Need for Speed
 

Pricing new bikes at the moment and have narrowed it down to the following:

Canyon Roadlite 8.0 in XXL https://www.canyon.com/en/fitness/ro...lite-al-8.html

BMC Alpenchallenge AC01 in size XL Alpenchallenge AC01 ONE ? lifestyle ? BMC Switzerland

and the

Specialized Sirrus Expert Carbon X1 in XL https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bi...rbon-x1/106975

I'm no expert on geometry, which would provide the sportiest ride position? I have yet to ride any of these so if any of you have ridden more than one of them and would like to chime in on the differences in ride quality, that'd be great.

I have a Sirrus and a BMC. I prefer the BMC geometry over the Sirrus as it's more compact feeling.

One thing to consider is the geometry on the XL BMC is huge! I am 6" 1" with a 32" inseam and my BMC is a large.

Photos of my bikes here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/19802096-post415.html

[MENTION=364583]raqball[/MENTION] thanks for the input. I'm 6' 6" so I'm pretty sure the BMC XL will fit. As for speed, and from your experience, which is faster?

Oh yeah, you need the XL! :thumb:

I can't compare a stock Sirrus to mine as my Sirrus is a Special Edition that only 300 of were made. It has Di2, 10r carbon everything and lightweight S-Works parts all over it. It's also fitted with 700x23 lightweight road tires which are about 1/3 the weight of the tires I have on my BMC. My Sirrus is faster than my BMC but all things are not equal.

The Sirrus's now come with 700x30 tires I believe so all things considered they'd probably be about the same. I keep a pretty steady 16-18 mph pace no matter which bike I ride. I find the BMC just as fast for the most part, but it does weigh about 6 pounds more than my Sirrus. I bet the BMC and standard Sirrus would weigh about the same though.

The BMC is much more comfortable and part of that probably has to do with tire difference. I do find the geometry on the BMC to suit me much better though. It's more compact, nimble, agile and it rolls smooth.

The bikes/brands don't matter. Comes down to geometry/fit: whichever bike fits you best and has a geometry that allows you to get into as aero/physiologically efficient (pedaling) position as you can sustain will be the "fastest". All else being equal, more or less, it's down to you, not the bike.

Completely agree. I think the problem the OP is going to bump into is than most LBS's do not carry BMC flat bar or the Canyon, never mind in XL size. It will be hard to convince them to order these bikes for a test ride purpose as they won't want to get stuck with it, especially in XL size if it's not purchased.

But yes, all the bikes have a different geometry so which one suits the OP best only he can answer by riding all 3..

Nailed it. It's impossible to find a bike in my size in shop, let alone bikes of this caliber.

Maybe check with LBS and see what their return policy is. Some allow returns within a certain amount of time, some will charge a cleaning fee, and some are all bikes sales are final sales. I doubt they'd let you do 2 returns though so if they allow returns you'd probably be limited to one.

All 3 bikes are fine that you have on the list. The Sirrus is a fantastic bike, the BMC is just as good. I've never ridden a Canyon so I can't speak to it.

In your case, it might be worth finding a highly rated LBS that has professional fitters. Have them do a fit then have them compare the geometry of all 3 bikes based on that fit. This will give you a best-case option based on your measurements and the bike(s) geometries.

I found and was able to test ride an older BMC Alpenchallenge (2016 perhaps?) in size XL. Really liked it. Very nimble, as has been stated. Then I found a Specialized store and tested the Sirrus Elite Carbon in a L and followed by a Sirrus Sport Alu in an XL. The XL fit great. The carbon frame on the Elite was really sweet. The imagined mashup of the two had me really impressed, so much so that I just put in an order for the Sirrus Expert X1. Even though the Canyon was probably a better value it lost out because I couldn't test it.

Awesome and good choice! You can't go wrong with the Sirrus as it's a fantastic bike! :thumb:

I'm intrigued by the X1 with the single crank and the pizza-sized rear cassette. Post photos and keep us updated after it arrives!

Me too. It should be perfect for my city riding.

I was considering that exact same bike before I went with the BMC. Was a tough choice that for me was decided based on color. LOL. I wanted the Green so I went with the BMC. I also got the BMC for a killer price as it was on closeout. It came with 105 components but those will be upgraded to Ultegra as they wear out.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the X1 and some photos after it arrives.

Was at LBS today getting the BMC tuned up. Asked them to weight it because to me it does not appears to weigh much more than the 10r carbon Sirrus. The Sirrus previously weighed in at 16.5 lbs. The BMC? 18.4 lbs. The mechanic was shocked so he reset the scale and weighed it again. Same 18.4 lbs.

I am sure once I go with lighter tires at the next change, it'll get down to 18 lbs. Pretty darn good considering most of the fast hybrids weigh in 23-25 lbs.

Does yours have an internal hub?

No mine is a road double. 50/34 front and 11-32 rear.

https://s17.postimg.org/8iiet2rv3/20...13289454_o.jpg

When looking at the BMC's they have odd naming. The 2018's, for instance, have 7 models total:

The AC01 ONE is internal hub with 1x11 hub
The AC01 TWO is traditional with Ultegra components
The AC01 THREE is internal hub with 1x8 hub
The AC01 FOUR is traditional with SRAM Apex components

Then it gets even stranger.

The AC02 ONE is is internal hub with 1x8
The AC02 TWO is traditional with a mixture of Tiagra and Deore components
The AC02 THREE is traditional with Sora components

The AC01 is considered the higher level bikes and the AC02 is considered the budget range.

It's odd naming and confusing. The naming on mine is: BMC Alpenchallenge AC01 105 2017

New bike arrives tomorrow. Can't wait.

Cool! Need photos and ride updates! :thumb:

Bike arrived with a scratch on the carbon frame that looks like it's more than just superficial damage. Not cool.

http://i1215.photobucket.com/albums/...825_151001.jpg

It's going back to the shop for sure. I've paid too much to expect less than perfection on the frame. For those of you who have had carbon frames before, does that look like structural damage to you? The picture isn't the greatest.

I don't see a photo in your post.

Fixed

Dang, that sucks. I don't think that's structural but I'd send it back as well..

Shop offered me €350 refund if I decide to keep it. If it's purely cosmetic does the offer sound worthwhile?

For that amount, I'd keep it and either get some touch-up paint or nail polish that matches and call it a day.

Edit to add:

I'd make sure the shop documents it and make sure that the Specialized frame warranty is NOT affected before accepting the offer. If the warranty stays in tact and if the shop notes the condition, then I'd keep it, take the refund and get some touch-up paint.

I think you need to make sure if it needs to be repaired. From the photo looks more than a scratch where water can get easily into. I'd take to a CF bike repair shop. A damaged CF bike, however small, will be more difficult to resell.

Because you are sitting up more comfortably, then you will have more air resistance, start thinking less about speed .

or get a Road racing bike instead.