Giving the Cannondale CAAD12 a new look

[@maniastrat]

Really nice job you did on your CAAD ! You know bikes like these are so much better than the $$$ Uber bikes they sell today! Good for you to keep this one fresh!

[@al-du6lb]

Just watched for the second time and was impressed with how well done this video was.

[@andrewpearson4772]

Finally!!!! It's a video that gets straight to it and isn't a long drawn out talk to camera cut with speedy shots of work.

[@DilbertMuc]

Good proof, that aluminium is not dead in road bikes. And proof that rim brakes are just waaay lighter than discs. 🙂

[@tomrachellesfirstdance7843]

I have a caad 8 and love it still, love the look what you have done looks great

[@elizabethmcgovern9731]

Your a man that knows how to add value for money love your new color scheme the caad frames are great value frames with long lives .good luck with your upgrades.

[@MrMrdlegend]

I bought a new caad12 rim brake model with Ultegra 11spd in 2016 and have 18k miles on it. There is something about it that makes it a keeper

[@niletechnologiespvt.ltd.4081]

Its looking amazing. Connondale logo in black would have been deadly on this color

[@mikecortes8481]

Did the exact same thing to my Trek 1500! I used paint stripper, left it raw and polished. Everyone always thinks it’s a cannondale or a titanium!

[@grahamnguyen3726]

if only the CAAD 12 had a threaded BB like the CAAD 8, that would've been perfect.

[@hschofield82]

Amazing (and inspirational) video. I have a CAAD5 that I purchased new in 2003. Although it is in excellent mechanical condition, I'd love to refinish and upgrade it as you have your CAAD12.

[@Louisvw]

Thanks Hugh, these bikes are more than capable enough indeed

[@pdw170]

Looks stunning 👍

[@davidgarza2267]

Well done. Finished product looks good. Also heard bad things about cbear BBs. Thread together BB from Wheels manufacturing solved the creaking on my caad12.

[@Louisvw]

Is that BB compatible with the hollowgram cranks or did you change those as well?

[@davidgarza2267]

@@Louisvw If that uses the bb30a shell and you want hollowgram cranks, bbinfinite is probably your best (but expensive) option.

[@ercmadden]

That looks so cool! Your paintjob on that frame will always be in style. Timeless.

[@junpeng4784]

Absolute treat to watch, thank you for sharing the process! Looks sooo good.

[@BennyOcean]

The bike looks great. I have a 2016 CAAD12 105 disc. It might not be the most state of the art bike out there but I enjoy it very much. Like you said it has a quality... nimble like you said, lively is another word that comes to mind... fun.

[@GregDungca]

beautiful build! the paint walkthrough was particularly interesting. that cbear bit was horrifying. I'm looking for a replacement BB for my CAAD10, so good to know! also, fyi in case it might affect you, there was a recent recall of some of those PRO vibe stems due to cracking under certain conditions.

[@Louisvw]

Thanks you and thanks again for the heads-up! I'm gonna go read up right now to see if mine could be affected.

[@michaelpineda1814]

Love the combination of gray and black. But I would opt in to add more some logos just to justify it's frame brand. Overall, looks good and slick. Very all rounder bike. Keep up man!

[@Louisvw]

I agree! At first I wasn't too sure but now I do miss some decals. Thanks for watching!

[@polar898989]

No logos is the best part. Why advertise for a company if you aren't getting paid for it?

[@2552legoboy]

Awesome build! Polished my caad 8 frame last summer, took my more than 8 hours hahah :) . Great bike, looking at a similar build to yours and hoping to get sub 7kg

[@al-du6lb]

Great video love the bike. I have some loctite 641 on the way in the mail bc I'm experiencing the same issue!

[@Louisvw]

Hope it works man, It eventually came back after a few months so I just put in a wheels mfg BB and a shimano crankset.

[@insung9]

The bike is beautiful. Amazing job

[@IvanMalechko]

Great job indeed 👍 For the BB you also could try using FSA BB30 to regular BSA adapter. I remember it worked really well on caad 10 track frame. It’s cheap and you could use almost any other cranks after conversion. But at the same time, the original Cannondale crankset is pretty cool and light.

[@Louisvw]

Alright thanks for the heads-up! I'll keep that in mind for when my current crankset fails.

[@robertdewar1752]

I used one on my CAADX. Can't recommend it enough. I also went to Di2, so had to machine holes in it for cables to pass through.

[@zaphod_beeblerox]

that's a pretty drastic change to your fit with that stem setup, fit is THE (or even the only important) most important thing on a bike

[@Louisvw]

Yeah I know but if you're not having any pain or other issues that need addressing through your fit I guess you can play around with the aggressiveness of the cockpit depending on preference? I have about 500km with this fit and thinking of getting a 12 degree stem and back up to 110mm like I had before because I love the feeling 😅

[@brianstranyak1049]

Looks great, nice job. I have a CAAD10 and enjoy the bike a lotl

[@Louisvw]

Thanks! They say the CAAD10 is even more stiff and responsive than the 12. Might get one in the future.

[@brianstranyak1049]

@@Louisvw You're welcome. I never rode the 12 or 13. But I like the classic geometry of the 10.

[@Baggellyh]

brilliant video, an absolute pleasure to watch. makes me want to do the same to my bike

[@123oner2]

looks great! The green version

[@Louisvw]

🥲

[@123oner2]

@@Louisvw haha, like both of them mate, the decal on the top tube is a unique touch. Good stuff

[@zoso73]

My 2018 CAAD12 is fitted with Campagnolo Super Record 11-speed EPS, Fulcrum Speed 40 clinchers (no disc brakes, thankfully), Conti 5000s 25mm tires, Bontrager Montrose saddle with carbon rails, LOOK Keo blade pedals, FSA stem, handlebar and seat post ... 15.1 pounds.

[@Louisvw]

Sounds like a lovely bike. Around 38mm wheels is the best looking on this frame imo so I'll go that route in the future aswel!

[@temnyi_shoser]

Nice evolution ❤ Have a similar idea for my BMC Teammachine ALR + purple accents.

[@fidel_cyclingaddicts5167]

I own a 2019 caad12.. and its my fav bike.. i also own a emonda sl7 etap axs and by far the caad12 is more fun.. eventually i will rebuild it to be my one and only bike.. thats how much i love it.

[@Louisvw]

Preach

[@angela-onesroman8873]

Really all nice job, you'll like the hypers, i have the 2023 r45 versions and they are great.

[@Louisvw]

Thanks! Really looking forward to get my hands on some.

[@1900Pedals]

Wheels Manufacturer thread together BB is the best option for these press in type BB-- No Creaking.

[@Louisvw]

Ended up getting this bb! Will install it next week and hopefully that fixes it.

[@1900Pedals]

@@Louisvw I put in the wheels manufacturer thread together BBs in all 4 of my bikes and have not had a single issue. I’ve been using them for years now and I can attest they are solid, no creaks or sounds of any kind. They make them in any configuration for whatever BB you want to run.

[@Louisvw]

@@1900Pedals Lovely to hear. Looking forward to finally solve the CAADs only flaw

[@Louisvw]

@@1900Pedals Installed them yesterday and went on a small ride. For the first time in a long time I could get out of the saddle and yank on the bike without it making a single sound. Love it.

[@714SNF]

such a nice bike! clean paintjob!

[@tjgonzwest]

Beautiful build!! Saw on reddit as well, did you need to purchase anything else to slam the stem? I'm trying to figure out what all I need to do it. Thanks!!

[@Louisvw]

Thanks man, I appreciate it! I ordered a 5mm topcap from the cannondale website because you do need a top cap. But apparently there was already a 5mm top cap sitting underneath the 25mm-ish top cap that comes with the CAAD. So check that first, you might not have to buy anything just maybe a spacer to go on top if you don't plan on cutting your steerer tube. Cheers!

[@thebrunoserge]

Great job - you even modernized the look with a small frame logo, like the new models! Q: What's that computery looking thing you have attached to the handlebar?

[@Louisvw]

It's a Wahoo elemnt bolt! (gps computer)

[@naldyano]

still being my dream bike man

[@hippo71124]

What a gorgeous makeover! And how did you keep the logo? Did you make like a mask to spray paint it on?

[@Louisvw]

Hi Andrew! Thanks! I didn't keep the logo, that's just a decal. If you want to do it the proper way you would first paint a bit of the frame, put some decals on top, paint the rest of the frame, and then remove the decals to reveal the first color in the shape of the decals. I didn't do so mainly because I would have to buy more paint and decals just for a few letters :D

[@hippo71124]

@@Louisvw haha that makes sense though, I’d do the same. If it’s scratched off, just get a new decal

[@tgc281]

I have lun wheels they are a tier lower than the hypers and a set of cheap super team wheels both sets are great! The winspace wheels have the better quality, lighter and stiffer. But the supers are still awesome.

[@benjaminblabla]

I have a set of Hyper D38 and they are just great, they changed my bike. Previously I had on another bike the Lun Road 45mm (not hypers) and I loved them too, the free hub was so loud!! (D38 aren't that loud)

[@Louisvw]

I'm also looking at the 38s! I prefer a bit of a shallower wheel than the 50mm I have right now on such a classic geo frame. Feel like the 38 would be absolutely perfect for the caad.

[@benjaminblabla]

@Doc Louis you re right, 50s are too much and if I remember well 45 front 50 rear, something like that. 38s is a good compromise. Don't forget to find a 10% reduction code on google, it works well (hypers are more expensive than Lun road)

[@niletechnologiespvt.ltd.4081]

I have seen people clocking an average speed of 21-24 miles an hour on Cannondale CAAD12, 105. Beyond the level of the bike is the rider unless you are participating in Competitions. I own a CAAD 12 105, Acid Red model. Have clocked 12500 km on it without a single problem. Have upgraded the wheel set to Parcours 50mm Carbon, Handlebar to Integrated Trek madone Handlebar and tyres to Continental Tubeless.Just had One puncture in 12000 km that too a Valve leak. Weighs 8.3 kg with pedals.

[@borisgodunov3049]

Hi! Look so cool! What maximum size tires fit in this bike? I have same, but with disc.

[@Louisvw]

Measured with calipers, there is about 32mm of space in the chainstain triangle and 38mm in the fork. But I think 30mm tires would already be pushing it considering they might touch the frame due to wheel flex. 28mm's are no problem.

[@SebNutter]

Nice job.

[@dh7314]

Very nice, well done

[@makrja]

Beautiful.

[@leandrolopez2562]

Hello, what wheels are those? can you tell me where to buy them? Have you ever had any problems with braking?

[@pepessz32]

Nice bike, man. Although I must say, personally I'd rather keep the original paint. Cannondale paint jobs never miss imo. Just look at those greens. Anyway, nice build! been trying to find a caad10 myself. Hopefully I can build myself one. Cheers!

[@AandA697]

Honestly, am I extremely lucky or what are you guys are doing wrong? I own a caad12 and a caadx. Thousands of miles, even in the worst weather wicht the caadx but never ever did I have any problems with my bottom brackets... Both are totally fine...

[@Louisvw]

I think there's quite the selection bias going on here. We only see the caad owners with problems complaining. The creak-rate could be a 5% and you'd still see more vids of people complaining than praising the BB. I had a previous CAAD with no problems but this one unfortunately has.

[@sbccbc7471]

@@Louisvw Let me guess, yours has no interference fit?

[@BikeLife154]

I also own a Caad12 and a CaadX. My Caad12 was nothing but stress and trouble from day one! The Cannondale dealership couldn’t stop the creaking! It was even sent off to Cannondale themselves and they couldn’t sort it. People who have no problems with their bikes always blame other owners or think they are doing something wrong. The truth is, companies like Cannondale can’t work to acceptable tolerances and that’s seen by their reverting to threaded BBs these days! I fitted a C-bear BB and that silenced it for a while, but now have a Hambini Race BB fitted and Shimano cranks. It is sweet!

[@AandA697]

@@BikeLife154 bro, I never blamed anyone. Just wondering

[@Louisvw]

@@BikeLife154 A Hambini BB is the endgoal for me as well

[@rainypath96]

i have a same generation supersix evo, but i really want a caad12. imo these are the best bikes ever made

[@Louisvw]

Would love to try a supersix as well. Since the geo is the same I guess that would give a good opportunity to compare alu vs carbon. And I don't know if they are the best but I do know I love them and they make me happy riding them :)

[@brody5211]

@@Louisvw down the years I had 3 caad12s and one supersix himod -same geometry I sold the supersix and kept the Caad. It just felt so lively. I’d go the shed, and the Caad used to win out . Always felt fast on it

[@jmluisdeoliveiramore]

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

[@tanqinxiang]

I own a pair of hyper wheels rim brake. The braking in rain is terrible as per most carbon wheels. However, I saw that the normal Lun version has a different brake track like ZIPP. Anyone have owned the normal Lun and Hyper wheels to confirm that the cheaper Lun has better braking power?

[@Joaquin070]

Love the bike, hate the sudden noisy sound effects.

[@ZolaKeating]

Great job on the build. I have a Caad12 and want to upgrade my seat post, what are you using?

[@Louisvw]

It's the Cannondale SAVE seatpost

[@sbccbc7471]

You can take a look at the FSA SL-K SB20. You can adjust your saddle fore & aft without messing with the angle.

[@mattsidebottom7603]

Great build. So glad ive seen this. I was looking at buying a -17deg pro vibe stem to make it look flat and level with the top tube. But the 10deg might look better? Im thinking the -17deg might look too much towards the ground?

[@Louisvw]

The Caad12 size 52 has a 72.6. degree headtube angle so a 17.4 degree stem would be completely parallel with the ground. However the toptube slopes down a bit so a 10 degree stem is more parallel to the toptube if thats what your going for. I like the 10, might go 12-ish in the future.

[@mattsidebottom7603]

@@Louisvw ive just seen a -12 in the s works tarmac looks ideal

[@Louisvw]

@@mattsidebottom7603 I think so too, go for it :)

[@visualina]

man, your bike is the best. personally it looks way better than the original. how about change your stem into 17degree?

[@Louisvw]

I'm glad some people like it at much as I do :) I think 17 degree would be a bit too much for me right now, I'll first try a 12 degree stem like the tarmac one.

[@visualina]

@@Louisvw as a pure hobbist, this caad 12 rides like a peak. and yes, the only downside is it's press BB. :)

[@romanzanier]

hey which chrome color did you order? I would really love that one. Greetings

[@Louisvw]

Hey man sorry for the delay. It's a custom spraycan by the dutch company "unlimited colors". They paint bikes of high profile athletes and have this color available under the name "chrome" on their website. It's expensive though at about €50 a can.

[@romanzanier]

@@Louisvw and a totally different question, which mount do you use for your wahoo it looks super sleak! Also: Love the build very inspo for future projects!! Greetings

[@Louisvw]

@@romanzanier The mount is called "HideMyBell" because it also houses a bell underneath. Here in Belgium pedestrians are not always happy when you fly by without giving a heads up so I choose to carry a bell on my bike. And I appreciate your kind words!

[@faetofagitosou]

Beautiful

[@brody5211]

Love this

[@JumpingWatermelons]

CAADS RULE

[@Louisvw]

🫡

[@jibe0918]

wow your caad looks awesome! can you tell me what wheelset is it on your bike?

[@Louisvw]

It's these ones: a.aliexpress.com/_EQPR0Aj 50mm deep, R13 hub When I bought them 2 years ago they were the most sold carbon wheels on there with 500+ reviews but the page has changed a bit since and the amount of reviews is less, no idea why.

[@gorgosvk12]

Hello! You did super job, bike looks waay better. For sure it rides better as well :) How would you compare primavera bars with pro vibe alloy ones you mentioned? I know they are superlight, but would you prefer them even if the weight was similar? I have pro vibe alloy handlebars and thinking about primavera ones. I've read some reviews, that they flex o lot, so I am little bit concerned. I have 70kg, do prefer hill climbing, but I do racing as well (but sprinting is not really my thing) :)

[@Louisvw]

They definitely have more flex than the pro vibe alloy ones. But it's only noticable when your in the drops and yanking on the bar during a full out sprint. But even though you feel it move a bit I don't think it affects my sprint in any way and I'm quite heavt atm (82kg). Any other riding apart from full out sprinting and you don't notice any flex.

[@JerMixVlog]

Nice bike 👍

[@ajpeterson5668]

Why wouldn’t you just wrap the frame, I think it would be quicker and it protects the frame from rock chips

[@Louisvw]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wrapped bike. I suppose it is hard to do because unlike a car you have no panels to hide the ends of the wrap behind.

[@thebrunoserge]

Who cut your steering tube?

[@Louisvw]

I did, you can use 2 old stems as a guide and cut in the middle.

[@gokhanugurr]

Very nice? How much weight?

[@Louisvw]

7,3 Kg

[@iansellers1251]

Did you use laquer or UV protection on the carbon fork at all ?

[@Louisvw]

yeah it has a clear coat

[@iansellers1251]

@@Louisvw any details of product used and would you recommend?

[@danyjy8981]

how do you find the handlebars so far?

[@Louisvw]

They're alright. Have a little bit of noticeable flex, which is not unexpected considering the weight. So probably not for you if you're a heavy sprinter. Besides that I don't know if I like the thinner tubing comfort wise. Lastly I'm having some troubles with the bar slipping in the stem. Took off the stem yesterday and all the sandpaper-like coating on the bar that's supposed to prevent slipping had come off and turned into a kind of powder. I'll be getting some carbon paste and see if that helps.

[@Zubair00001]

I regret selling my Caad 12.

[@jameswolsely2202]

What wheels do you currently have?

[@Louisvw]

still these cheap Chinese "superteam" wheels. Next upgrade will definitely be wheels though.

[@GustavLorentz]

Nice job! What are those wheels?

[@Louisvw]

They're from aliexpres but served me very well. Powerway R13 hubs. I think the brand is superteam.

[@davidtucky]

Which Saddle is it? Looks comfy

[@Louisvw]

Pro Stealth Carbon. I find it very comfy indeed. Has a short nose that allows for getting aero and is decently light.

[@451dcramer]

What seatpost do you have?

[@Louisvw]

Cannondale SAVE

[@robertsamuel1994]

How is the handlebar holding up?

[@Louisvw]

My pair is fine :) I have about 5k on them now. But some people do seem to have some problems

[@ronitdebnath]

Which headset bearing cap did you use to slam it?

[@Louisvw]

The 5mm top cap from cannondale: www.cannondale-parts.de/epages/61764971.mobile/en_US/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61764971/Products/%22KP253/%22&Locale=en_US

[@justaletdown]

What bottlecages are you using?

[@Louisvw]

Bontrager xxx

[@the.communist]

I prefered the green colour

[@andrewhayes7055]

Looks much nicer than the boring heavy overpriced identikit bikes being churned out these days

[@co7013]

Why? It was fine the way it was.

[@Louisvw]

Agreed, there was nothing wrong with it. But I like changing things around and I like getting creative. I've built computers out of wood and converted a van into a camper. Those things can be bought for less but the enjoyment of building something yourself, to your own liking, adds a kind of value no money can buy.

[@CG-99]

Only 9k km on a pair of wheels!!! Shows you get what you pay for.

[@simonwarmer8777]

Vette bike!!

[@chriskros8858]

Nice but for me disc brakes are must have.

[@paolopetrozzi2213]

"Key Gees" ... It's kilograms.

[@Louisvw]

It's also not Bee Bee but Bottom Bracket

[@paolopetrozzi2213]

@@Louisvw No, kg (g + kilo) is part of the SI, it's a standard, an international standard. A standard adopted by over 200 countries, literally all over the World, except the US, Burma and Liberia