![]() ![]() I used to own a CAAD3 about 20 years ago – what's that? I don't look old enough? Yoooou! – and it was a burly beast. The danger with chasing extra comfort and aero efficiency and altering the tubes so significantly is that Cannondale could have sacrificed features for which its CAAD bikes have always been famous: frame stiffness and snappy handling. The tube shapes and design closely mimic those of the SuperSix Evo and we've seen similar features on many proven aero road bikes over recent years, but we've not taken the CAAD13 to the wind tunnel, and neither has Cannondale. I'm not going to guess at the aero results of these design features, I'll just report that Cannondale reckons that "these minimalist airfoils can reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 30 percent, delivering more speed with less effort" (which isn't the same as saying that the drag of the CAAD13 frame is 30 per cent lower than that of the CAAD12). Even when you're spinning through the most neglected, gravel-strewn back lanes, the whole feeling is very composed. You're not totally isolated from what's going on beneath your tyres, of course – let's not get silly about this – but the ride quality is high and not much annoying (and ultimately energy-sapping) vibration is transferred up to you in the saddle. Bleary-eyed traditionalists might lament that, but one of the results is a bike that feels more comfortable and chatter-free than ever before over poorly surfaced roads. The CAAD13 isn't so much a revision of the CAAD12 as a complete overhaul with new tube shapes and a frame silhouette that bears no resemblance whatsoever to those of the early Cannondale CAAD bikes Cipollini rode back in the day. There was too much feedback coming through the handlebar, and this didn't match the smoothness at the back. This bike offers a superbly smooth ride.ĭave praised the CAAD12 Disc highly in his 2016 review, but one of his few gripes was that the front end could sometimes feel too firm. That's one of the more pervasive myths in the bike world but one ride on the new CAAD13 (CAAD stands for Cannondale Advanced Aluminium Design, fact fans) is enough to demonstrate that's really not the case. Pros: Smooth ride, aero features, mudguard eyeletsĪluminium bikes are always harsh, right? No, no, no.This is a really impressive revamp and an excellent alternative to carbon. The CAAD13 Disc 105 represents far more than a quick update for Cannondale's aluminium race bike – drag has been reduced, versatility has increased and the ride is more comfortable than ever.
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