The newly redesigned Cannondale CAAD13 takes its lead from the new SuperSix Evo and delivers huge aerodynamic advantages through truncated aero profile tubes. A re-engineered back end sees the seat stays mounted lower down the seat tube, delivering improved compliance for a more comfortable ride. The increased tyre clearance further improves comfort whilst simultaneously increasing the capability of the CAAD13 and offering greater levels of grip. An Ultegra Disc groupset is race ready and gives slick, reliable shifting time after time.
Cannondale have long been considered the masters of Aluminium. While many companies use Aluminium in their entry level bikes thanks to the material’s relative low cost, Cannondale are one of only a few manufacturers considering Aluminum for use in race-level road bikes in an era dominated by the use of Carbon fibre. Cannondale work aluminium like no other and this is reflected in the number of awards and glowing reviews that have littered the media in the last decade - all extolling the virtues of the company’s CAAD platform road bikes and quite often holding the CAAD bikes up above carbon bikes at higher prices.
Rather than making small changes to the platform that improve on the predecessor, Cannondale have made huge advances in their latest metal model: the CAAD13.
The CAAD13 – named for the atomic number of Aluminium and the logical progression from 12, is faster, smoother, more comfortable and more broadly capable than any of the preceding iterations. It has been designed to deliver the performance and ride that is offered by many carbon competitors but without the price tag – something that the CAAD10 and CAAD12 have both succeeded in doing in the past.
Historically, the development of the CAAD platforms have closely followed those of the SuperSix and the CAAD13 is no different. Indeed, take a look at both bike ranges and it is only the welds that give the CAAD13 away.
Since the tech of the CAAD13 mimics that of the new 2020/21 SuperSix Evo, it seems sensible to point you to the
SuperSix Evo Blogthat examines the advancements in detail.
Suffice to say that the CAAD13 benefits from a sleekly integrated design that – like the EVO - features a new family of highly truncated airfoil tube shapes that offer the same weight, and equal or better stiffness than the round tubes they replace. These minimalist airfoils reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 30 percent at 40kph (the industry measurement benchmark since it is the speed of the pro peloton), delivering more speed with less effort.
For the CAAD13, Cannondale have focused on elements that really improve the ride, namely drag reduction, comfort and wide-ranging capability, while successfully maintaininglow weight.
One of the standout features of the CAAD12 is its smooth ride and in order to improve comfort and ride-feel, the new CAAD13 design features dropped seat-stays, an internal seat binder and an integrated 27 KNØT seat post, a combination that doubles the compliance of the frame. Ultimately this negates any comfort advantage that competitors’ carbon models may tout, making the CAAD13 an extremely attractive proposition for those looking for a versatile performance road bike without the premium.
As you would expect from the CAAD, the revised bike loses nothing of the intuitive handling and explosive responsiveness riders have come to expect, while increasing clearance to allow for 30mm wide tyres which yield additional comfort and capability over rougher surfaces.
As with the SuperSix EVO and SystemSix models, the new CAAD13 Aluminium bikes feature a 2-position downtube bottle mount for minimized drag with one bottle (low) or maximum hydration for two bottle rides (high) and the bikes feature Speed Release thru-axles, and sleek easy-to-service internal routing.
The new CAAD13 line-up features disc brake models for men in sizes 44, 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 (not all models), as well as a disc brake women’s model in sizes 44, 48, 51, and 54. That said, with their accommodating geometry, it is possible for women to ride men’s bikes and vice versa, opening up the possibilities and choice even further.