New roadbike frameset - Bowman or Cannondale ??

AfterPeak wrote:

I have put over a year through all conditions on a Palace R. Its rock solid. So solid you will break before it does. Didn't have any issues with Bowmen. Phoned them, asked about frame, ordered and delivery within a couple of weeks from memory

Cheers AfterPeak - have emailed Bowman recently with a query and they have been great at keeping in touch, think lack of availability for CAAD is a major issue - together with a big question mark that I just can't shake off over the whole BB30 business, which is such a shame. Bowman looking favourite as can't find anything that offers same level of value and great reviews in ally. Next question is whether to build up new frameset with my existing SRAM force 1 x 11 groupo or flog it as an existing gravel package and buy an Ultegra (disc) build. I'm leaning towards flogging the gravel bike as don't fancy / can't be arsed to unbuild hydraulic brake hoses and then transplant onto new bike. It's also my first 1 x 11 setup and I'm not a fan so far. Will be happy to return to a 2 x11 Ult hydro disc... 

Joe Totale wrote:

I've got a CAAD 12 and 13 and never had an issue with the BB. I bought both as framesets and got a trusted local mechanic to install the BB. I've had the 12 for 3 years, done plenty of miles and the original BB is still absolutely fine. I've got full mudguards on my 13 right now, SKS Bluemels and it works a treat. The 12 feels slightly stiffer to me but the 13 is definitely a more smoother ride, I'll probably sell the 12 in the spring as I'm just turboing on it right now and use the 13 all year round as it fast and light enough for me. Despite Bowman being based around the corner to me I've never been that tempted as in my experience their customer service isn't great. Mrs Totale had emailed them several times about trying one of their fully built bikes but they never responded to her so she got something else instead. I got my framesets from Sigma who have reliable and excellent customer service in contrast.

thanks Joe, great that you've had good experience with your CAADs & interesting to hear that the 13 has smoother ride qualities. Must say that the new look of the 13 with dropped seat stays is great & the fact it'll run proper mudguards is a real draw. The whole BB30 design thing is interesting- obviously Cannondale did recognise the first generation didn't work well & got a lot of negative press, hence the new BB 30 'a' which you have on both bikes. I totally loved my CAAD 10 but was badly burned by trying in vain over a couple of years to get the cream sorted. I'll check out Sigma but don't think there are any 56 frames available, & haven't been for a while. Goodness knows with the state that the docks are in at the minute too & worry that it may be looong time before new stock is able to be landed. Having said that I'm still interested in the Bowman. I do wonder if when the time comes in however many years if a CAAD would be easier to sell though rather than the Bowman? 

EddyBerckx wrote:

Never ridden a palace before though a friend had one as a team bike for a team he raced for and raved about it.

 

I had a caad12 disc which I gotta be honest about...found distinctly average and unexciting even with 50mm rims I put on it (looked great though). Also got some creak for a while from the bb area. What I could never understand is the level of praise all the caads have...I just didn't get in with mine.

cheers for feedback on your mates Bowman, haven't heard any negative feedback yet - be great to hear from someone who's owned one & put some miles down over time. My CAAD 10 was a peach of a bike in the black inc colourway, light & stiff yet comfy enough for the odd century ride - but sadly creaked like a banshee, went back & forth to lbs with every conundrum under the sun tried including glueing in with loctite etc. The lbs stopped selling Dales soon after as so many folks claimed on warranty which Cannondale never honoured, rubbish business & customer service as I know a bunch of mates who just won't buy again as a result. So far Bowman customer service seems to spot on from the emails & response to enquiries I've made.  

kil0ran wrote:

One other to add to the mix - have you considered a Kinesis Aithein? Current model is a very dull but on trend grey but they did an absolutely gorgeous cherry red one for a number of years which comes up for sale fairly regularly in the usual places. Just one caveat - you can't run a compact on it so it's a pure race machine (52 min big ring from memory)

great idea & thanks for suggestion. I have thought about the Aethin, seems to a great option, apart from gearing, local routes are fairly hilly & would like to get back to the Alps as soon as the C-19 situation levels out for travel. Bowman is looking like a good option

Thanks Recoveryride, you have a very good point regards availability of CAAD framesets. I need a 56 & it seems there are none available whatsoever in the Uk, rather just complete bikes, Ultegra & 105 spec. Interesting feedback re Quality on the Bowman, I'm an experienced home mechanic & have built a number of bikes from scratch so fairly confident to give a new frameset the once over on arrival. Haven't heard of the Standert will check out to see how compares thanks for suggestion. I hired a similar BMC on holiday & found it to be a fair bit heavier & duller than the CAAD equivalent. 

Thanks kil0ran, helpful feedback & really pleased you've had a good experience with your Bowman. You're right in that there are loads of options for mudguards without specific mounting points, I had some crudguard III's which did a good if not quite a brilliant job on another bike. (Any recommendations here welcome). I have had a couple or three carbon frames & have finally got fed up with superficial chips & nicks through straight forward regular use on the road despite them being great bikes to ride - instant depreciation & difficulty selling afterwards. I can't afford to stretch to a steelie or Ti & do believe that a cracking ally frame is a brilliant option, based on how my CAAD 10 rode. Certainly drawn to the Bowman over the CAAD from BB perspective & magazine reviews, but wonder if the Palace actually rides as well as a CAAD 10 / 12 or 13 in the real world ? Also if CAAD owners are now happy with BB30 a ? - do they still suffer from the dreaded creaking issues, if so it's an immediate non starter.