Canyon Ultimate AL 7.0 or Cannondale CAAD10 5 105

Raatty

Dear All,
I read the forums a lot, and this is my first post.
I have seen topics on new bikes, and first bikes etc, but haven't seen a post directly comparing these 2. I am looking at buying my first road bike ever. i used to have a mountain bike for a few years and used to bike to work once a week. I am 33, 5ft 11", and 88Kg. Can run 10km and 15km at a good pace and active in football. i think my weight is gonna prevent me from running soon and thought that i could use the bike to take tension off from my ankles and kneew with the low impact. i have no issues with stationary biking in the gym for 60 mins covering 22 km. The last time i road a racer was 20 years ago when i used to secretly take my brothers peugeot racer out when i couldn't even touch the floor while sittin gon the seat. i will be doing a lot of riding as i want to gear up for a 92km charity ride in december and carry on from there. its just gonna be flat roads with no hills. i would like a bike that i can grow into. i am a good rider and have no issues about going fast or falling off.

I have narrowed down bike from Specialized Allez, Giant, etc but have my heart set on:

2013 Cannondale CAAD10 5 105 http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/ro ... e-crankset
or
2013 Canyon Ultimate AL 7.0 http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3076

Many reviews and forum members swear by the CAAD10. A lot of people say the Canyon is great (although i have seen some forum members say they have issues with parts). I haven't managed to find a review on the AL 7.0. there are quite a few on the AL Di2 though.

I just want to know if anyone has actually compared the two? does anyone know of any reviews for the AL 7.0? If i get the CAAD10 from my LBS (in Dubai), i would have more support. The Canyon would have to go back if there is an issue. Are there lots of issues with a Canyon upon delivery (my LBS said they would build it, but if there is a part damaged, it would be a headache to send it back). I called up Evans UK from Dubai as i was gonna visit my parents in march and buy the CAAD from there, but work is keeping me here. Anyway, i asked them about sizing, and said over the phone a 56 would be ideal. Even my LBS looked at me and said a 56 would be ideal. is it worth me testing a 54 or a 58? i put in my measurements into the canyon site and it recommends me a ..... a 56!

am i just being tooo particular or fussy, and should just go with the CAAD10 rather than risk any issues with the Canyon?

Am i too heavy to ride the bike for long periods without breaking it?

do i really need clipless shoes and pedals or are normal ones ok? i saw the shimano 105 pedals and shoes and was gonna get them. but i will also be using the bike to go to the gym and don't wanna keep changing pedals around.

sorry about all the questions. i am sure that some of them would have answered in posts already in a round about way.

any thoughts would be appreciated.

thanks in advance. i hope that i can do the coast to coast ride and continue in London when i come back.

Raatty

zakstory

I would say if you have issues with the canyon being shipped from a long way away, therefore any problems are harder to deal with, I would just go with the CAAD10. For the level of riding you would be doing (judging by what you've said), you can't put much between these 2 bikes with the components they come with.

Clipless shoes/pedals are pretty much standard on any bike I would ever use, makes it so much easier and you wouldn't look back.

Hope you are happy with your bike either way

smidsy

And the Cannondale has a lifetime warranty on the frame.

styxd

If it was me, I'd get the Canyon because its a better bike.

For you, it might be easier to buy from your LBS if you are a beginner.

AS for size, the canyon is 10mm smaller in a 56, so you'd need a longer stem than the cannondale. Cannondales are known for being quite long (I think). A shorter top tube and longer stem is a better setup in my experience. A 54cm cannondale might be a better size?

Who knows, hard to say without knowing you, and seeing you sit on the bikes.

Clipless shoes and pedals are not necessary. They are more comfortable and have a more poisitive feel, but if you have some suitable shoes and a decent technique, flat pedals are fine.

smidsy

Tis true that a Cannondale can 'fit big' and it is often the case that people end up with a size smaller than they would with other makes.

letap73

smidsy wrote:

Tis true that a Cannondale can 'fit big' and it is often the case that people end up with a size smaller than they would with other makes.

Really - from my experience a Giant ML (53.5) is larger than a Cannondale Supersix (54) which in turn is equivalent to a colnago 52 in some models. Sizing in general can be very odd

To the op, I am shorter than you and fit well to a Cannondale 56, I would suggest you try out the cannondale in different sizes to see what fits.

Raatty

thanks to all for sharing their thoughts
@ zakstory, smidsy, styxd, letap73 - thanks very much for taking the time
just realised how long the original post was. sorry that it was a bit of a read

Sizing - i will have a ride on the 54, 56, and 58 to see what is comfy. unless i go with the canyon where i will have to take a leap. they do have quite a measurement process on the site for the sizing though

I think that i will go for the CAAD10, but for some reason i am drawn to the Canyon. i don't think that it will make much difference to me as i am getting into road cycling. but i do want a bike that i grow into, and can grow with me.

All i want is someone to say "you will not regret either bike as they are both awesome" or "i prefer the ......... bike over the other as i have both. so and so bike is better of the two for this reason and that reason"

if someone tells me that the canyon is a noticably better bike and that i should have no issues with the ordering and delivery and assembly (my lbs said they would assemble), then i would lean to that.

if there are lots of people that have had issues with the canyon, then i will stay away from it and gladley go with the CAAD10 as i haven't really heard of any problems and that it is a solid bike.

i appreciate the thoughts on the pedals. i think that i will start with flats and then progress to clipless as i approach longer rides

thanks for the comments on sizing. @letap73, maybe i will try the 58 as well in view of your comment

i understand that there is a big difference in comfort between a 52 and a 58, but will i notice between a 56 and a 58 even though the seat and handelbars can be adjusted? i suppose that i will have to try and see myself

any other thoughts are appreciated

Canyon Ultimate AL 7.0 or Cannondale CAAD10 5 105? - That is my question that is keeping me up at night (i tell the wife that its because of work though)

raatty

bendertherobot

There are only a few people who have had issues with Canyon, mostly in contacting them PRE purchase.

All the reports I've read have been minor in nature and Canyon have either sent a replacement or allowed the LBS to fix/setup at their cost.

timegan2002

I got cannondale six 105 groupset as first road bike 3.5yrs ago. Done c10k miles commuting on it since, year round (cycled today!), the 2010 etape, hill climb tt, 40mile hilly tt, 1 cat 4 circuit race and few other sportives. Have upgraded seat, spent c300 on New cassettes and chains as they have worn out and about to get new summer wheels to do more circuit races this yr. I'm 5ft11 and 56 is spot on. Would def recommend a cannondale. I would def test ride and compare with one or two others. I thought I would get a trek, but tested it, bianchi and cannondale and preferred feel of cannondale. I use standard platform pedals for commuting (90% of riding) and 105pedals for longer rides and events. Pedal wrench is a tenner and takes seconds to change. Enjoy!!

Raatty

Thanks Bendertherobot and timegan2002.

i think that the canyon bike may be the better bike, but i don't want to risk issues, and like the other posters and forums have said, it would be better to get the bike from my LBS since it is the first time i am getting a bike.

my decision is Cannondale CAAD10 5 105. timegan2002, letap73, i may try the 56 and 58 to see the fit.

i will post a pic when a i get it (hope the LBS has stock). if they don't have the 58, should i just get the 56 if it is comfy?

Now what colour should i get? the white/blue/green team colours, or the black/silver? i was thinking the white bars and frame would get dirtier quicker. i know that it is subjective.

Thanks for all the posts.

I am gonna see the other forums for advice on double, triple, or compact. i am only going to be using it on flat roads, no hills. maybe a hill once in the year.

i'm getting excited now.

raatty

smidsy

Well Liquigas are not longer sponsors for Cannondale so best to stay away from that colour scheme if you are one for current things. Or maybe use it as a bargaining chip "that colour is so last year" :-)

Double or compact is all you need and based on your statement double probably.

letap73

Raatty wrote:

Thanks Bendertherobot and timegan2002.

i think that the canyon bike may be the better bike, but i don't want to risk issues, and like the other posters and forums have said, it would be better to get the bike from my LBS since it is the first time i am getting a bike.

my decision is Cannondale CAAD10 5 105. timegan2002, letap73, i may try the 56 and 58 to see the fit.

i will post a pic when a i get it (hope the LBS has stock). if they don't have the 58, should i just get the 56 if it is comfy?

Now what colour should i get? the white/blue/green team colours, or the black/silver? i was thinking the white bars and frame would get dirtier quicker. i know that it is subjective.

Thanks for all the posts.

I am gonna see the other forums for advice on double, triple, or compact. i am only going to be using it on flat roads, no hills. maybe a hill once in the year.

i'm getting excited now.

raatty

If you can, get to ride a 54, 56 and possibly a 58 then make an informed choice with regards to frame size ( I think you are more a 56 then th other two). The colour is obviously a personal preference. If you are on flattish terrain the compact 50-34 is probably your best choice, although you could get away with a double 53 39. I am not a great fan of triples and I think it is the worst of the three options for you. I am mostly certainly not a Cannondale fanboy but the CAAD 10 105 is a very good bike.

smidsy

letap73 wrote:

I am mostly certainly not a Cannondale fanboy but the CAAD 10 105 is a very good bike.

Says the man who has just bought a SuperSix Evo :shock:

letap73

smidsy wrote:

letap73 wrote:

I am mostly certainly not a Cannondale fanboy but the CAAD 10 105 is a very good bike.

Says the man who has just bought a SuperSix Evo :shock:

Correct, but I couldn't say no to the price I got it for

styxd

Raatty wrote:

Thanks Bendertherobot and timegan2002.

i think that the canyon bike may be the better bike, but i don't want to risk issues, and like the other posters and forums have said, it would be better to get the bike from my LBS since it is the first time i am getting a bike.

my decision is Cannondale CAAD10 5 105. timegan2002, letap73, i may try the 56 and 58 to see the fit.

i will post a pic when a i get it (hope the LBS has stock). if they don't have the 58, should i just get the 56 if it is comfy?

Now what colour should i get? the white/blue/green team colours, or the black/silver? i was thinking the white bars and frame would get dirtier quicker. i know that it is subjective.

Thanks for all the posts.

I am gonna see the other forums for advice on double, triple, or compact. i am only going to be using it on flat roads, no hills. maybe a hill once in the year.

i'm getting excited now.

raatty

Try a 54 and a 56, dont bother with a 58, I can guarantee it'll be to big.

Raatty

Thanks again people,

went to a trek specialist today just because i happened to be next to my daughters optician when she had her appointment. they showed me a 54 & 56 madone 2.1 for the same price as the caad10 105. 56 was better fit than the 56. comes with a double compact 50 (as if i know what that means).

i was going to the cannondale lbs today anyway. went there in the afternoon and tried the 56 caad10 105. fit fine so that size is the one i will get. my arse was hurting even for 2 mins of cycling though!!

the one thing that stopped me from buying then and there, was that they didn't have a brand new piece in the box that they can assemble just for me. fussy i know, but if i am spending that much on a new bike, i want to know that it is brand new and that some weirdo (like myself) has not been pressing the breaks, riding it before me.

Just have to wait for it to come in then i will have the black/silver (your right, didn't go for the team colours if they are not going to be sponsored any more).

lbs said that they would tune and check it when ever i needed to.

thanks for all the help people. will have some closure by posting a pic when i get the bike.

raatty

smidsy

Or you could go for a Supersix if your ok with 2nd hand

viewtopic.php?f=40091&t=12900709

Carbon Fibre loveliness for £1500

Raatty

Cheers for the suggestion smidsy, but it's a first bike so I am gonna look forward to getting a bran new one. You know, having it built for me, taking it out on the first spin, feeling the difference in the bike as I put more rides/km on the saddle etc. just hope that it doesn't take long for the 56 to get in stock.

repairtec

I have a two friends one with a Super Six the other an Evo who I'd normally have a hard time keeping up with, I decided to buy a CAAD 10 after seeing 3 other carbon frame's break up, one an Orbea the other 2 Ratio's .The fastest bike for climbing I've ridden is the Bianchi White Carbon L'UNA but frame creaking eventually put me off. On the CAAD 10 I can easily outdistance my friends on flat and rolling roads and they are both 10 years younger than me. The CAAD 10 climbs well but you have to use a different technique and twiddle a lower gear. There is virtually no give in the frame but for all its rigidity it is surprising comfortable even after 70km. For sprinting its a doddle the bike accelerates like a bat out of hell but gear choice again is more critical. No complaints with the Ultegra group, the saddle is good but the handlebar stem looks a bit cheap. If you had earlier aluminium framed Cannondale bikes you'll find this model puts you up with the good carbon framed ones.

rich164h

repairtec wrote:

On the CAAD 10 I can easily outdistance my friends on flat and rolling roads and they are both 10 years younger than me. .

It's not the bike that's doing that though, it's you and your fitness.

alihisgreat

letap73 wrote:

smidsy wrote:

Tis true that a Cannondale can 'fit big' and it is often the case that people end up with a size smaller than they would with other makes.

Really - from my experience a Giant ML (53.5) is larger than a Cannondale Supersix (54) which in turn is equivalent to a colnago 52 in some models. Sizing in general can be very odd

To the op, I am shorter than you and fit well to a Cannondale 56, I would suggest you try out the cannondale in different sizes to see what fits.

A Giant M/L is equivalent to a 56cm.. thats why its larger than a 54cm Cannondale

Raatty

Quick update all,

I realize that it's not news worthy, but no friends or family are bothered that I'm getting a bike so I thought I would share my excitement with the thread.

Just put down my 50% deposit with the lBS. a 2013 Black/Silver cannondale Caad10 5 105 size 56 should be with me in 10 - 15 working days!!!

In the 2 days that they took to confirm sourcing, I went to a different LBS and was so close to getting a Scott speedster S20 then and there to take home at 100 quid less. That was close.

I'll put a lat post up when I get the bike, unless someone drives me insane and said that I should have got the Scott instead of waiting for the caad10!

Now gotta buy the funky shorts and helmet and stuff.

Thanks

Ratty

ricky1980

well done ^^

if you after some cannondale jerseys go to monton and the likes but DO NOT buy the shorts from them. the padding is TERRIBLE.

Raatty

Thanks Ricky,

I am in Dubai so don't have a large selection of places to get different specialist cycling gear at good prices. I'm coming to london end of march so wanted to check out some places and get some stuff to bring back with me.

To get started, the LBS said some cannondale classic shorts (55quid) and cannondale gel gloves (25quid) and my Liverpool top would be ok to get started and get used to the bike. I was gonna get the cannondale terramo helmet (95quid) and cannondale mini vista pump (45quid) all from here to get started.

Are you saying the cannondale shorts are bad for a beginner like me?

Any suggestions on stuff that works for other members will be appreciated

Thanks , ratty

smidsy

I have a pair of Cannondale bib shorts and the pad is very thin. There are certainly better out there.

dwanes

Raatty wrote:

Thanks Ricky,

I am in Dubai so don't have a large selection of places to get different specialist cycling gear at good prices. I'm coming to london end of march so wanted to check out some places and get some stuff to bring back with me.

To get started, the LBS said some cannondale classic shorts (55quid) and cannondale gel gloves (25quid) and my Liverpool top would be ok to get started and get used to the bike. I was gonna get the cannondale terramo helmet (95quid) and cannondale mini vista pump (45quid) all from here to get started.

Are you saying the cannondale shorts are bad for a beginner like me?

Any suggestions on stuff that works for other members will be appreciated

Thanks , ratty

Cycle Shorts and a Football top is a must for a begginer, Congratulations on your choice of bike.

Raatty

Hello All,

Counting the days till i get by new CAAD10. thanks for all you posters. in anticipation of the bike's arrival, i have started to procure accessories for cycling. i know that it's a different topic from the main one, but thought that i would ask or get assurance that these are right. i ordered the following from Evans Cycles (they give free shipping to dubai for orders over 50 quid):

i bought some plain metal pedals to begin with and will go clipless later
Giro Savant Helmet (wanted the boardman, but evans don't sell it)
Leznye Femto Drive LED Front & rear (i think that in dubai, the cycle tracks are well lit, but was told to get something for the bike so that people could see me just in case i cycle in the dark
Giro Zero Mitt - 17 quid - wanted some castilo's but size wasn't there
Pearl Izumi Elite LTD bib shorts - 50 quid
bikeshield clear chain stay protector - i wanna protect my new frame

i also wanted a lezyne pressure drive pump and a lezyne or cannondale 5 in one basic tool set and a cage and bottle, but are these all essential right now or will they wait until i come to the uk in april and bring them back? i would want to get a set of proper lights but don't wanna spend loads of money.

are the gloves that i have ordered fine or should i be getting a pair of proper gel padded gloves?

any thoughts or suggestions on what you guys use or would think that i need would be great.

thanks,

raatty

Raatty

Dear All,

Picked up my Cannondale CAAD10 5 105 today. Took it for a 10km ride and thought that it was great. I'm a newbie, so probably can't really appreciate how good the bike is compared with any other out there, but i have no regrets with purchasing it.

Here is a picture that i took in the Dubai Desert. I wanted to get the Burj Khalifa in so that the worlds tallest tower can be pictured with the worlds best Aluminium frame, but i was in the distance.

Thanks to all of the posters,

Raatty