Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105

Yes, this is an aluminium frame (with carbon forks). You'd be hard pressed to tell at a glance, it's only those neat but chunky welds that give it away. The tube shapes are as aero as anything you'll see on a monocoque carbon frame. In fact it's remarkably similar to the latest Cannondale SuperSix Evo in profile.

Cannondale have a long history of building high performance aluminium bikes, and they've stayed with the material for full-on racing bikes, alongside carbon models, right through to the present day. Aluminium can present better value for money than carbon, when properly made, and the CAAD13 is a prime example of what can be achieved, bringing close to SuperSix performance for a fraction of the price.

The dropped seatstays are a thoroughly modern feature and their looks will prove divisive, with traditionalists preferring a conventional rear triangle. By dropping the stays Cannondale allow more of the seat tube to flex, to give a more comforable ride, whilst keeping the power transfer stiff and efficient. Likewise there's a newly designed seatpost profile, with an integrated clamp neatly hidden under the top tube. It's not as skinny as some of their previous models, but is designed to be just as comfortable and considerably more ae

Thru-axles also keep things up to date, and there's clearance for up to 30mm wide tyres on this disc brake model (a rim brake version is also available, with 28mm clearance).

photos by Bence Bujaki