Caad13

[avalonracing]

That's considered retro now? Gah.

[azrider]

I've been a long time Cannondale fanboi and still love getting out on my CAAD10 every once in a while. My 58cm clears 30's no problem btw.

But with all the research I did on the CAAD13, I think the appeal and the allure of what the long CAAD line represented is lost on it's latest iteration. At least to a certain point. From the articles and research I did it's not as though the 13 is a noodle, but everyone said it was "noticeably" less stiff than the CAAD10.

Also, the geometry has changed as well so be aware of that


https://cyclingtips.com/2020/05/cann...caad13-review/


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[GregL]

Originally Posted by azrider

I've been a long time Cannondale fanboi and still love getting out on my CAAD10 every once in a while. My 58cm clears 30's no problem btw.

But with all the research I did on the CAAD13, I think the appeal and the allure of what the long CAAD line represented is lost on it's latest iteration. At least to a certain point. From the articles and research I did it's not as though the 13 is a noodle, but everyone said it was "noticeably" less stiff than the CAAD10.

Also, the geometry has changed as well so be aware of that.

The geometry change was disappointing for me. From the CAAD7 through the CAAD10 (including the Six13s, original SystemSixes, and gen 1-2 SuperSixes), Cannondale road geometry stayed constant. They were slightly longer and lower than their competitors. The CAAD12 gained a little stack, but the CAAD13 gained 1.5cm of stack and lost 0.5cm of reach compared to a CAAD10 (in my size 56). This may not seem like much of a change, but it likely rules out the CAAD13 as a future purchase for me.

Greg

[azrider]

Originally Posted by GregL

The geometry change was disappointing for me. From the CAAD7 through the CAAD10 (including the Six13s, original SystemSixes, and gen 1-2 SuperSixes), Cannondale road geometry stayed constant. They were slightly longer and lower than their competitors. The CAAD12 gained a little stack, but the CAAD13 gained 1.5cm of stack and lost 0.5cm of reach compared to a CAAD10 (in my size 56). This may not seem like much of a change, but it likely rules out the CAAD13 as a future purchase for me.

Greg

Their geometry was certainly always a part of the appeal for me as well. I've ridden a size 58 SuperSix, CAAD9 and CAAD10 and the 57.5 TT and 175 HT with 130 stem was dead on for me. Reading how the geometry had changed made it way less appealing, plus given the fact they're not as stiff made me think that I'll just wait till I find a good used one to try out instead of buying new

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by azrider

Their geometry was certainly always a part of the appeal for me as well. I've ridden a size 58 SuperSix, CAAD9 and CAAD10 and the 57.5 TT and 175 HT with 130 stem was dead on for me. Reading how the geometry had changed made it way less appealing, plus given the fact they're not as stiff made me think that I'll just wait till I find a good used one to try out instead of buying new

The CAAD 10 will always have a special place in the pantheon for me. The first bike (along with the Merckx EX) that really got me into cycling.

[azrider]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

The CAAD 10 will always have a special place in the pantheon for me. The first bike (along with the Merckx EX) that really got me into cycling.

Ditto. I love that damn bike.

When I went from team sponsored rider to having to pay for my own bikes the CAAD10 was the first bike I bought and I was like "wait......this thing rides just as well as the BH ultralight I just had to give up".

They definitely got it RIGHT with the CAAD10

[p nut]

I just assumed the frames were the same but glad I asked. Maybe I won’t be making the switch as the Caad10’s fit is spot on for me and is comfortable for century rides or fast/short rides.

I may try to see if PDW fenders will work with those axle mounted fender tabs.

[Wunder]

Originally Posted by p nut

I just assumed the frames were the same but glad I asked. Maybe I won’t be making the switch as the Caad10’s fit is spot on for me and is comfortable for century rides or fast/short rides.

I may try to see if PDW fenders will work with those axle mounted fender tabs.

I finished PBP on a CAAD 10 with SKS RaceBlade Longs and a 23/25 GP4000. So that's one option that will work if you need fenders. The PDW ones may be better but no experience. Critically the RaceBlade ones don't have the actual fender go through the brake bridge or fork so it has less impact on tire clearance than some other options.

[p nut]

Originally Posted by Wunder

I finished PBP on a CAAD 10 with SKS RaceBlade Longs and a 23/25 GP4000. So that's one option that will work if you need fenders. The PDW ones may be better but no experience. Critically the RaceBlade ones don't have the actual fender go through the brake bridge or fork so it has less impact on tire clearance than some other options.

How do they perform compared to full length fenders? Good enough?
Congrats on the PBP. On my bucket list for sure.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by azrider

Ditto. I love that damn bike.

When I went from team sponsored rider to having to pay for my own bikes the CAAD10 was the first bike I bought and I was like "wait......this thing rides just as well as the BH ultralight I just had to give up".

They definitely got it RIGHT with the CAAD10

I bought my CAAD10 through the Paceline classifieds. I built it up over the winter while recovering from shoulder surgery. Come spring, I only had a few rides on it before my first race. My initial impressions were somewhat mixed, neither loving nor disliking it. Then I rode my first race with it. It was like a thoroughbred that was allowed to run on the track. It felt like it was in its element, at home when ridden fast and hard. Definitely a great bang-for-the-buck race bike!

Greg

[IJWS]

I love how that CAAD13 looks...BUT...I wouldn't ditch a CAAD10 for a 13. I think you'll either end up exactly where you started, or a little behind. I'm on a CAAD12 with 30's...I don't like the 30's. I think 28's would be max before they start to rob the bike of that "CAAD" feel (for reference 58cm, 6'-3", 210lbs+). My vote, find a used Supersix hi-mod and spend $600 on a retro paint job. Don't let go of that CAAD10!


*I do love that retro paint job though. The first Cannondale I ever rode was one of the pepto-pink CAAD 6's. It was electric!

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by IJWS

My vote, find a used Supersix hi-mod and spend $600 on a retro paint job.

I wanted to buy the glacier blue CAAD13 when it came out, but ended up going this route. The SSEvo HiMod Gen 2 is my all-time favorite rim-brake road bike.

Funny that some guys are saying the colorway is Cinelli Laser-ish. It's supposed to be a throwback to the Cannondale Track, which are definitely vintage and still coveted by a few of us weirdos. I prefer it over the Saeco colorway.

I even bought a base model Topstone because it was close to this color (Alpine Blue).

[robt57]

The Limited Edition Glacier Blue is even more retro looking. Hearkening 2.8/3.0 bikes/frames. Not that I don't dig the Saeco vibe. I had a Rev X clad CAAD3, and later a CAAD 5? with the Si fork.

But more than that, I dig we are fan-boying rim brakes steeds.

[wtex]

oof that's pretty. reminds me of the Cinelli Laser.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by robt57

The Limited Edition Glacier Blue is even more retro looking. Hearkening 2.8/3.0 bikes/frames. Not that I don't dig the Saeco vibe. I had a Rev X clad CAAD3, and later a CAAD 5? with the Si fork.

But more than that, I dig we are fan-boying rim brakes steeds.

Originally Posted by wtex

oof that's pretty. reminds me of the Cinelli Laser.

Wow! That's a good-looking frameset, and yes, I agree - it looks very Cinelli Laser-ish.

My first road bike was a late 80s Cannondale in this exact same color. Man, I loved that thing. It was so sexy with the color and that massive downtube. Sadly, it was stolen. I was crushed.

Texbike