CAAD12 With Campagnolo Record Single-Chainring Build

[MaraudingWalrus]

I decided to buy a CAAD12. I wanted a single chainring set-up, because, it's Florida, what do I need two chainrings for? I already had a nice set of every day wheels, my Industry9 Torch hubs laced to H+Son Archetypes. Doing the maths, it wound up making more sense for me to order the 105 bike, rather than grab a frameset, and order up some Force 1 shifters and rear derailleur.

The bike was ordered, and at the end of last week I went to order the parts so they'd show up along with the bike. Ran the numbers, and it only wound up being about $150 more expensive to grab Campagnolo Record shifters and rear derailleur than the Force stuff.


So, I've got a 2016 CAAD12 with some pretty nice wheels, and a single chainring Campagnolo Record build (though I'm running Shimano cassettes at the moment).

I've got a 50t Rotor Q Ring on the way, should be here Thursday, I believe. Shouldn't have any problems riding around here with a 50t/ 11-28 drivetrain for the kind of riding I do.

Swapped out the bar and stem for Cannondale C1 bar and stem which I had from a previous build. Might also swap out to a C2 carbon post that was laying around the back of the shop, with no other use in sight. Rolling on Vittoria Corsa G+ tires, too.
Finished off with ESI RST bar tape.

Will take it out for a ride tomorrow night. Should be fantastic.


Weighed in at 7.48kg (~16.5lbs) before I mounted pedals (Time Xpresso10s)

Unrelated, I also got my new shoes on Friday, some Empire SLXs in their "Glowing Red Anodized" color - those puppies are insanely light. I know that's been covered before, but holy s***. weighed at 175g per shoe (size 42.5)

[MaraudingWalrus]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160126/ccd1e54b7d70846fc271339e1f711229.jpg
Only picture I've currently got. Will update once I get the chainring.

[sandyrs]

Interested to hear your thoughts on those tires, too.

This might go well in the Production Bikes gallery, too!

[MaraudingWalrus]

Interested to hear your thoughts on those tires, too.

This might go well in the Production Bikes gallery, too!
Figured I didn't have enough photos for a gallery. Once I've got more photos, it may make an appearance there

[mwynne]

Awesome, I love the older CAAD10s, haven't had a chance to try out a 12 yet. And I dig the 1x Campy, very interesting!

[Benneke]

Nice looking build! How are you liking the ESI bar tape? Do you foresee any chain retention issues by using an RD without a clutch with a 1x setup?

[MaraudingWalrus]

Thanks!

I like the ESI tape quite a bit, it's kinda weird to wrap with. It's dificult & presents its own challenges, but is nowhere near as miserable to wrap as something like Brooks Cambium tape.

I quite like it when it's done. If wrapped with a lot of tension, it can be made fairly thin, otherwise it's quite thick.

Honestly, I really don't think I'll have much of a problem - it's a road bike, not a cross bike after all. Absolute worst case scenario, I can get a 50t Force 1 ring with "X-sync" and it'll never be an issue. Kinda wanted to try the Q ring, and see what happens when it shows up. Really don't think it'll be an issue, though. If it is, that's an easy fix.

[beeatnik]

MaraudingWalrus, I like your butchering Cannondales style.

[MaraudingWalrus]

MaraudingWalrus, I like your butchering Cannondales style.

A depraved mind, and access to parts. This is, it seems, what happens.

[velotrack]

How does it ride? The CAAD10 was, and probably still is, one of the most common go-to race/ride bikes for its value. How does this stack up?

[dancinkozmo]

nice looking bike....so is the CAAD12 two better than a CAAD10??

[coffeecake]

SICK! I like it.

I want to do something similar for my race bike this season.

[Pegoready]

Interesting idea going with Record over Force, but isn't the big draw to Force 1 the fact that you get a clutch RD and an X-Sync chainring to eliminate chain derailment off the single ring?

[MaraudingWalrus]

Interesting idea going with Record over Force, but isn't the big draw to Force 1 the fact that you get a clutch RD and an X-Sync chainring to eliminate chain derailment off the single ring?

How often have you had your chain get pulled off a chainring when you shift in the rear while riding on the road?

clutch and/or x-sync are essential for mtb & cross, would not say that's the case for the road.

If it becomes an issue, I can easily get an X-Sync ring and problem solved, though I doubt that'll be necessary under normal riding circumstances.

[MaraudingWalrus]

How does it ride? The CAAD10 was, and probably still is, one of the most common go-to race/ride bikes for its value. How does this stack up?

Haven't spent much time on it yet, but first impressions seem to be noticeably nicer than CAAD10, in the compliance department.

[MaraudingWalrus]

nice looking bike....so is the CAAD12 two better than a CAAD10??

Two better is a big ask. Might wind up just being one better...but, those damn "this goes up to eleven" jokes would have to get old for Cannondale..

We'll see if it is, in fact, two better.

[franswa]

I'm a fan. Very handsome bike you got there.

[gospastic]

Having a clutch RD and a 1x specific ring is overkill for a road bike. One or the other, will be fine in most applications. But having neither is not really safe, especially if the front ring has ramps/pins. A solid bump in the pavement would be enough to cause issues.

[eBAUMANN]

Two better is a big ask. Might wind up just being one better...but, those damn "this goes up to eleven" jokes would have to get old for Cannondale..

We'll see if it is, in fact, two better.

CAAD11's

Say it out loud...

I think that may have had something to do with the decision to skip 11 as well ;)

Having a clutch RD and a 1x specific ring is overkill for a road bike. One or the other, will be fine in most applications. But having neither is not really safe, especially if the front ring has ramps/pins. A solid bump in the pavement would be enough to cause issues.

A N-W front ring is all you need for a 1x road bike. Hell it even works most of the time for cx rigs. I would not build ANY 1x bike without a N-W ring, its the special sauce ;)

[MaraudingWalrus]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160127/5dfc36d2de3953320c00962114e0127a.jpg

Took it out for a ride last night. No issues so far with chain ejection,even at speed over some larger bumps.

Ride is pretty fantastic. Much of that would obviously have to be attributed to wheels and tires, and I maintain that these are the best riding road wheels I've ever owned, and this was my first ride on the tires.

That said, as far as ride quality of the bike is concerned, I'm not sure that at the speeds i ordinarily ride at (18-22) I'd be able to describe much difference in this and my SuperSix.

This is the first metal road bike I've owned in probably eight years, with the last one being my first road bike.

Of the bikes I currently own, this certainly rides closer to the carbon GT Grade than my Raleigh Macaframa, as far as rider comfort is concerned. The Macaframa will absolutely beat you up. This seriously rides just like my Supersix used to (before I assaulted it and made it belt drive), it simply cost way less.

[MaraudingWalrus]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160128/0079eb04ccdbcf6384354a514c78560e.jpg

This showed up today. So, we'll see what happens. Also removed a spacer from the spindle to pull the cranks inward a bit for chain line. Rainy and nasty today, so hopefully it's clear tomorrow and I'll go for a ride.

[Jason E]

Cadel Evans. I just got it. Ha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MaraudingWalrus]

Cadel Evans. I just got it. Ha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would love to think that somewhere there's a couple of already produced CAAD11 frames, stuck in a warehouse somewhere because they made a few before they figured it out.

[MaraudingWalrus]

I made a few changes.

Built a new set of wheels.

Belgiums to White Industries T11 in 28h front 32h rear. Purple ano because why not? Used Wheelfanatyk splined nipples, also in purple. Grabbed some pillar Megalite spokes in rainbow for either side of the valve while I was at it.

Also have swapped out the seat post to a carbon post.
Ditched the Q ring to size down the chairing a bit. 48t sram wide narrow ring now. Had one instance of chain dropping in previous setup, but I think that was due more to ovality and my dumbassery shifting under load than a lack of wide narrow.

Threw a set of kcnc cb9 brakes on too, while I was at it.

7.2 kg, or just a hair under 16lbs. Not bad for an aluminum bike.

Build on the wheels went nicely. We'll see how much shenanigans with mixing spokes works out.

[MaraudingWalrus]

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[oldpotatoe]

Haven't spent much time on it yet, but first impressions seem to be noticeably nicer than CAAD10, in the compliance department.

Strip the guts outta the LH lever..:D Then it'll be 7.28 KG...

[Black Dog]

So, why the weight weenie obsession for a bike that will never climb anything larger than an overpass? :D Why not run a 11-23 on back with double ring on the front and have a close gear ratio so you will always have the exact right gear to be in never be in the too high or too low situation?

[54ny77]

Looks like a lotta fun. Don't understand the single chainring thing either but to each their own. BlackDog's suggestion is a good one, in pancake flat FL it'd be nice to have close ratio bigger gears on a compact. I was just there visiting and did some riding, was in the 50 most of the time just putzing along, trying not to cross chain. I'd have preferred a 39x52 crank with the ratios on my cassette, or a tighter cassette with compact crank.

[MaraudingWalrus]

So, why the weight weenie obsession for a bike that will never climb anything larger than an overpass? :D Why not run a 11-23 on back with double ring on the front and have a close gear ratio so you will always have the exact right gear to be in never be in the too high or too low situation?

Wouldn't really say it's a weight weenie build. I just happened to post the weight, since that's something people ask about a bike. If it were a weight conscious build, I'd have a hell of a lot lighter wheels than these.

48t with 11-28 isn't really too awful a spread.

[Black Dog]

Wouldn't really say it's a weight weenie build. I just happened to post the weight, since that's something people ask about a bike. If it were a weight conscious build, I'd have a hell of a lot lighter wheels than these.

48t with 11-28 isn't really too awful a spread.

Haha. No offence meant and I hope none taken. Still a nice bike. Modern Al bikes are an amazing value, hard to beat.

[MaraudingWalrus]

Haha. No offence meant and I hope none taken. Still a nice bike. Modern Al bikes are an amazing value, hard to beat.

Oh none taken. I've got a weight weenie project in my belt drive supersix.

The CAAD12 really is incredible in how well it rides. Really not that different than when I hadn't yet molested my SuperSix.

I really think I'm going to make my way into a Ritchey Road logic next.

The reason I started fiddling with my supersix is because of creaky BB woes. And the CAAD12 is no different. Measured with snap gauge, and surprise! the bb shell isn't round..

[Black Dog]

Oh none taken. I've got a weight weenie project in my belt drive supersix.

The CAAD12 really is incredible in how well it rides. Really not that different than when I hadn't yet molested my SuperSix.

I really think I'm going to make my way into a Ritchey Road logic next.

The reason I started fiddling with my supersix is because of creaky BB woes. And the CAAD12 is no different. Measured with snap gauge, and surprise! the bb shell isn't round..

Hopefully pressing the bearing in will make the shell concentric.

[MaraudingWalrus]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160523/4fc6a630c3a1ffc0957f3f671a797a9c.jpg

No, on the bearings being pressed in making it concentric. Though I did just get this pile of repair bearings in from Cannondale.

They're designed to handle compression better. Allegedly. Deeper races or so says the warranty guy.

The description of these bearings elsewhere on the Internet seem to be designed to fix the situation when the bearings feel rough and crunchy when pressed in, but fine when out of the frame. Which was the issue I had on my Supersix (although pf30). Not sure that's the same issue I have here.

On my frameset the frame was not totally round (undersized in places) and the stock bearings (several sets, FSA bb30 bearings with green seals) were marginally undersized.

I'm not sure these bearings are the fix for my issue, but I'm willing to give em a shot.

[MaraudingWalrus]

Was able to track down some purple ano skewers from Paul. I quite like them.

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[thirdgenbird]

Sweet