davethelefty

Hi everyone. I am in the market for a new bike, and I'm looking at endurance geometry bikes. My goal is long rides (50-100 miles) but speed is not my thing. I'm an older rider and just completing the distance is good enough for me. Fast isn't important, comfortable is.

There are a number of carbon bikes in the $2500-$3000 range that I'm looking at -- Trek Madone, Specialized Roubaix, Orbea Avant, and so on.

I'm also looking at the Canyon Endurace, but of course I can't physically look at one, I can't test ride one. I don't know anyone who owns one. The price is certainly attractive, and I have no problems with doing the limited assembly myself. Canyon has a great return policy to offset the uncertainty, but I'd prefer not to buy a bike to see how I like it.

So I'm asking -- if you're a Canyon owner, and specifically an Endurace owner, how do you like your bike? Are there any issues to be aware of?

Thanks for your feedback. And if you have any other thoughts/feedback/recommendations, I'd welcome those as well.

texbiker

I own the Kerosene Red Endurace CF SLX. I bought it February 2018 and have ridden over 15,000 miles. It is a great ride. I run about 95 psi in the 28 mm tires which makes my ride comfortable. The only changes I made from the original bike are the saddle and tires. I did not like the Fizik and changed to a Fabric Shallow/Race with titanium rails which improved the comfort. I really like the shape of the H31 handlebar but it requires a different mount for a computer. I have the Reynolds wheels but the Schwabe tires couldn't handle the debris on the roads and now run Continental 700x28 Gatorskin tires. I have good experience with Gatorskin going 7000+ miles and very few flats. Go to my website in my signature to see me and the bike in the right sidebar.

AdkMtnMonster

I have a brand new Endurace CF SL 8.0 and I love it. Fit/finish of the build is spot on, it was the right size for me to get a proper fit on the bike, and it rides like a dream. Once the dirt roads get a little more firmed up this Spring I am planning on running some gravel tires on it for some added dirt road adventures. Otherwise, I plan to run the GP5000s in the 28c variety like it shipped with. Great tires. Love the bars and tape. Geometry is great for slow speed stuff and rails corners. Not a race bike, but I can get low on it. Plenty of room to drop the stem if I want to get silly. Comfortable. Seat post (flex) is really a nice addition on this bike.

MattTheHat 

I owned a 2019 Endurace CF SL 8.0 which I rode for about 3,000 miles. I Rehomed it and purchased a 2020 Roubaix Expert. I find the Roubaix considerably more comfortable, resulting in a higher average speed over my similar routes and longer average rides. I ran the same tires and saddle on both bikes. The Endurace was a very nice bike and just felt fast. I think you’d be pleased with it.

datlas 

I rented one when in Spain a couple years ago. So it was a 2018 model. Ride was fantastic, as long as size/fit done right I think you will be pleased.

bpcyclist

Great big Orbea fan here. Ran an Orca for a few years, until it was tragically stolen. But really loved that bike. If you can test ride one, I'd make time to do it. I personally think they are special and quite under-appreciated.

smashndash

Surely you mean Domane?

FrankTuna

I bought a 2019 CF SL 7.0 model in Hellfire Red last fall. The newer models have better wheels but are $200 more...but well worth it if you plan on keeping the stock wheels. I absolutely love this bike.. it's light, fast, and very comfortable. I upgraded to carbon 25mm ID wheels and added the H31 cockpit. I can't recommend this cockpit enough...it's unbelievably comfortable and along with 28mm tires makes for a very comfortable ride.

davethelefty

Yes, yes -- I meant Domane. Funny that 3 of Trek's road bikes all use the same letters -- Madone, Domane, Emonda.

FrankTuna

Just make sure to compare the measurements on these bikes when you're shopping around. Granted there's some wiggle room with stem length/spacers, but I personally found the Domane too upright and the Endurace was a bit longer in the reach. That worked perfectly for the fit I was looking for.

I'm sure it will be different in the size you need, but I'm 6'5" and compared the 62 cm Domane to the XXL Endurace. Besides the 2019 Endurace being $900 cheaper for a full 105 groupset, the Domane had 1.2 cm more stack but 3.1 cm less reach. That would lead to a very upright position which would feel squished for me.

davethelefty

I'm planning on that. We do have an Orbea dealer here but they don't have much in stock. The owner advised me he was going to order a few Orbeas -- waiting to see them. I'm actually looking at the Avant, thinking it's a better platform for me over an Orca.

davethelefty

Good info. It'll be interesting to compare stack vs. reach. I had a Specialized Roubaix years ago and despite putting a shorter stem on, it seemed to have too much reach for me. Now I'm riding a flat bar road bike which is very upright. I'm shooting for something in the middle. And comfort has to be key -- dragging this old body out for long rides isn't as easy as it used to be!!