[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] U.S. bicycle brand Cannondale has unveiled its new aluminium road bike, the CAAD14, and highlighted a design focused on pure racing performance.

BikeRadar reported on March 10 local time that, unlike the previous CAAD13 model, which pursued both race performance and practicality, the CAAD14 was designed to focus on a more aggressive racing experience.

The CAAD14 removes mudguard mounts but keeps features required in modern race bikes, including 32 mm tyre clearance, fully integrated cables and a universal derailleur hanger. Its frame geometry was also tuned more aggressively than Cannondale's SuperSix EVO, emphasising a racing fit and nimble handling.

Andreas Krjewski (안드레아스 크례프스키), marketing manager for Cannondale's road category, said, "The CAAD13 looked like a cheaper version of the SuperSix EVO, and the identity of the aluminium model became blurred." He said, "The CAAD14 is a model that emphasises aluminium's stiffness and explosive acceleration."

The new frame returns to a round tube profile instead of the existing aerfoil shape. Cannondale said this maximises the stiffness of the aluminium material and ensures precise handling. It also raised the junction between the seat stays and the top tube and expanded the head tube and down tube to achieve a more aggressive riding posture.

Based on a 56 cm size, the frame weighs 1,280 grams unpainted and 1,410 grams painted, and the fork weighs 397 grams. The bottom bracket uses a 68 mm BSA threaded standard to improve ease of maintenance.

The top-end CAAD14 1 model uses Momo Design's integrated system bar, the R-One cockpit. The other 2 models use a traditional 2-piece cockpit configuration. The seatpost keeps a 27.2 mm round standard and is secured with an external clamp.

The CAAD14 will be released as a frameset and in 3 complete-bike models. Prices range from $2,499 (about 3.7 million won) to $7,499 (about 11.09 million won), and the frameset will sell for $1,799 (about 2.66 million won). The frameset includes a Cannondale Save carbon seatpost.

Cannondale aims to use the CAAD14 to re-emphasise the identity of its long-running aluminium road bike line.