Blog: Cannondale bikes – how good are they?

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Former Premier Calendar rider Gareth Hewitt from the Cycle Division test rides new brand in their showroom, the Cannondale Caad 10

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Cannondale Caad10 – click here for more info

This last year has been one of huge growth for Cycle Division (home to legend Chris Walker and many other well known racers) and they’ve taken two new brands on to keep up with demand. They decided on Scott and Cannondale; both worldwide brands with an outstanding reputation for innovation and performance.

New man on the team Ben has owned a Cannondale Caad5 and Caad 8 so was somewhat familiar with them. A rider familair in Premier Calendar races, Gareth Hewitt however had never had the opportunity to see what the hoopla was all about so with a holiday in Gran Canary booked for December, he took the chance to spend a week riding the legendary aluminum Caad10 through the valley of tears and up the Pico de Las Nieves.

Link: http://www.strava.com/activities/103415557

As an aluminum frame, the Caad10 is as good as it gets but how good is that? Extremely it turns out. The steep frame angles and aggressive geometry are designed with racing in mind and this bike handled as well as any carbon frame out there. On the 20km descents, Gareth had no issues sticking with riding partner for the week Tom Stewart a current pro riding on the Madison Genesis team.

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Gareth back in his racing days doing Prems. This one the Lincoln Grand Prix in 2009.

On the climbs, Gareth had to work extremely hard to stay with Tom but never once felt the bike held him back. The bike climbs extremely well for an 8kg build. It felt much lighter than it actually was.

Cannondale have worked their magic and although this frame was super stiff and accelerated like a jet fighter, it sailed over the bumps with very little in the way of vibration coming back to the rider. After riding 600km in one week, you get to know if a bike really is comfortable and this one truly is.

The frame has been developed over 15 years and it shows in all areas. At 1150g with a 360g full carbon fork, the weight is up there with carbon competitors.

As far as looks go, the Caad certainly stands out with a more old school straight top tube and slightly larger main triangle. Another plus with the Caad 10 is that most riders will fit 3 sizes, for a lower front end you can go with smaller size and a longer stem, if you prefer a more upright position then a size larger than normal with a shorter stem should see any cyclist right.

Gareth came back with nothing but positive praise for the bike. He’s ridden plenty over the years as an elite level rider based in the UK and Europe and he believes it’s the best aluminum frame he’s ever come across.

With a 105 groupset and Shimano RS11 wheels the bike was a solid build with the frame being the stand out highlight, it’s such a good frame that some of the Cannondale professional team have elected to use it in international competition.

Gareth had such high praise for the bike that Cycle Division staff member (deep pockets, short arms) Ben has actually bought one.

For any information or advice regarding the Caad10 or any Scott and Cannondale bikes see cycledivision.co.uk 

 

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