New bike day (Caad12)!

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

That was how the saddle came - it’s now about 4 inches lower than that. Couldn’t even reach the peddles with it that high - unless the shop can upgrade my legs by extending them a few inches

My old bike is a 53cm and the new one is a 54cm. I wouldn’t want anymore of a stretch to the bars from the saddle than the Cannondale has.

The 56cm would definitely have been too big - I sat on one in the shop and it was a bit silly.

Old Bike:

New bike: