CANNONDALE CAAD OPTIMO 105

TThe engineers at Cannondale are masters of aluminium. Their race-focused CAAD 12 is the stuff of legend – lighter, stiffer and smoother than many carbon bikes.

The CAAD Optimo benefits from all the brainy stuff that went into making the CAAD 12: the geometry is the same, and it has the same flex zones in the seat stays and chainstays to absorb shock and vibration. The only difference is the frame material: slightly heavier SmartForm C2 aluminium as opposed to C1.

It’s a blast of a bike that weighs a measly 8.8kg – a perfect upgrade for a beginner rider who wants to ride further and longer. The 2x11 Shimano 105 drivetrain has plenty of range, it shifts crisply, and it’s reliable. At R20k, it’s the priciest bike in this section – but considering what you get, it’s money well spent.