sagan, he's about 5'10" and his Specialized has a 56cm top tube and a 140cm stem.
@OP, those calculators are for getting a general idea of fit before getting the first bike. Do you already have a bike you're comfortable on? What is it and how is it set up?
#13
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 794
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: '11 Merlin Extralight, '98 Dean Castanza, '89 Schwinn Prologue
Hello
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
I have a problem with choosing correct size of CAAD10 frame.I put my measurements in 2 calculators (pedal force and competitive cyclist) first one recommends 53cm top tube and second one 55cm.
I'm 5'10" (178cm) height, 32" (81.5cm) inseam.Im very flexible with strong core and usually riding aggressive.
I'm kinda torn between 52 (53.5 top tube c-c) and 54(54.5 top tube c-c) CAAD10 frame size.
I will try to get on both to check it out but what would You recommend ?
Thanks for any advice.
If I were to do longer rides, I'd pick the 54cm CAAD10 for the more upright seating. Both work great, depending on how aero you want to be.
Don't listen to those guys saying 52-54cm is too small. If you have longer legs and a shorter torso like me, you'd fit much better on a smaller bike. If you have a longer torso with shorter legs, a larger bike would fit better. For example, the reach to the handlebars on a 56cm CAAD10s is waaaay too far for me.
It's really just comes down to personal preference.
Last edited by link0; 02-16-16 at 04:43 AM.
#14
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Joined: May 2015
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Thank You very much for answers.I read every one of them,i wont lie i'm a little biased towards smaller 52 frame.
My current bike have around 54-54.5cm top tube and 9 cm seat to handlebar drop and i find it very comfortable.
I prefer smaller bikes so i think 56 is out of question.
So its between 52 and 54 frame.
Thanks again,will try to get on both of them or something similiar today.
My current bike have around 54-54.5cm top tube and 9 cm seat to handlebar drop and i find it very comfortable.
I prefer smaller bikes so i think 56 is out of question.
So its between 52 and 54 frame.
Thanks again,will try to get on both of them or something similiar today.
#15
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac, Nashbar CX, Trek 2200 trainer bike, Salsa Casseroll commuter, old school FS MTB
Thank You very much for answers.I read every one of them,i wont lie i'm a little biased towards smaller 52 frame.
My current bike have around 54-54.5cm top tube and 9 cm seat to handlebar drop and i find it very comfortable.
I prefer smaller bikes so i think 56 is out of question.
So its between 52 and 54 frame.
Thanks again,will try to get on both of them or something similiar today.
My current bike have around 54-54.5cm top tube and 9 cm seat to handlebar drop and i find it very comfortable.
I prefer smaller bikes so i think 56 is out of question.
So its between 52 and 54 frame.
Thanks again,will try to get on both of them or something similiar today.
#16
What gives you that idea? The actual C-T measurements have changed on CAAD 12, but the same nominal size still means the same fit. So a 54 CAAD 12 has a 57 cm seat tube, but stack and reach are almost the same as a 54 CAAD 10.
#19
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac, Nashbar CX, Trek 2200 trainer bike, Salsa Casseroll commuter, old school FS MTB
Read the geometry chart, the bike is definitely off a size compared to the caad 10.
#20
Reading the geometry charts, here is how stack and reach compare:
- - - - - - - 54 - - - - 56 - -
CAAD 10 - 54.6/38.3 - 56.0/39.4
CAAD 12 - 55.1/38.7 - 56.7/39.3
So not only does a CAAD 12 in size 56 not fit like CAAD 10 size 54, it actually fits a little larger than a CAAD 10 56. You are way off in claiming that CAAD 12 56 = CAAD 10 54.
- - - - - - - 54 - - - - 56 - -
CAAD 10 - 54.6/38.3 - 56.0/39.4
CAAD 12 - 55.1/38.7 - 56.7/39.3
So not only does a CAAD 12 in size 56 not fit like CAAD 10 size 54, it actually fits a little larger than a CAAD 10 56. You are way off in claiming that CAAD 12 56 = CAAD 10 54.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac, Nashbar CX, Trek 2200 trainer bike, Salsa Casseroll commuter, old school FS MTB
Reading the geometry charts, here is how stack and reach compare:
- - - - - - - 54 - - - - 56 - -
CAAD 10 - 54.6/38.3 - 56.0/39.4
CAAD 12 - 55.1/38.7 - 56.7/39.3
So not only does a CAAD 12 in size 56 not fit like CAAD 10 size 54, it actually fits a little larger than a CAAD 10 56. You are way off in claiming that CAAD 12 56 = CAAD 10 54.
- - - - - - - 54 - - - - 56 - -
CAAD 10 - 54.6/38.3 - 56.0/39.4
CAAD 12 - 55.1/38.7 - 56.7/39.3
So not only does a CAAD 12 in size 56 not fit like CAAD 10 size 54, it actually fits a little larger than a CAAD 10 56. You are way off in claiming that CAAD 12 56 = CAAD 10 54.
#25
Those are the measurements for the nominal sizes 54 and 56. It seems to me that you had a mis-marked frame. Top tube of 57.5 cm has meant nominal size 58 for Cannondale for the last decade at least - just check the geometry charts.
Personally, I find the Cannondale geometry charts to be exceptionally clear and informative, but I guess the abundance of information can make them confusing for those who aren't as interested in every little measurement there is.
Personally, I find the Cannondale geometry charts to be exceptionally clear and informative, but I guess the abundance of information can make them confusing for those who aren't as interested in every little measurement there is.





