jordanair45

Looking to buy a new bike.

I can get a 2011 S Works SL3 Tarmac used but good condition

Or a new 2016 CAAD 12.

Both great frames. Both I enjoy. Tarmac is obviously carbon with carbon wheels and a full s ram red gruppo.

CAAD12 will be the base 105 model.

Just wondering if going older is a dumb thing to do. Great bike though. Thoughts ?

diverged

caad12 in 105 trim was the 2016 Bike of the Year for Bike Radar. I would go with that.

nycphotography

(Assuming both fit and you want race geometry)

Even if the 2016 CAAD12 is better than the 2011 S Works, the full Red + wheels will be much better overall.

And I don't think the 2016 CAAD12 frameset is really any better than the 2011 S Works frameset.

Unless you are in the Cult of CAAD, in which case, ignore everything I said and get the CAAD12.

dvdslw

That's a tough one, I'd usually say go new but an S-Works with full Red and Carbon Wheels? I'd say if you're having trouble with that decision the Caad12 must ride pretty sweet? Five years is a good amount of time on a race bike if the previous owner actually used it for its intended purpose though. My thinking is anyone shelling out the money for an S-Works is gonna ride the snot out of it.

jordanair45

Yup. Can't argue with that. Although I sometimes feel that they are a bit biased?

I'm coming from an Allez. The specialized race geometry is pretty aggressive, took me a while to get used to it!

That's what my dilemma is. I don't necessarily know how much stiffer/better a SL3 frame is vs a new alloy. But, I mean, it's a $9k bike...so..should be pretty solid! Friend has I believe an E5 tarmac, and even that is pretty damn stiff compared to my Allez, feels really good. Can only imagine a CF works.

Never owned a Cannondale before, so that's where I'm thinking I stick to what I know, or try something new. I mean, everyone raves about the CAAD...seems like Spec. get's a bad rep, don't know why.

If only I didn't have a bad back and could ride a Venge...sigh..

Yup, hard combo to beat, that's why I need to ask you guys! Owner rode it for about 6k miles. Assuming it passes inspection, seems like a blast of a bike to have. I'm just going off of reviews of the CAAD, never owned a Cannondale before.

Hapsmo911

I will add. Keep in mind, the Caad 12 has a 25mm seatpost and a bb30a BB. You are going to, most likely, upgrade the seatpost. Currently the only name brand making them is Enve, as far as I know. That post is $260. The cranks on the stock Caad are boat anchors. If you want to upgrade those, and use something other than a Cannondale Hollowgram, you will need an adapter. Not a big deal. I have one and upgraded to the Enve post and had a SL Hollowgram from another bike. The Enve post is awesome and I love the bike. Just some things to consider. All the reviews are spot on with the Caad. Mind if I ask what he wants for the S-Works?

vinuneuro

Also depends on how much you value ride quality and compliance. The new CAAD12 is supposed to pretty compliant ride despite the stiffness and racey geometry. An S-Works would be the complete opposite direction in ride. I love Specialized, but this CAAD12 frame is supposedly quite special, everyone is raving about it.

jordanair45

$1.8k

nycphotography

have you ridden both?

Hapsmo911

Thats a tough choice man. Sraam red s-works is nice a nice race bike. I love my caad 12 but I would think twice with that price. Makes you wonder why its so cheap though. Just sayin.

jordanair45

It's a friend selling it, so, that is why the price is pretty good. A little under blue book value, but still pretty solid. Not too sure about those blue book values sometimes. I, for one, have never been able to sell any of my used bikes at the blue book price.

I actually have not. This will help my decision.

nycphotography

So you've ridden the tarmac?

Why not go ride the CAAD?