£2,500 but do I go endurance or racy?

[TwistingMyMelon]

Blimey I'd be wary about 11-32, presuming with 34 front ring, thats pretty small

I've got 12-30 cassette on one of my bikes and Ive never used the bottom two gears, even on some long climbs through winter that ramp up to 25%, its just such a low ratio that each pedal stroke generates such little forward motion! I can see why it might help heavier riders though.

As it has a lower end, the gaps in ratios between the gears are a PITA as well, I prefer the tightness of 11-25 especially over long distances.

What limited riding I did in the alps I found that the climbs didn't feel as brutal or "steep" as UKs worst ones, they just went on upto an hour or so rather than 5 minutes in this country! Hence why I didn't find I needed to go too low gearing wise

[Dammit]

I've settled on 52/36 with 11-32 (11 speed) as a "do anything" set of ratios.

The 11-28 11 speed is the old 11-25 10 speed with a bailout 28 on the end, so it's nice and tightly stacked but also at home on 10% inclines

[Gruffy]

Dammit said:

I've settled on 52/36 with 11-32 (11 speed) as a "do anything" set of ratios.

That's my plan too.

[anonymous-user]

Given discs are seemingly no longer a requirement, R3 would get my vote too although the Ridley Helium SL has potential to form the basis of a very light build ..

[Dammit]

Get something with a tapered headtube and slap an ENVE RD Fork in there- disc on the front and away you go

[anonymous-user]

could be a bit sketchy with different braking performance between front and rear, I use my front brake far more than my rear on the road though so perhaps it wouldnt be as bad as I think, running a cable front disc would be pretty easy though and they arent as woeful as people suggest if you fit organic pads.

[964Cup]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Blimey I'd be wary about 11-32, presuming with 34 front ring, thats pretty small

I've got 12-30 cassette on one of my bikes and Ive never used the bottom two gears, even on some long climbs through winter that ramp up to 25%, its just such a low ratio that each pedal stroke generates such little forward motion! I can see why it might help heavier riders though.

As it has a lower end, the gaps in ratios between the gears are a PITA as well, I prefer the tightness of 11-25 especially over long distances.

What limited riding I did in the alps I found that the climbs didn't feel as brutal or "steep" as UKs worst ones, they just went on upto an hour or so rather than 5 minutes in this country! Hence why I didn't find I needed to go too low gearing wise

The point is it means you can keep spinning even on the steep stuff. Glandon, for example, is 10% for several KM; coming to it tired at the end of the day I was glad to be able to stay in bottom gear and keep the cadence high. There's no issue with 34-32 as a setup - I was using DA9070, but with an Ultegra 6870GS rear derailleur; a riding mate used mechanical Ultegra 6800, again with a GS.

If you're a 24-year-old 63kg climber (like one of the chaps I rode with last time out, who sailed up everything with 36/25 as his bottom gear) then fine, but at 6'1", 79kg and 45 years old, with knees trashed from years of skiing, I'll take the lowest gear I can reasonably fit.

[thetrash]

Gruffy said:

11-32 would be ideal. I often spin-out on descents and really wish I had taller gears.

As it happens I'm renting an R3 in a couple of weeks to keep the miles coming while I'm in California. 3 days of that should make for a thorough test ride.

Where about are you going to be riding? Am there in a couple of weeks too with my bike.

[Gruffy]

Circular routes out of Santa Rosa, 1-3rd Sept.

[DrMekon]

I went for a Madone over a Domane for audax. Doing a 400km (with 6500m of climbing) at the weekend. The steel audax bike will be staying in the shed.

You sure at 6'4, 80kg = race weight? I'm 6'3, and feel "tubby" at 73kg. Was 68kg this time last year. That felt good. I'm ~7% bf at that weight (DEXA). Lad I'm riding with at the weekend is <6% (admittedly Tanita). I'm riding around with an Emonda on my back.

[Gruffy]

When I say 'racing snake'; I'm at 11% BF at the moment, but my upper body still has some atrophy left to go as I've only cycled 3,000km so far. I'm trying to fight that but my weight is still coming down. I don't think I'll go below 78kg though. I've been as low as <5% before for other sports, but don't fancy that again at 35. I'm not planning to race (famous last words) so 10-12% BF will likely be as low as I can justify going on a long term basis. If I ever get serious then I may cut for the summer seasons.

I think I've ruled out the Synapse. Now I'm looking at more aggressive bikes and seeing how far £2.5k goes. Supersix or something from Canyon, perhaps. They look like phenomenal value. No disc options though.

[Gruffy]

thetrash said:

Gruffy said:

11-32 would be ideal. I often spin-out on descents and really wish I had taller gears.

As it happens I'm renting an R3 in a couple of weeks to keep the miles coming while I'm in California. 3 days of that should make for a thorough test ride.

Where about are you going to be riding? Am there in a couple of weeks too with my bike.

Here are the routes I rode.

75km, 1,448m crossing the mountains between the two valleys
http://www.strava.com/activities/188467371
The descent down into Calistoga was awesome, with a great surface and good radius corners for high speeds. Spring Mountain was a pig of a hill, especially climbing the steep side. The descent was lots of fun but some scruffy surfaces (and camouflaged by the dappled sunlight) gave my sphincter a workout too. The 20% hill back to our B&B was great for making sure you rinsed every ounce from your legs by the end of every ride.

125km, 1,456m riding the Pacific Coast Highway
http://www.strava.com/activities/189019971
I was hoping to beat Levi Leipheimer (our neighbour) and his pro chums on a worthy segment here but had to settle for 4th place, 10 seconds slower than Laurens Ten Dam. Obviously it goes without saying that LTD was riding at threshold when he set that time. PCH was nice but bloody windy.

[Gruffy]

So, having abandoned the idea of an endurance bike, I now find myself drawn to Canyon's goodies.


Ultimate CF SL 9.0 £1,999
Di2 is an option at £600, but I think I'll wait for n+1 for that (and discs, it seems).


Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 £2,599
Is the extra £600 paying for better wheels and a 150g weight saving over the SL 9.0 or am I missing something?

But, in true 'PH, screw the budget' style, I'm now looking longingly at this:


Aeroad SLX 7.0 £2,699
Same spec but in aero form and with Cosmic Carbone SLE. Seems like the best value of the three.

Opinions and thoughts from the masses?

Edited by Gruffy on Tuesday 9th September 19:29

[PulsatingStar]

I keep looking at that Aeroad CF SLX too and im so tempted. Pretty sure Id have ordered one if I could see one in the flesh.

Whilst I cant do that my eyes getting drawn to the Giant Propel Advanced 0, which Ill at least be able to look at and ride first

http://www.giant-shoreham.co.uk/en-gb/bikes/model/...

[Birdthom]

Wasn't the original brief an audax bike with disc brakes?

[JEA1K]

Birdthom said:

Wasn't the original brief an audax bike with disc brakes?

Thats the corrupt nature of PH at its finest.

[Gruffy]

I was originally looking for a jack of all trades but saw my friend's logic in opting for something more focused. I do think discs are the way to go but as this will be a 'best' bike for dry weather it's not a huge trade-off. I definitely don't need an aero bike* but the lust factor is high and satisfying that will make riding even more enjoyable.

*unless Mrs Gruffy is reading this, in which case I'd like to point out that the Aeroad is an entry-level bike and really is the most economical choice

[Gruffy]

I reasoned that the pros still choose the Aeroad for the Tour, over softer options, so it's probably just a case of applying a bit more Rule #5. I'll be fine, especially with you towing me all the way to Monte Carlo

[gazza285]

Those Canyons look bloody awful in silver.

[Shambler]

Was looking at buying the synapse ultegra recently but bought a Neil Pryde Zephyr which seems to be between the evo and the synapse in terms of comfort/race category. Cracking value at Westbrook cycles who are currently offering 40% off.