[Joebristol]

I’ve been pondering new bikes for a while and I can’t find the thread I thought I started when I was considering 3 different bikes (Caad12 / Boardman Pro Carbon Disc / Cube Agree c62 Disc).

I went with the Caad 12 (which was my least favourite option at one point due to being Aluminium) – I’ve got a soft spot for Cannondale having owned a Caad9 in the past, and lusting over their mtbs when I was a youth and couldn’t afford one!

I just happened to pop into one of my lbs (mud Dock) when I was still mulling over the options and hey had one in they right size on sale for £1100. Bargain. I paid a little more as I was using a C2W voucher but it was still cheaper than virtually anywhere else I could find at the time.

I did a part ex with the shop for the standard wheels against some MasonxHunt 4 season wheels to save about 500grams – so glad I did- they look lovely and the bike seems to accelerate really well.

Topic

[Joebristol]

That’s my experience so far.

That’s my experience so far. The front shifting is fine – really light and easy, but the rear shifting is vague. Sometimes it seems to shift and other times maybe not – or maybe it has but its  so vague it’s not that obvious.

[Shark Sandwich]

The shifting on my new bike

The shifting on my new bike with 105 Hydro is dogs**t. My 9 speed tiagra Circa 2011 on the old bike was better IMO. Hoping it will settle and improve with a service after a few months but not impressed so far.

[Joebristol]

One review I found suggested

One review I found suggested the hydro 105 is about the same quality shifting as the latest Sora which is encouraging. The Rival was really snappy in comparison. I have to admit both of my mtbs are running Sram GX and I prefer the feel to Shimano anyway. 

 

[alansmurphy]

I have 10 speed cable / rim

I have 10 speed cable / rim on my cannondale summer bike and 11 speed hydro disc on my winter, found the 11 speed even better than the 10 – though in fairness this is me working my way up the brackets…

[Joebristol]

I’m underwhelmed by it –

I’m underwhelmed by it – apparently the 105 with cable brakes is a lot better. 

[alansmurphy]

I love my 105 shifting…

I love my 105 shifting…

[Joebristol]

I sat on a size 56 caad12 and

I sat on a size 56 caad12 and it was far too big – the 54 definitely isn’t too small. I haven’t touched the bar setup – it came with all the spacers underneath it and I’m happy with that. I’ve had a few bulged discs in my back a few years ago so I’m happy with a high front end. As said, the seat is significantly lower than in that first photo!

I’m finding the 105 shifting – particularly at the back – very vague. I wonder if the setup needs tweaking, but I haven’t had time to put it on the stand and have a play with it. With the Rival you were never in any doubt you’d changed gear and it just felt so positive and quick. I think it maybe a combination of setup and the fact that Vivid shifting is meant to be extremely light. Perhaps I just prefer the more mechanical feel of Rival. I’m sure I’ll get used to it – it’s just different after 7 years.

[Dnnnnnn]

Joebristol wrote:

With the Rival you were never in any doubt you’d changed gear and it just felt so positive and quick.

That’s how I’d describe my recent 105 experiences!

[Anonymous]

The Gavalier wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

So you bought a frame at least one size too small, why?

Snarky git 

I asked a genuine question given the OP has bought a “new bike”, the seatpost and bars are high up and the bars have a fairly longish reach too. If you buy a new bike and then take a photo with the seatpost and bars in that position to me it looks like in that set up that the users should have at least a frame size bigger.

So the OP then says they’ve lowered it, but the set up as was still says the frame is one size too small.

grow up ffs!

[Joebristol]

The Gavalier wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

So you bought a frame at least one size too small, why?

Snarky git 

You said what I didn’t like to say!

 

[The Gavalier]

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

So you bought a frame at least one size too small, why?

Snarky git 

[Joebristol]

Mud Dock has so many nice

Mud Dock has so many nice bikes in it JGV – I think I bought one of the cheapest bikes they sell! You could do some serious damage to your wallet in there….

Carmic – both bikes feel quite similar to me so far. Obviously the Caad12 stops a million times better – I’ve never pulled an endo or a stoppie on a racer before but I have now. Feel a lot more confident in the brakes in the wet.

The gear shifts were better on 2010 Sram Rival than 2017 105 though which is a bit of a shocker.

I think the Caad is livelier in terms of handling and it sprints pretty well with the lighter wheels. I still haven’t been up a meaningful hill yet though to compare how it climbs.

I have been down quite a bumpy cycle track and I think it might be more comfortable / less harsh than the Boardman which is a nice surprise.

[Carmic0]

Nice looking bike the CAAD12.

Nice looking bike the CAAD12.   Gets great reviews.   The Boardman isn’t bad either.   Happy riding.

[Anonymous]

Lovely bike.  I must drop

Lovely bike.  I must drop into the Mud Dock at some point (or maybe my credit card would prefer I didn’t).

[JohnnyEnglish]

Nice looking bike. Great

Nice looking bike. Great choice.

[Author]

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