Hi,

I have 6 to 7k budget for road bike. I DON'T need necessarily full race bike, an endurance one would be ok.
Sram and Shimano are ok.

Do you have advices, models and why?
Thanks

At that price point I would not be concerned by brand but would care more about how it’s equipped and more importantly about proper fit.

higher priced Specialized are hard to find and there are more quality brands at that price level. Visit a good shop and test ride a bunch.

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All modern endurance bikes are very similar. You might find the sizing in one brand happens to fit you slightly better, so that’s something to focus on. They are a little more comfortable and a little less aggressive in their fit than equivalent race bikes, But the differences are pretty subtle in that regard. 10 mm here or there in stack and reach. Maybe a little more frame clearance for slightly wider tyres. Some have a little more vertical compliance for comfort and Specialized take that a step further with Future Shock suspension on the Roubaix.

Personally I would be more than happy riding around on a Cervelo Caledonia-5 or a Specialized Roubaix or Aethos. Pick the one that appeals to you most and then check the fit is good.

The job determines the tool. Decide where, how, how long you want to ride, and look for bikes which will make that happen best. If you don't want to compete, sure, gravel or endurance bikes make much more sense if you might occasionally want to ride some packed-earth trails .... or maybe you want full-one off-roading capacity and are willing to tolerate poor pavement performance. You decide.

Just about all the major brands offer just about the same product at each price point and in each category. Some bikes have special features .... the Roubaix has a tiny amount of suspension. Some gravel bikes have flippable dropouts so you can use 700c or 650b wheels. other than that pretty much all of them are the same at any price point .... so look at what features each has and whether or not they would facilitate the type of riding you picture doing.

That said, Giant usually seems to sell the same stuff for a little less .... Fuji used to, not sure any more. So if a few bucks are an issue, check Giant .... but really, the name on the down tube has the least effect on how the bike suits you.

If this is your first bike, I advise you to not spend that much. But something for $2000, ride it a bunch, then figure out what you like or dont like about it and buy something 'better' in 2 or more years using that knowledge you now have.
If its your first bike, a $2000 bike will be more than you need, so a $7000 bike will definitely be underutilized.

If this isnt your first bike, you should know going into the purchase what you like or dont like about your current ride and look for a new bike that fixes what you dislike.
So...what is it about your current bike that you dislike and hope to change?

I went with a BMC Roadmachine and have been very happy... "Endurance bike," but really just a great all-rounder. And the bonus is that some shops are discounting them... I'd go Shimano Ultegra 12-speed:

https://www.velopasadena.com/product...e-403624-1.htm

I have an issue with the way the term "endurance" is used today. Most use it to simply refer to a road bike with a geometry that gives the rider a relaxed position or more upright position.

However if you are one that can ride a race fit or aggressive position with just as much comfort, then it won't really matter whether you look at race bikes or bikes for people that have to sit more upright and need a term to suggest they aren't impaired! <grin>

So if you have no experience with road bikes. Then I recommend that you go where you can try out the bikes and see what models seem to fit you the best, whether or not they are a race fit or relaxed fit. And don't spend much if you don't know for certain what type you are.

Longer rides will make a difference compared to shorter rides. That's where the term endurance comes in. But I can endure long rides with somewhat of a race fit bike. The question is, can you?

i think the roubaix is a great bike, but probably due for a refreshed design next year and i personally question the need for the future shock and the funky seatpost junction. i don’t think the roads around here are any better or worse than typical, and i’ve found bigger tires, run tubeless on wider rims at lower pressures are nearly as effective as the future shock.

are you thinking “endurance” bike because you want the higher front end, or because you plan to ride some gravel with it … or ?

Modern endurance road bikes are usually race bikes with very slightly modified geometry, a bit more tyre clearance and often a few additional “comfort” features like a more compliant seat post, bars and endurance focused wheels. I can and do race both my Giant Defy and Canyon Endurace. They just offer a slightly better setup for endurance events and rough roads. Dedicated race bikes tend to be a bit more aero focused, with ever so slightly more aggressive geometry.

I have one of each, both Spesh Roubaix and Cervelo R3. So, if the question is "Specialized vs. Cervelo," I simply say "Yes." That said, I love them both like my children, and if we were on a plane losing cabin pressure, I'm not sure which child would get the O2 mask first...
The difference to me is really about the particular features of the bikes - the Roubaix has a significantly longer wheelbase and offers me somewhat lower gearing. If the day's ride is fairly hilly, I'm probably taking the Roubaix. The R3 has Di2 and a really snappy response - shorter chainstays, pencil-thin seatstays, and highly shaped downtube (aero? somewhat). If the ride is going to be "frisky," I'm taking the R3. Either one is fine for a flat 50-miler. The point is, what are the specific "outliers" in the two bikes' feature sets, and which of those "takes the cake" for you?

There is the meat of it. If the OP has experience, s/he will know enough about bikes to make a choice, and if not, dropping $6K-$7K based on advertising text is a bad idea.

My take is that [MENTION=563788]James80[/MENTION] knows something about bikes .... but there is way too little info to really be helpful. For instance he doesn't "need necessarily full race bike" so does that mean he'd like a race bike but isn't dead set on it? What does "endurance" mean to him? He says "road bike" but is that pavement exclusively? Does he want to keep up in fast group rides or does he want to ride 7-hour epics .... or both?

No further input, no further advice.

Hi and thank you all of you.

Yep I know bike, I've had maybe 12 road bikes since 15 years. I did races etc but always on cannondale road bike, caad8,caad9,caad10, six13, systemsix, supersix etc. But now I don't have sponsored anymore and in my new town, the lbs sells cervelo and specialized. So yes I know bikes, I know sram more than shimano but even if I saw a lot of cervelo and specialzed in my life, I don't really know those bikes. So I wondered what you had to say about it.
And, yes, pavement only ;-)

thanks
James

A friend on another site got a Caledonia and really like it, and I would love one ..... Not as racy as the R series, and not as pricey, and fits tires up to 34 mm so it can pretty much do everything. I have never ridden one but the guy on the other site--he is one of those crazy old guys who rides crazy amounts even though he is past 70--he has a lot of experience and could buy whatever he wanted ... that is what he got.

Specialized? I want an S-Works Aethos ... I have no use for one but I love light bicycles. Way too racy and way too expensive.

I really don't know much ... but with the added info the much smarter people where will be able to help.

At that price, and with those brands, you aren't going to make a bad choice with either. Pick the one that has the components you prefer and fits you best.

The new Cervelo Soloist looks pretty good, especially in that gold color...

https://www.cervelo.com/en-US/bikes/soloist

Get a professional fit and buy the one that falls within the fit criteria they’ll both be great bikes

What exactly are you looking for in terms of components (electronic or mechanical, tubes or tubeless, power meter, rim material, etc.) That may help us guide you.

-Giant Defy (Advanced Pro 1 or 2) - definitively the go to if you want the best bang for the buck. You'll shave at least 1000$ for the same build quality and components + it will most likely come with a factory power meter.
-BMC Roadmachine (Two or Three)
-Specialized Tarmac SL7 (Probably higher than 6-7k when well equipped)
-Cervelo Caledonia (probaly higher than 6-7k when well equipped)

These aren't endurance bikes, but at that budget I would love to pickup a Cervelo Soloist or a Specialized Aethos

Everyone I know who owns an Aethos loves it. You should just give it a look.

I have owned 3 Cervelos, all when they were a smaller, innovative, boutique brand. Now that they are owned by a huge corporation, I wouldn't have much loyalty to the brand anymore. They probably still make good bikes but I doubt that they are better than any others.

Aethos is what kind of bike/ geometry?

Aethos info here


more info
other info

Race geometry like the Tarmac. But it still might work for you as an endurance bike.

the aethos has essentially the same geometry as a tarmac - it's a "race" geometry. that said, the bike feels quite different and the whole "thing" about it is the way the super-light frame maximizes comfort and responsiveness at the expense of some absolute speed lost to slightly lesser aerodynamics.

i'm 6'2, late 40s, not flexible (at all) nor a lifelong road cyclist, and the aethos is a super, super comfortable bike for me. i also have a creo, which is more like a roubaix, with the head shock, and honestly the aethos is more comfortable. they've both been professionally fitted, and the touch points are remarkably similar.

The Caledonia is only $5500 for Ultegra Di2 the Giant is $6500 though you do get carbon wheels... The Caledonia 5 gets real expensive but the Caledonia is competitively priced.