Cannondale CAAD12 | Editor's Choice 2018 | Cycling Weekly

[@mr02gixxer1000]

My Caad12 Black inc with wheels and all 56cm is 14.8pounds and And is a blast to ride. And didn’t cost me $8000 or $12000 dollars and it’s a very fast and precise handling bike.

[@adccars359]

2:25 loving the cross chain action.

[@fernandomora7430]

Are they made for cross chaining?

[@blizzbee]

Haha

[@maginext]

I owned a Caad 12 105, and now a completly custom $7k Allez Sprint. That Caad 12 can absorb bumps like magic! Its a legit race bike. The allez sprint can only be ridden on smooth roads, but the geo fits a hard cornerer a hair better, is more areo, and the bb is less finicky.

[@markfaulkner9626]

I agree with everything you’ve said. I built one up last year for less than £2k as a general “all year” bike and it easily rivals my high end carbon bike. The CAAD12 bike optimises value for money. Top tip, swap the seat pin for the SAVE one for added comfort.

[@JanKowalski-pe9lo]

I`m almost 100% sure that seatpost is 25.4mm not 27.2mm :)

[@benjaminwolf9801]

I love my caad12. Ive rebuilt the frame a few times with different groupsets and purposes. I ended up buying a 2nd frame just so i can have one as a race bike and one for winter.

[@zoso73]

I have a CAAD12 (2018) and had a SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod (2016). I told the EVO and kept the CAAD12. Overall, it is the better frame: stiffer and 'racier' than the EVO, and almost as comfy and as light as the EVO.

[@Paddyhudson]

With all the hydro forming techniques being perfected by the Cannondale/Specialized/Trek, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a full on aluminum aero bike from one of them soon.

[@frederickstaana1269]

thats merida doing the dirty work for them.. better get merida.. cheaper with same manufacturing technique

[@bitchoflivingblah]

@@frederickstaana1269 Cervelo S1??

[@frederickstaana1269]

giant makes frame for cervelo

[@mitchellsteindler]

It would be enormously heavy

[@Ahmed-Cyrix]

this bike is amazing , the balance is super and controle ,,,

[@pwrshots]

I still own a 1990 cannondale SR400 criterium 3.0. can't wait to ride my caad12 this spring.

[@stevem.3646]

Still ride mine everyday. Replacing the Askiums with Hunt Race Aero Alloy wheels turned this thing loose. With a few other upgrades, my Ultegra Rim Brake Caad12 is about 15.2lbs. It climbs well, handles descents flawlessly, and if I could sprint, it probably would too.

[@palicar]

I love modern aloomin'm. These editor's choice videos are great.

[@roadglide]

Another good reason not to feel you need to pay $8-$12k for a carbon bike to be competitive or take on anyone in your local group rides. Aluminum gives you the “best return on investment” all day, everyday. It’s always been about your fitness and not about the bike.

[@kierenkd]

I like my CAAD12 but this video would have put me off. Just doesn't sound sincere. More like a sales guy reading buzz words off a press release

[@blizzbee]

The left guy always do that in every video he's in... at least to my ear. Bla bla bla.. not convincing. I like the caad12 actually but this guy doesn't help, sorry

[@greengrass9572]

I love the way he says that aluminium is a bit harsh and gives road buzz, as if carbon doesn't. I had a supersix evo full carbon and it was as harsh as it gets and 'rickety' felt like it was made of old plastic drain pipes. The most harsh and uncomfortable bike I've had.

[@skyjuiceification]

it was made of plastic dried pipes. that's a solid description of carbon composites.

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Looking from the side, the seatstays are thin, but looking from the front or rear they are wider. This wider section makes it less aero. This, together with lots of decalls on my 2017 version, I regret. But you are very right, it is a superfast bike and I drop a lot of riders on super expensive carbon bikes.

[@christianfricke1986]

I have always been sceptical of carbon bikes and I would not call aluminium bikes "work horses" per se, since they can be great value for money. Especially if your bike-budget is not that big, your can get very good road frames that won't break the bank and still give you amazing performance.

[@jonburnell532]

I love the CAAD12, just look at it! It's beautiful! It would be the bike I'd buy with my own money...because the Madone is way out of budget 😂

[@stephenspalding2481]

I did I love it❤❤❤🚴🚴🚴

[@mikicastan]

I have caad 10 black inc.disc...i made pure racing maschine from it with quarq and zipp’s

[@KoIP85]

Yupp, caad12 is amazing!

[@mitchellsteindler]

Idk if you've ever ridden the CAAD10, but I recently upgraded to the 12, and it is lightyears more comfortable than the 10.

[@joeinglesfield7446]

Dude on the left comes across as a snobby noob IMO

[@skyjuiceification]

......could it just be that ur a dumb ass with too much free time? u don't know this dude. are u an adult?

[@Tx_rattlesnake]

My left or your left ?

[@Cortes19882012]

I have this bike. Absolutely love it!

[@1987frank]

Ozzy same

[@JohnSmith-uc4ku]

Same brilliant

[@caveboy9988]

Does anyone else find the logo position on the down tube really annoying? Its been designed without the chain set in place so the ‘c’ is covered

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

I am annoyed by all decalls on my Caad12. The bike is amazing, but there is far too much lettering all over; even the fork! It would be far more sophisticated without.

[@RadioSnivins]

Bloody good point.

[@christianfricke1986]

I think it's due to the position of the cables and the size of the frame. In a larger frame set it should move above the chain line - at least I suspect that's the reason, because it actually is a rather small frame set they are presenting here.

[@christianfricke1986]

I just watched some of Phil Gaimon's videos and his Cannondale has the same hidden C, so it seems to be a design flaw.

[@jordangraff2254]

Then order a 50/34 SpideRing 😉

[@marcomunoz7597]

King of Aluminum I have all my life running aluminum road bike and it is a very light and good material. There is very little difference to carbon frames.

[@MyDadWasALifeguard]

Aluminum is still the best choice for a road frame

[@skyjuiceification]

quietly.

[@Pratalax]

what's wrong with mavic tyres? also 25.4 post.

[@shazbarlas7799]

I really like Cannondale and the CAAD12 is one of my favourite series of bikes. But when looking at reviews from any KZbin channel, I'd like to see a breakdown of advertising revenue for each product that is tested.

[@MrDoodsz]

Agreed on shopping around for this bike. I got the ultegra 2019 for 1700euro.

[@moi7748]

Care to tell us where from?

[@moi7748]

First 😜 hehe

[@PierreC2]

good video ..Cannondale is Always a great bike..thank you.

[@josephobenauer3093]

Had one of the early ones in 1985, people hated it, it was ugly but it was a great all-round bike.

[@jaebiz]

I think this review didn't get into detail about an important point: (wider internally, as the stock rim widths are just too narrow by modern standards) carbon wheels, a carbon bar and a SAVE rear seat post brings the CAAD12 to a carbon frame quality ride. All for a cost savings of $2-3K over a carbon equivalent, comparably equipped. The fact that the review touched on this point and then launched into a long dialogue about opinions regarding the negative perception of aluminum amongst consumers tells you all you need to know: At the 'mid tier' frame set level, Trek/Cannondale implemented more hydro forming and CAD tube design, while literally copying the World Tour frame shapes and geo of it's high end bikes. Spelz 'franken-biked' a Tarmac and Venue together with similar results for the Allez SW. The results have been bikes that with top flight components feels identical in most riding conditions to its CF cousins, or sometimes better depending on the rider. I'd bet that the next CAAD will follow the EVO down the Tarmac path and adopt aero tube shaping. With hydro forming manufacturing technology improving from even 3 years ago when the CAAD12 was created, and ever widening internal rim widths the next CAAD should be interesting (along with the EVO).

[@kristianberntsson2483]

How is the comfort on this bike?

[@testblustacks5799]

caad12 get a carbon seat post, saddle, stem and bars $180 - save weight 350g. No more buzz.

[@davidterraza889]

I change seat post, saddle, handlebar, group set (105 to ultegra) and a lightweight aluminium wheels and the bike goes from 8.3kg to 7.3kg..... a real climbing machine... is a great bike

[@imark9386]

I don't think the reviewer on the left has ridden the caad 12 properly, I have a Tcr and the Cadd 12 is more comfortable, a better set of wheels and tyres plus a set of carbon bars makes it the best bike I have ridden

[@embracingthehustle4069]

Awesome to know because this is what I'm looking at for my very first road bike that isn't a 100% bank breaker

[@faosa73]

I added the Cannondale carbon seatpost and it gets even better

[@chongchunhang89]

@@faosa73 is the carbon seatpost very different from the aluminium seatpost? Did you bought the save or C2?

[@faosa73]

@@chongchunhang89 I bought the save, isn't the C2 aluminium?

[@chongchunhang89]

@@faosa73 c2 is carbon seatpost. c3 is aluminium.

[@leftymadrid]

Nice road bike from Cannondale for sure. When my Specialized Tarmac dies/cracks or ... I am 100% convinced that the Caad-12 would be my next road bike. It's just that what I am riding now is sooo nice, and could be a while for it to die lol. But yep, very convinced in if change is needed, I will definitely build a Caad-12, customizing it with my components!!!! No more carbon bikes after my Specialized Tarmac, I want to worry less about cracks and enjoy the road more. And carbon bikes are sooo damn expensive!!!!

[@hoizkiacha]

Mine has a 50/34 crankset and I managed to put a 11-34 cassette on it without changing the rear derailler. Put that on yout plate.

[@bayuagnitirta5401]

Love CAAD12. I'm Alluminati.

[@josephobenauer3093]

Good one.

[@fastlanerc8]

The seat stay is 25.4mm

[@mikicastan]

Fastlane RC True...caad 10 has 27,2

[@xchopp]

Trek 2.3 was a very fine aluminum road bike. Does the road buzz go away with 25 mm or 28 mm tires, I wonder?

[@buzzman4860]

change to a carbon bar and seat post and the buzz isn't there

[@jonathanzappala]

I’ll preface this with the fact I am an alloy rider, that’s not entirely true about aluminum being more robust for crit racing crashes. Carbon is stronger than alloy, it just cracks or delaminates rather than dents. If your carbon frame failed an alloy one probably would have too. Aluminum cannot be repaired while carbon can. So it’s actually not true from an inevitable crash perspective you should have alloy over carbon. GCN did a video on carbon vs alloy handlebars which was great at showing where aluminum fails and where carbon fails and the differences. It all depends on the type of failure where one or the other is better. Wheels for example, if you crack a carbon wheel you can guarantee if it was well made you would have dented an alloy rim of that is what you were on.

[@TomSaunders]

Agree with this, the caad12 frameset is light but won’t stand up to much in terms of crashing. I landed on mine at relatively low speed and made a big dent in the top tube... still a nice bike though!

[@gianmarcogiauna4761]

Sizing Help: I'm 178 cm (5ft10") with 83 cm (32,5) inseam. Saddle height is at 73 cm from BB. It' s my first real road bike Size 54 or 52?

[@JDRVP]

I got a 56 and I am 5'9.5" with a 31" inseam. It fits me great but I also have a long reach. 54 or 56 could work. I think 52 would be too small for you.

[@pedroandrade2398]

How does the ride compare to the alloy synapse in terms of comfort? Cheers.

[@johnkim3858]

Ever reviewed The Trek Emonda ALR?

[@benjaminwolf9801]

Ive had the allez, allez sprint, alr, and caad12. All around i prefer the caad12 but the sprint is great for outright speed. Just have to be okay with the geometry.

[@turkibaghlaf4565]

Hello, can you please do a review for Merlin Cordite 105 R7000 ?. I believe its a good buy but cant find many review for it

[@impulsobytheshades]

anyone knows if caad12 and supersix share the same geometry?

[@billschuler8157]

I have heard that aluminum "fails" after time? What does that even mean? Is that even true?

[@markstengel7680]

Enjoyed👍

[@jordangraff2254]

Let's see I've got a CAAD3 Saeco (And it always makes me feel like Mario) I've got a CAAD4 Saeco, a CAAD10, CAAD12 105 Disc that's been upgraded to Ultegra, a CAAD12 Ultegra with some upgrades and I just ordered a CAAD12 frameset to paint and buildup.... Yeah I kinda like aluminium 😊

[@DavidKholz]

could you tell me where you bought your latest CAAD12 frameset?

[@jordangraff2254]

@@DavidKholz local Cannondale dealer in Vancouver (Bicycle Sports Pacific)

[@DavidKholz]

@@jordangraff2254 Thank you Jordan! I was looking at various Cannondale homepages and couldn't find just the frameset. Unfortunately there aren't many dealers around here. Thanks again!

[@randy644]

how do you like the caad 12 compared to your caad 10? Is it as stiff and lively when your out of the saddle?

[@jordangraff2254]

@@randy644 I'm rarely ever out of the saddle to be honest... But they're both firm bikes... 12 being much more comfortable and more compliant altogether

[@donaghgavin4722]

25.4 SEATPOST lads...Bb 30... Unique to cannondale unfortunately..can anyone recommend an upgrade SEATPOST other than seat save..

[@vampireotaku4172]

Fizik has a nice carbon seat post

[@zoso73]

FSA SL-K seatpost also. The same one on the last iteration of the EVO -- 2015 to 2019 model years.

[@JoesCyclingReviews]

it has a 25.4mm seatpost not 27.2mm

[@plantfuelled8912]

Hmm, so aluminium is more robust? Nice argument, other than the fork is carbon fibre.

[@enriquecarrion5978]

cannondale the best

[@petrub27]

Why are you cross chaining?

[@AandA697]

Its more Efficient

[@raulfernandezperez73]

could someone teach that rider how to use gears? that derailleur its screaming for mercy, never use high crank with high speed in the cassette ! it is painful just to look at it!

[@TheRainmanBachelor]

25.4 seatpost

cad ? learn to spika di inglesio por favor ?

[@paolopetrozzi2213]

At 0:37 Again another one with the "Candle" problem... It's Cannondale, child.

[@user-ll5pj1vj3c]

put some lightweights wheel, whoa....

[@chrisandsamlivingthedream]

Just brought a caad 12 optimo.. Awesome.. lovey green colour .. it's on my channel if anyone wants a look .. cheers Chris & Sam

[@ทอดใข่ใข่ทอด]

wow

[@AandA697]

I Love mine but there is One thing about caads i do not like : the Top tube seems always a little bent. Not 100% Straight... Why is that?

[@steversteverstever]

Your eyes are cross eyed?

[@markredimerio127]

Yep I've noticed it too. The top tube is super thin in the middle section and butted (thickened) at both ends. Maybe that's why? Only notice it at certain angles.

[@AandA697]

@@markredimerio127 Thank God i a not the only One...

[@bonzobanana1]

Looking on the Cannondale site the description is 'SmartForm C1 Premium Alloy' but what is that? Is smartform a way of describing hydro-forming or air-forming? C1 Premium Alloy is just a made up name. Cannondale is a brand owned by Dorel who import a lot of bicycles from fuji-ta in China in fact the fuji-ta site even lists Cannondale as one of the brands they manufacture for. Their top aluminium material is 6069 I believe so could be that I guess. It gets a bit irritating when people act like Cannondale is the manufacturer, they are the importer even if they have products manufactured to their design. The real important work is at the actual manufacturer which dictates the final quality. I really dislike it when brands use fake descriptions to prevent telling you the real specification. 'Premium Alloy' is such a joke description wouldn't surprise me if it was bog standard 6061 or even old school 7005. I totally accept though a great recipe of parts, decent geometry can deliver a bike that merits a higher price point but I like to know if I'm getting value for money in component terms. What I'd like to see is a base bike for comparison. Maybe something like Halford's Carrera Virtuoso. A £300 Claris road bike with steel forks. Pretty much the lowest price point for a decent entry level road bike that is strong and reliable. I'd like to see more expensive bikes compared to that so we have some idea about how much faster, comfortable, reliable those bikes are to entry level. I write that as sometimes its very hard to get an idea about how good a bike is from a video review without a reference point for comparison. Maybe that reference point is too low perhaps something like a Claris equipped Giant Contend.

[@ericwilliamjohnson]

It's a solid ride. I have one. But it's very heavy.

[@zoso73]

Heavy? I bought the frameset and built it up to weigh 15.9 pounds with electric shifting. That's damn good for an alloy frame.

[@jackomalley3687]

Irks me how he has such an accent say "ALUMINUM" THE RIGHT WAY

[@lukerowell7185]

28mm tyers don't fit as they get to around 30mm when inflated. You will only be able to put the wheel in deflated then pump it up seated in the frame.

[@Plazthespaz3]

100% false. I've run 28s that measured around 30 on this frame for years.

[@LoscoeLad]

i've use 28mm on a caad12 disc. have you tried?

[@CFmike100]

I’m running Challenge Paris Roubaix 27’s on Kysrium Pro’s on my Ultegra (rim) CAAD12. They fit fine.

[@donaghgavin8132]

I run 28..no issues..loads of room

[@elysiumfire4230]

Could you guys not be any less sincere whilst pitching this Cannondale bike? You're not selling this to professional racers, you're selling it to the general public, and that will cover a narrow spectrum of riders. It is quite clear that the guy on the left does not like the bike because it is aluminium, and he is saying his pieces through gritted teeth. The only problem with this bike for me is the price, putting it just outside my budget. You two can stick to your fragile and over-hyped carbon.

[@wyattchoia2473]

My Giant Contend has much nicer formed aluminium tubes. More like a carbon frame. This Caad looks like a steel bike with those tubes.

[@JDRVP]

And your Contend weighs about 5 lbs more. Not even in the same class of bike at all.

[@carlgillespie5636]

Carbon snobbery

[@jorgelucascouto]

It is a nice bike, but is kind of obvious this review was paid hahahah

[@carlgillespie5636]

Just another guy who can't see past carbon.

[@papanino4415]

£1900 for an aluminium bike with rim brakes is now "good value for money"? How much did cannondale pay you for this video?

[@LoscoeLad]

you've never ridden one, have you?

[@papanino4415]

@@LoscoeLad And I probably never will since there are much better ways out there to spend my money.

[@jancreighton]

these two children are CLUELESS. But then just look at them - this hipster hair 'n beard duo, Rupert and Symon, as they opine oh-so-knowingly with nothing more than clichés and sales-spiel palaver. Painfull. "Cannondale stuck to the course..." Did they? Did they really? Is English actually your mother tongue? Don't you mean, "Cannondale stayed the course"? This is just pathetic.

[@LoscoeLad]

is it past bedtime mate?

[@taylorraywhitehead]

Allez sprint is better

[@reginaldscot165]

Taylor Whitehead in what way?

[@taylorraywhitehead]

@@reginaldscot165 the bottom bracket

[@mr02gixxer1000]

Taylor Whitehead are you serious? the bottom bracket makes the Allez better that’s it? I have two Caad12 a black Inc and 105 model. My local bike shop that I bought the Caads from gave me a Allez sprint to ride for a week. While it’s a stiff bike, there is no compliance whatsoever and you better find a smooth pavement to ride it on always. The Caad12 has both stiffness and compliance it’s a dream to ride especially when you add some nice wheels to the mix.

[@Cortes19882012]

Don’t think so.

[@BikeLife154]

Mine is a freaking creaking bike! Don’t buy one of these!

[@nicholasthiery9542]

Get a better mechanic.

[@BikeLife154]

Nicholas Thiery 3 different mechanics have looked at it! Get a better bike is the answer! Rode my TCR for 5 years with no creaks. If I could fix it I would sell it!

[@LoscoeLad]

get a bb converter and get rid of the shitty bb30a. no more creaks

[@Cortes19882012]

Change the button bracket. Problem solve.

[@JasonKale]

Just another chinese scam bike owned by Dorel Industries....

[@LoscoeLad]

you've never ridden one, have you?

[@JasonKale]

@@LoscoeLad No, i try not to support Globalist corporations that buy up American Companies like Cannondale, GT, Dyno, Schwinn, Mongoose , IronHorse then close their plants and ship more jobs off to China...There is no Such thing as Cannondale just another label on a product from china...Dorel industries bikes out of Canada....

[@Michael-m6p8w]

Affordable not cheap.