What's the most comfortable endurance bike?

[Funkweasel]

I'm looking at the Cannondale Synapse and Giant Defy.... but what else is there out there?

 

[Globalti]

Roubaix.

 

[Scoosh]

Condor Fratello - or most audax-style bikes, which have a more relaxed geometry and are designed for fast all-day riding but not flat-out racing.

 

[cyberknight]

Trek domane .

 

[Dogtrousers]

This. You can't have it. It's mine.

 

[jay clock]

Depends on your comfort threshold. I have done 180k rides on various bikes and if set up well I find a light bike much better than a "comfier" one that weighs tons. And using a Charge Spoon saddle helps

 

[vickster]

My Pearson Pave and Genesis equilibrium are comfortable. I'm told titanium is too

Comes down in part to you, getting the right size and the right set up. Pros ride all day on bikes that would probably cripple me!

To your question try to get a proper test ride

 

[Drago]

Isn't that going to be largely subjective?

 

[Funkweasel]

Isn't that going to be largely subjective?

Yes.. but I think it's worth getting opinions from people that own stuff rather than just reading reviews etc. I don't know if I can get a proper decent test ride, and I don't count a few laps of the car park as "proper"...
Mostly I just want it to smooth out the bumps a bit, and be a bit more relaxed to ride than my CAAD 10.
Having it fit properly and a saddle that fits me will obviously help a lot.

 

[vickster]

Evans offer test rides. Go on a sunny weekday and they'd probably be happy with you going out for an hour. They don't sell giant though

Look at steel if wanting smooth. Then perhaps carbon. Alu and carbon fork is a poor third based on my experience, others will disagree

I'm yet to try Ti, will be a future n+1

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Yes.. but I think it's worth getting opinions from people that own stuff rather than just reading reviews etc. I don't know if I can get a proper decent test ride, and I don't count a few laps of the car park as "proper"...
Mostly I just want it to smooth out the bumps a bit, and be a bit more relaxed to ride than my CAAD 10.
Having it fit properly and a saddle that fits me will obviously help a lot.

@Funkweasel

It can be a tricky and frustrating road to finding the bike of your dreams.

Apart from mentally selecting the bike of your dreams that fits your budget - which can take a while: there are all manner of test ride and supply issues to get over before you get to possibly sit on said bike. So much so that you probably may not be able to even actually obtain your dream bike and end up with something completely different.

As a past buyer of bikes my general impression of the supply chain is that it wouldn't be out of place on the 'Open All Hours' set as populated by Mr R.Barker - it's that archaic.

Today I wanted to ride a certain model of a certain brand of bike as a possible purchase but apparently the popular sizes for the 2016 models are no longer available as the CX sales season has come and gone. They've all been sold and the dealer is waiting for the 2017 models to be announced! Even checking the entire UK stock inventory they are not to be found. Yet I could show you any number of websites advertising them for sale. Some show them as 'in stock' and today I phoned such a dealer (to double check) and lo and behold I was told that they definitely didn't actually have the model in stock. When I asked why they showed an in stock position I was told that it has to be shown like that as otherwise their pre-ordering system would be fouled up. I said that you can't pre-order them as you can't get them and he said "I know, that's just how it is". Stellar customer service!

 

[TeeShot]

I'm looking at the Cannondale Synapse and Giant Defy.... but what else is there out there?

As the fortunate owner of three of the bikes already mentioned in this thread I thought I'd add my two pees worth.
I believe if I'd read about the racey pretentions of the CAAD10 before I got mine I'd never have bought one. It's brilliant!!! Makes an old man feel like a kid.
The Spa is lovely. Very sensible like your Mum. It may not be a head turner but I'm sure the relationship will be a long one.
The Domane is a bit of both. Quite light at just a shade over 7kgs, more "fun" than the Spa but more grown up than the Cannondale.
I've ridden all three over 100 miles in a day and on the flat there as good as each other, but throw in some hills and I'd leave the Spa at home.
I'm not a strong rider so weight or lack of it is key to me.
When you buy something else you'll realise how good your CAAD10 is!!
Good luck

 

[Citius]

Yes.. but I think it's worth getting opinions from people that own stuff rather than just reading reviews etc. I don't know if I can get a proper decent test ride, and I don't count a few laps of the car park as "proper"...
Mostly I just want it to smooth out the bumps a bit, and be a bit more relaxed to ride than my CAAD 10.
Having it fit properly and a saddle that fits me will obviously help a lot.

Comfort for one rider could be torture for another, so recommendations are largely meaningless. In any case, comfort is a product of fit and tyre choice/pressure and pretty much nothing else. 'Comfort bikes' or 'endurance bikes' are just marketing terms conjured up by the advertising industry.

The only thing that will 'smooth out the bumps' is either a suspension bike, or high volume tyres at low pressure. And even then you'll still feel them, just like you do in a car. A hovercraft might be an alternative....

 

[potsy]

Anything that is a bit more upright, and can take a wider tyre so you can run them at lower pressure.

After that it's mostly personal preference and fit.

 

[Citius]

Anything that is a bit more upright,

Not necessarily. A 'comfort' bike is anything that's comfortable, regardless of geometry.