I'm new to cycling and have been riding an Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer gravel bike for a few months as a commuter and the occasion longer (to me) ride.
I'm starting to get the itch for a road bike and would like to start used/budget friendly. I've heard great things about Cannondale CAAD 10/12 bikes and that they hold up pretty well.
I don't plan on racing or anything, just trying to set personal bests and whatnot.
Any advice on these two bikes, or other options, is appreciated!
by DaUrbanYeti
1 Comment
I’ve ridden both, the CAAD12 is still one of if not my favorite bike I’ve ever ridden. I’ve ridden a CAAD10 since 2016 and it was one of my first road bikes and even to this day, it’s still an incredibly competitive bike in the crit racing world as tons of guys convert both the CAAD10 or CAAD12 into budget crit racing bikes.
Component wise, the CAAD10 is better. I’d imagine it’s probably less than 16.5lbs with that build. The SRAM GX rear derailleur with a 39T capacity is great, allowing you to throw a wide cassette on there for hills.
However, I like the CAAD12 frame design more. They look identical, but if you really look them up close in person, the CAAD12 has more truncated aero shapes. The downtube is more triangulated, it also feels a bit more compliant and has a tad bit wider tire clearance. I was able to put 30mm tires on my CAAD12, but my CAAD10 barely cleared 28mm tires. The overall frame of the CAAD12 is also lighter and has a completely re-designed fork which is more compliant too. They also made the seatpost thinner, a 25.4mm versus a 27.2mm on the CAAD10, just to add a bit more comfort.
Not sure what the pricing of the CAAD10 is, I don’t see it in your photos, but if they’re similarly priced, I’d get the CAAD12. Those carbon wheels on the CAAD10 are just some cheap carbon wheels made in china over a decade ago. I wouldn’t really trust those wheels. Nowadays though, a lot of great UCI approved carbon wheels are made directly from China.