Forum menu
Morning chaps,
I’ll go and wash my mouth out right after this post, being road bike related n all!
So the N+1 formula has highlighted that I lack a road bike. I’ve got a Ti CX bike with 1x11 that I regularly pop slicks onto which has done the job so far. It’s a great winter bike but I fancy something with a double chain set and more road orientated.
The road bike will be a summer / road trips abroad bike. It’ll also spend a lot of time on the turbo over the winter (Wahoo Kickr). I’m moving house soon to somewhere with lots of big, steep climbs on the doorstop within the Peak District. I’m a sucker for a smooth ride so will probably run 28mm tubless and I like to take the less traveled roads sometimes. I’m also keen to have a crack at some crit racing at some point next year.
I’m lucky enough to get great discount on Cannondale bikes so I’ve been looking at the CAAD12 and Supersix Evo. Both same spec and similar price but the SS is rim brakes compared to disc on the CAAD12. I could upgrade the SS to discs but that comes at a much higher cost and steps into Hi-Mod territory.
Does anyone have any experiences of both for comparison?
I have a supersix evo, I really like it, It only gets ridden in fair wether so rim brakes are plenty powerful for me.
Its a brilliant climbing bike mine came with mavic aksiums which are heavy and dull the ride a bit. Would like to change them for something nicer but at the moment can’t justify it. The bike is a race bike so felt twitchy initially after riding a trek domane. But the upside to that is cornering its so responsive you can place the bike on the road and carve the corners.
Initialy I had reservations about the comfort compared to my iso coupled domane. I shouldn’t have woried. Its as comfortable as the trek but in a lower racier position (no spacers under the bar). I do 50-60 milers around north wales and snowdon no problem and wouldn’t hesitate to try a 100 on it if my fitness improved.
I don’t own a caad but have test ridden one. For an aluminium frame its probably one of the best out there, it was harsher than the carbon and thats why i went evo over caad.
Thanks @samuelr it’s a tough one!
Both models that I’m looking at come with the Hollowgram carbon rims and I’ve never had any experience of carbon rim brakes. I’ve got discs on my CX bike and I’m not a big fan. The power is great but they seem to require no end of fettling (Sram Force).
I've got an older CAAD4, I test rode a newer supersix (the slightly older non evo one I think) and couldn't really tell enough of a difference back to back. The supersix was better in every way, but not enough to make me want to upgrade.
Probably comes down to do you want the carbon frame or the better spec (disks etc).
I wouldn't get rim brakes and carbon wheels, seem universally hated in the wet (and exploding rims etc). So if carbon rims are a selling point then get disk brakes.
The CAAD 12 is excellent although I have the rim brake version. I do not like disc brakes on my best bikes but how much or whether you want them is up to you to decide as its just personal preference. I actually prefer the caad 12 and the caad 10 that I had before to many carbon bikes but again it is a matter of taste. Maybe this link is worth a read? linky
I had a SS evo and a CAAD10, the ride was slightly better on the former, 200gm lighter too.
I'd research rim brakes and carbon, that would be a concern
I don't feel a need for discs on my summer bike tho .
I actually have both of those bikes, well near enough...
My Sunday Best bike is a Supersix Evo (standard-mod) with SRAM Red and Hunt 50mm wheels. My CAAD 12 has SRAM Force and Cosine narrow rim aluminium wheels. The Supersix has rim brakes, the CAAD has discs. Both are 2017 models.
Leaving aside the components and different braking methods, the Supersix is maybe a kilo lighter so accelerates and climbs better. It’s also more composed over rough roads, soaking up a lot of vibration. Conversely the CAAD feels a bit more lively but it’s certainly not a harsh ride - I was happy to do 290 miles in three days on it earlier this summer.
in short, both are great. If you made me choose between the two I’d go for the CAAD, just because of the discs.
A Supersix with discs would be the ultimate combination.
I would go CAAD12 Disk and save for a super nice set of wheels. Arguably all the road bike anyone this side of the TDF would need.
I have previously owned a CAAD8 and a CAAD10
I’ve gone from a carbon racer (nothing as fancy as a Supersix - it was a Boardman Team Carbon with Sram Rival 10 speed) to a Caad12 105 disc.
I think the Boardman felt it had just a little bit more acceleration in a straight line, but the Caad12 handles nicer and you can throw it around a lot more and it encourages you to ride like that. In terms of Strava times there’s not much in it overall. Got some pbs on both bikes.
The Caad12 stops a lot better - especially in the wet - but even in the dry the brakes have more bite.
I don’t like the Shimano gears though - they feel too light and too quiet / vague. I think the specific levers are meant to be worse than ultegra etc - but Sram just felt more positive. The local mechanic said I’m wrong, and Sram are ‘angry gears’.
Pretty balanced assesment here, but it doesn't address the disc v canti debate.
I have a supersix and love it. Comfy on 100 mile plus rides, accelerates and climbs very quickly, handles better than any other road bike I've had (ex crit rider).
I upgraded the aksiums to CRC Prime carbons which made a huge difference. Rim brakes, work better than most ally rim brakes I've had. Last week I descended off the Tourmalet, set the 2nd fastest time of the day, braking hard into all the corners. Braking never faded, rims didn't explode. I guess if most if the pro riders can survive on a daily basis us mere mortals should be ok.
Mines a 2016 model I think and will only take 23mm tyres on the wider 25mm rims on the back, although the schwalbe pro one 23s measure as 25. Front fits 25 easy.
And it's a lovely colour
