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?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

If you're after comfort, maybe consider a carbon gravel bike, that has clearance for 50mm or even 53mm tyres. You can always fit ~35mm tyres for roads, but have the option of wider tyres for comfort and/or offroad.

Cube carbon road bikes are generally quite endurance orientated, like my 2016 Attain GTC Disc that weighed ~9Kg as supplied and has clearance for 32mm tyres without guards. Sizing a bit funny, my "58cm" doesn't have a 58cm tube on it, 388mm reach with 610mm stack and 54cm seat tube works for me at ~177cm and short legs.

At this time of year until around May Bank Holiday, there's likely to be a good selection of EOL deals. Few deals at Pauls, where my most recent came from last Easter.

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/carbon

 

[StuAff]

Lots of good options within budget- the Caledonia and Infinito certainly won't be. As the owner of two titanium gravel bikes (the first nicked), that would be my choice- comfort and performance, durable, maximum flexibility for gearing choice & fixtures and fittings. Plenty of endurance models would of course do the trick, but if you want the option to run 35 or wider tyres with mudguards, gravel for the win. On the steel side, you won't do better than Fairlight (Strael or Secan, which is the same price, I know a few happy owners). For titanium, Spa, Sonder (Camino or Colibri) are well-known good budget options- pretty much unbeatable for complete bike deals. Also look at Gloria- another riding bud has one of their all-road models, it's splendid. Tripster ATR would be my first choice, because I bought one- it would be a bit over budget at typical prices (though there are deals from time to time). If you're set on 105, R7000 the 11-speed version is still widely available and a bit cheaper than the 12.

 

[Ajax Bay]

OP needs to decide if buying built up (and use as filter):

• tyre clearance required (incl with guards fitted)
• thru axles (probably) or QR
• braking system (cable/mechanical (rim or rotor), cable/hybrid hydraulic, hydraulic)
• gearing: range and acceptable steps, which will drive double, 1x, triple, hub, speed (but OP says '105 mechanical' so 11)
• "endurance" in title and "comfort first" but "need for speed" - consider whether this is up to 100 miles or for multi-day (and night) use - need for ability to fit baggage, or not (allow % for tailfin).