Cannondale CAAD12 Disc Ultegra

In a week where the Down Under Classic saw an aluminium-framed bike finish in second place overall it's nice to see further evidence that alloy bikes are still a force to be reckoned with.

Okay, that particular alu bike was being piloted by a certain Peter Sagan, and a cynic might argue that he's likely to be in the top three of a crit whether the bike is carbon, ali, steel or bamboo... But that doesn't change the fact that this light, strong material, when built by experts, can happily compete with carbon.

Cannondale certainly know what they're doing when it comes to aluminium. Other brands may be bringing it back, but Cannondale never abandoned it. The CAAD12 is the ultimate expression of their feelings for this material - a true race bike, bristling with the latest tech, and remarkably smooth riding.

photos by Bence Bujaki