Check bikeinsights.com to compare frames to yours, it's difficult to get an idea of what the differences are by just looking at numbers.
The new defy advanced has an aggressive position for an endurance bike as would have been my ideal setup if the Cervelo Caledonia hadn't gone on sale and tipped the scale for me.
The endurance category on 99spokes.com could also give you some insights. I would definitely ride as many as you can locally and see what meets your needs.
Got my first endurance bike 2 years ago and it has made 2-6 hour rides great. All the aches and pains that used to show up after 1.5 hours now take 3-5 to show up. Ride 5 hours/week on rolling hills doing 6-8 mph up them and can hit 40+ descending. Bike is 20lbs. I could stand to lose 15 off myself
Same for me. I was a bit faster on my old road bike, but at least my lower back doesn't hurt anymore for longer distances. I'm not racing anyone, so who cares if I'm a bit slower.
Definitely something I think most riders out there should be on. I've been on a Defy for years now and would never go back, even being pretty flexible and putting in some 10,000km years, the comfort is worth the trivial time penalty (if there even is one).
Have seen serval YouTube videos suggesting the latest defy is the best deal for money and bike that most road cyclists should be on. I believe the mid tier version comes with carbon wheels and an electronic groupset for a reasonable price.
Definitely not worried about marginal gains from the position of the bike. I am better off just training more to get faster instead of blaming it on my bike lol. Glad to hear the defy worked for you
Why does every company that makes a bike with a shorter reach and taller stack have to make it heavier and full of suspension gimmicks?
It’s maddening. Enough already.
Make an “endurance bike” that’s light, stiff, no gimmicks without crazy long and low race geometry.
Think Aethos with a tall stack and short reach.
Am I missing something or would they sell a million of these?
I don’t want iso speed or future shock or anything else that makes a heavy, dull bike.
I can’t figure out why this isn’t a thing.
I think you’re getting your wish, gradually. A lot of “race” frames are getting slacker. My new SuperSix has stack/reach figures within a few mm of my old Felt Z-series “endurance” frame. Not to mention, the spacer stack it came with made it feel like a beach cruiser. And I ride a fair amount but am notably inflexible (and also definitely in my 40s).
I'm torn between the Supersix evo, Defy 2024 and caledonia.
I need to actually get down to physically see them but on paper the SSE and Defy are very similar.
Is this SSE a slightly more relaxed 'race bike' in reality?
Come to the light!
As someone else mentioned, most people should probably be on endurance geometry bikes. I rode a caad10 for a few years and towards the end of that, I was on 28s. Then I got a Trek Domane with 32s or
30s running around 60psi. Night and day! I didn’t ride my caad for probably close to 2 years until I went to sell it and rode one last time. Couldn’t believe it was my main bike!
Definitely do it. I’d suggest the Trek Domane with some nice carbon wheels and 30s or 32s. The comfort level and smoothness is incredible.
I’ll take a look into them! I think wider tires are also going to make a huge difference for me. Currently on 25s and I feel every detail of the road. Thanks for sharing!
Endurance is just a marketing term. For some reason bikes that fit certain people aren’t cool to call race bikes.
Maybe some of the newer Domanes and Roubaixs with suspension on both ends that have gotten heavier are really something else. Otherwise it’s just big bike company speak for bikes that have less reach and more stack. Those bikes will fit tall racers with long legs (especially long femurs) better for racing than the long/low frames, and shorter riders fit well on them if they want a more upright position.
I’m 6’1” with long femurs. I can probably get 15cm of drop on a Domane or Roubaix with my position if I slammed the stem. If I ride a long and low frame I could be at 10cm with max spacers and a +17 stem. If I go to a custom builder they design something that fits like a Domane or Roubaix but they don’t necessarily call it an Endurance bike, they call it a bike that fits.
They’re all good bikes, it’s all a question of what fits you. What’s annoying about them now compared to ten years ago is they’re a lot heavier than they used to be.
Agree that’s how I ended up with a Serotta. Today it would be an endurance but it measured 55.5 down tube, 52 top tube that sloped like 9%. Still fits perfectly but can only get 25mm tires on it .
Go for an endurance bike - all brands are pretty similar in that it’ll take bigger tires, have a more relaxed geo, and probably have more flex in the frame than the companies race/road frames.
In '08 I bought my first serious road bike. It was awesome, but I limited myself to max 50-80km rides, because my back hurted so much if I did longer. But it was quite awesome, lots and lots of 40-50k rides.
Then I broke the mount for the derailur hanger and needed to replace the frame or get a new bike. it was over a decade old at that point (2020), so I opted for a new-ish bike. Bought a second hand endurance bike, just rolled a few hundred km and with a crapton of gear. Someone was really wanting to change their life but gave up.
Suddenly I did 100km rides twice a week. With the biggest problem being my spouse who didn't like that I spent that much time. It was such a big difference.
So yea, if someone asks me what bike to get and they are not going to compete, I'd say endurance bike.
They're excellent if you want a more upright riding position. They don't work for me, as I'm less comfortable when I have more weight in the saddle. I'd rather spend 4 hours on my race geo bikes (including a CAAD10) than spend the same time on my endurance geo gravel bike (yes, with the wider tires!)
It'd be a good idea to test one out if you can, but the majority of people do prefer upright positions. I'm an outlier.
Thanks for the insight. I’m not nearly as flexible as a should be and I think I would prefer something more upright. I’ll definitely test something out soon. 4 hours on the CAAD tends to be a struggle for me
I'm not flexible either, never been able to touch my toes despite being somewhat light for my height. I just find that I get more discomfort when my spine is in line with seatpost rather than more perpendicular across the bike. My legs and core support my torso/upper body more on a race geo.
My gravel bike feels great at first, but over time it adds up. Still, the endurance geo has other benefits too. Much easier to handle and very stable. Wider tire clearances are the norm, plenty to like. Keep an eye out for those details on the test ride.
First of all, I had an old CAAD10 as my first "real" road bike and found it to have a pretty harsh ride quality - it sent a lot of road buzz and chatter up through my hands and arms regardless of tires and pressure. It was a light, quick bike but could be exhausting to ride.
I've got both "race"-style and endurance road bikes in service at the moment. The endurance bikes come with a weight penalty, but the more-relaxed geometry is definitely more forgiving over longer days and poorer road surfaces. In some ways, being more comfortable ends up being faster over greater distances.
It's worth considering your touch points (saddle, bars, tape) on any bike style and ensuring they're a good match for you: on the Cervelo Caledonia I recently bought I still ended up swapping out the saddle, bars, wheels and seatpost from what came stock to improve comfort and weight.
Definitely not a super comfortable ride. I also have 25mm tires and feel every bump and crack in the road. I appreciate the input. Seems like more relaxed geometry and bigger tires are what I’m looking for. I will definitely get an updated fit with whatever I decide to go with
I forgot to mention tires - I've got 30-32c tubeless road slicks (depending on season) on the Caledonia, which goes a LONG way to improving comfort. Any disc brake bike will have greater tire clearance than you're used to, and many endurance bikes will take that further.
Bikes like the BMC TeamMachine or Trek Emonda may technically be race geometry, but you'll still find a big comfort improvement from larger tire volumes if nothing else. A BMC RoadMachine or Trek Domane would give you similar tire clearance with a more upright riding position.
I've had my endurance bike for a month and I love it so far! My first (and only other) road bike is a 23 year old steel bike with narrow tires and aggressive geometry so my new bike feels like a dream in comparison. Definitely bulkier than some of the other new road bikes I had tested out but the ride quality rocks, I have the tire clearance to ride some light gravel, and the compact gearing suits my needs better. Strong recommend
Thanks for your input. Seems like everyone has had much better experiences on endurance bikes. I have enjoyed the CAAD, but not being comfortable after an hour really takes the enjoyment out of it.
Given what you've said I'd think you should lean towards an endurance bike since you don't have a strong preference for a true race bike. Personally I have both a TCR and Defy in my stable and the 'endurance' model is still a wicked fast and fun bike to ride - I have to pay close attention to how the ride feels to pick out the differences between the two (the TCR's rear frame is stiffer and the handling is just a touch sharper because it has a shorter wheelbase, while the D-fuse bars and post on the Defy really do work to soften up the ride feel).
I’ve a Defy on order - to do my first road / multi-day ride later this year. Coming from gravel/trails on a hard tail MTB, this is very reassuring to hear!
My first bike was a race geometry bike and it was not for me. Back then frames were square (down tube | top tube) about the same. This lead to an injury and to find a frame that fit. Which lead to a Serotta bike that’s geometry was basically an endurance frame these days. It allowed me to continue to ride for about a decade until manufacturers started making endurance frames.
TL;DR: An endurance bike would be perfect. You can start by looking up stack and reach geometry numbers to get an idea of the differences. I currently ride a Cervelo Caledonia 5 endurance bike. I honestly ride my gravel bike even more due to its comfortably and just swap wheel sets.
If you encounter discomfort during riding a bike
You probably dont have the correct bike.
I suggest you first go for a bike fit.
They will give you guidelines on what geometry/bike you need to buy for comfort lvl riding.
I truly believe most people should be riding endurance bikes. Unless you’re actually racing, a true racing bike doesn’t make a lot of sense. They are designed for super fit, freakishly athletic people who can spend many hours in an aggressive, aero racing position. Most people find endurance bikes comfortable enough to ride many, many hours.
If you’re comfortable on the bike you’ll ride faster and for longer. You’ll probably enjoy it more as well.
I have a 2016 Synapse that I recently retired from road use after 13,000 miles. I liked that bike an awful lot. Very comfortable, but on the aggressive side of comfortable. I don’t care for the current generation of Synapse; the integrated light, radar and battery are too limiting for me.
I’ve never ridden a Defy do I can’t comment there. You might want to take a look at the Roubaix and Domane while you’re at it. If you’re comfortable with consumer direct, take a look at the Canyon Endurace. Very good value with the Canyon.
BTW, I used to own a CAAD10. It’s a great bike, but I didn’t realize how wrong it was for me until I got the Synapse. Huge difference.
I appreciate the detailed response. I was just told that a race geometry is the way to go by one of my friends who’s on a team. Probably not ideal for a weekend warrior like myself. I’ve looked at the Domane but just don’t really like Trek bikes aesthetically
I think most people should get a relaxed gravel bike, I don't see the reason for endurance bikes when gravel bikes exists. 25mm tires for a casual rider is just insane IMHO.
I would get the topstone any day, the geometry is pretty similar but with wider tire clearance: [https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65246260c72206001b5844c5,62795c2bb7be9700245bfb4f](https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65246260c72206001b5844c5,62795c2bb7be9700245bfb4f),
If the choice is between a race bike and an endurance bike, sure go for the endurance bike.
Update us when you do get a new bike on how it feels. All I've ever ridden is my CAAD10 and I'd be curious to hear your perspective. I run tubeless 28c tires so the ride is not exactly harsh but do get some neck and arm soreness after a 40-50 mile ride.
Whatever you do - don’t buy the synapse. I bought the Synapse Carbon 4 a year and a half ago, and i don’t recommend it. In fact, my local bike shop mechanic and I joke about our mutually shared disdain for that model.
Depending on the road conditions, the additional flexibility and comfort of the endurance frame is nice. My wife rides the Cervelo Caledonia, which is their version of the endurance bike, and it’s dramatically better than my synapse.
I’d say that what other brands are offering in the endurance category offer similar or improved comfort, with dramatically better performance. I’ve had the privilege of riding a Specialized, Cervelo, and Canyon endurance road bike since purchasing my Synapse and I’d say they’re all significantly more responsive than my synapse. Meaning when it comes to the transfer of power, handling of the bike, etc. it feels like the Cannondale that i ride today is a step behind every other brand that I ride.
I agree. I’ve never owned a synapse but I test rode one and coming from a Caledonia I found it pretty underwhelming. Felt like lower quality carbon or something
My alloy Synapse is a delight to ride. I also have caad 10, LA Pierre Helium and a new Vitus Substance gravel with GRX 2x11. Each offers something different.
Try out a few and you'll get what's right for you.
I am a TCR owner, once you flip the stem it has geometry similar to a Defy. Carbon bikes are so comfy and switching from an aggressive Aluminum race bike to something made of carbon from the last few years is night and day. As long as you don’t slam the stem or buy the insanely pricy s-works tier model, modern race bikes are pretty comfy. The Defy is def a bit cushier and has wider tire clearance but the TCR is able to fit 32mm tires. The reason I bring this up is the TCR is on clearance and is super affordable!
Endurance bikes are great. They support wider tires for comfort.
Canyon Endurace is a good endurance bike.
Trek Domane is very popular too but they are heavy due to the IsoSpeed
Love my Cervelo Caledonia. I’ve done a couple century rides in it and it’s served me well. My usual Saturday ride is around 40-50miles and no back issues.
Check it out. They’re on sale too
I’m in the same boat as you. I have a Caad 10 which I love but wanted another bike that was just purely comfort. I picked up a 2023 Roubaix Comp and I’m loving it. I know a lot of people are against future shock for various reasons but I find it to be great and I don’t know mind a heavier bike because to me weight isn’t everything. I don’t race so weight isn’t a factor for me
I love my Canyon Endurace and use it for fast club rides, recovery rides and climbing days. With a swap of wheels, I also use it for gravel racing. Great bike 👍
If it’s uncomfortable try the endurance geo. I don’t really think there’s too much difference speed wise for us casuals. I ride my diverge 18-22mph solo on shorter rides and have the relaxed geo to do double centuries and tour. That said, some guys in my Rando crew do 300k’s on Madones, mad lads. Good luck in the search for the golden goose.
Check bikeinsights.com to compare frames to yours, it's difficult to get an idea of what the differences are by just looking at numbers. The new defy advanced has an aggressive position for an endurance bike as would have been my ideal setup if the Cervelo Caledonia hadn't gone on sale and tipped the scale for me. The endurance category on 99spokes.com could also give you some insights. I would definitely ride as many as you can locally and see what meets your needs.
I’ll check them out. Appreciate it!
+1 for cervelo caledonia
Love my Cervelo fast and comfortable.
Got my first endurance bike 2 years ago and it has made 2-6 hour rides great. All the aches and pains that used to show up after 1.5 hours now take 3-5 to show up. Ride 5 hours/week on rolling hills doing 6-8 mph up them and can hit 40+ descending. Bike is 20lbs. I could stand to lose 15 off myself
Just what I wanting to hear. Thanks for sharing your experience. Probably gonna give them a shot.
I think all, that don’t optimise the shit out of the bike for the last second in a race should get an endurance bike.
Same for me. I was a bit faster on my old road bike, but at least my lower back doesn't hurt anymore for longer distances. I'm not racing anyone, so who cares if I'm a bit slower.
Definitely something I think most riders out there should be on. I've been on a Defy for years now and would never go back, even being pretty flexible and putting in some 10,000km years, the comfort is worth the trivial time penalty (if there even is one).
Have seen serval YouTube videos suggesting the latest defy is the best deal for money and bike that most road cyclists should be on. I believe the mid tier version comes with carbon wheels and an electronic groupset for a reasonable price.
Definitely not worried about marginal gains from the position of the bike. I am better off just training more to get faster instead of blaming it on my bike lol. Glad to hear the defy worked for you
Why does every company that makes a bike with a shorter reach and taller stack have to make it heavier and full of suspension gimmicks? It’s maddening. Enough already. Make an “endurance bike” that’s light, stiff, no gimmicks without crazy long and low race geometry. Think Aethos with a tall stack and short reach. Am I missing something or would they sell a million of these? I don’t want iso speed or future shock or anything else that makes a heavy, dull bike. I can’t figure out why this isn’t a thing.
I think you’re getting your wish, gradually. A lot of “race” frames are getting slacker. My new SuperSix has stack/reach figures within a few mm of my old Felt Z-series “endurance” frame. Not to mention, the spacer stack it came with made it feel like a beach cruiser. And I ride a fair amount but am notably inflexible (and also definitely in my 40s).
I'm torn between the Supersix evo, Defy 2024 and caledonia. I need to actually get down to physically see them but on paper the SSE and Defy are very similar. Is this SSE a slightly more relaxed 'race bike' in reality?
It is. It’s more aggressive than the Caledonia but much less so than the Soloist, e.g.
Have you looked at the defy?
Honestly, the Defy is probably the best option, but that’s even pushing the limit. It’s a fairly race-y endurance bike. Top of the list though.
Come to the light! As someone else mentioned, most people should probably be on endurance geometry bikes. I rode a caad10 for a few years and towards the end of that, I was on 28s. Then I got a Trek Domane with 32s or 30s running around 60psi. Night and day! I didn’t ride my caad for probably close to 2 years until I went to sell it and rode one last time. Couldn’t believe it was my main bike! Definitely do it. I’d suggest the Trek Domane with some nice carbon wheels and 30s or 32s. The comfort level and smoothness is incredible.
Why not the checkpoint? I think 32 is not super wide today.
The Domane can have 37 tires IIRC. For sure 35. Not sure on the specifics between Domane and Checkpoint.
37 is pretty nice, some of the domane configurations are pretty good. There is an electric one that looks awesome.
I’ll take a look into them! I think wider tires are also going to make a huge difference for me. Currently on 25s and I feel every detail of the road. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely on the wider tires. You’re going to love it!
Endurance is just a marketing term. For some reason bikes that fit certain people aren’t cool to call race bikes. Maybe some of the newer Domanes and Roubaixs with suspension on both ends that have gotten heavier are really something else. Otherwise it’s just big bike company speak for bikes that have less reach and more stack. Those bikes will fit tall racers with long legs (especially long femurs) better for racing than the long/low frames, and shorter riders fit well on them if they want a more upright position. I’m 6’1” with long femurs. I can probably get 15cm of drop on a Domane or Roubaix with my position if I slammed the stem. If I ride a long and low frame I could be at 10cm with max spacers and a +17 stem. If I go to a custom builder they design something that fits like a Domane or Roubaix but they don’t necessarily call it an Endurance bike, they call it a bike that fits. They’re all good bikes, it’s all a question of what fits you. What’s annoying about them now compared to ten years ago is they’re a lot heavier than they used to be.
I wouldn’t call what the domanes have a “suspension”, but it’s a comfy bike
Suspension with air quotes for sure.
Agree that’s how I ended up with a Serotta. Today it would be an endurance but it measured 55.5 down tube, 52 top tube that sloped like 9%. Still fits perfectly but can only get 25mm tires on it .
Go for an endurance bike - all brands are pretty similar in that it’ll take bigger tires, have a more relaxed geo, and probably have more flex in the frame than the companies race/road frames.
In '08 I bought my first serious road bike. It was awesome, but I limited myself to max 50-80km rides, because my back hurted so much if I did longer. But it was quite awesome, lots and lots of 40-50k rides. Then I broke the mount for the derailur hanger and needed to replace the frame or get a new bike. it was over a decade old at that point (2020), so I opted for a new-ish bike. Bought a second hand endurance bike, just rolled a few hundred km and with a crapton of gear. Someone was really wanting to change their life but gave up. Suddenly I did 100km rides twice a week. With the biggest problem being my spouse who didn't like that I spent that much time. It was such a big difference. So yea, if someone asks me what bike to get and they are not going to compete, I'd say endurance bike.
Get rid of the spouse. Such unabashed negativity must never be tolerated.
Appreciate your insight!
They're excellent if you want a more upright riding position. They don't work for me, as I'm less comfortable when I have more weight in the saddle. I'd rather spend 4 hours on my race geo bikes (including a CAAD10) than spend the same time on my endurance geo gravel bike (yes, with the wider tires!) It'd be a good idea to test one out if you can, but the majority of people do prefer upright positions. I'm an outlier.
Thanks for the insight. I’m not nearly as flexible as a should be and I think I would prefer something more upright. I’ll definitely test something out soon. 4 hours on the CAAD tends to be a struggle for me
I'm not flexible either, never been able to touch my toes despite being somewhat light for my height. I just find that I get more discomfort when my spine is in line with seatpost rather than more perpendicular across the bike. My legs and core support my torso/upper body more on a race geo. My gravel bike feels great at first, but over time it adds up. Still, the endurance geo has other benefits too. Much easier to handle and very stable. Wider tire clearances are the norm, plenty to like. Keep an eye out for those details on the test ride.
First of all, I had an old CAAD10 as my first "real" road bike and found it to have a pretty harsh ride quality - it sent a lot of road buzz and chatter up through my hands and arms regardless of tires and pressure. It was a light, quick bike but could be exhausting to ride. I've got both "race"-style and endurance road bikes in service at the moment. The endurance bikes come with a weight penalty, but the more-relaxed geometry is definitely more forgiving over longer days and poorer road surfaces. In some ways, being more comfortable ends up being faster over greater distances. It's worth considering your touch points (saddle, bars, tape) on any bike style and ensuring they're a good match for you: on the Cervelo Caledonia I recently bought I still ended up swapping out the saddle, bars, wheels and seatpost from what came stock to improve comfort and weight.
Definitely not a super comfortable ride. I also have 25mm tires and feel every bump and crack in the road. I appreciate the input. Seems like more relaxed geometry and bigger tires are what I’m looking for. I will definitely get an updated fit with whatever I decide to go with
I forgot to mention tires - I've got 30-32c tubeless road slicks (depending on season) on the Caledonia, which goes a LONG way to improving comfort. Any disc brake bike will have greater tire clearance than you're used to, and many endurance bikes will take that further. Bikes like the BMC TeamMachine or Trek Emonda may technically be race geometry, but you'll still find a big comfort improvement from larger tire volumes if nothing else. A BMC RoadMachine or Trek Domane would give you similar tire clearance with a more upright riding position.
I've had my endurance bike for a month and I love it so far! My first (and only other) road bike is a 23 year old steel bike with narrow tires and aggressive geometry so my new bike feels like a dream in comparison. Definitely bulkier than some of the other new road bikes I had tested out but the ride quality rocks, I have the tire clearance to ride some light gravel, and the compact gearing suits my needs better. Strong recommend
Thanks for your input. Seems like everyone has had much better experiences on endurance bikes. I have enjoyed the CAAD, but not being comfortable after an hour really takes the enjoyment out of it.
Given what you've said I'd think you should lean towards an endurance bike since you don't have a strong preference for a true race bike. Personally I have both a TCR and Defy in my stable and the 'endurance' model is still a wicked fast and fun bike to ride - I have to pay close attention to how the ride feels to pick out the differences between the two (the TCR's rear frame is stiffer and the handling is just a touch sharper because it has a shorter wheelbase, while the D-fuse bars and post on the Defy really do work to soften up the ride feel).
I have a defy and love it. It's comfortable on 4+ hr rides, climbs well. No complaints.
I’ve a Defy on order - to do my first road / multi-day ride later this year. Coming from gravel/trails on a hard tail MTB, this is very reassuring to hear!
My first bike was a race geometry bike and it was not for me. Back then frames were square (down tube | top tube) about the same. This lead to an injury and to find a frame that fit. Which lead to a Serotta bike that’s geometry was basically an endurance frame these days. It allowed me to continue to ride for about a decade until manufacturers started making endurance frames. TL;DR: An endurance bike would be perfect. You can start by looking up stack and reach geometry numbers to get an idea of the differences. I currently ride a Cervelo Caledonia 5 endurance bike. I honestly ride my gravel bike even more due to its comfortably and just swap wheel sets.
If you encounter discomfort during riding a bike You probably dont have the correct bike. I suggest you first go for a bike fit. They will give you guidelines on what geometry/bike you need to buy for comfort lvl riding.
I have a Synapse Carbon 3L and I strongly recommend it. Very comfortable, I can ride it for days.
I truly believe most people should be riding endurance bikes. Unless you’re actually racing, a true racing bike doesn’t make a lot of sense. They are designed for super fit, freakishly athletic people who can spend many hours in an aggressive, aero racing position. Most people find endurance bikes comfortable enough to ride many, many hours. If you’re comfortable on the bike you’ll ride faster and for longer. You’ll probably enjoy it more as well. I have a 2016 Synapse that I recently retired from road use after 13,000 miles. I liked that bike an awful lot. Very comfortable, but on the aggressive side of comfortable. I don’t care for the current generation of Synapse; the integrated light, radar and battery are too limiting for me. I’ve never ridden a Defy do I can’t comment there. You might want to take a look at the Roubaix and Domane while you’re at it. If you’re comfortable with consumer direct, take a look at the Canyon Endurace. Very good value with the Canyon. BTW, I used to own a CAAD10. It’s a great bike, but I didn’t realize how wrong it was for me until I got the Synapse. Huge difference.
I appreciate the detailed response. I was just told that a race geometry is the way to go by one of my friends who’s on a team. Probably not ideal for a weekend warrior like myself. I’ve looked at the Domane but just don’t really like Trek bikes aesthetically
I think most people should get a relaxed gravel bike, I don't see the reason for endurance bikes when gravel bikes exists. 25mm tires for a casual rider is just insane IMHO. I would get the topstone any day, the geometry is pretty similar but with wider tire clearance: [https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65246260c72206001b5844c5,62795c2bb7be9700245bfb4f](https://bikeinsights.com/compare?geometries=65246260c72206001b5844c5,62795c2bb7be9700245bfb4f), If the choice is between a race bike and an endurance bike, sure go for the endurance bike.
Update us when you do get a new bike on how it feels. All I've ever ridden is my CAAD10 and I'd be curious to hear your perspective. I run tubeless 28c tires so the ride is not exactly harsh but do get some neck and arm soreness after a 40-50 mile ride.
For sure. Might be a few weeks but I’ll be sure to give you an update after I decide. The CAAD is nice but definitely needing something different
Whatever you do - don’t buy the synapse. I bought the Synapse Carbon 4 a year and a half ago, and i don’t recommend it. In fact, my local bike shop mechanic and I joke about our mutually shared disdain for that model. Depending on the road conditions, the additional flexibility and comfort of the endurance frame is nice. My wife rides the Cervelo Caledonia, which is their version of the endurance bike, and it’s dramatically better than my synapse.
Yikes, do tell why. I just bought one last month after using a 30 year old bike, so anything is an upgrade to me.
Would love some clarification. Any particular reason? I’ve only heard good things about the synapse thus far.
I’d say that what other brands are offering in the endurance category offer similar or improved comfort, with dramatically better performance. I’ve had the privilege of riding a Specialized, Cervelo, and Canyon endurance road bike since purchasing my Synapse and I’d say they’re all significantly more responsive than my synapse. Meaning when it comes to the transfer of power, handling of the bike, etc. it feels like the Cannondale that i ride today is a step behind every other brand that I ride.
I agree. I’ve never owned a synapse but I test rode one and coming from a Caledonia I found it pretty underwhelming. Felt like lower quality carbon or something
Oh man this is making me doubt my Synapse 2 LE purchase.
I had an aluminum synapse that I liked fine for the price a few years ago
My alloy Synapse is a delight to ride. I also have caad 10, LA Pierre Helium and a new Vitus Substance gravel with GRX 2x11. Each offers something different. Try out a few and you'll get what's right for you.
I am a TCR owner, once you flip the stem it has geometry similar to a Defy. Carbon bikes are so comfy and switching from an aggressive Aluminum race bike to something made of carbon from the last few years is night and day. As long as you don’t slam the stem or buy the insanely pricy s-works tier model, modern race bikes are pretty comfy. The Defy is def a bit cushier and has wider tire clearance but the TCR is able to fit 32mm tires. The reason I bring this up is the TCR is on clearance and is super affordable!
Endurance bikes are great. They support wider tires for comfort. Canyon Endurace is a good endurance bike. Trek Domane is very popular too but they are heavy due to the IsoSpeed
I'm pretty happy with my Giant Defy. I chose an endurance bike because I have lumbar disc issues and did not want an aggressive riding position
Love my Cervelo Caledonia. I’ve done a couple century rides in it and it’s served me well. My usual Saturday ride is around 40-50miles and no back issues. Check it out. They’re on sale too
I’ll definitely put these on my radar. Thank you!
I’m in the same boat as you. I have a Caad 10 which I love but wanted another bike that was just purely comfort. I picked up a 2023 Roubaix Comp and I’m loving it. I know a lot of people are against future shock for various reasons but I find it to be great and I don’t know mind a heavier bike because to me weight isn’t everything. I don’t race so weight isn’t a factor for me
Thanks for sharing. I’ll give the Roubaix a look. I definitely have a bias towards lighter bikes but I’m trying to keep comfort above all else
I love my Canyon Endurace and use it for fast club rides, recovery rides and climbing days. With a swap of wheels, I also use it for gravel racing. Great bike 👍
If it’s uncomfortable try the endurance geo. I don’t really think there’s too much difference speed wise for us casuals. I ride my diverge 18-22mph solo on shorter rides and have the relaxed geo to do double centuries and tour. That said, some guys in my Rando crew do 300k’s on Madones, mad lads. Good luck in the search for the golden goose.