Second-Hand Superbike: Rebuilding a £500 Cannondale CAAD12

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring this video: Head to squarespace.co... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code davidarthur
Part 2 in my series of buying and revamping a second hand Cannondale CAAD 12 I bought for £500. The plan was to put a shiny new Shimano groupset on it but nearly didn't go to plan several times!
Big thanks to Scott Jones at Cotswold Bike Works for his time, skill and insights. I couldn't have done it myself!
Check out his services at:
www.cotswoldbi...
/ cotswoldbikeworks
www.facebook.c...
JOIN MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER eepurl.com/inIvGk
Supported by Saddleback
Castelli clothing bit.ly/justrid...
Sidi shoes bit.ly/3tjQ8UP
HJC helmet bit.ly/3sRiB2Z
Buy Bikestow Stance stand here bit.ly/3LSZQXZ
Follow me:
Instagram: / davidjarthur
Twitter: / davearthur
Facebook: / justridebikesvideo

[@edmundhodgson2572]

Nice to see a quality mechanic with a no nonsense attitude. A breathe of fresh air for youtube.

[@diehardbikes]

Well while I love my guys with a no nonsense attitude, I hope you don't mean the guys who don't laugh much. My boys love to laugh and joke while working away. And I'm there with them. Love it. The customers are our friends just as much as they are customers in our shop.

[@simongardiner6865]

And a screwdriver to remove a bearing.........

[@richardpolidore1702]

Doesn't need a new paint. Save your money and just ride it.

[@Cortes19882012]

I have the 2019 Ultegra rim brake model. Bought it brand new back in October 2018. Last year I replace the BB30 with a BBinfinite ceramic bearing with new cables. Rides alot better now.

[@redsmartphone7185]

Scott looks after my 2 CAAD12's and a Synapse. Great to see Scott getting the publicity he deserves - every time my bikes go in for a service it's like cycling a new bike out of the showroom when Scott's done his magic. Great vid - thanks

[@stephenprice4739]

That was a great watch seeing the 105 12 speed installed. Made easy by a top mechanic. I think Cooper stole the show though 😂

[@michaelpeppersack8599]

less than 5 minutes in the video and we get to meet a puppy! big thumbs up

[@slantedorbit]

Very soothing to have one’s bike worked on by a pro. Like rehab with a proper PT. Afterward everything feels amazing!

[@peternaughton3301]

What a gentleman. I really enjoyed being able to see this demonstration, as he calmly worked on the bike making it seem effortless. The camera work was very good aswell. You could properly see the bike and what was going on, not hopping around to a soundtrack. Thanks Scott, David, and Cooper..for a lovely little video. A breath of fresh air. Chapeau.

[@richardmiddleton7770]

Cannondale's Caad frames were the best aluminum frames on the market and they show what could have been before carbon took over and no one could afford a decent bike anymore! They used to sell these with Dura ace on!

[@abedfo88]

These are my favourite sort of builds. Just all around solid choices on parts with the 105. Quality BB and wheels. Then chefs kiss with care taken on the build.

[@kieranbarry8193]

Aah, internal cabling....the gift that just keeps on 'giving' :)

[@yonglingng5640]

At least it's not as bad as integrated internal routing, the CAAD12's headset assembly is still fast and easy to work on.

[@andrewlipsiner9791]

SUPERB , informative, content here. Really appreciate Scott sharing and showing proper techniques of removal and install procedures. Especially, Expander plug and how to properly , measure and cut fork Keep these Inexpensive Bike builds coming , David 🏁🏁

[@davidarthur]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NeilSnapePhotography]

So many little but important things to know, that only a good mechanic can make perfetly done repairs saving time and trouble. I appreciated both of you sharing this refit.

[@sdbowen18]

I had that exact piece of plastic under the bottom bracket that keeps the FD cable off the crank axle break and resulted in the crank axle snapping in two. What you installed was the old style cable guide and has been replaced with one that includes a metal bridge would be a good upgrade to stop any more unwanted wear.

[@JSC131]

Brilliant content David a pleasure watching this episode Scott is obviously spot on a very knowledgeable mechanic.

[@chrisgarwood2237]

Thank for that, enjoyed, especially the bit about cutting the steerer

[@davidarthur]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wrwicky]

Cooper is a good boy!

[@nes4362]

Excellent idea especially with still high bike prices and bike shrinflation - companies are using lower quality group sets but charging the same or more. Dont buy new bikes until there is a correction of sorts

[@vanecvetkovski]

Brilliant video David. I really enjoyed watching that. Scott is an amazing mechanic, but Cooper was the star of that show!!!

[@philipjamesparsons]

Great mechanic! I've had my Caad10 for 13 years, same stuff needs doing. The lower headset bearing needs changing every couple of years. Penetrating oil helps it move. The BB30, was a pain and the best upgrade I made was fitting an FSA Hollowtech converter and 105 chainset. The Wheels Mfg, bottom bracket, I used until the BB30 chainset wore out. The spacers must never be above the stem (unlike other bikes). This is in the instructions I did not read; damaged the steerer and was lucky to find a used replacement. The steerer must be cut as shown. Factory paint is good quality and attractive. Why bother respraying?

[@michaelconway8352]

A carbon copy of what I did with my CAAD10. Got fed up with the water ingress rotting the BB30 bearings on a regular basis. Fitted FSA converter and an Ultegra BB. Been running it trouble free for years.

[@714SNF]

always nice to see a pro work their magic

[@gregoryspowell]

great down to earth vid. Thanks!

[@stevem.3646]

Have my Caad12 completely torn down on the bench right now. Converted it to Di2, so I've filled the downtube cable holes and am re-painting it. Will install my "recalled" Ultegra crankset w/ Stages power meter. Di2 shifting, Rim Brake, Hunt Wheels, Carbon Bars/Seatpost. Waiting for Spring...

[@davidarthur]

looking forward to seeing that, make sure you share it with us

[@DeStraatz]

I had the same issue with the bottom bearing after road salt washed all grease away. Took a good 8 hours, and 24 hours of WD40 soaking prior, but got it out with a hammer and a screwdriver. Afterwards, a wire wheel, new bearing and a good serving of copper grease and I was on my way.

[@david.vandergoes]

New dog! Now that’s great content.

[@JohnDoe-yh9gi]

Cooper, future award winning bike mechanic.

[@danm5021]

I recently renovated a caad10 and got it resprayed in red saeco livery - looked sooo much better afterwards - i had to get a respray as had bubbling paint before esp around bottle bosses. I'd say go for it - you get a properly one-off bike and it looks brand new once you've done it.

[@janeblogs324]

Until the aluminium oxidises again and bubbles. 7000 series alloy isn't great long term

[@peterharrington8709]

Great watching a pro at work. Been putting off servicing my headset... definitely gonna have to get my finger out on that one I think. Brake hose 'semis compatibility' was interesting to hear about too.

[@nathanarabia526]

That frame deserves a nice polish. Let that baby shine!

[@josipX]

Please do another video with Scott

[@niklaskristensson2231]

Great channel getting even better...and better🎉❤

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Awesome video,love the frame teardown and detailed analysis,new stem and handlebar look awesome.💯👌🏻✌🏻🚴‍♀️

[@wsbygt]

So nice! My advice? Keep the original paint it looks great!

[@kaa13]

I've just bought in september for 2300 euros a 2018 Cannondale supersix evo hm disk brakes all Shimano dura ace Hollowgram carbon wheels that just rides perfectly smooth.

[@davidarthur]

now that's a good deal!

[@kaa13]

@@davidarthur 👌

[@leedorney]

Dave, the dog takes the biscuit mate 😁

[@dominicbritt]

Great to hear someone talking sense about BB30 👍.

[@mortlow6688]

Cooper 14 weeks old....oooooooh 😍

[@paulraymond8574]

Im tempted to get a old Caad....looks the business ❤

[@krissk77]

Nice... building one soon... with Chinese alloy frame...🎉 its clean no need painting.😊

[@LUISREYES-cf1op]

Love the the process, awesome video.

[@richiejames928]

What a gorgeous puppy ❤

[@daviddawn9043]

I did my lower cup other week it was rusted corroded, I had to knock it out, point is check your bottom every 2 months or so very easy job

[@janeblogs324]

Don't grease the outside of the lower bearing and remove one of the seals. Water that that can't escape is death

[@Joshuavoice29]

Love me some Cannondale.

[@rovets]

Hey David, please check if your tires are fit correctly. I am pretty sure the rotation should be other way around. Thanks for the video.

[@davidarthur]

yeah they are on 'wrong' way round you're not the first to point that out. If I had a pound for every time someone pointed that out I'd be able to quit KZbin haha ;)

[@rovets]

@@davidarthur so fix it instead of replying to these annoying comments, specially having such a talented mechanic on hand 😅 Just joking, have a nice day.

[@rovets]

@@davidarthur, just realized that it is a strategy to keep a comment section live, good one David, keep them as they are 😅

[@cotswoldbikeworks]

It will make an interesting video, “does tyre direction on bikes really matter?”

[@ronaldomartinsdossantos8282]

I love Cannondale!

[@seryozhasteve]

Great vid - lots of good practice tips from yer man there. Lovely bike - but I wouldn’t repaint it. Cooper wouldn’t approve that either.

[@stevesnailfish]

That was cool as f**k !!! He makes it look so bloody easy compared to when I do stuff on me bikes.....Wow. As for Cooper, what a star !!!

[@Dustydayzz]

watching Arthur not reviewing a bike is like watching a sitcom scene where the characters are in the hallway instead of inside the apartment as usual

[@kevinvandyck8376]

Nice bike build 😍

[@josemanuelrodriguezrodrigu5725]

Keep its original paint. Great bike and great video.

[@scooterchannelanddoityoursel]

The cable routing next to the bb is not good , CAAD10 is better in this context, the cable routing is outside there for the shifting cable.

[@spinnetti]

why does this stuff wear out so fast? Seems like on old bikes the bearings lasted practically forever. All the wet weather in the UK?

[@rothgartheviking858]

Its a Cannnondale. Their BB are shit. Bearing have to be glued in . I have the rim break version of this bike. Same issues.

[@yesmate78]

Because its about ripping off Joe public

[@Ryan.T89]

Cannondale quality is the problem.

[@eagerbob]

yes, it is water ingress. BB shell has a huge opening on the underside, to let the cables trough. Water and road salt can get in easily. Also water can enter through other openings, ending up in the lowest part, which is the BB shell.

[@janeblogs324]

Internal cable routings guide the rain right to the BB

[@kippen64]

That was really fascinating.

[@CharlieMetcalf]

Cabling was never an issue til someone said it would look better if we hid them. BAM now cables suck and electronic is the way to go. Old school all the way for me. No plastic bike.

[@gokhanugurr]

Cannondale suede cush bar tape best choice David 😉

[@ulrikmortensen9426]

“Smooth”? Still Can not get over how much BETTER a 30 year old square taper Shimano Shimano XT/XTR/Dura ace like UN 72 spins despite being used for decades on my old bikes.😅

[@daviddawn9043]

I don't get why you slammed the stem? The geometry is already low with spacers, are you wanting it slammed ? Will you be comfortable

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

Thanks , great stuff 👍 👌 🎉🎉😢

[@a1white]

Wouldn’t it make more sense, rebuilding a cheaper 2nd hand frame to use a much cheaper 11spd 105 (that you can still pick up for a bargain price) and is also cheaper to maintain (11spd cassettes are much chepaer) Does that extra cog make that much difference?

[@yonglingng5640]

That's what I'd go for, I personally don't see the need for 12-speed. 11-speed is all I should ever need.

[@wchu702]

He probably didn't pay for it.

[@a1white]

@@wchu702 yes, but his viewers would be

[@bitgeist21]

RESPRAY!!! GO all in!!

[@TheVibelot]

Very cool. Could you explain why you decided to change the group set? Is that in the previous video? Is 105 really an upgrade?

[@shoaibrehman7375]

Whats the stem you got there ?? And where can i find the same ?

[@allenjay896]

David. Please dont repaint it. Just dont… please. Caad12s are one of the gems of the bike industry. Theyre already phased out. What a waste to ruin this good frame

[@purklefluff]

Yeah I'm sure generic silver is a colour worth getting emotional over 😂 Are you saying this bike wouldn't look great in a new spicy colourway, with a professional spray job? I think that could really bring it to life

[@allenjay896]

@@purklefluff it being in original everything (of course… apart from the wheels, cockpit, and groupset) would be really nice especially caad12s are now phased out.

[@purklefluff]

@@allenjay896 yeah but why, apart from a vague sense of wanting stuff to remain the same. These aren't rare bikes, or even that old. Paint is paint, a new professional paint job would be just as good or better quality than the factory paint and it wouldn't be boring silver 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@lakleu3742]

Great video. Great content. Not a native speaker here and maybe I missed it - what kind of bottom bracket is it (I understand it is conversion to 20mm but what model)?

[@yonglingng5640]

That's a Wheels Manufacturing BB30A specced for 24 mm crankset spindles.

[@bennp2000]

Do Cannondale recommend assembly grease when fitting the BB on the CAAD then? On the SSE it's dry fit.

[@yonglingng5640]

You do need grease, anti-seize compound or bearing retaining compound (if interference fit is absent).

[@BennyOcean]

I have a 2016 CAAD12 that I am thinking of stripping down and rebuilding with a new groupset. It has the 5800 105 disc groupset. Should I go forward with this? Would the benefits be worth the cost? Also should I go with the 11 speed Ultegra or 12 speed 105? Both are available at a similar price. Thanks all.

[@smac7932]

Is this different than the red CAAD12 you’ve had in some videos? I’m here for the CAAD content as I am still rocking one myself and love getting ideas on what I can do with it! Thanks for showing off the beautiful bike David!

[@davidarthur]

Yup, this is a disc brake version to the rim brake red one :)

[@yonglingng5640]

If you want to save yourself from wheelset compatibility headaches, pick the rim brake version.

[@niklaskristensson2231]

This is ASMR to me😊

[@benharmer3383]

Hi all, I’m thinking of building up a Caad 12 and was wondering if anyone has any fitting opinions? I’m 181cm tall and 83cm inseam which puts my legs within a size 54 and height at the top range of the 56. Any advice?

[@Paintsithue]

Are those tires on backwards?

[@attilaandras6804]

What type/brand of bb is installed?

[@nizam_mr]

originally i wanted to build 1x 105 R7100 12s mechanical TT, but theres no 12speed bar-end mech shifter. Had to go 1x 11sp r7000 instead. Havent buy the RD yet. Should i just get the 7100 RD even when to use with 11sp (the construction n jockey wheels are different)?

[@DilbertMuc]

David, could you recommend a good and affordable wheelset similar to HUNT, that sell in Europe? It is almost impossible to get a good deal on UK stuff due to the new EU customs and VAT taxes after the Brexit. 🤔

[@yonglingng5640]

Have you considered configuring a pair from scratch with a good wheelbuilding studio?

[@Cycling-through-cancer]

CES wheels in South Wales . In fact Scott in this video serviced them for me last year

[@a1white]

Mechanics love internal routing. All that extra labour costs 😂

[@yonglingng5640]

Regular internal routing like this one is OK, it's the integrated counterpart that's a pain in the rear.

[@janeblogs324]

You ASSUME the mechanic is also the business owner

[@a1white]

@@janeblogs324 I was just repeating what the mechanic in the video said 🤷‍♂️

[@williamgalbraith3830]

Respray. Sliver and green 😊

[@calmprn7165]

Look at that mini Cooper

[@daviddawn9043]

Cute love dogs

[@randomname8442]

Curious what the total spend is to date?

[@davidarthur]

I’ll do an update in the next video 👍

[@trackar134]

A new paint job would be great. The original paint job is really the only thing dating the bike looks wise

[@simonguard5087]

Really interesting, did I miss something re the BB as I thought it was BB30 but did I see the new BB threaded in? Or am I just being stupid!

[@mikemelbrooks]

The new BB screws together there are no threads in the frame.

[@davidarthur]

No that's a good question, we used a bottom bracket adapter that is two halves threading into each other to allow the fitting of the smaller axle

[@philipjamesparsons]

It's an expanding bottom bracket. Used one in my Caad. Better than BB30 but more expensive and less durable than an Ultegra bottom bracket. Eventually I fitted a £12 FSA, converter that bonded into place with threads built in. That was years ago and I never looked back.

[@simonguard5087]

Thanks for all the replies that's great I will look at one of those for my CaadX.

[@yonglingng5640]

That's a thread-together BB for BB30A specced for Shimano Hollowtech II. The difference between BB30A and BB30 is the BB shell's width: 73 v.s 68 mm. Hence the "A" in BB30A, which stands for asymmetric.

[@martinshepherd6756]

Stuff the bikes, let's have more dogs on the channel!

[@andrewhayes7055]

Surprised you didn't go with a Hambini BB🤔🤣

[@davidarthur]

I'm not made of money! ;)

[@chriss6971]

Looks good for the Age of it.

[@judosteffer]

Agree please dont paint it.

[@n22pdf]

Keep it original paint I think David :) Pete

[@basvanleeuwen4502]

The front tyre is on backwards

[@thomasb.4219]

the problem with dogs in videos: no one is interested in the rest, even if it's a CAAD12 😊

[@christoph27]

I'm only here for cooper

[@timtaylor9590]

Those bb shells are notoriously tight. When the bearings are in they will feel notchy, take em out they feel smooth. The fix is a reaming or don't buy junk bikes unless you like paying premium prices for inferior products. And yes Cannondale still doesn't get it right.

[@yonglingng5640]

One CAAD12 I worked on had no interference fit on its Wheels Manufacturing BB, so I had to use bearing retaining compound. At that time, I didn't know if the BB was undersized as well, which I learned about later on as some other Wheels Manufacturing BBs are indeed undersized. However, this CAAD12 never creaked.

[@JibbaJabber]

😎

[@manuelwenaud8231]

Blasphemy ! Upgrading to 105 !

[@RAG0407]

Keep it original. No new paint.

[@siez8152]

Weight?? I'm guessing 9 kg😂😂... with pedals and bottle cages

[@stephensaines7100]

No respray.

[@ulrikmortensen9426]

Never ride an aluminium bottom bracket axle hard - it will fail in more modes than one😢

[@janmfalk]

New colour definitely for the frame 🏳️‍🌈

[@danwentcycling7952]

Seems like a nice and knowledgeable mechanic, but some classic poor reasoning about 'really good BB30'. 'A good couple of years' is rubbish lifespan compared to previous systems. 'People only go online to complain, not to say the good stories', true, but the point is the relative difference between BB systems - BB30 pops up far more than it should given the relatively few bikes that have it. 'if it's all machined corectly, it's fine', the problem is that they very often aren't, and other systems don't depend on manufacturing standards the bike industry has repeatedly failed to live up to. Creaky, unreliable, pain in the arse to fit/remove , and what's the benefit? Minimal weight savings and spurious stiffness gains - as if 0.1% of the people riding CAADs would ever know or notice...

[@johndef5075]

Right. My bb30 works fairly well but I have to replace bearings once a year. My cartridge/outboard bbs can last multiple years.

[@yonglingng5640]

​​@@johndef5075Does your BB30 feel like it has more resistance than there's supposed to be when the bearings are new? Some PressFit BB shells have undersized bores that lead to premature bearing wear & tear. In cases like this, the shell needs to be reamed.

[@janeblogs324]

Bb30 bearings are 20+mm closer together than hollowtech so they're less stiff and the bearings wear faster. Not to mention lack of bearing preload, dirt ingress past the wavy washer, spindle slipping on the bearings which destroys the crankset and I could go on

[@123oner2]

Always liked the content but the cringy thumbnails are getting to me

[@davidarthur]

Would you click on the video otherwise ?

[@123oner2]

@@davidarthur hey, no hard feelings I know it's to grab attention and everybody does it. I personally would click regardless if the title was something interesting. Cheers David!

[@davidarthur]

Thanks man really appreciate the feedback just trying out new things all the time to make the best videos I can 😎

[@123oner2]

Of course, all the best to you!@@davidarthur