Which 2021 Endurance Road Bike? Trek, Cannondale, Giant
#1
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Which 2021 Endurance Road Bike? Trek, Cannondale, Giant
Good day everyone,
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
Last edited by vascof1; 08-29-20 at 03:05 PM.
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Those are all good bikes, it is just a matter of picking your poison. Normally I would say test ride them but I know that is difficult in these times.
Aluminum frame is fine, you aren't missing much by going to carbon. You will get minor differences in the Trek Domane. With the carbon series you get the ISO speed front and rear which really helps with comfort. It won't make you faster or stronger but comfort might matter. Most times, but not always carbon is lighter but remember the bike itself is only part of the whole package which includes what you weigh.
Shimano 105 is a great groupset. To me it is the bare minimum when buying a bike for those who want to get serious.
Brakes, that is a can of worms in these forums so I will just give my opinion. Disc brakes have many advantages, like being able to use larger tire that caliper brakes can't handle well. It is all in the design. Hydraulic brakes are easy on the hands especially when it is cold and wet and you are trying to bring the bike to a stop. I also find that they modulate better. I have owned every style of brake out there and after trying hydraulic disc brakes I would never go back to anything else. Others are fine with cable actuated and even with rim brakes.
It may all come down to what is in stock and if you want the bike this year. The shops that I have been visiting here in Toronto have been pretty empty so grab what you can. Good luck on what ever you buy. As I said you can't go wrong with any of those that you chose.
Aluminum frame is fine, you aren't missing much by going to carbon. You will get minor differences in the Trek Domane. With the carbon series you get the ISO speed front and rear which really helps with comfort. It won't make you faster or stronger but comfort might matter. Most times, but not always carbon is lighter but remember the bike itself is only part of the whole package which includes what you weigh.
Shimano 105 is a great groupset. To me it is the bare minimum when buying a bike for those who want to get serious.
Brakes, that is a can of worms in these forums so I will just give my opinion. Disc brakes have many advantages, like being able to use larger tire that caliper brakes can't handle well. It is all in the design. Hydraulic brakes are easy on the hands especially when it is cold and wet and you are trying to bring the bike to a stop. I also find that they modulate better. I have owned every style of brake out there and after trying hydraulic disc brakes I would never go back to anything else. Others are fine with cable actuated and even with rim brakes.
It may all come down to what is in stock and if you want the bike this year. The shops that I have been visiting here in Toronto have been pretty empty so grab what you can. Good luck on what ever you buy. As I said you can't go wrong with any of those that you chose.
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#3
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Thank you BlackCloud. Appreciate your thoughts. Especially on the hydro disc brakes.
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Which ones are actually available to you? That might narrow it down.
#5
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If you waited for the Canyons you could have the carbon fiber frame with 105 at your price point which is lighter or their endurance model in CF with Ultegra and better tires for 3,000. I understand not wanting to wait because waiting is killing me and I don't think you can go wrong with an aluminum frame and 105 to start with, but at your price point there are considerations.
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#7
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If you waited for the Canyons you could have the carbon fiber frame with 105 at your price point which is lighter or their endurance model in CF with Ultegra and better tires for 3,000. I understand not wanting to wait because waiting is killing me and I don't think you can go wrong with an aluminum frame and 105 to start with, but at your price point there are considerations.
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I am very happy with my Canyon Endurace CF 7.0. 105, hydraulic discs, and GP5000s. I keep scoring PRs on Strava, even though I've been riding these roads for years.
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Good day everyone,
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
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Good day everyone,
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
My first post on BF and looking forward to learning from you all.
I'm from up here in the Toronto Area, Ontario and am in the market for a new Endurance oriented road bike. I was looking at purchasing earlier in the year but have been amazed (not surprised) at the impact Covid has had on the availability of 2020s.
I seek your input please on suggestions on what makes sense for me:
Domane AL5 Disc - $2399
Cannondale Synapse 105 - $2100 (cable disc only - is that a big deal over hydraulic?)
Giant Contend AR1 - $2199
Edit: I forgot to mention we don't have Canyon bikes up here in Canada just yet. Canyon has announced for next spring 2021 but I'm not sure I should wait until then.
My usage and specs preferred:
I'm mid-40s male looking to improve my fitness in riding. I had an older Miele Vintage an am looking to upgrade after not riding for many years.
Starting to get back into it with 30+ kilometre rides at a time. No racing plans however perhaps some group rides in the future.
Looking for a bit of comfort too.
Aluminum frame. I don't see the value for Carbon Fibre unless I can be swayed to look at it.
Shimano 105 group set
Hydraulic Disc brakes preferred (most if not all have moved there any way at this price point)
Lightest in the above group of bikes preferred.
Thank you so much for your input.
#11
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Thread Starter
Can I ask how tall you are? I ask I’ve found how Canyon sizes their frames to be different than the others. At 5’7” I’m a small for Giant and Trek. However on Canyon’s site, it is showing an XS.
was that the same experience for you?
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#13
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I'm 5'6" and bought an XS Endurace. It fits like it was custom made for me with a couple very easy adjustments out of the box, like fore/aft correct saddle position and height (obviously) and a very simple bar adjustment by swapping a spacer to get a hair lower in the drops than it was originally set up for. Turns out I liked it better the way it arrived, though, so that's how it is now. XS for guys in our height range is the truth.
#14
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I have several high end bikes, yet my every day road bike is an aluminum Specialized Allez Sprint that I built up myself. I put 100 miles on it last weekend, 60 miles on Saturday and 40 on Sunday. Rides great and comfortable. Aluminum is perfectly fine and a great value.
Having said that, I would definitely consider Canyon. They're a tremendous value.
Having said that, I would definitely consider Canyon. They're a tremendous value.
#15
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I have the Cannondale Synapse 105 and love it. I probably put on about a thousand miles to date and havenhave had any problems. My previous bike had hydraulic disc brakes,t bike does not but I have not noticed a difference in braking capabilities.
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But I spent several evenings, carefully measuring my 3 current bikes, and poring over the geometry tables on the Canyon site, and concluded that it would be a lot easier to replicate the comfortable fit I have on those bikes if I bought a Large. I'd have had to put a 130mm stem on the medium, which comes with a 100. Set up as you see it, the Large is nice and comfy for at least 3 1/2 hours, climbing, descending, pounding along the flats in the drops into a stiff headwind, and just tooling around.
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Not trying to hijack, but I'm also looking to upgrade my current Fuji Sportif to a new endurance model that has a geometry on the more aggressive side of Endurance. My budget is $2 and my short list is as follows:
- Cannondale CAAD13 - 105 Disc (w/Possible Cassette change to 11-32)
- Trek Emonda ALR 5 (w/Tire change to 28mm & Cassette change to 11-30 or 11-32)
- Canyon AL 7 Disc
- Scott Addict 20 Disc
- Rose Pro SL Disc 105
Perhaps we can both benefit from the feedback you're getting...
- Cannondale CAAD13 - 105 Disc (w/Possible Cassette change to 11-32)
- Trek Emonda ALR 5 (w/Tire change to 28mm & Cassette change to 11-30 or 11-32)
- Canyon AL 7 Disc
- Scott Addict 20 Disc
- Rose Pro SL Disc 105
Perhaps we can both benefit from the feedback you're getting...
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FWW I bought the Giant Contend AR1 back on June. Great bike and ticks all the boxes. Hydraulic disk brakes, Shimano 105 all around. The D-post seat is very confortable, it gives a lot on rough roads. It comes with tubeless tires and they are confortable. In my limited opinion, a great bike that i would buy again.
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#19
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If your back is still fine and healthy, please ignore.
I know this is a very difficult time to buy a new bike, so good hunting and hope you find one that you love!
#20
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If one of the reasons you're considering an Endurance bike is back comfort, it might be worth considering a carbon frame. I'm an older rider with lower-back "issues", and my happiness with my aluminum Trek (carbon fork, rear IsoSpeed) was limited. I ended up going full carbon (also a Trek) less than two years later. MUCH BETTER.
If your back is still fine and healthy, please ignore.
I know this is a very difficult time to buy a new bike, so good hunting and hope you find one that you love!
If your back is still fine and healthy, please ignore.
I know this is a very difficult time to buy a new bike, so good hunting and hope you find one that you love!
#21
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FWW I bought the Giant Contend AR1 back on June. Great bike and ticks all the boxes. Hydraulic disk brakes, Shimano 105 all around. The D-post seat is very confortable, it gives a lot on rough roads. It comes with tubeless tires and they are confortable. In my limited opinion, a great bike that i would buy again.
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In other words, maybe you should test ride a race framed bike? Who knows what you'll think.
They are not just for racing and if they fit you right and if you have the flexibility and fitness, they are perfectly comfortable for centuries and more.
Either way, for an introduction to modern road bikes, I think an alloy framed 105 bike is the perfect place to start. If you get a lot more serious, you'll buy a better bike soon, but you'll still appreciate having the alloy/105 bike in your stable. Mine is 10 years old with >30k miles on it and I still get use out of it.
Last edited by MinnMan; 09-08-20 at 12:14 AM.
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Giant Defy. Best bang for the buck!
The 2020 Advanced 3 (CF frame & fork) is 2500$ I believe. They often go on sale for 20% off. You would get Tiagra instead of 105, but for a CF frame instead of alloy, I'd definitively skip on the 105.
The 2020 Advanced 3 (CF frame & fork) is 2500$ I believe. They often go on sale for 20% off. You would get Tiagra instead of 105, but for a CF frame instead of alloy, I'd definitively skip on the 105.
Last edited by eduskator; 09-08-20 at 08:15 AM.
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#25
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The Defy Advanced 2 is the $2500 model with 105 with CF frame. I love mine.
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