More Speed Machines

Three race bikes that continue the disc-ussion

Cannondale CAAD12 Disc Dura-ace $6,000

Cannondale has been producing some of the best aluminum frames around through its caad series. The latest incarnation, the caad12, comes in a version with Shimano’s top-tier hydraulic disc-brake system, the Dura-ace 9100. The Japanbased company takes care of the shifting (front and rear mechs, and chain), too. Cannondale turns to its own, rocksolid Hollowgram Si crank, with 52/36-tooth rings, to round out the drivetrain. While the price is in the range of a good carbon-fibre machine, the performance of this alloy rig is also comparable. ( cannondale.com)

Scott Addict 20 Disc $5,200

The Addict 20 Disc is Scott’s mid-range, lightweight racer. It’s equipped with Shimano’s Ultegra 6800 front and rear derailleurs and crank. Shimano’s st-rs685 levers, br-rs805 calipers and 160-mm-diameter rotors take care of the hydraulic braking. The Addict 20 is roughly 8 kg, which makes it quite nice on a long climb. The disc brakes are then great for managing your speed before the hairpin turns on the way down. ( micasport.com)

Opus Vivace 2 $3,500

Opus’s disc-brake road machine, Vivace 2, is outfitted with solid Shimano 105 parts. Stopping power comes via the trp HY/RD flat-mount calipers. The brakes have cables that actuate the system’s hydraulic components. For added stiffness and precision, the Mavic Ksyrium Disc wheels are locked into the dropouts with 12-mm thru axles. There are some well-thought-out overlaps in the geometry across the five sizes of Vivace to make finding the right fit – whether that’s aero or upright – easier. ( opusbike.com)