SQUIRREL_13947799 The Cannondale CAAD14 arrivedbearing the weight of significantexpectationfrom fans of the iconic alloy road bike. Cannondales CAAD bikes have long been regarded as benchmark alloy race machines,witha storied history,and the CAAD14 marks a return to that traditional formula after the more practically minded CAAD13. The silhouette is cleaner, andthedesignmoreclassically aggressivewiththe emphasis back firmly on sharp road-bike handling. Cannondale is also bullish about its positioningthrough its not carbon, not sorry marketing tagline.Thishints at a refocus towards the enthusiast n+1 cyclist looking for a quintessential alloy race bike experience. The frame is exceptional. The handling is addictively fun, the ride quality surprisingly refined (if firm) and its a worthy showcase of the engaging potential of alloy road bikes. The keyword here, though, is potential. This entry-level models stock wheels and tyres are disappointing, as is the decision to spec an alloy seatpost. This might have been swallowable but for the expensive price tag, which means the CAAD14 is rendered just an enthusiast's plaything, rather than for those dipping their toes into road cycling for the first time, or a cheap option for aspiring racers. CannondaleCAAD143need to know Frame featuresCannondales well-regardedSmartFormC1 Premiumaluminium and a full-carbon fork UsesCannondales Delta steererdesign, providing internal cable routing Replaces the CAAD13smore utilitarian designwith racier layout 32mmtyreclearance Sports athreaded BSA bottom bracket and SRAM UDH dropout Fitted withShimano 105 R7100groupset Cannondale RD 2.0 alloy wheels and Vittoria Zaffirotyreshold back performance Tested bike weighed 9.68kg in size 58cm Price: 2,995 / $2,499 / 2,499 Cannondale CAAD143performance The CAAD14 has been long-awaited. Andy Lloyd / Our Media The CAAD143presents anawkward value proposition. Atnearly 3,000in the UK at the time of publication, the specisunderwhelming.I'm told the price is being reviewed, with the 2,500 mark set to be confirmed soon. However, the basicalloy wheelsand Vittorias third-tiertyres, plus an alloyseatpost,are difficult to ignore when similarly priced carbon bikesoffer better value for money. You could insteadbuy a Canyon Ultimate CF SL 7.0 A.50 for 2,499, which packs in the same Shimano 105 R7100groupsetbut carbon wheels, mid-range Schwalbe Onetyres, a carbonseatpostand one-piece cockpit. Alternatively, you could opt for a CubeAgree C:62 with a 105 Di2 R7100groupsetand carbon wheels for 2,899. You could also buy the very good boutique Condor Italia RC aluminium bike from 2,490, and achieve a similar-spec build using its bike builder tool for around 2,750. From the outset, boutique alloy bikes such as the Condor Italia RC present a competitive value proposition, as do a few carbon race bikes. Scott Windsor / Our Media Thisisparticularly uncomfortable whenconsideringthe general statusaluminiumholds across the bike industry.Cannondaleisusing the CAAD14 as a showcase of the material,butitsabudget optionthe value choice many hope to turn to when rising bike prices present a barrier to entry. Itsa different story in the US and Europe, where this bike retails for$2,300 / 2,499.Thatsa touch more competitive, butremainson a par with equivalently speccedcarbon bikes. Its important to lay this down from the outset: if you want a good-value entry point toperformanceroad cycling, or perhaps a bike to dabble in racing that you dont mind getting pranged in a crashbecause its cheap, look elsewhere. The CAAD14isntfor you. What if valueisntthe be-all and end-all? The CAAD14 is firm but agile and responsive. Andy Lloyd / Our Media The CAAD14 alsodoesntperform a magic trick of imitating a carbon frameset,nor does it really set out to do so.Itsstiff, responsive andvery funtoride oncethe wheels andtyreshave been upgraded, but itdoesntmanage to smooth the grain of theroadeffectively.Itfelt downrightsolidwhen Iencounteredbigger creases and holes. However, itis an excellent plaything, ifyourewilling to overlook the price and commit to an upgrade journey adecision made using the heart, rather than the head. Cannondale has absolutely nailed the handling,unsurprisingly given thegeometry is fundamentally inspired by theCannondale SuperSix EVO one of the best-handling bikesIveever ridden. Despite its 9.68kg weight in a size 58cm for this 'entry level' model, there's plenty of potential. Andy Lloyd / Our Media Itfeltdirectand reactivewithout becomingnervous, andoffered anunmistakably race-focusedexperience.The front end is exceptionally precise and, onceIdacclimatedto it, inspired confidence. Myhard effortsrevealed impressive stiffness too, generating an energetic reaction in the way many mid-range carbon race bikes manage. The fit, which is a little less aggressive thanyoullfind on the latestSuperSixEVO, is also a boon for those who want the race-bike experience without pushing the limits of their flexibility. The classic silhouette is back, and that alone will help it appeal to some riders. Andy Lloyd / Our Media The front end deserves particular praise.Cannondales Delta steerer enables internal cable routing without creating an oversized head tube, andthesteering precision is excellent. On fast descents, the bike trackedaccurately. On theCAAD14 3model tested here, the alloyseatpostis a misstep, though switching to my own Pro carbonseatpostmade a tangible positive differenceto comfortthrough the saddle.Itsworth noting yougeta carbonseatposton the other two CAAD14 models, and it feels as though Cannondale could have included one here, too. Thatsan easy(if annoying) upgrade to make, though. It's harder to overlookthe stock wheel andtyrepackage, whichsignificantly dulledthe experience. The alloy seatpost feels an avoidable low point in the spec on a bike of this price. Andy Lloyd / Our Media The supplied Vittoria Zaffirotyresfeelmismatched to thepotentialof the frame. Theyaresomewhatuncompromising,not supple, andonly have a 27 threads-per-inch(TPI)nylon casing. Vittoria uses a 320TPI cotton casing on its raciest all-roundtyre, for example. Whilethey havea good levelof puncture protection on paper and deliver decent enough gripfor budgettyres(theycan be found for around 15apiece),this is one of the first thingsIdlook to upgrade. It's not uncommon for brands to spec rolling stock to 'get you started' and offer an obvious upgrade path, but it's hard to justify the full bike cost when you can get bikes with carbon wheels for less money. Andy Lloyd / Our Media Cannondales RD 2.0 alloy wheels also feel sluggish under acceleration. The sense of weight is tangible and its clear theyre not aerodynamically optimised. The effort required to maintain speed is certainly greater than most will like, and I was able to bring about creaking sounds from the spokes under hard efforts in testing. I swapped in a set aHunt Carbon 50 Disc wheels,fitted with 32mm Hutchinson Blackbird All-Seasontyres,Ivebeentesting. The results were stark and unveiledclose to thefull potential of the CAAD14 fast, urgent, yet layered with a new refinement to the ride and much better compliance thanks tomaxxingout the available clearance. But that refinement is reserved for the hobbyists among usthose willing to spend a further2,000 to 3,000to get the build they want that meets theframespotential. How I tested the Cannondale CAAD143 I tested the CAAD143over several weeks on my usual mixof Somerset and Devon roads typically rolling terrain, but with a mix of hills and flat roads. My rides ranged from short, high-intensity efforts tolongerendurance outings on UK road surfaces. I also used the CAAD14 for a bit of local commuting. Partway through testing, I replaced the stock Cannondale wheelset and Vittoria Zaffirotyreswith a lighter carbon wheelset and premium tubelesstyresto explore the framesets full potential. The Shimano 105 R7100 groupset is as dependable as ever. Andy Lloyd / Our Media I suspect the CAAD14 is now best described as akin to a tuner car the kind of thingIllsee riders fitting ultra-high endproducts to as a pet project, orto form a discussion topic at the coffee stop.Itsfor the wannabe influencers,rather thanrepresentinga high-value entry point. Theresnothing wrong with that, of course as my colleague Simon von Bromley pointed out when he reflected on his trip to the Traka, there are plenty of people willing tospend their money on expensive bikesand components, andthatsgreat. They might even be tempted to opt for theCAAD14 1or2-spec bikes to get them further down that path, but naturally these cost even more, hardly answering the value conundrum. Cannondale CAAD143bottomline There's so much potential in the CAAD14 frameset, but you'll need pay up to realise it. Andy Lloyd / Our Media The Cannondale CAAD14ispolarising on the one hand,itsa fine expression of what an alloy race bike can do (when thespecsweaker points have been dealt with). The framesetisexcellent, deliveringsharp handling,lively responses andenoughrefinement when supported by premium components to makeitone of themost engagingalloyroad bikesaround. However,theasking priceisntjustified by the spec, particularly in the UK. Heavy wheels, uninspiring tyres and the alloy seatpost hold back the bikes performance out of the box. Even so, the CAAD14will appealto manybecause the core chassis is so good. Riders willing to upgrade over time will unlock a hugely capable race bike with real enthusiast appeal. Cannondale CAAD14 3 spec Frame:CAAD14SmartFormC1 Premium Alloy Fork:CAAD14 fork with Delta Steerer, carbon Groupset:Shimano 105 R7100 Wheelset:Cannondale RD 2.0 Disc(Shimano TC500 hubs) Tyres:Vittoria Zaffiroclincher,700x28c Handlebar:VisionTrimaxCompact alloy handlebar Stem:Cannondale C1 Conceal stem Seatpost:Cannondale3, alloy Bottom bracket standard:BSA 68mm, threaded Extras:Garmin/Wahoo out-front mount included SQUIRREL_13947799