trumanfinch

Background:
I've ridden a hard tail Trek 6000 for the past 8 years. I threw on some hybrid tires since 80% of my riding is on road.

Budget:
At or under $2000

I've been looking at both the subject bikes. I test drove the CAAD 10 yesterday and I liked it. Shop did not have a 12. I will be testing the ALR 5 later in the week. My research indicates that the bikes are fairly comparable but the 12 is about $400 more.

Does anyone have any input that would assist me in making this decision? I'm also not 100% committed to either of these bikes, so alternative suggestions are also welcome.

Best

TF

Bumnah

The differences between a Caad 10 to 12 are minimal. I would recommend a used Caad 10. If you cared for disc you can find some disc brake models of Caad 10s also. I've got an old caad 9 and it rides smooth as glass. Personally, I believe for aluminum frames, Caads are king.

exime

Trek ALR 5 is universally on sale for $1,379 right now. Go get one NOW! Sale won't be on long. The blue looks sooo sweet in person.

trumanfinch

Thanks for the input. I actually talked the Cannondale dealer down to match CAAD12 with ALR 5 price, so both bikes are evenly priced at $1375.

So now that price is not a factor, my decision rests solely on the bikes themselves.

vinfix

I haven't seen the new CAAD12, but I briefly road the CAAD 10 105 and liked it, the handling in particular. I think Cannondales are the best in aluminum, while Trek does high end carbon. I saw the Trek ALR in a shop recently (where I saw the new Madone- awesome, but another story). I didn't ride it, but it seemed on the heavy side. That blue is pretty bright. I think it's supposed to be the aluminum version of the Emonda geometry?

Wheever

Even though I'm a Trek guy, the rave reviews the Caad 12 is getting the the press makes them seem really compelling. I would recommend you get one.

Bikeracer123

Actually the emonda alr frame is one of the lightest aluminum bikes on the market. Another bike you might want to look into is the Fuji roubaix 1.1 which comes with shimano ultegra drivetrain. It also weights about 18 lbs stock.

12strings

Bike radar gave the Caad 12 105 it's "bike of the year" ranking...accross all price points...so certainly something to consider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCs_-OQlBU

trumanfinch

The professional reviews definitely seem to favor the CAAD12. I ride the ALR later today, so unless it just blows me away, I'm going CAAD12 now that the price is the same.

HTupolev

Yes, but frames are only a small part of bike weight. Emonda ALR 5 isn't a particularly heavy bike, but it's hardly featherweight; with R550 pedals, two bontrager RL bottle cages, and a mini saddle bag with one spare tube, a basic multitool, and levers, my 56cm comes in at 20.0lb.

I really like the bike, but if you're feeling weight weenie, the stock build is nothing special.

BenPS

I work at a Trek and Cannondale shop, and personally own an ALR, and if I had to choose between the two (not based on fit, or other things that should be factors, but on internet reasons) I would go with the CAAD 12. They really are really good

trumanfinch

I'm 6' 0.5" and rode the ALR 5 in a 60" and it felt damn good. Damn this is a tough decision.

trumanfinch

Then why do you own the ALR?

PepeM

Worth considering the geometry. The CAAD12 is a full fledged race bike while the Emonda comes in the H2 geometry, which is slightly more relaxed. Not 'endurance' geometry by any standards, you can still set it up aggressively if you want to, but it also gives you the option of a less extreme ride.

a1penguin

The Trek is all 105 components, the CAAD12 is not. Ride them both and pick the one that fits best and calls out to you. You can't go wrong with either bike.

Adonis72

The Trek is NOT BB30 like the CAAD, BB30's tend require a bit more maintenance and or tools in my experience.

trumanfinch

No one has a CAAD12 near me so I'm going to ride CAAD10 one more time. It's difficult to say which bike is more comfortable when your are unable to test them back to back on the spot. None of my shops carry both Trek and Cannondale.

kc9eog

He told you a specific price for the CAAD 12? Does he think he is moving down to the non-sale price?

trumanfinch

Yes, I advised the dealer that the Trek ALR 5 105 was on sale by the manufacturer and he agreed to match that price at $1379 on the CAAD12. Though it's a moot issue now.

I appreciate everyone's input. After thoroughly testing both bikes, I decided on the Trek. It just felt better.

macca33

The CAAD12 is well worth the $400 price differential...

Lazyass

I would pick the Cannondale because it doesn't have compact geometry. I would also look at a CAAD8 105. The 8's get no love for some reason.

yashinon

The ALR 5 looks sweet and the price is equally good. ! Is there a significant difference between the endurance and race/performance geometry?

Local LBS has a CAAD10 significantly discounted but the sales associated described it as "very stiff".

TakingMyTime

There seems to have been a price drop recently and you can get an ALR 6 for under 2K easily.

Hmmm

+1 for the Fuji Roubaix. I own a CAAD10 (love it) but the Roubaix is very close to the CAAD! I would say it felt a little less responsive and lively than the CAAD though.

pavsci2003

Interesting thread. I think a lot of people are in the same boat. went to trek/specialized and cannondale/specialized shops and both sales guys basically said buy whatever is on sale between the alr, allez dsw, and caad 12 when you buy the bike because they are all so similar. don't get caught up in the little details about geometry and specs and grams, because they can all be dialed to similar positions by picking the right size frame and swapping out the stem if needed.

I'm also intrigued by the fuji roubaix. performance is doing 20% back in rewards right now on fuji's and you can get a 1.3 or 2.0le (tektro brakes, non series cassette, and compact vs mid-compact are the only differences i spot) for pretty good price and that would include shoes, pedals, other accessories with the rewards credit. probably a good way to jump into road biking if this is your first bike.