Performance to the Power of X. The new CAAD10 is the world's most advanced aluminum road frame. At just 1150 grams for a 56 cm frame, the CAAD10 is lighter, stiffer and smoother than most of our competitors' elite carbon frames.
1)SUPERLIGHT CAAD10 FORK.
Housed in our externally machined, tapered head tube, the 390 gram, 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" tapered carbon steerer fork features offset dropouts, allowing more fork angle for vertical compliance without affecting the razor-sharp handling.
2) SAVE REAR STAYS:
Comfort meets acceleration. Rear stays are shaped and butted to allow them to flex vertically but stay extremely stiff laterally. Wide seat stay spacing at top tube junction also improves lateral stiffness.
3) OPTIMIZED TOP TUBE
For maximum torsional rigidity, the massive, horizontally ovalized top tube measures a huge 47.5x42 mm where it meets the head tube, narrows through the middle for knee clearance, then widens again to meet the seat stays.
Strengths: Price, 2011 Shimano 105 drivetrain is good, great frame.
Weaknesses: Wheels and tires are sub par.
Bottom Line:
My Columbus Foco custom bike with Ultegra SL was stolen and I needed something to replace it quickly and relatively cheaply. Since the theft happened in February I was able to pick up a 2011 CAAD10 5 on closeout for under $1,200 out the door, a steal in my opinion. I have always ridden Shimano, and since the 2011 105 group is basically the same as the 2010 Ultegra I went that route. The new 105s shift just like the SLs, so no complaints. The Tektro R580 brakes are adequate, though not top shelf. The Gossamer crankset is stiff enough for a 200 lb climber like me, even hammering out of the saddle. The Prologo saddle, Cannondale seat post, stem and bars are not bad either. The wheels and tires on the other hand leave something to be desired. The Shimano RS10's have flex under hard cornering and are notorious for popping spokes under heavier riders (I haven't dropped any yet but already bought some replacement wheels). The Shwalbe Lugano wheels feel like they have a lot of drag and I can smell them heating up when going downhill at 40+ mph, not exactly confidence inspiring. I left the frame for last, it is very good for aluminum. The bikes I've had before this are as follows: 2006 Fuji Roubaix SL (Al), 2007 Specialized Tarmac Pro (Carbon) and Bellato Columbus Foco (Steel). The CAAD10 is as light as the Roubaix SL but much less harsh. It is firmer than the Tarmac and has a stiffer bottom bracket and rear triangle resulting in better power transmission, it also has better road feel than the Tarmac. It handles like its on rails and is a very confident descender if the road isn't too bad. If the roads are bad, it still bites like an aluminum frame. The headtube is stiff, also good for us bigger guys. All in all I am very happy with this bike, it's fast, comfortable for aluminum, has a pretty good spec at the price point and the best aluminum frame I have ever ridden. For under $1,200.00 there is nothing else that comes close. I've put a couple hundred miles on it over the last couple weeks and it has exceeded my expectations. I was planning on replacing it with another custom steel frame, but I will probably keep it and upgrade the components as they wear out, it's not as comfortable or lively as a high end steel frame but it's not that far off and the road feel is much better than the carbon frames I've ridden.
Strengths: Incredibly light...no numbers but it feels like 16ish pounds. Very stiff but the ride is not harsh at all. Fork and frame handle bumps just fine. Longest ride so far has been about 1.5 hours and I was comfortable the entire time. Steering is quick but not spooky. Ultegra is niiiiiiiiice! Wow!! Dig the bike a lot so far; good value. Only giving it a "four" because I've ridden it barely a few times.
Weaknesses: Ugly welds, especially at the dropouts where they look like blobs of cool-whip. Wheelset is ok; had to take the bike back to have an uneven seam sanded on the rear wheel. I know black is popular but I wouldn't have minded a different frame color.
Bottom Line:
Have had it less than a week so these are some very initial impressions from someone who last seriously rode about 10 years ago.
Similar Products Used: Haven't ridden in a long time (and I sold all my old bikes) but this is my first aluminum road bike.
Bike Setup: 2012 56 cm model with full Ultegra (including pedals), FSA SL-K Light crankset (53-39/12-25) and Aksium wheelset and tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Vince
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2011
Strengths: Light -- 17.5 lbs on a 63cm frame with wheelset upgrade.
Responsive and stiff
Absorbs bumps better than previous aluminum frames
Solid descender, good climber (in spite of the rider)
Weaknesses: Schwalbe Lugano wirebead tires should be upgraded
Bottom Line:
Got the CAAD10-3 Ultegra. Best bike I've owned. The black with berserker green is a head-turner. Light, stiff, responsive, but surprisingly dampens road vibration more than other aluminum frames. Tektro brakes are OK, but would rather have had Ultegra. Some reviewers don't like the prologo saddle, but I like it. Stiff like a race saddle, not mushy like a touring saddle. Great value with the technology and complete package for the price.
Strengths: Seems light, although I didn't weigh it. Great decender. Stable and confident through the switchbacks, but still turns in well. Seems stiff in the BB and climbs well with no discernable flex. Price is right. Good compliance, although the roads were in much better shape than Philly roads, so hard to judge subjectively.
Weaknesses: Perhaps not as supple as my Bianchi 928 T Cube- which I consider on the stiff side- but still acceptable. Light years better than my old Cannondale 3.0.
Bottom Line:
Got a CAAD 10 with Ultegra and Mavic Askiums as a rental from Helen's in So Cal and rode up the mountains around Malibu. This rig would be tough to beat for the price. Alost as good as high-end carbon at a fraction of the price.
