rcracoon

Hi all, completely new here but I'm greatly in need of some bike advice and this seems like a great place to try. I've been looking for a new bike for a while and have come to two that I'm stuck on now. I'll try and include all the specs and parts that I can. Would really appreciate any advice, info, or opinions y'all have on these.

Canyon Ultimate CF SLX

• 2021
• SRAM Force Axs(eTap) 2x12
• Disc brakes
• Built in power meter
• Wheels: Reynolds AR 41 setup tubeless
• Continental Grand Prix 5000 TL
• Selle Italia SLR saddle
• approximately 15-17lbs

Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod

• 2018
• Shimano Dura Ace Di2 2x11
• Dura Ace Brakes
• Cannondale Hollowgram SL Crankset
• Carbon ENVE Seatpost
• Selle Italia SLR saddle
• Bontrager XXX Carbon Handlebar
• FSA Carbon Stem
• Mavic Ultralight Ksyrium SLR climbing wheelset
• Excludes bottle cages and pedal
• approximately 13.9lbs

Both bikes are priced exactly the same so that's not a factor, and I will fit comfortably on both as well, its really coming down to the components and frames. Just not sure how much of a difference they all add up to. Thanks in advance and sorry if this isnt the right place for this post!

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DaveSSS 

No question, buy the Canyon with modern disc brakes, tubeless tires and wireless 12 speed.

tomato coupe

Are you a Shimano person or a SRAM person?

Iride01 

The bikes are comparable geometry. So if you want a fairly aggressive position then you should be good on either one.

Once you decide on whether you wan't SRAM or Shimano, then which bike calls to you and say's "ride me"?


They are both the same size aren't they? Otherwise your stack height and reach will vary between the two quite a bit and one might require a stem change or other stuff to fit you perfectly. Fewer pounds can make some hills seem to disappear.

rcracoon

I've used both and cant say I have too much of a preference. As I understand too, the eTap from Sram is quite different from their mechanical while di2 is more similar to shimano's mechanical sets?

rcracoon

The cannondale is actually a 56 while the Canyon is a 58 size. My commuter bike is a 58 and I find that very confortable but have also used two other bikes that were 56 and while I had to raise the seatpost a bit more, they were also comfortable. The canyon owner said he actually has both a 110mm and 90mm bar stem(I think that what its called) and he would include the one thats not currently on the bike.

ljsense

Either bike will be great.

The Cannondale will fit 700x28 tires and the Canyon will do 32s.

If you like/tolerate rim brakes, the Cannondale's Dura Ace calipers on alloy rims are hard to beat. But probably most people will push you toward the Canyon's discs.

The power meter on the Canyon is nice. It will probably cost around $350 ish to grab a Stages or a single side pedal if you want to add a meter to the Cannondale.

You might save some money on replacement parts with 11-speed Shimano, vs. 12-speed SRAM.

If you're fixated on the weight, I'd say that you'll probably find the Canyon to be closer to the 17-pound range of your estimate, if not over that. The Cannondale will always be able to be the lighter bike.

Assuming both are used, a lot comes down to their individual condition. That may be the most significant consideration.

PeteHski

I would take the Canyon as I prefer disc brakes. The integrated Quarq PM with SRAM is nice too. Otherwise not much in it.

rcracoon

Yeah thanks for all that insight! I know the Canyon has only had one owner and very limited use by them as a pandemic purchase while the Cannondale has had several owners. Unfortunately I can only confirm the Canyons condition as the cannondale is several hours away in another city and I haven’t been able to make a trip up there to see it, but with all the other considerations I do think I might be leaning towards the Canyon.

rcracoon

I have a friend who doesn’t think highly of disc brakes, mostly he thinks they rub too much and squeal a decent amount without any brakes applied. Is that a common issue with disc brakes or is that more so user error with maintenance and putting the tire back on by him?

PeteHski

These things can happen, but are certainly avoidable. I have the same SRAM disc brakes on my Canyon and they don’t rub at all.

Iride01 

I worried about that when I got my bike with disc brakes. However I can't say that they've squealed much. Usually a little bit when the road is wet and spray gets on them. But it goes away quickly. Maybe I'm lucky or maybe it's the more typical thing and only the few that have squealing brakes are the more vocal. Certainly I've had worse squealing bikes with rim brakes. But those too only squealed for a while, then I either found the cause/solution, or the noise just went away on it's own.

If you go with rim brakes, you have to consider that as time goes by, your selection of wheelsets with rim brakes will become less. If you build your own wheels it won't be so much of an issue for quite a while though.

Eric F 

Both are great bikes. Although the super light weight of the Cannondale is very attractive to me, between those 2 choices, my pick would be the Canyon simply because it's all current technology standards. This opinion is from a guy who is very happy with his rim brake and mechanical-shifting bike.

ArgoMan

Honestly, just get the bike that feels better and is less expensive. If you ride is wet conditions often you may want disc over calipers.

Camilo

An excellent bike close by vs. an excellent choice several hours away....gotta add points on the spreadsheet.

Jrasero

​​​​​​​Canyon

Jrasero

Yes. Especially with SRAM AXS for some reason. You get used to and it's a valid trade off for the performance and not having to rely on carbon rim tracks. Frankly carbon rim brakes make zero sense. You literally are eating away and slowly delaminating your rims

MikeWMass

I usually try to avoid controversial statements, but here goes.
i would take the Canyon for most of the reasons stated above.
Also, though this may have changed, the last and only set of Mavic wheels I owned had a plastic bushing that the hub body rode on, which required periodic removal and lubrication. Major drawback in my opinion, although if you take your hub apart regularly not so much an issue.

SpedFast

I'm partial to the Canyon. I prefer disk brakes and the Canyon just speaks to me. I'm going to go to my corner and drool now.

rcracoon

Thank you everyone for your comments and input! I went with the Canyon in the end and so far love it. I'm sure the Cannondale would have been great too but the Canyon just called to me. The reaffirmation of that being a great bike from several of you really hit that home for me so thanks again!