Cannondale has resurrected the CAAD as a stripped-back, race-only alloy machine that testers adore on the road — even as they wince at what the cheapest build asks for its budget wheels and tyres.
Why the CAAD14 is back
For two decades Cannondale's CAAD line set the benchmark for what aluminium could do — race bikes that punched far above their price. The outgoing CAAD13 softened that identity with endurance-friendly comfort and tyre clearance. The CAAD14 is a deliberate hard reset to a pure race brief, sold under the cheeky tagline "not carbon, not sorry."
Rather than fake carbon's aero tube shapes, Cannondale leaned into classic rounded profiles, oversized junctions and smoothed welds to make the most of the metal — and pushed the geometry marginally sharper than even its flagship carbon SuperSix EVO.
“CAAD13 lost sight of what makes CAAD, CAAD.”
CAAD14 by the numbers
Source: Bikerumor
The frame, fork and ride tech
The frame is built from SmartForm C1 Premium alloy with an enlarged head tube and beefed-up junctions for rigidity. The full-carbon fork keeps Cannondale's Delta steerer — a triangular steerer profile that routes cables internally through the headset bearings for a clean integrated cockpit without a bloated head tube.
Crucially for real-world ownership, Cannondale kept the standards fuss-free: a threaded BSA 68mm bottom bracket, a Universal Derailleur Hanger (cheap and easy to replace), 12×142mm rear / 12×100mm front thru-axles, and clearance for tyres up to 32mm measured with 4mm of room on all sides, per Cannondale's spec sheet.
How it rides — the testers' verdict
Three outlets, three takes
Independent verdicts from across the cycling press — follow each link for the full review.
Brilliant frame, poor value
“My hard efforts revealed impressive stiffness too, generating an energetic reaction in the way many mid-range carbon race bikes manage.”
Read the full reviewA standout — buy it over carbon
“The CAAD14 blends high-speed stability with precise, playful handling more confidently and with more performance focus than any bike I have tested in the past three years.”
Read the full reviewModern feel, classic CAAD DNA
“The frame is responsive and stiff, but not terribly harsh.”
Read the full reviewA genuinely brilliant alloy race frame, let down at this trim by budget wheels and tyres. It's a frame-first buy — the metal is worth more than the parts hung on it.
Specs, prices and the lineup
There are three complete builds plus a standalone frameset. The headline tension is right here in the table: the cheapest CAAD14 3 pairs that lovely frame with heavy Cannondale RD 2.0 alloy wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro training tyres, which is exactly where reviewers say the money runs out. BikeRadar weighed the 105 build at 9.68kg (size 58); GRAN FONDO's top Force build hit 8.14kg (size 56).
CAAD14 trims compared
| CAAD14 3 | CAAD14 2 | CAAD14 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD RRP) | $2,499 (~R41 200) | $3,999 (~R66 000) | $7,499 (~R124 000) |
| Price (GBP RRP) | £2,995 (~R65 200) | £4,250 (~R92 500) | £7,500 (~R163 000) |
| Groupset | Shimano 105 R7100 (mech) | SRAM Rival AXS | SRAM Force XPLR AXS |
| Gearing | 50/34 × 11-34 | 48/35 × 10-36 | 1× Force, 10-46 |
| Wheels | Cannondale RD 2.0 alloy | DT Swiss E1800 alloy | Reserve 57|64 carbon |
| Power meter | No | No | Yes (SRAM Force) |
Specs: Bikerumor & BikeRadar
View data table
| USD RRP | |
|---|---|
| Frameset | 1799 $ |
| CAAD14 3 | 2499 $ |
| CAAD14 2 | 3999 $ |
| CAAD14 1 | 7499 $ |
In Rand (approx, @ today's rate): Frameset: ~R29 700 · CAAD14 3: ~R41 200 · CAAD14 2: ~R66 000 · CAAD14 1: ~R124 000
The case for and against
- Race-sharp, direct handling reviewers loved
- Impressively stiff and reactive for alloy
- Light frame: 1,280–1,410g in size 56
- Sensible, serviceable standards (BSA BB, UDH, 32mm tyres)
- Frameset option for a custom build from day one
- Budget wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro tyres on the 105 build
- Firm ride can feel harsh on rough roads
- Pricey next to carbon-wheeled rivals, especially in the UK
- No spec customisation at the point of purchase
- Plan to spend more on upgrades to unlock the frame
Should you buy one?
The reviews rhyme on one thing: the frame is the star. Where they split is value. BikeRadar argues that at UK money you can buy carbon-wheeled bikes for less, while GRAN FONDO reckons the ride alone earns it a place in your garage. Both agree the cheapest build's wheels and tyres are the weak link.
Its obvious rival is the Specialized Allez Sprint, the other serious modern alloy crit bike. If you enjoy building, the £1,750 (~R38 100) / $1,799 (~R29 700) frameset is arguably the smartest way in — start with good wheels and tyres and skip the compromise entirely.
Tap to vote — see how readers lean
CAAD14 buyer questions
Can an alloy CAAD14 really compete with carbon? +
Reviewers are split. GRAN FONDO says its handling out-points many carbon race bikes for the kind of riding most amateurs do, while BikeRadar notes you can buy carbon-wheeled bikes for similar or less money. Everyone agrees the frame itself is excellent; what it lacks is aero optimisation that most riders don't need.
How much does the CAAD14 weigh? +
BikeRadar weighed the Shimano 105 CAAD14 3 at 9.68kg (size 58). GRAN FONDO's top-spec CAAD14 1 with Force XPLR AXS and carbon Reserve wheels came in at 8.14kg (size 56). The bare frame is 1,280g raw or 1,410g painted in size 56.
What tyres will it fit? +
Cannondale rates clearance at up to 32mm measured width with 4mm of clearance on all sides, so 28–30mm tyres run comfortably with room for mud and wider rubber.
Which version is the best value? +
Reviewers point to the £1,750 (~R38 100) / $1,799 (~R29 700) frameset or the 105-equipped CAAD14 3 as a project base. The 3's stock alloy wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro tyres are the obvious first upgrade to unlock the frame's potential.
Does it have electronic shifting or a power meter? +
It depends on the trim. The CAAD14 1 runs SRAM Force XPLR AXS wireless with a Force power meter; the CAAD14 2 uses SRAM Rival AXS; the CAAD14 3 is mechanical Shimano 105 with hydraulic discs.
Sources & further reading
- Cannondale CAAD14 review: the alloy race bike enthusiasts have been waiting for — BikeRadar — Ashley Quinlan
- New CAAD14 returns to its racing roots with "razor sharp handling" — BikeRadar — Ashley Quinlan
- New Cannondale CAAD14 Series Is The Aluminum Race Bike You Remember — Bikerumor — Jordan Villella
- 2026 Cannondale CAAD14 on review: when aluminium makes carbon look dated — GRAN FONDO — Calvin Zajac
- CAAD14 3 — official specifications — Cannondale
- Specialized Allez Sprint vs Cannondale CAAD — aluminium race bike comparison — Cyclist — Paul Norman
The CAAD14 nails the brief Cannondale set itself: a sharp, stiff, joyful alloy race bike that genuinely rattles carbon's cage on a twisty road. The catch is the cheapest build's wheels and tyres, which leave performance on the table and make the sticker price hard to swallow next to carbon-wheeled rivals. Buy it as a frame-first project — the frameset, or the 105 bike plus a wheel-and-tyre upgrade — and you'll have a race bike with real enthusiast soul. Buy it expecting fully-formed, out-of-the-box value and you'll feel short-changed.
