Cannondale CAAD12 - The Perfect Road Bike for Beginners?

[@zoso73]

Good review with good analysis. I would change the title to "Cannondale CAAD12 -- The Perfect Road Bike." I just sold my 2016 Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod with SRAM Red (don't ask me how much i originally paid for it). I like to ride in fast groups and I always felt my MUCH cheaper 2018 Cannondale CAAD12 was stiffer and racier than its carbon sister, and I no longer had a need for 2 bikes that I use for the same purpose. Maybe not quite as comfy as the carbon SuperSix, but the CAAD12 is comfy enough with better stiffness and precision.

[@sustainf]

Great bike choice & review! Not only a bike for a beginner, just an excellent bike for all!

[@JDRVP]

Great review. Just bought a 2017 CAAD12 that is brand new and only ridden once. It still had the tags on both skewers! Bought it $600 USD.🤪 Took it out for the first time and already beat my best mile split over my carbon Wilier Cento 1 Air!. The handling and responsiveness is amazing!

[@props651]

$600 for a CAAD 12?! You lucky dog!

[@briantruck2284]

Nice

[@nyaaark.5121]

Nice review, please never stop youtube. I have been searching for days for a review, kudos to you even though you are just starting youtube your content is on point! keep safe during the pandemic! Cheers from the philippines!

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Thank you for the wonderful comment! Let me know if there is any specific type of content you would like to see in the future. Hopefully the situation around the world will improve soon. Stay safe!

[@nyaaark.5121]

@@tokyocyclist2509 what size is your caad12? I am blowing my head up deciding whether the specialized allez sprint or the caad12

[@tokyocyclist2509]

It's a size 48, and I am 165cm tall. Online reviews of the specialized are general good, although personally I just think the CAAD just looks better. Ultimately, if possible, you should test ride both and choose from there...

[@8rk]

I dunno man. 20 or so bikes later (lost count. I have an addiction) I'm on a CAAD12 myself. I've been riding 8 years. I think it suits everyone.

[@carldizon7405]

great choice on bike. they are more than capable of hanging with carbon counterparts. in fact, at us criteriums, a significant number of caad12s and allez sprints will be in the peloton. an allez owner myself but looking for a disc caad12 to be my "climbing bike"

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Thank you for your comment! I am not an expert in criteriums, but judging by the videos I have watched, it looks like an extremely risky sport considering the speed and how everyone is riding closely together. I can totally see the merits of using aluminum for any risks of crashes.

[@alydude2011]

Nice honest review, and yes, caad12 over the 13 any day I agree 100%. 🚴‍♀️

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Thanks! Trying to be objective as much as possible. Too bad Cannondale didn't keep the overall design towards the 13.

[@faizalbaharuddin2060]

Excellent review. Just picked up mine today. Simplistically minimalist. Not the latest but will definitely last.

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Thanks, and congrats! Everyone who is interested should get one while they last.

[@hafezi77]

which bike shop u get caad12? good offer?

[@tokyocyclist2509]

I live in Japan. I got mine at Ys'road, located in the middle of Shinjuku in Tokyo. They sold it for me for 1,500 dollars.

[@richardrodriguez3590]

Great job. Excellent video Caad12 over 13 all day!!!

[@mudonsunday]

I have viewed hundreds of review videos on all different bikes and this was the most comprehensive and honest review I have seen!!! You touch on all subjects that would matter most to your average cyclist. Thank You!!!🇺🇸

[@danclas5983]

Really like your bike, looks very stealth. I still ride a 2015 CAAD 10 105 11 spd and have never felt at any disadvantage on it. I actually rode a few super six's first but couldn't stop climbing back on the CAAD. Unless your a competitive racer or top level pro you will most definitely not be at any disadvantage with 105 or a CAAD, your fitness will stop you long before 105 will. For most the differences are negligible to the cost difference.

[@udontknowme4057]

The CAAD series are awesome frames...I too began with CAAD (10, 105). It is high performing, light, and responsive for the cost-effective price. A CAAD frame in any group set is a keeper. I still use the bike on occasions, but have since upgraded to a Litespeed Ultimate as my daily ride. Great channel BTW.

[@dannylocuvideo]

Do you know the weigh of this machine when you had 105 groupset?

[@jugodenaranja2010]

what do you think about the synapse? I'm hesitating between these two for a first road bike, just for fun rides, fitness, no races.

[@johnh.6839]

Excellent - I have been away from serious riding for a while and this is very helpful. I used to ride (circa 1994) a Team Miyata Cr-Mo frame with Campagnolo Nuovo Record (friction). In your videos - are you riding with cage or SPD pedals?

[@Aestheticsolutionsvegas]

Your bike looks soo good!!! Please, What wheels are you using?

[@johnpose9949]

Caad are great bikes. The only problem is they use bb30 which is a pain to maintenance if u r an average beginner cyclist. Upgrading the crank will also require a bb upgrade

[@sbccbc7471]

And there aren't many BB30A options for those running 24 mm crankset spindles due to the obstruction with the cable guide. So far, I know CEMA, Wheels Manufacturing, BBInfinite and Hambini fit without issues.

[@christinayeung5331]

thank you for posting this. really helpful for me. i am a beginner too and friends are pushing me to get CAAD 13 105. did you bring your bike to a local bike shop to assemble?

[@tokyocyclist2509]

I am glad the video was helpful! My bike was already assembled as I bought it directly from the local bike shop. However, they did implement final checks (e.g. adjustments to brakes and shifting, bike fit, etc.) before they handed it over. According to the reviews, the CAAD13 is an awesome bike! Must be more comfortable than the 12 because of the drop seat stays.

[@cristianbanuelos1621]

What type of wheel set do you use on you caad12?

[@TheDwoods14]

Where can you even find a caad12 anymore? ll the websites are just selling caad13s. I need a 60cm with preferably disc brakes as i'm a heavier rider and would like a bit more reliability.

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Unfortunately, CAAD12's are a rarity these days; disc brakes are even rarer. The only option you have is to look around bike shops and see if they have any leftovers or search used on the internet.

[@TheDwoods14]

@@tokyocyclist2509 Alright,thnx.

[@briantruck2284]

Used

[@TheDwoods14]

@@briantruck2284 Yeah, I ended up with a CAAD9 (white and red). It's a beauty. I also like that it was the last model made in the U.S.A.

[@clintnieves]

Nice color. Had the Hazard Orange for 15 months before it got wrecked when I was rear ended (again 3 weeks prior to owning the Hazard Orange CAAD12 from a Cerulean CAAD Optimo I owned for less than a day wrecked by a Honda scooter rider sleeping at the helm) by a cocky KTM Duke 390 rider. Thank goodness I get paid for both incidents and now I have the white 2018 version.

[@tokyocyclist2509]

You don't seem to have a lot of luck with the CAAD! Hopefully your 2018 version will last longer than that! Must have been a hell of a crash to decommission an aluminum frame!

[@clintnieves]

Tokyo Cyclist The Optimo broke off its mech hanger, twisted the drop bar a bit, and and both wheels were heavily scraped with deep scratches on them and obviously no longer straight and true while the inner tube blew off. The orange CAAD12 was hit on the left chain stay by the axle of the Duke 390 while the eft seat stay was hit by it’s radiator causing a massive dent and the branding looked like it was smeared off after the accident. i didn’t get a photo of it though. Only had a photo of where we ended up after the hit. The wheels needed a bit of truing and the front did suffer quite the scratches.

[@Northwindbreeze]

Wow you re pretty good! Thanks so much!

[@sergeidoria2150]

How’s the sizing? I am 5’5, do you think 44 would fit me?

[@doyourawesome4116]

No a 50cm or 52 cm would work for u

[@sbccbc7471]

If it's a 2016 CAAD12, Size 44. 2017 - 2019, Size 48. Take note of the standover height too. I stand at 165 cm (around 5'5) with a 77.8 cm inseam, so I should take a Size 48. I can ride a Size 50, but the standover height is one centimetre too high.

[@hafezi77]

Good review.. looking for my first rb from malaysia..

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Contemplating on a Cannondale for your first rb?

[@pyruvate5627]

what are your thoughts on the brakes in CAAD12? I am somewhat disappointed with them. I am not sure if it's because I switched from disc brakes (I had a trek Fx2) to clip brakes or if caad12 brakes inherently have a bit of lag.

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Nah, I don't think it has to do with the CAAD12. The characteristics of the frame and fork MAY have an effect, but ultimately it is the caliper and the brake pads doing the work. The wheelset and rims also play a huge role. General consensus is that disc brakes provide better braking performance, and those who use disc brakes later hardly go back to using rim brakes, although hillclimbers tend to prefer rim brakes for being light. However, the CAAD12 does use direct mount brakes, which are less effective than dual pivot brakes, which the TREK emonda alr uses.

[@MrMpow3r]

Buy Swiss stop pads. Best pads I've used on rim brakes

[@daelmanalansan]

awesome review! btw, what size is your frame and what size of tires do you use?

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Thanks! Frame is size 48. Currently using 25c GP4000s.

[@daelmanalansan]

Tokyo Cyclist have you tried using 28mm? I have CAAD12 size 44 and I’m planning to use 28mm but not sure if it will fit.

[@tokyocyclist2509]

Ufh...it may barely fit. I have seen photos online, but I have not tried it myself. Not a geometry expert, but smaller bike frames may make a difference on fit. Also, rim width may also make a difference. I recommend finding someone who uses 28s and quickly swap it and see if it fits.

[@cycleoflife565]

@@daelmanalansanI have a Caad 12 using 25s and fully inflated they barely fit between the calipers. You would likely have to deflate the 28s to install or remove the wheels in order for them to make it past the calipers.

[@bjornerikkleiven9172]

I seriously doubt that there are many more bikes a lot better than Caad12 if your are stacked!!

[@BikeLife154]

I agree with everything you said and I’ve had my 2016 Caad12 from new. The one thing that stops me recommending Cannondale to anyone is their totally useless bb30/a standard! Nothing good to say about it, and I’m currently in the process of changing mine to Shimano! Their tolerances are ridiculous and the whole design is flawed. However, the frame is amazing as is the Hologram crankset. Sorry, but I will never buy Cannondale again!

[@sbccbc7471]

Check out Wheels Manufacturing for a thread-together unit, or BBInfinite/Hambini if you want a one-piece solution.

[@PaulJersey]

I need a faster bike to race my German Shepard with!...LOL!

[@anissems1206]

The music ruined your video