Which endurance bike?

[shaun75]

Forgive me, I've loads of questions.
Going to treat myself with an expensive(to me) & probably my final bike purchase.
I'm at an age where I want comfort firstly and speed secondly. I probably want a comfortable bike I can ride fast when I feel like it.

So criteria is, decent tyre width, mounts for mudguards, under 10kg, 105 mechanical preferred

Material: steel, carbon, titanium. (Not aluminium, every bike I've owned was ali)

Bikes I've browsed include the Defy, Roubaix, Domane and Synapse....all the usual.
Throw in Merida Scultura Endurance, Strael, Elan, Sonder Colibri.

Recently announced bikes are now in the mix: the new Cervelo Caledonia and the Bianchi Infinito.

One thing I don't understand it's the press fit Vs threaded bottom bracket debate.

Also, is a timber shed suitable for a modern steel bike? The Strael is hard to ignore.

Budget is 2800-3k tops.

I've already ruled a couple out from the list but I just wanted people opinions on what night be suitable.

Thanks

 

[geocycle]

I’m a fan of Ti but it can get pricey. You might get a Spa elan at around the £3k mark. I like mine, it’s a great all weather endurance bike, audax bike, gravel bike and light tourer. Mine is not fast but that’s probably down to me and the winter build I chose with mudguards, hydraulic discs and gravel tyres. Perhaps not as sporty as you want?

 

[shaun75]

I’m a fan of Ti but it can get pricey. You might get a Spa elan at around the £3k mark. I like mine, it’s a great all weather endurance bike, audax bike, gravel bike and light tourer. Mine is not fast but that’s probably down to me and the winter build I chose with mudguards, hydraulic discs and gravel tyres. Perhaps not as sporty as you want?

I should have said that I'm not particularly fast, but I think I'd like something that could be should my fitness improve. I'm only hoping to average approx 18-20mph on my regular routes. Nothing that some may consider fast!

 

[Webbo2]

I should have said that I'm not particularly fast, but I think I'd like something that could be should my fitness improve. I'm only hoping to average approx 18-20mph on my regular routes. Nothing that some may consider fast!

18- 20 is faster than most folk ride especially if there’s hills around.

 

[steverob]

I had a similar dilemma two years ago but with a marginally higher budget (mid to high 3k) and had narrowed it down to three options - Specialized Roubaix, Giant Defy and Canyon Endurace. Had previously had a Trek Domane and while I liked it, the newer bikes in that range I didn't think were very good value - could certainly get much better spec with the other three brands for the same price.

In the end I plumped for the Canyon Endurace, although it was a very close thing with the Giant Defy as well - both had models around my price point that met my requirements. I got a test ride on both - the Defy from a Giant dealer (round the car park a few times) and the Endurace I happened to try when I rented one while on holiday, and that's probably what swayed it for me in the end; I just felt more comfortable on the Canyon, maybe if I'd have gotten a longer ride on the Giant it might have grown on me?