Cannondale CAAD13 105 vs Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

167 facts in comparison

Based on 158 Reddit opinions. CAAD13 105Cannondale CAAD13 105 leads by 18 points.

158 opinions

CAAD13 105 leads by 18pts

Reddit's Pick

CAAD13 105

81%

B+

Based on

158 Redditors

Winner

Cannondale CAAD13 105

~$36.99

92 opinions

tldr; The aluminum road king. Race-worthy, incredible value.

Check prices

63%

Based on

113 Redditors

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

~$26.99

66 opinions

tldr; The race bike. Lightweight, aero, pro-level.

Check prices

⭐RID

⚡COM

🔧FRA

📐FIT

⭐VAL

Points

Score by Category

Ride Quality

100%—

Components

50%0%

Frame Quality

86%100%

Fit & Sizing

100%100%

Value

91%12%

Why is S-Works Tarmac SL8 better than Cannondale CAAD13 105?

Better frame (100% vs 86%)
Better price (50% vs 33%)
Better brakes (100% vs 50%)
Race bike
Ultra light
Aero

Based on 271 Reddit opinions

Clear Winner

Reddit prefers the CAAD13 105Cannondale CAAD13 105

Winning by 18 points (81% vs 63%)

Better speed

Better value

Better groupset

High confidence (271 mentions)

💬Reddit Sentiment

Based on 271 Reddit mentions

Overall Rating

CAAD13 105

8.1/10

158 mentions

Tarmac SL8

6.3/10

113 mentions

FRAME

CAAD13 1058.6/10

Tarmac SL810.0/10

GEOMETRY

CAAD13 1056.0/10

Tarmac SL8N/A

WEIGHT

CAAD13 10510.0/10

Tarmac SL810.0/10

SPEED

CAAD13 10510.0/10

Tarmac SL85.0/10

COMFORT

CAAD13 1054.3/10

Tarmac SL8N/A

VALUE

CAAD13 1059.1/10

Tarmac SL81.2/10

⚔️

Head to Head

Topic	CAAD13 105	Tarmac SL8
Frame	86%	100%
Geometry	60%	N/A
Weight	100%	100%
Speed	100%	50%
Comfort	43%	N/A
Value	91%	12%
Groupset	100%	50%
Maintenance	100%	0%
Frame Quality	100%	N/A
Bottom Bracket	0%	N/A
Build Quality	100%	100%
Coolness	100%	N/A
Stiffness	100%	100%
Aerodynamics	100%	33%
Frame Condition	0%	N/A
Aesthetics	67%	N/A
Availability	0%	N/A
Price	33%	50%
Durability	33%	N/A
Fit	100%	100%
Design	100%	N/A
Age	0%	0%
Reputation	100%	N/A
Components	50%	0%
Fun	100%	N/A
Gearing	100%	0%
Cost	100%	0%
Standards	0%	N/A
Condition	100%	N/A
Parts Availability	33%	N/A
Upgradability	100%	N/A
Responsiveness	100%	N/A
Tires	0%	N/A
Grip	100%	N/A
Feel	100%	N/A
Brakes	50%	100%
Handling	100%	N/A
Appearance	50%	N/A
Tire Clearance	100%	50%
Drivetrain	100%	100%
Ride Quality	100%	N/A
Frame Reliability	100%	N/A
Specifications	100%	N/A
User Friendliness	100%	N/A
Value Retention	100%	N/A
Paint	0%	N/A
Upgrade Potential	100%	N/A
Aggressiveness	50%	N/A
Authenticity	N/A	0%
Tech	N/A	0%
Suitability	N/A	0%
Riding Style	N/A	50%
Materials	N/A	0%
Warranty	N/A	100%
Equipment	N/A	100%
Adjustability	N/A	0%
Resale Value	N/A	100%
Paint Job	N/A	100%
Support	N/A	100%

Category Wins

CAAD13 105: 33|Tarmac SL8: 9

Head to Head

CAAD13 105: 33|Tarmac SL8: 9

FrameTarmac SL8

CAAD13 10586%

Tarmac SL8100%

GeometryCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10560%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Weight

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8100%

SpeedCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL850%

ComfortCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10543%

Tarmac SL8N/A

ValueCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10591%

Tarmac SL812%

GroupsetCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL850%

MaintenanceCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL80%

Frame QualityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Bottom Bracket

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Build Quality

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8100%

CoolnessCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Stiffness

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8100%

AerodynamicsCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL833%

Frame Condition

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

AestheticsCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10567%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Availability

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

PriceTarmac SL8

CAAD13 10533%

Tarmac SL850%

DurabilityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10533%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Fit

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8100%

DesignCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Age

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL80%

ReputationCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

ComponentsCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10550%

Tarmac SL80%

FunCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

GearingCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL80%

CostCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL80%

Standards

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

ConditionCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Parts AvailabilityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10533%

Tarmac SL8N/A

UpgradabilityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

ResponsivenessCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Tires

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

GripCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

FeelCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

BrakesTarmac SL8

CAAD13 10550%

Tarmac SL8100%

HandlingCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

AppearanceCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10550%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Tire ClearanceCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL850%

Drivetrain

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8100%

Ride QualityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Frame ReliabilityCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

SpecificationsCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

User FriendlinessCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Value RetentionCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Paint

CAAD13 1050%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Upgrade PotentialCAAD13 105

CAAD13 105100%

Tarmac SL8N/A

AggressivenessCAAD13 105

CAAD13 10550%

Tarmac SL8N/A

Authenticity

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL80%

Tech

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL80%

Suitability

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL80%

Riding StyleTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL850%

Materials

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL80%

WarrantyTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL8100%

EquipmentTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL8100%

Adjustability

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL80%

Resale ValueTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL8100%

Paint JobTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL8100%

SupportTarmac SL8

CAAD13 105N/A

Tarmac SL8100%

CAAD13 105

81%

63%

Tarmac SL8

CAAD13 10581%

Tarmac SL863%

Clear winner - CAAD13 105 leads by 18 points

Key Specs

Spec	Cannondale CAAD13 105	Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Frame Material	SmartForm C1 Premium Alloy, SAVE	S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT 12r Carbon
Fork	CAAD13 Full Carbon, SAVE	—
Drivetrain	Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical	—
Brakes	Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm rotors	—
Wheel Size	700c	—

Key Highlights

Cannondale CAAD13 105Winner

🏆 Alu road king

🏁 Race worthy

⚙️ Shimano 105

💰 Great value

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

🏆 Race bike

🪶 Ultra light

💨 Aero

💸 Very expensive

Some users report issues (25% negative)

Topic Battles

CAAD13 105: 3|Tied: 1|Tarmac SL8: 1

⭐Ride Quality

CAAD13 105 wins

CAAD13 105

100%

Tarmac SL8

—

⚡Components

CAAD13 105 wins

CAAD13 105

50%

Tarmac SL8

🔧Frame Quality

Tarmac SL8 wins

CAAD13 105

86%

Tarmac SL8

100%

📐Fit & Sizing

CAAD13 105

100%

Tarmac SL8

100%

⭐Value

CAAD13 105 wins

CAAD13 105

91%

Tarmac SL8

12%

Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories

📈Where They Rank

💬What Redditors Actually Say

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for Cannondale CAAD13 105

Best Praise

+8 pts

“That Cannondale has a better and more expensive groupset. Both frames are alloy. I’d go with the Cannondale. What is much more important here is the sizing difference. One is a small, and the other is a 56cm which is a medium. Don’t buy a bike that won’t fit you. Research sizing on the internet.”

r/whichbike

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Top Criticism

+5 pts

“I would skip the Cannondale because it is an early disc brake bike using post mount. I would rather have a really good rim brake bike or a fully modern flat mount disc brake with thru axles.”

r/whichbike

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3 more quotes available below

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

Best Praise

+6 pts

“My god, a lot of low ballers here. Someone said that’s a 1000$ bike. Hahahahahaha. Anyway, that’s close to 2k$ value. Regardless if it’s “old”, it’s still a modern frame, S-Works at that and it has Di2. ”

r/whichbike

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Top Criticism

+5 pts

“This is a bike from the mid late 2000s, hard to say exactly which year. Even as an S-Works, this is an old ass triathlon bike and is worth nowhere near $1200. Seller must have a great dealer. I concur with the other poster, around $300 is probably reasonable.”

r/whichbike

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3 more quotes available below

Sentiment Over Time

CAAD13 105

Tarmac SL8

📈Historical Price Data

Cannondale CAAD13 105

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

Cannondale CAAD13 105

All-time low: $36.98(2025-09)

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

All-time low!

Which is Better?

Cannondale CAAD13 105 Wins

81%

105

63%

SL8

Cannondale CAAD13 105 leads by 18 points based on 271 Reddit opinions.

Why CAAD13 105Winner

Better Value for Money (91% vs 12%)
More discussed (158 vs 113)

Why Tarmac SL8

🏆 Race bike
🪶 Ultra light

❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown

Sentiment Breakdown

48%Positive

Positive

48%

Neutral

42%

Negative

10%

Based on 158 Reddit opinions

Sentiment Breakdown

34%Positive

Positive

34%

Neutral

41%

Negative

25%

Based on 113 Reddit opinions

Specification Comparison

Spec	Cannondale CAAD13 105	Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Frame Material	SmartForm C1 Premium Alloy, SAVE	S-Works Tarmac SL8 FACT 12r Carbon
Fork	CAAD13 Full Carbon, SAVE	—
Drivetrain	Shimano 105 11-speed mechanical	—
Brakes	Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, 160/160mm rotors	—
Wheel Size	700c	—
Tire Clearance	Up to 30mm	Up to 32mm
Brand	UFDTHCJH	XOTORQ
Manufacturer	UFDTHCJH	XOTORQ
Color	C/Blue	Various
Weight	2.20462262 pounds	Approximately 6.62 kg (14.6 lbs) for a complete bike (size 52cm, Dura-Ace Di2 build)
Height	0.393700787 Inches	Frame sizes vary; tire clearance up to 32mm
Groupset	—	Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 or SRAM Red eTap AXS (with power meter)
Wheelset	—	Roval Rapide CLX II tubeless-ready
Bottom Bracket	—	Threaded BB
Cockpit	—	Roval Rapide Cockpit (integrated bar/stem)

Feature Checklist

CAAD13 105: 4|Tarmac SL8: 3

Feature	CAAD13 105	Tarmac SL8
Alu road king
Race worthy
Shimano 105
Race bike
Ultra light
Very expensive
Great value
【Material Premium】: This bike water bottle cage is built to last. The sturdy construction not only withstands daily wear and tear, ensuring long-lasting performance for intense cycling adventures, but also maintains a sleek appearance. It's a solid option for anyone who wants to stay hydrated while cycling. Enhance your riding experience with our bike cup holder

Features extracted from Reddit highlights and enrichment data

⚔️Head to Head

Metric	Cannondale CAAD13 105	Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
Reddit Score	81%	63%
Mentions	158	113
Sentiment	+ 76- 16	+ 38- 28

Where to Buy

Cannondale CAAD13 105

Price unavailableCheck prices

All-time low was $36.98 on 2025-09

Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

Price unavailableCheck prices

All-time low price!

Prices may vary. We may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Cannondale CAAD13 105Check prices Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8Check prices

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Cannondale CAAD13 105 or Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8?

Based on 271 Reddit comments, Cannondale CAAD13 105 is the preferred choice with 81% positive sentiment vs Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8's 63%. Cannondale CAAD13 105 leads by 18 percentage points.

Should I buy Cannondale CAAD13 105 or Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8?

If you want the safer choice based on community sentiment, Cannondale CAAD13 105 has stronger approval ratings (81% vs 63%). However, Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 may still be better depending on your specific needs, budget, or use case.

What do Redditors love about Cannondale CAAD13 105?

Reddit users highlight: Alu road king. Race worthy. Shimano 105. With 158 mentions and 81% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.

What do Redditors say about Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8?

Reddit users highlight: Race bike. Ultra light. Aero. With 113 mentions and 63% approval, it remains a popular alternative.

How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?

This comparison analyzed 271 Reddit comments: 158 about Cannondale CAAD13 105 and 113 about Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8. Data was sourced from Which Bike community discussions.

How accurate are these ratings?

Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.

Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?

Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.

158 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 7/27/2026

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