I built up a steel rando bike, discussed in
this thread, and I pretty much love the bike. After 10k+ miles, three SR series, one 1000, one 1200, and a fleche, I've proven i can ride an upright bike long distance without blowing up my back. Now the grass is getting greener.
Bikes branded
endurance are looking pretty enticing. Room for wide tires, bottle mounts, fender mounts, relaxed geometry, and perhaps most compelling the claims of smoothness due to various tech. Dampeners, compliant layups, isolation, and so forth. Interesting enough to get my attention.
So maybe the thread title should be Dream Rando Rig II: Carbon.
Trek Domane, Giant Defy, and a handful of others.
Two questions:
Have any randos here switched to one of these carbon endurance branded bikes from steel, and if so do they live up to the hype? Specifically, comfort.
Given the cost of entry isn't pocket change to me, suggestions on how to determine this for myself? Are extended test rides or rentals available?