When I think bicycles I think Cannondale. I know this can be a contentious statement. Who you ride can be up there with politics and religion for hard core cyclists and Cannondale is where I land. I got my start with an aluminum M700, back when the frames were handmade in the US. I actually still have it and no the Smithsonian cannot have my bike back. Almost every component has been changed for various reasons but the frame is light and straight. It’s my hard tail, my urban assault vehicle. 2″ Serpas provide bulletproof, in-city riding and really keep the legs in shape pushing that much rubber on the road.
When it comes to road bikes I have ridden my fair share, Trek, Scott, Klein, Bianchi, and others. All offer solid setups for cyclists at all levels but it’s that Cannondale aluminum frame that keeps speaking my name. So why aluminum? Why aluminum when i could ride steel, carbon, titanium, composites, alloys, etc. Well to keep the post relatively short I’ll give the cliff notes.
For my riding, carbon is pointless. Again, I ride in city where tree roots, cracked pavement, curbs and sewers are all part of my life. If I were the person who racks my bike and drives to the country to ride maybe carbon would work but I ride my bike to the country. With carbon, I feel every bump with spine rattling enjoyment not to mention the durability issues carbon presents. Impact and vibration are not a carbon frame’s best friend so my riding is carb free.
Then there is steel and steel is awesome. Solid! Tankish!! Nothing will be stopping me today. The Cadillac of rides but also heavy and when you have to cart your bike places, steel gets old fast. Someday I’ll gear out a Steely Dan and make a single track cruiser, but today is not that day.
Other frame types have there place as well, racing, triathlons, velodromes, etc., but I am a less sophisticated rider. I need all purpose but don’t care for a hybrid. Since specialized riding is not how I roll, aluminum is my goto. We all know the story of the three bears and aluminum is just right. Rigid, light, forgiving, not forgiving. I love it and ride it. Knowing this I try to keep tabs on the new aluminum frames, especially Cannondale, and the 2016 CAAD12’s are proving to be another solid chapter in the Cannondale road bike saga.
Join the “Aluminati”! Here’s the 2016 CAAD12 lineup. Check out the full “Aluminati” line at Cannodale.
