basscadet

Is there any reason I should not be looking to buy a Canyon Ultimate CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2 bike as a good road companion bike to a dedicated gravel bike?

https://www.canyon.com/en-us/road-bi...nfarbe=BK%2FGY

For $3999, with an Ultegra Di2 component set and the weight of 7.5 kg...having a hard time understanding/justifying the $3000 additional cost to get something like the Tarmac SL7 Pro.

Mulberry20

It isn’t an apples to apples comparison. The wheels on the Specialized are about 1200 more than the wheels on the Canyon. Obviously that doesn’t make up the whole difference but a good chunk.

The Canyon comes with a press fit bottom bracket which on a value bike is a big red flag. The Tarmac has a threaded bottom bracket. For some that alone would justify the price difference plus the fact you can always sell a bike like a Tarmac.

For the price of the Tarmac you could get a custom bike with high end components and the same weight.

basscadet

OK sorry....but why is having a pressfit BB a red flag? I have thousands of miles on various bikes and I think all of them have pressfit BBs? (I think??)

Good point about the Tarmac's wheels. Maybe apples to apples is the Tarmac SL7 Expert that doesn't come with the lightweight wheels. Is the Tarmac still a better buy @ $5000 than $4000 for the Ultimate?

blue192

The biggest reason I can think of is what will Mrs. Basscadet say when she finds out you spent 3,000$ more than the other bike cost.

Mulberry20

For me yes, for three reasons 1) Service, 2) Threaded BB and 3) Resale. I wouldn’t buy it but compared to the Canyon it is a better value.

I ride the 6 mile loop in Central Park every night like it is a Crit and I hear press fit bottom brackets on new bikes clicking and clacking and creaking every night. That would drive me crazy if I spent that kind of money.

Would you spend an extra 1200 over the Specialized on this gorgeous 16.5lb beauty, custom.

https://officinabattaglin.com/produc...kes/portofino/

AdkMtnMonster

People who complain about press fit bb creaks are largely just looking for some sort of justification about why their bike is so much better for them than a different brand/model/style of bike than they have, as opposed to actually having a 100% accurate complaint. There are many, many bicycles in this world with press fit bb and they work very well. There are some that had problems, and some that have very few issues. It’s not as cut & dried as press fit vs threaded. That being said, I would like a press fit bb simply because I don’t own the Park Tool bearing press yet, but I have tools for threaded. Otherwise, big deal. And my Canyon doesn’t creak. It screams, it wails, and it rides like a hell hound-powered rocket bike shopped up on go-go juice. But no creaks.

y2zipper

Choosing a bike at any given price point outside the top end of price ranges is largely about what you want and concessions. At 4k these days you get something between 7.5 and 8 kg and make some concessions.

Ignoring the bb debate, the Canyon is a pretty good choice if you absolutely have to have Di2.A mentioned, the downside there is the wheelset.
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sarhog

What is your dedicated gravel bike?

ZHVelo

Current waiting times are horrendous.

Negative reviews have skyrocketed this year, almost exclusively due to service. But to be honest I think this applies to every manufacturer.

Oh and major lol at people trying to claim the Tarmac is "better value".

BobbyG

These are uncertain times and the economy is uncertain. Save all the money you were going to use to buy any bike related purchases and put it in an emergency fund. Not a fun reason, but a good reason.

Koyote

I've never heard of a traditional threaded BB developing creaks; while it may be rare, I have heard of (and heard) press-ft BBs with those problems, and some are difficult to address. Since I am OCD enough that chronic creaking would ruin a bike for me, I prefer threaded BBs.

I also like better wheels, and am willing to pay for them. Oh, and I like being able to take my new-ish bike to a store for warranty work.

Given that I keep my bikes long-term (still riding my 12-year old Tarmac), an extra $3000 is chump change, if it gets me what I want.

Canker

PF BB creak is an easy fix. You just yank the BB out and put in a Wheels Manufacturing press fit to threaded conversion BB.
I prefer threaded but I'm not going to turn down a good deal just because of the BB. Two of my three bikes are PF and my road/gravel bike has a Wheels Manufacturing BB in it already and as soon as my full suspension bike starts giving me constant problems it will get one too.

bmcer

Are PF bottom brackets really such a plague upon the cycling landscape? I mean, just about every one knows someone who knows someone who had a creaking PF BB, but is there any empiric data showing how often it occurs? Not trying to foment controversy, but it seems to me that throwing a large array of bikes our of consideration over BB design is a bit shortsighted. Especially when a simple, < $100 adapter solves the problem. Just sayin'

livedarklions

You'll put your eye out.

Atlas Shrugged

I have put thousands of km on BB30 style bottom brackets without an issue. My S Works Roubaix has a pressfit with no issues and my last Diverge had pressfit, I put that bike through hell no creaks. I rode multiple long-distance self-supported tours in extreme weather conditions including torrential downpours. Should a creak appear fix is easy and reasonable, new BB or locktite applied to bearing seat. What did end up creaking on me was Campagnolo BB assemblies on both my Ultra Torque equipped bikes the cups became worn and required replacement.

BoraxKid

No, just buy it already.

genejockey 

The only reason I can think of is that the mechanical version is $1000 cheaper, and I'd go for that, but I'm old fashioned that way.

My Canyon was in stock when I ordered it and took all of 3 days to arrive. It took half an hour to assemble, because I was being persnickety. After a 16 mile "Shakedown Cruise" I changed out the saddle and lowered the stem, and it's now my dedicated Sunday bike.

I don't know about their customer service because I didn't need anything from them.

fietsbob

All service after the sale will not be available as Canyon ships direct, Like Bikes Direct.
other than sending it back, you are on your own..

FWIW. The Local Here has Taken in Boxed Bike Direct bikes an finished the assembly & tune up for a fee..
they back the work they did for a while, other issues, No.

Wildwood 

With leadtimes being what they are for 'off-th-peg', i would be looking for a custom builder.

genejockey 

I will say that Canyons or others like that are best for people comfortable with doing their own wrenching and setting up position. But apparently there's a company you can pay to assemble and adjust it for you - Velofix?

fietsbob

LBS.. in my town..

Pop N Wood

Oh man, someone needs to ban Debbie Downer. Who needs such grown up negativity on a bike site?

genejockey 

Plus, you know what happens when everyone gets thrifty and saves their money?

Higher unemployment. Slow or no economic growth.

basscadet

It is a 2 month old OPEN U.P. that I absolutely adore, worship, etc.

ZHVelo

Yea, that is why Germany is such a **** hole.