rms13

I've been researching a new bike to use as my primary 5 day/week commuter and general all arounder. I've been riding road for about 5 years and all of my bikes have been "racing" or traditional road geo. I've been comfortable on all of the ones that fit me properly regardless of how aggressive the geo and I've never even test ridden a "edurance" bike. But I want the next bike to be able to run wide tires. I like 700x28 for commuting but would like to be able to run at least 700x35 should I choose to do some gravel/light off road. I also want to try discs. I've been looking at the slew of new gravel/adventure bikes but I've expanded to consider endurance because there are a lot that check off the requirements I have.

But one thing I notice in all the endurance bikes I'm researching is that they all are marketed as "beginner bikes". I am looking at aluminum versions but even bikes like Synapse and Defy that are being ridden by pros in the top level carbon versions are marketed as a beginner bike. Now it's just marketing and I know endurance is the biggest market these days but it seems funny that companies want to scare off experienced cyclists. I don't really know if the geo will work for me until I test a few and I also generally don't ride more than 20-30 miles at a time so "all day comfort" doesn't matter much to me but I do spent most of my time on the hoods and started thinking that a bike that is optimized for that position is s good idea

dtrain

This would be a great weekend to buy a Fuji Sportif from Performance.

stockae92

what kind of special are they running?

dtrain

Triple points. So roughly 30% back as store credit.

rms13

Yup,been eyeing the Fuji Sportif. The 105 for $1100 looks like great bang for buck

Lazyass

I don't think there's a big market for serious cyclists who want to ride an "endurance" bike and run 35c balloon tires. Don't know if the Z75 can fit a tire that big, but maybe it will. Looks like it could come close.

CafeVelo

^there is a market but it's in the gravel touring and racing sector, not a bike that a lot of companies are going to make. That market is salsa and surly territory. Endurance bikes are NOT marketed as a beginner bike, entry level bikes are, not sure where you're looking, but if that's what your shop is telling you they just want to move some race bikes. Even so, most endurance bikes won't take more than a 28 if they take it at all. Cross bikes and gravel racers are going to be your best bet. Personally I hate discs, so they're out on all my bikes, but a salsa vaya would fit you pretty well.

ColaJacket

I got the Tiagra version for $800, and I've been enjoying it. Mine came with 700x28, and it looks like there is room for bigger tires, especially since you don't have to worry about brake clearance.

I would recommend the Sportif for someone looking for an AL endurance bike. Of course, I'd also recommend they road test it and some other endurance bike(s) just for comparison purposes.

GH

fietsbob

the design of the Trek Domane with its isoSpeed elastomer de coupling the seat tube from the top tube

is bound to make a long day ride more endurable. Domane - Trek Bicycle

The entry level bike in that line has an aluminum frame .. 2.'x' series ,

4.'x' and upward are CF frames .

rms13

Per Fuji,the Sportif will take up to 700x37. I like 700x28 on the road as a sweet spot where I can keep up with b pace group but wider for occasions would be a nice option as gravel gets more popular and my club is having regular organized gravel rides. And from my research a lot of newer gravel specific bikes are essentially endurance geometry with more tire clearance and discs.there is a huge market that is why you see every manufacturer cashing in now

MikeyBoyAz

and why not just get a touring bike? Slap on some crabon bits and some "entry level" 5800 . You're bound to come in under budget... and you can fit some super fat fatty tires.

TheRef

Mind if i ask where did you get the info about the Sportif taking 700x37 tires? I assume you are talking about the disc brakes version . I've seen the disc version and I'm skeptical about it taking a 37mm tire. Either way while I've considered the Sportif and ended up getting a gran fondo for the road.
I'm not sure the Sportif would handle the abuse a dedicated gravel bike would on repeated gravel rides.

Hornplayer

If you really want to run tires that wide you should also look at cross/gravel bikes.

JmanEspresso

Endurance bikes are not noob bikes, and Ive never seen them marketed as such, personally.

If you watch pro cycling, you'll see endurance bikes in the pro peloton, especially at Paris-Roubaix, and other Pave' included races. The Cannondale Synapse, the Trek Domane, and of course, the Specialized Roubaix, can all be seen under pros. Oh, and dont forget the BMC Gran Fondo.

I ride a carbon Synapse, which I just love. I tested a lot of bikes before I bought, and I felt this bike was one of the best sportive models to offer a bit more comfort and stability, without sacrificing the qualities excellent road bikes are known for. Being light, responsive and stiff. I feel that it responds immediately to what I want, and on the downhill, goes exactly where I want it to, without it feeling at all skittish or nervous on the long bumpy/uneven bits. Although I very much like disc brakes, I dont have them on my Synapse(but they can come on this bike). But, the 105 brakes are definitely as good as any mechanical disc brake Ive felt, except in the wet. I make no comparisons to hydraulic disc brakes(because they are absolutely fantastic in every possible way.. IMO of course)

My bike has 25 tires, but there looks to be clearance for 28s.

Along with sportive bikes, some of the gravel/all road bikes out now might fit the bill. Have you seen the GT Grade? I really like it from the looks and the reviews of it. The only thing Id probably change is the pro-compact crankset for the smaller compact crankset. otherwise, the Carbon 105 equipped model is pretty sharp looking. Also the Specialized Diverge. And the Giant Anyroad(though im not a huge fan of the top tube having that sharp drop before it meets the seatube, from an aesthetics point of view). And in the sportive category, along with the Synapse, the other one Id get, personally, is the Spec. Roubaix. Those were the two I got down two after testing everything available to me. I really liked both a lot, wouldve been happy with either, no doubt in my mind. In the end, I got a wonderful deal on the Synapse, which made it so that the Roubaix that would be most equal, was almost 1000 bucks more. I dont regret my decision at all, Ive been thrilled with my bike since the day I brought it home.

Bacciagalupe

Look at some cross bikes and similar bikes.

Surly Cross Check, Kona Rove, Specialized Diverge, Salsa Warbird.

I'd also check in the Commuting subforum, I'm sure they know some good options.


Having used a bike with mechanical discs, I'm less enthusiastic than in the past. They don't seem to brake much better than rim brakes, and squeal like a pig no matter what. I'd pass unless you routinely ride in wet conditions.


By whom? I've never seen anyone refer to a $2500 carbon fiber bike as entry level.

And why does that matter anyway? A decent entry-level bike will last you for tens of thousands of miles.

Diablito

I have a aluminum BMC Granfondo Endurance with 105 and disc brakes. I love it. I ride with the A groups just fine with my 700x25 Continentals and for the winter I throw on the 35c tires.

McBTC

It comes with 25s



I'm sure 28s wouldn't be a problem. Not sure about 35s but are they necessary in the age of gatorskins?

P.S., an "endurance" road bike is simply the "comfort" geometry that Trek pioneered with its Pilot but by a different name. For most folks the difference between a comfort/endurance versus a traditional road bike is about the difference between riding on the top of the bars versus in the drops. Before threadless headsets just about any road bike could be turned into a "comfort" bike by moving the seat and using a taller and shorter stem. Enduro race bikes generally have a downward sloping top tube but that's just a convenience. The main differences compared to the traditional geo are that comfort bikes generally have longer wheelbases, a wider range of gears, shorter effective top tube lengths, taller head tubes and take greater advantage of forks' steerer tubes by using spacers instead of chopping them off. And –e.g., 25 instead of 23 tires. I think once you get into the realm of –e.g., 32c tires, you're looking at a tour bike not an enduro road bike.

milkbaby

Endurance bikes marketed as beginner bikes, wut?

Knowledgeable and experienced riders shouldn't fall prey to any marketing.

SynapseRider

I personally like my bike!

Garfield Cat

That's it! Now it depends on how much you want to spend on something you want and not necessarily need. I posted the new cross bike/gravel bike in that section. It's the new bike by Open Cycle. A relatively new brand, small intentionally but started by "big guys" in the industry.

Introducing U.P.