Which endurance bike?

[shaun75]

I think if you are expecting to go from 14 mph to 20mph just with a new bike with better wheels and tyres, you might be a bit disappointed. On one of my regular runs I have been averaging 15 to 16 mph on my winter bike. Yesterday I was on my old best bike with deep carbon rims and better tyres and I averaged 17.8 mph.

In the post you quote I did say an extra couple of mph improvement from 14mph over said distance, which you say I won't achieve. Then state that you do achieve the same improvement with the upgrades I suggested 😂
It's by the by how I perform, I was just hoping for some advice on buying a nice bike

 

[Webbo2]

In the post you quote I did say an extra couple of mph improvement from 14mph over said distance, which you say I won't achieve. Then state that you do achieve the same improvement with the upgrades I suggested 😂
It's by the by how I perform, I was just hoping for some advice on buying a nice bike

No I was commenting on your original post where you said you were wanting to be able to ride at 18/20 mph.
I haven’t suggested any bikes because I haven’t seen any that would fit your requirements I.e. Di2, Titanium, carbon that come in around 3 grand unless you go second hand.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

The main problem whenever anyone asks for buying recommendations is that the only way to really find the best bike for you personally is to ride them all and sadly this is not an option as test bikes are virually unheard of now. Best you can hope is to sit on one in a shop and check the sizing.

I think most of us are in the situation (unless to you stick to a familiar brand or even a specific model) where you buy blind so to speak, and trust to luck that you enjoy the bike.

I will never buy one but I would like to try a Fairlight, everyone that owns one seems to love them.

 

[Ian H]

 

[Ajax Bay]

@Ian H But that frame is made of unobtanium sine tempus

 

[oxoman]

The recently announced 105 Caledonia and infinito start at 3k. I guess the outgoing Caledonia may be reduced.
Not heard of Gloria, I'll take a look


Definitely built up. 32 is the minimum I'm looking at. Unsure of QR Vs thru axle. Never had disc brakes, I notice most new bikes have them. Would prefer the newer 12 speed 105 but not hung up I'd it's the older 11. In terms of distance, I would like to do a century ride again but I'm quite happy riding regular 30-60s



What's with press fit? I read about issues but then see people defending it equally.
The Fairlights really do look nice.

They either work silently or creak and groan and fail. My defy used to creak as soon as you put any really load into the pedals, replace the BB and give it a thousand or so miles and the creak would come back.

 

[shaun75]

No I was commenting on your original post where you said you were wanting to be able to ride at 18/20 mph.
I haven’t suggested any bikes because I haven’t seen any that would fit your requirements I.e. Di2, Titanium, carbon that come in around 3 grand unless you go second hand.

Fair enough. Misunderstood at my end. All the models listed in my first post are in budget because I don't want di2. I agree, that if I did it would certainly put them out of reach.

Quite like the Roubaix sl8 sport 105, but I'm unsure about the future shock in the stem

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Fair enough. Misunderstood at my end. All the models listed in my first post are in budget because I don't want di2. I agree, that if I did it would certainly put them out of reach.

Quite like the Roubaix sl8 sport 105, but I'm unsure about the future shock in the stem

If you did want Di2 you can get it under £3k. The Scott Addict 40 comes in at £2750 with a full 105 Di2 group and you can stick mudguards on it. Great bike, I have one myself.

 

[Jameshow]

I think if you are expecting to go from 14 mph to 20mph just with a new bike with better wheels and tyres, you might be a bit disappointed. On one of my regular runs I have been averaging 15 to 16 mph on my winter bike. Yesterday I was on my old best bike with deep carbon rims and better tyres and I averaged 17.8 mph.

In my experience you go up 1 mph with each change in material steel - aluminium - carbon.

But that might be a placebo effect. Oh I'm on a carbon bike so I'll blast round!

 

[Katana]

Have you considered Trek Emonda? It’s bit on the pricey side but very good endurance bike.

 

[shaun75]

Have you considered Trek Emonda? It’s bit on the pricey side but very good endurance bike.

No I haven't. I like the Domane, think it was the sl 5 gen 4. Again it was the mechanical 105 I'd considered. Read a few stories about slipping seatposts on some models

 

[Katana]

No I haven't. I like the Domane, think it was the sl 5 gen 4. Again it was the mechanical 105 I'd considered. Read a few stories about slipping seatposts on some models

Ah ok….Although strictly speaking in terms of categorisation Domane is classed as an endurance bike while Emonda was more of a climbing bike with Madone taking up the aero slot. However in my view if I was going to get one bike which does everything well then for me it’s Emonda because it has the elements of aero as well as endurance while having the climbing DNA. Again in my view recent trend with some manufacturers seems to have overlap between different categories which I suppose is not a bad thing!

 

[PaulSB]

In my experience you go up 1 mph with each change in material steel - aluminium - carbon.

But that might be a placebo effect. Oh I'm on a carbon bike so I'll blast round!

Yes, I'd echo this in some respects. When I moved to my Cervelo C3 it put 2mph on my ride without me noticing.......until clubmates complained. My first set of carbon wheels added at least 3 - 4mph.

By "adding" I was previously capable of the higher speeds but with a lot more effort. The rides became easier and less tiring.

 

[PaulSB]

The main problem whenever anyone asks for buying recommendations is that the only way to really find the best bike for you personally is to ride them all and sadly this is not an option as test bikes are virually unheard of now. Best you can hope is to sit on one in a shop and check the sizing.

I think most of us are in the situation (unless to you stick to a familiar brand or even a specific model) where you buy blind so to speak, and trust to luck that you enjoy the bike.

I will never buy one but I would like to try a Fairlight, everyone that owns one seems to love them.

My new bike decision was delayed by perhaps two years because I feared being disappointed by a major investment. After a great deal of thought I narrowed things down to a Pinarello or Cervelo. With the Pinarello I could get the same spec for £1500 less, or a higher spec. By chance a friend rides the same Pinarello but lower specced in exactly my set up other than saddle height. She let me take it for a test ride. A tremendous bike, really excellent but I didn't quite "feel the love." Does that make sense? That intangible rider and bike bond.

I have a ten year old Cervelo that still gives me a thrill on every ride. She has the "love." On this basis I chose Cervelo ahead of the Pinarello. 🤞🤞

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

My new bike decision was delayed by perhaps two years because I feared being disappointed by a major investment. After a great deal of thought I narrowed things down to a Pinarello or Cervelo. With the Pinarello I could get the same spec for £1500 less, or a higher spec. By chance a friend rides the same Pinarello but lower specced in exactly my set up other than saddle height. She let me take it for a test ride. A tremendous bike, really excellent but I didn't quite "feel the love." Does that make sense? That intangible rider and bike bond.

I have a ten year old Cervelo that still gives me a thrill on every ride. She has the "love." On this basis I chose Cervelo ahead of the Pinarello. 🤞🤞

It definitely makes sense. I have been lucky that on each occasion where I have bought a bike without being able to test ride (which is a fair few), that it has ended up being a bike I really enjoyed riding. I have ridden bikes borrowed from friends and also hire bikes (not one's I ever intended buying) that have just not been for me. Had they been bikes I had actually bought without an opportunity to test I would have been a bit disappointed!