Robert Dini

I'm in the process of looking for a new or late model used endurance bike (i.e., Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, etc.) Anybody have any suggestions. My current ride is a Cannondale SuperSix.

blakcloud

Every bike company makes an endurance model and they are all good, some may be better for "you" than others. When I was looking for an endurance bike I test rode the two you mentioned plus the Giant and the Trek Domane. For me, the Domane was the clear winner by a long shot. It wouldn't hurt to look at what I call the B brands. The bikes that don't have the same sales number as Specialized, Trek, Giant and Cannondale. Bikes like the Fuji, Scott, BMC, Orbea, Factor and Canyon come to mind. It is a matter of test riding every bike that you can which can be difficult in these times. Canyon is a direct to consumer brand so the price is good and if you dislike it you can always send it back before 30 days. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Robert Dini

That's good advice. I didn't realize that Canyon was a customer direct company. Thanks for that info.

shelbyfv

Best to see what's actually available.

jaxgtr

Be careful for what you wish for...I went from a SuperSix some years ago to a Synapse and hated that bike on many, many levels. I regretted with all my soul getting rid of my SuperSIx, worst decision I ever made bike wise, besides buying the Synapse. I sold it in less than a year, bought an Emonda which I absolutely love and still have. I don't think mentally I was ready for the endurance geometry and still enjoyed playing in the race geometry. Flash forward 5 years and I have a completely different mindset. I was now 56, not looking to ride 20+ mph group rides and more into the, lets just go ride and enjoy the fresh air and scenery mindset. I ended up getting a Domane last year and absolutely love it and enjoy riding it.

jpescatore

Back in 2017, I rode a Domane SL6 Disc and the Specialized equivalent. The Domane just felt better - the geometries of the two bikes were slightly different but most of the component levels were the same. The shock absorption and the wheels on the Domane and the geometry probably are why I preferred it. I mostly do longer hilly rides on typical non-perfect road surfaces.

Still loving the bike with many thousands of miles on it. I'm not a racer so the endurance geometry is what I was looking for over the the more stretched out ride of the Trek 520 touring bike I'd been riding for 20 years.

Random11

I just bought a Cervelo Calendonia. I've only taken it out for three rides, but so far, I'm a big fan. Very comfortable, feels fast, but my opinion would surely be worth more if I'd been riding it for three years, or even three months, rather than just three total rides.

dmanthree

That's what keeps me from even looking at them. Every bike I've ever bought has needed some mods to accommodate my physical dimensions. And if you show up at the LBS with a brand they don't carry, they'll work on it, but you certainly won't get priority. I'll pass on Canyon.

PeteHski

There are now so many endurance road bikes that it is almost pointless listing them all. The Roubaix stands out because of it's front suspension and the Trek Domane has IsoSpeed damping. But since wider, more compliant tyres became the norm most endurance road bikes are now pretty comfortable without resorting to mechanical systems. I have a Giant Defy, which is a pretty solid endurance bike, with simple, but effective, flexible D-shaped seatpost and bars. On 30 mm or 32 mm tyres it is very comfortable and still pretty quick. Pretty much every other brand has an equivalent endurance model. If you like Cannondale then the Synapse is very well regarded. The current Synapse model has been out for a few years now, so likely to be due for an update soon. That might make the outgoing model a bit cheaper in the end, but not in the current market! Availability of most bikes is terrible at the moment and used bikes are selling at a premium.

mstateglfr 

Maybe look into using a different shop. Thats an absurd business policy.

Robert Dini

Thank you for the benefit of your experience. When I bought my SuperSix, I actually road tested a Synapse, but it felt less nimble as though it had understeer. At that time, I also road tested a Roubaix and I liked that well enough, but not as much as the SuperSix. I road tested a Trek Madone too, but I didn't care for it, but that may have been the shop owner's less than charming attitude. Road testing bicycles now is difficult because few stores have bikes to sell, much less loaners.

Robert Dini

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Robert Dini

Not sure we have a nearby Giant dealer, but I'll look. Thanks.

Robert Dini

I'll give the Domane a look. Did you realize that Domane is an anagram of Madone?

PeteHski

+1 A great way for a shop to go out of business. Some shops are so short-sighted. When Canyon and other direct brands first came on the scene a few of our local shops decided to black-ball them on servicing, which I thought was the dumbest thing ever. But the ones that are still in business seem to have learned to accept that people might choose to buy a bike from somewhere else. Especially these days when stock levels are at an all-time low.

dmanthree

Moot point since I won't buy a bike via the internet. Canyon has no dealers in the US. I'll stick with a good fitting via the LBS.

kahn

Or how about if people move into town with some "odd" brand. Very short sighted.

jpescatore

Not only that, but Trek also has an Emonda model line!

Rhondito

I've been very happy with my Synapse. She's super comfortable.
I prefer to buy local and keep my bike shop in business. They take great care of my bikes and it's nice to have somewhere close to run in when I need something.

pdlamb

Hmm, I thought the "they say consensus" was that shops broke even, at best, selling new bikes, and made all their money on service and accessories.

dmanthree

No idea if that's true, but I'd hate to take a mail-order bike to a shop and say "can you make this bike fit me?" I usually need some mods to get a proper fit. I'll stick with my LBS for a bike that fits. Also, what's so special about Canyon?

jaxgtr

My local shop fixes and puts together a lot of big box store bikes. There are a lot of them that do. My shop does not care about brand or type, if it is two wheels and does not have a gas motor, it is welcome.

Brian

biker128pedal

Emonda too.

dmanthree

That's good, but, well, what's so special about Canyon? And how will I know if it will fit if I can't sit on it first? Frame geometry numbers can only go so far.

cj3209

With the current supply chain shortage, most LBS' in my town have little to no stock with waiting lists that begin in spring 2022. I would take another look at Canyon (I've ordered two bikes from them and they have been excellent and shipping is very quick) plus they also have an outlet section that can save you some cash. Proscloset is another online shop that sells pre-owned bikes (I've sold and purchased from them as well and they are very professional - more so than my LBS, to be honest with you).

Cheers!