Robert A

A Cannondale dealer in my region has some unsold 2017 CAAD12 disc frames that it's offering for $400 each. I'm thinking of buying one and having an LBS build a bike with an Ultegra setup. Cannondale doesn't sell an Ultegra disc model in the US, so I see this as a good opportunity to get exactly what I want for a reasonable price. I also like the color.

The only issue is that the forks on these frames accept QR hubs, not Quick Axle hubs, which came along in 2018. Is there any reason that QR hubs might be an issue under braking, or at other times?

Thanks,
Robert

7daysaweek

I assume you're concerned about QR with discs? Worked for MTBs for a while.

I wouldn't worry about it.

sbxx1985 

I have a Cinelli disc with QR. $400 is a good deal. Do it.

Robert A

So, new question here. I just found out that most Cannondale parts are simply not available. This includes handlebars, stems, seatposts, etc. Local dealer suggested I use Bontrager, but I don't want a bike that's half Trek. Is there an after-market brand (or two) that are well regarded and comparable to the parts that come on a Cannondale bike?

memebag

I think Cannondale parts are actually available. I see them for sale online.

sbxx1985 

You don't need to use Cannondale parts on your Cannondale frameset. And I wouldn't use Bontrager bits on a Cannondale. Bontrager is for the Trek lovers.

Go to Competitive Cyclist or Excel Sports and comb through their stems, handlebars, and seatposts. Find a brand that appeals to you at the price point you're willing to spend. You will have tons of options and most manufacturers will make all three of those parts in the same model. You can then be all matchy-matchy with your components. You will find really expensive carbon stuff and more affordable alloy parts.

Or you can mix and match and not be matchy-matchy. For alloy parts, I prefer Deda. For carbon, I've traditionally used Enve but will probably move on next time.

tagaproject6

There are plenty of parts that well regarded besides Cannondale. ITM, Thomson, Easton, 3T, etc. Do not pigeon hole yourself into such a narrow selection of brands.

MyTi

Sometimes it's cheaper to buy a complete bike, just saying. I'd price the parts out and compare it to a 2018 caad12 in stock. I'm guessing even with the frame at $400...you are still spending the same money as a fully equipped CAAD12 bike.

sbxx1985 

Looks like REI has a 2018 with 105 for $1800. I think he could customize it and end up ahead. But, the OP might be new enough to cycling that building an entire bike from scratch might not make sense. I agree a complete bike might be better in this situation.

memebag

List price is $1,700 on the Cannondale site. I wonder what makes buying it from REI $100 better?

Maelochs

Scrape off the logo and no one in the world could tell if it was Bontrager or Cannondale or whatever. Another case where factories in China or Malaysia are cranking out millions of almost identical if not identical pieces and branding them as ordered.

Whatever. If you cannot find parts for a bike you want to build, you cannot. At least you have a nice frame.

WhyFi

Regular prices shows at $1700 and it's currently on sale for $1569.

Edit: actually, that's the rim brake version. The disc version is listed at $1950, not the $1700 that you'd stated. SBXX is right about the disc model being available at $1800

Reeses

MyTi

I don't think the OP has called around enough because quite a few shops have full ultegra models on close out for about the price you'd pay for a 105 model at REI in California.

sbxx1985 

It doesn't look like an Ultegra disc is offered here.

Here's a cheaper 2018 105 disc at $1462.

https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...-105-road-bike

Robert A

My goal is an Ultegra-level build with discs. This config would sell for $2,600 as a complete bike, if Cannondale sold it here (they don't).

If the frame is $400, the groupset is $800, the bike shop wants $300 for labor (just a guess) and the cockpit is $300 (also a guess), I'm at $1,800 before wheels. Now I can go straight to decent wheels instead of the cheap ones that come on the complete bike.

Maybe I've spent a little more overall, but the whole thing is fully custom and the frame color is better. I also get discs on a CAAD which I can't get under this config. The only remaining consideration is not getting the Hollowgram crank, because it's too expensive.

Robert A

The OP has called. The only Ultegra closeouts are 2017s with prior-gen groupsets. The 2018s are not on closeout, and there are no 52s even at full price. Also, all Ultegras are rim-brake models.

sbxx1985 

Well thought out. I would get the frameset again and build it exactly how you want and get nicer wheels.

I recently built a Cinelli Zydeco disc QR frameset. I went with Praxis cranks - the Zayante.

https://praxiscycles.com/product/zayante/

Robert A

Is there any reason I wouldn't go with the crank from the groupset?

sbxx1985 

No. You'll save money using the cranks from the group. I ride Campy, but their disc stuff is too expensive. I bought closeout Ultegra Di2 piece by piece and was able to avoid their ugly cranks with Praxis.

Robert A

Any sense of how SRAM Force or Rival compare to Ultegra?

sbxx1985 

Ultegra, no question.

Robert A

Can you please elaborate a bit?

mangpogi

Im also eyeing the same frame for a new build. Im currently priced at around $1800 for an R8000 ultegra build including wheels. Only thing I skimped on is the hydraulic brake system,I plan on using the RS685/RS785 set which I think is what is used on the older R6800 Ultegra disc brake system ( I have this in my Scott Solace and works great). Im building it myself and wheels are not the expensive carbon types. I also did not plan on getting the whole groupset, you can do piece meal and probably save some $. The R8000 Hydraulic brake system with the levers are expensive, About $1K for the R8000 Hydraulic groupset.


Some things to note (found out while doing my research on this).


-The QR on Disc brakes are fine. I have both QR and TA disc brake bikes and both work well.

-The said frame uses post mount front calipers and flat mount rear calipers. You might need an adopter for the rear(if applicable) or get flat mount calipers if doing piece meal purchasing.

-You will need a BB30A bottom bracket, but if going with Shimano Hollowtech cranks do a 1Up and get the C-Bear BB30A bottom bracket instead. Cannondale BB30A BBs are known to creak from what I read.


Right now the build is still on hold.

puma1552

Personally I'd rather have thru-axles with discs because it just seems like a more natural pairing, but I doubt the QR is that big of a deal - how often do people do a bad job of seating the wheels fully in the dropouts? Probably not often.

For $400, if you can find other parts to do the build you want with good wheels, and you like the color...go for it.