Endurance Frames Under 2,000
 

Looking for a new frame, and would like to get everyone feedback on some comfy bikes. I am not looking to build the fastest bike, but a one that I can stay on for extended periods of time.

I dunno. I've been looking into options for fenderable road bikes which often also have the slightly longer chainstays, bigger tire clearances, taller head tube, a little more relaxed handling, etc... of an "endurance bike" and have come to the conclusion that the U.S. options mostly suck. The British seem to have figured out how to do it much better (well, the Lynskey Sportif looks ok).

Sabbath September
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/images/Sab....JPG?width=800
Enigma Ethos ST
http://www.enigmabikes.com/assets/im...es/ethos_1.jpg

Don't want fenders? Fill that generous gap under the brakes with some high quality 28-30mm tires instead. To me this type of thing is preferable to some carbon wunderbike with limited clearances that's going to look dated in 5 years.

Or go custom.

Jamis makes the Xenith Endura. CF, a little more relaxes than the regular Xenith, rack/fender mounts. A couple years ago, the 105 model was under $2k.

The Specialized Secteur is an aluminum endurance bike. The ride is very similar to the Roubaix.

Most models are in the $1000 - $1500 range. The most expensive is the Secteur Expert Disc Compact, MSRP of $2100.

The Cannondale Synapse Alloy models are all $1500 or less, the Synapse Carbon 6 with Tiagra is $2000.

What a nice bike this Enigma!

Anything in the Felt Z series line. :)

I agree!

So what makes these more comfortable? The seat is still higher than the bars which is going to put you in the exact same riding position as a bike with "race geometry". A longer headtube makes no difference if the overall effect is the same riding position.

Here are some more sweet bikes from the UK.

Genesis Equilibrium 853 (due out in the spring)

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/up...ges/equil2.jpg
I hate the brown saddle and tape, but the frameset is super hot. I love the curve of the fork.

Here's the Equilibrium Ti. Note the tapered fork. The graphics are kind of ugly, but I could deal. :)
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/img/up...brium-ti-5.jpg

+1 for sure

Not a whole lot of saddle to bar drop happening there. Bikes like this tend to have longer forks, giving them a taller stack than a race bike of a similar size. The head tube isn't significantly longer than it would be on a race bike, but it sits higher. With that stem flipped up the bars would be dead even with the saddle or slightly higher.

What makes a bike like this comfortable is a little more forgiving geometry, in this case a more forgiving material (steel), and the ability to run cushier tires which can be run at lower pressures to soak up the rough stuff. The chainstays on the Enigma look a little more stiff than some (a good thing my book).

Cleveland, I think from the first post you're looking for a frameset? If so I've spent a lot of time looking at the same thing. I've looked at the pricey ones like the Roubaix SL4 along with the Domane, etc.

For under $2k take a look at the Franco Kannan, and I also saw a Fuji that looked decent, all in carbon fiber, medium relaxed geometry and tall head tubes.

I can tell you that the biggest difference between my current frame and the geometries of 5 other possibilities the greatest single difference in all of them was the head tube length and about half a centimeter (if that) in chain stay length and a couple of millimeters in stack. my current bike is way too aggressive for the style of riding I currently do which is why I started to look at the "endurance" categories (and I looked a lot).

In the end with so few differences I'm opting for a new carbon fiber frame that is not considered to be an endurance but does have a nice long head tube (140mm with a 53.4 top tube), good stack, etc.

I guess my point is you may want to expand your search to some nice frame sets that may still be considered "racers" but are also built for stability and comfort. It just may give you more options in your price range vs. a select few.

FWIW I'm a 43 year old recreational cyclist. I don't race but like a cool bike that I can ride at least a few centuries on while feeling good. I ride about 150 miles per week in the spring/summer/fall. I'm not particularly flexible (but working at it).
good luck

My Cervelo RS Giro D'Italia edition that I'm trying to sell :p Seriously comfortable bike.

Pretty much any bike that fits you well can be considered an "endurance" bike. Don't buy into the marketing hype. Just find something that fits and is comfortable.

Volagi?

EDIT: nevermind, might be over $2000

IMO, comfort = steel ride with relaxed geometry. Gunnar fits your budget with enough left over for the build kit.

When I bought my Volagi a year ago the CF frame was in the neighborhood of $1800. I you need wide tires I'm sure the steel frame is less. The Luscio (CF) will take 28mm tires, but only 25mm with fenders.

The Synapse is a good choice. Splurge for the carbon.

Is that the piece of art you just built up? Somebody will score :)

I have the Synapse 5 105 that I got for $1099. Hell of a bargin new IYAM. The cheapest carbon I've seen is $400 more. Not saying it's worth it, but I'd rather save the $$$ for a touring bike in my future :)

Indeed. A super comfy of a ride piece of art, especially with tire pressure at 95psi :). Unfortunately financial obligations call...

The crazy, imagination talk is strong in this thread

I can understand forgiving material and tires and flipping the stem up, but the whole geometry thing has me puzzled. I just don't see the frame geometry making a difference. The seat to pedal distance should be the same regardless of what the frame looks like, so then its just a matter of how much you slam the stem.

some used ti or steel could get you a good value. but most manufacturers make a model built for comfort. Specialized rubaix, cannondale synapse, trek do mane, etc

I was looking for a carbon frame. I like the steel frames, but would like to stick with carbon for this one. I am fond of the Specialized, but are there any euro bike in that range? Also, I will be looking for some deals ebay - like you can get some good deals sometimes.