Forum menu
Got a 2017 (I think) caad 12 105 disc which I bought through bike to work and has served me relatively well commuting in all sorts of weather.
I instantly upgraded the wheels to Hunt 4seasons road wheels and they’re still going ok - also swapped out the 105 mechanical for Ultegra di2.
Then one thing that has annoyed me is mudguard compatibility (or lack of). I’ve used sks raceblade xls which are ok - but they’ve slightly eaten into the inside of the seat stays. I think it’s through the paint and maybe a tiny bit of metal - I’ve touched it in a no cracks but I know it’s there. This week I found a small dent in the top of the top tube.
Wondering about a new bike to work voucher for a replacement frame but obvs Covid has hammered a lot of stock. Ideally I’d love a gold finger Caad 13 disc frame only but they’re well out of stock in any colour. They’re meant to be a little bit more compliant in the front end over broken roads and there’s a seat stay bridge you can bolt in to fit mudguards in a more permanent way.
Is there anything else out there frame only, that weighs say 1200g or less (I don’t mind alloy or carbon or Ti), that has mudguard mounts on the back, flat mount rear brake and fork, internal routing that’ll work with di2 and could happily run 28’s with said mudguards fitted? Preferably under £1k frame and fork but maybe up to £1500 frame and fork?
Seen the Planet X pro disc something or other and the Holdsworth they do - both a sensible weight. Planet X looks ok but the holdsworth would instantly get resprayed as it’s hideous. Not sure about mudguard compatibility.
Anything else I’m missing?
I've looked at this a bit in the past, and owned a couple. Had a Cannondale Carbon Synapse which did everything you wanted, but I found the geometry a bit boring. The Giant Defy would fit your description too, and probably the Focus Paralane if they are still available?
I've got a Kinesis 4S Disc which fits your description, but it's not quite as light as the CAAD frame. But it does take full mudguards with 28's and the geometry is nice and racey like the CAAD (which was important to me). Full build weighs in at 8.5kg with mechanical Ultegra and carbon wheels.
Ribble frame and forks are available (I think) the delays are if you want components.
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-endurance-sl-disc-frameset-red/
Or if you want more tyre clearance
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-cgr-sl-frameset/build/#Bike
Comes with frame sub 1200g, fork 450g, carbon seat post, headset, skewers. Takes full mudguards and cgr takes a rack. A bit more than the px frames at £1299.
Aluminium version is 1680g for the frame
Thanks - I looked at Ribble and Dolan this morning.
Ribble are out of stock frame only - I’d probably be looking at the endurance slx based on price and weight of frame.
Dolan seem heavy unless you buy the £1599 Aeres and I’m not sure it has mudguard compatibility.
Wondering if I just need to get more creative with mudguards on the Caad12 and just stick with it until I can find a caad13 disc frameset. Maybe later in 2022 they’ll be back in stock / there will be a caad14 replacement?
Either that or keep a lookout for a secondhand one that seems in good condition.