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Do I want an Endurance bike?

  • 29-01-2018 11:07am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭


    I've been thinking of a (and actually may have the means) to buy a Canyon Endurace (disc) but the closer it comes to a reality the more I question it.

    I like the look of the bike and the spec but my lust for carbon has cooled so I started thinking about the AL version (maybe with Ultegra instead of 105) but now I've started wondering do I really want another endurance bike given that my Winter steed and general purpose workhorse is a Croix de Fer?

    My current "good" /summer bike is a budget Aluminium frame that is very much on the more traditional Road = Racing bike side of things (Tifosi CK3) and I'm very happy on that Geometry, the areas I'd like to develop from it are a slightly more lively response and bigger tyre clearance as it's relatively light for 100kg me (a hair over 10kg w two bidons) so weight savings on the frame are more or less academic.

    OTOH I have no interest in racing and sportives, Audax and club spins are what will be asked of any new bike, I'm now convinced that 28mm tyres are more than enough for Wicklow roads and find that while the CdF is a fine steed, when I'm on it I miss the responsiveness of my (stiff lightweight aluminium singlesspeed and the relvative nimbleness of the Tifosi (which does however feel like it sucks up a lot more of my energy than the singlesped (which I believe was a top end frame-set of 20 years ago) or the Bianchi Intrepida I spent two weeks on last summer (which definitely didn't transform me as a climber but definitely accentuated the things I'm already fairly good at).

    So suddenly on the eve of being finally able to go for the Canyon I'm vacillating back towards something like a CAAD12.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,373 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu


    It sounds to me like you need some titanium in your life :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,033 ✭✭✭irishrover99


    Its like you've been watching my internet browsing history over the weekend and created a thread for me.
    I'm looking at nearly the same two bike, the CAAD 12 105 or the Canyon Ultimate AL SLX 8.0.

    I know they are not exactly the same geometry but i feel i'll be comfortable on both and i'm just really weighing it up on value now.

    Last years Caad 12 105 can be got on the net for about 1200 in size 54, while the Canyon is nearly 1700 but with better parts.

    From everything i've watched or read, the CAAD 12 frame seems to be amazing for a ALU frame and for nearly a 500 euro saving over getting Ultegra and Cosmic wheels, which i'd probably change for my Zonda's anyway, i'm leaning towards the Cannondale


    And this years CAAD 12 colours are a bit iffy TBH.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    iwillhtfu wrote: »
    It sounds to me like you need some titanium in your life :D


    I actually spent last weekend looking at the few in budget titanium options (just PX really) in the end I decided that budget titanium was too much of an uknown quantity (reviews of the PX bikes other than Pickenflick are scarce and most bikes seemed more in the CDFs remit than a "summer" bike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone




    And this years CAAD 12 colours are a bit iffy TBH.

    I hate when that happens.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,033 ✭✭✭irishrover99


    I hate when that happens.

    That's why i'm leaning towards last years version.
    It's much nicer.

    https://www.aquabluesport.com/cannondale-caad12-105


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  • Posts: 5,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I've had my eye on a Cannondale for a while, but there's one thing that really really pisses me off with Cannondale and several other manufacturers.

    If you are putting Ultegra, or 105 or whatever groupset on a bike, then put that groupset on, don't save a few quid by sticking your on own branded or FSA crankset just to save a few quid on the build cost.

    it may be that the Cannondale crank is better, but in my eyes, it doesn't look as good and lets face it, looking good is big factor in buying a bike.

    /rant


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,258 ✭✭✭deandean


    OP I am in the same boat. But I am looking at the Trek Domane AL, mainly 'cos it'll take mudguards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,300 ✭✭✭CantGetNoSleep


    Aegir wrote: »
    I've had my eye on a Cannondale for a while, but there's one thing that really really pisses me off with Cannondale and several other manufacturers.

    If you are putting Ultegra, or 105 or whatever groupset on a bike, then put that groupset on, don't save a few quid by sticking your on own branded or FSA crankset just to save a few quid on the build cost.

    it may be that the Cannondale crank is better, but in my eyes, it doesn't look as good and lets face it, looking good is big factor in buying a bike.

    /rant

    Agree with you but thought it was something to do with their specific BB?


  • Posts: 5,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I've been thinking of a (and actually may have the means) to buy a Canyon Endurace (disc) but the closer it comes to a reality the more I question it.

    I like the look of the bike and the spec but my lust for carbon has cooled so I started thinking about the AL version (maybe with Ultegra instead of 105) but now I've started wondering do I really want another endurance bike given that my Winter steed and general purpose workhorse is a Croix de Fer?

    My current "good" /summer bike is a budget Aluminium frame that is very much on the more traditional Road = Racing bike side of things (Tifosi CK3) and I'm very happy on that Geometry, the areas I'd like to develop from it are a slightly more lively response and bigger tyre clearance as it's relatively light for 100kg me (a hair over 10kg w two bidons) so weight savings on the frame are more or less academic.

    OTOH I have no interest in racing and sportives, Audax and club spins are what will be asked of any new bike, I'm now convinced that 28mm tyres are more than enough for Wicklow roads and find that while the CdF is a fine steed, when I'm on it I miss the responsiveness of my (stiff lightweight aluminium singlesspeed and the relvative nimbleness of the Tifosi (which does however feel like it sucks up a lot more of my energy than the singlesped (which I believe was a top end frame-set of 20 years ago) or the Bianchi Intrepida I spent two weeks on last summer (which definitely didn't transform me as a climber but definitely accentuated the things I'm already fairly good at).

    So suddenly on the eve of being finally able to go for the Canyon I'm vacillating back towards something like a CAAD12.

    Will the Tifosi not take 28mm tyres?

    If it does, have you considered just upgrading that instead?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Aegir wrote: »
    Will the Tifosi not take 28mm tyres?

    If it does, have you considered just upgrading that instead?

    1. No.

    2. The tyres aren't why I want to upgrade.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 815 ✭✭✭1bryan


    In my experience, people who open threads like this want to be told yes. so,

    YES, you want one.

    (Canyon ftw)


  • Posts: 5,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    1. No.

    2. The tyres aren't why I want to upgrade.

    I just asked because i have a similar bike to yours by the sounds of things and I have just stuck a pair of Fulcrum racing 5s on her. It feels like a new bike now and i am considering upgrading from Sora to 105.

    OK, this will end up costing me €700ish on a bike i paid €600 for, but I do love the bike and due to space and school fees, I'm not able to go for the N+1 option :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,942 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    I'd take a CAAD12 over the Canyon and pocket the difference on some tasty bits & bobs....or (inserts novel idea) just keep the €500 for getting on with life :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Aegir wrote: »
    I just asked because i have a similar bike to yours by the sounds of things and I have just stuck a pair of Fulcrum racing 5s on her. It feels like a new bike now and i am considering upgrading from Sora to 105.

    OK, this will end up costing me €700ish on a bike i paid €600 for, but I do love the bike and due to space and school fees, I'm not able to go for the N+1 option :D

    Tifosi has been with me for 6 years now and has been upgraded in every way except the frameset ( the origninal gruppo was a Veloce / Miche mix that I gradually made thoroughbred Campagnolo)

    I can't N+1 either, Tifosi will have to be rehomed as part of the process.

    One other cost saving measure on the Tifosi seems to have been the paint which aged and got damaged faster than any other bike I've owned (maybe it's just a result of being white).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 718 ✭✭✭gaffmaster


    The main difference between 105 and Ultegra is 253g (full groupsets - source). It probably only makes sense to get Ultegra if you're shaving weight all over the bike too - lighter wheels/frameset etc.

    What has caused your lust for carbon to cool? If you already have a steel bike and an Alu bike, surely you have room for carbon in your life too?


  • Posts: 5,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Tifosi has been with me for 6 years now and has been upgraded in every way except the frameset ( the origninal gruppo was a Veloce / Miche mix that I gradually made thoroughbred Campagnolo)

    I can't N+1 either, Tifosi will have to be rehomed as part of the process.

    One other cost saving measure on the Tifosi seems to have been the paint which aged and got damaged faster than any other bike I've owned (maybe it's just a result of being white).

    aah, ok. Sounds like your are where I will likely be in a few years time.

    My Forme is white as well. It looks good, but a pain in the arse to maintain


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Yeah, to be fair Ultegra was never really more than a flight of fancy based largely on having nicer looking IMO levers.

    Carbon...well I do wonder about its brittleness, I know it's ridden in tough conditions without failing and people have decade old CF bikes. But I am a giant orgre that breaks things so I'm more worried about damaging the bike when I'm not riding it.

    Also there are environmental issues about carbon production which bothers me ( https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/mar/22/carbon-fibre-wonder-material-dirty-secret ) especially as Taiwanese / Mainlaind china manufacturers apparently view it as "Ocean Fill".

    These arguments could be made about most mass manufacturing but it bothers me more when it's just a "for the sake of it" purchase in my case.

    That's why I started looking at Titanium initially.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,520 ✭✭✭Alek


    An interesting piece about Carbon and environment. Makes me even more pro-metal :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 315 ✭✭rodneyTrotter.


    I’m currently running a 2017 caad12 105 rim version with 28mm tyres . I’m going to ugrade to the new ultegra so I’ll probably just switch bikes soon to the caad 12 ultegra . No intention of swapping to carbon or whatever
    I hear people talking about how aggressive it is but to me it’s really comfortable all-round bike and the great thing is i can just swap wheels if I want to race and also ride it all winter


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,699 ✭✭✭Brian




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,033 ✭✭✭irishrover99


    Anyone heard of this crowd. Bunnyhop.de
    https://www.bunnyhop.de/en/product?action_ms=1&info=37298


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Brian wrote: »

    Legend has it that the title CAAD12 comes from being 2% less Euro than the CAAD10


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,792 ✭✭✭cython


    Anyone heard of this crowd. Bunnyhop.de
    https://www.bunnyhop.de/en/product?action_ms=1&info=37298

    Several posts on the forum here with good feedback if you use the search for bunnyhop.de ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,373 ✭✭✭iwillhtfu




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,033 ✭✭✭irishrover99




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭mirrormatrix


    That Canyon Endurance AL looks absolutely gorgeous!

    OP, I've been looking at an endurance bike for general commuting purposes and possibly some longer distance stuff as well, so am interested to know why you've gone off the Canyon. Do you think that the Croix de Fer is a better bike? Or just more suited to being a general workhorse?

    Looked at the Croix de Fer at one point for commuting, but it seems to be really expensive for what you get. The Tiagra version comes in at around EUR 1500!


  • Posts: 5,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    £765 when you check out but only in size 58:mad:

    aah, I didn't realise that. they show it in 56cm as well, but out of stock when you try and put it in your basket. :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    That Canyon Endurance AL looks absolutely gorgeous!

    OP, I've been looking at an endurance bike for general commuting purposes and possibly some longer distance stuff as well, so am interested to know why you've gone off the Canyon. Do you think that the Croix de Fer is a better bike? Or just more suited to being a general workhorse?

    Looked at the Croix de Fer at one point for commuting, but it seems to be really expensive for what you get. The Tiagra version comes in at around EUR 1500!

    Because I already own the Croix de Fer


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭mirrormatrix


    Because I already own the Croix de Fer

    Sorry, I got that from your original post. What I meant was, the Canyon Endurance seems an obvious replacement for the Croix de Fer. Whereas the CAAD12 seems to be a replacement for another bike entirely?

    Did you plan on getting the Canyon Endurance as a replacement for the Croix de Fer and then decide that you already had a bike that ticked all those boxes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Sorry, I got that from your original post. What I meant was, the Canyon Endurance seems an obvious replacement for the Croix de Fer. Whereas the CAAD12 seems to be a replacement for another bike entirely?

    Did you plan on getting the Canyon Endurance as a replacement for the Croix de Fer and then decide that you already had a bike that ticked all those boxes?

    The CDF is my forever bike. It's my budget aluminium road bike that's on the chopping block


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,830 ✭✭✭doozerie


    I predict that this post will be no help at all, it will simply add to your tally of questions. With that in mind, are you willing to read it? (There, I've started already!).

    I think you've seen NamelessPhil's audax bike, so the following might have some more relevance for you. I built that bike for her a few years back. I started out knowing that I wanted it to be a bike well suited to audax but what that actually means was hard to define. She already had a race-oriented RoseBikes aluminium road bike (they are another brand to consider, by the way, arguably they are today where Canyon were a few years back in terms of price versus value - they don't have the same reputation Canyon has, but then neither did Canyon back then), and it seemed that the limitations of that bike from an audax point of view where: it had race geometry, limited tyre clearance, no mudguard eyelets, no pannier rack eyelets, and the question of whether aluminium would be too harsh for looong (and multi-day) rides.

    Some of this is very subjective but here are some of the decisions, and further questions, we ended up with:

    * We ruled out aluminium. I wouldn't if I were in your shoes though as the reality is that the harshness of a frame is as much down to design, fit, etc., as the raw material. As an example, I've read great things written by some people about the Cannondale Synapse alu bike (another bike to consider perhaps?), the Canyon Ultimate AL (race bike), and the Bianchi Ultremo (race bike) too. It's a personal thing though, and some people don't like aluminium or will just never see it as anything other than a rigid material that gives good power transfer but will rattle you to bits. In sort, a good aluminium frame might be well suited to your needs.

    We went with a titanium frame (with carbon forks) but bear in mind that titanium has a poor reputation too in terms of environmental impact, last time I read anything about it anyway.

    * If you are using it for audax events, consider what the bike may be subjected to. NamelessPhil has had to transport her audax bike by boat, train, and bus at various times. And because she has typically been riding to and from events, she has ridden to the boat/train/bus and therefore the bike has never been packaged/boxed up in transit. It has picked up a few knocks along the way, with some minor damage and dings to the mudguards in particular. Personally I wouldn't want to subject a carbon frameset to the risk of stowing it in the hold of a bus (in particular) where the driver and other passengers are likely to be less concerned or informed of the need to be careful with it. Steel, titanium, and aluminium framesets can all be damaged too of course, but there is some less risk there.

    * As the bike industry gives itself a hernia trying to introduce more and more categories of bike that we all "need", I struggle more and more to see a difference between many of them. I'd consider any bike labelled "cyclo-cross" as a valid candidate as an "endurance" bike. Of course, very race-oriented CX frames might be too aggressive for long hours in the saddle.

    * Her dynamo hub has been essential for some of her events, so I'd recommend budgeting for a decent dynamo hub built into a decent rim. You can pay as little or as much for a dynamo hub these days as you like. Her one is a Son and it has been flawlessly reliable, but you don't need to budget for that to get a good one. And pair it with a decent pair of lights - a USB port is a good option too so that you can charge your phone on long events. Last time I checked there were not many lights that came with a USB port, NamelessPhil's is a B&M and she has been very happy with it but it's at the pricier end of the scale too.

    * For audax you'll likely want mudguards. And because you won't want to have to wrestle with them at 2am on a cold wet night when you still have 100km to cover, you'll want the most robust and least fussy mudguards you can get. I have CrudRacers on my winter bike and I really like them, they'll fit on a wide range of bikes but I occasionally have to adjust them by hand a little mid-ride, and on even slightly gritty roads you end up with a bit of noise from grit sticking to the tyre and scraping off the mudguard - on a 4hr winter ride these are minor annoyances, but I reckon that on an 8hr+ audax event they would make me absolutely psychotic as I grew more tired and the wind picked up and home seemed further and further away. I appreciate that not everyone is as sensitive a soul as me though, but for the safety of your own mental health and the safety of those around you, get a frame with mudguard eyelets and fit decent "permanent" mudguards such as SKS.

    * If you are doing multi-day events will you like/need a pannier rack? If so, look for a frame with eyelets for one. You can attach racks to seatpost or seatstays too of course, there are lots of options there, but for peace of mind it's hard to beat attaching a decent rack to solid and robust mount points that are built into the frame structure/design.

    * If you are certain that 28mm is as wide as you want to go for tyres then that's an important choice made. NamelessPhil uses 25mm but her frame could take 28mm and her mudguards could too just about. Personally I think it's good to have the option. In terms of performance that's a topic of heated debate but some people consider 28mm as being the optimum mix of comfort, grip, and rolling resistance.

    * Disc versus rim brakes. Daddy or chips. You mention disc so I assume that's your preference. Again, with audax in mind, you should consider in your choice how easy any brakes (disc or rim) are to adjust on the road. I put Avid BB7 on NamelessPhil's bike and while I don't ride that bike I can certainly say that from maintaining and servicing both her and my bikes that they are superior to the Hayes CX-Expert on my commute bike - as an example, you can adjust both pads in/out on the BB7 by hand (it's a bugger to do the inner/fix one by hand, admittedly, but do-able if you have strong thumbs and otherwise easy with a single torx key) so you could adjust for at least some cable slack on the side of the road without having to resort to undoing the cable bolt, pulling the cable, and re-doing bolt. That's a small benefit on a nice summer afternoon at the side of the road, but potentially the difference between sanity and a rage-induced murderous rampage in the middle of the night. (I should mention that I have anger issues that make me see things in a slightly different light to many people...)

    * Just on the topic of Ultegra versus 105 as components, my personal experience is that Ultegra parts last longer. So I choose Ultegra every time for that reason, I never really care about the weight difference. (But that's for NamelessPhil's bikes, I use Campag for my own bikes :) ).

    ...but all that said, why do you want to do audax anyway, sure they're feckin' nuts that lot! :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    doozerie wrote: »
    I predict that this post will be no help at all, it will simply add to your tally of questions. With that in mind, are you willing to read it? (There, I've started already!).

    I think you've seen NamelessPhil's audax bike, so the following might have some more relevance for you. I built that bike for her a few years back. I started out knowing that I wanted it to be a bike well suited to audax but what that actually means was hard to define. She already had a race-oriented RoseBikes aluminium road bike (they are another brand to consider, by the way, arguably they are today where Canyon were a few years back in terms of price versus value - they don't have the same reputation Canyon has, but then neither did Canyon back then), and it seemed that the limitations of that bike from an audax point of view where: it had race geometry, limited tyre clearance, no mudguard eyelets, no pannier rack eyelets, and the question of whether aluminium would be too harsh for looong (and multi-day) rides.

    Some of this is very subjective but here are some of the decisions, and further questions, we ended up with:

    * We ruled out aluminium. I wouldn't if I were in your shoes though as the reality is that the harshness of a frame is as much down to design, fit, etc., as the raw material. As an example, I've read great things written by some people about the Cannondale Synapse alu bike (another bike to consider perhaps?), the Canyon Ultimate AL (race bike), and the Bianchi Ultremo (race bike) too. It's a personal thing though, and some people don't like aluminium or will just never see it as anything other than a rigid material that gives good power transfer but will rattle you to bits. In sort, a good aluminium frame might be well suited to your needs.

    We went with a titanium frame (with carbon forks) but bear in mind that titanium has a poor reputation too in terms of environmental impact, last time I read anything about it anyway.

    * If you are using it for audax events, consider what the bike may be subjected to. NamelessPhil has had to transport her audax bike by boat, train, and bus at various times. And because she has typically been riding to and from events, she has ridden to the boat/train/bus and therefore the bike has never been packaged/boxed up in transit. It has picked up a few knocks along the way, with some minor damage and dings to the mudguards in particular. Personally I wouldn't want to subject a carbon frameset to the risk of stowing it in the hold of a bus (in particular) where the driver and other passengers are likely to be less concerned or informed of the need to be careful with it. Steel, titanium, and aluminium framesets can all be damaged too of course, but there is some less risk there.

    * As the bike industry gives itself a hernia trying to introduce more and more categories of bike that we all "need", I struggle more and more to see a difference between many of them. I'd consider any bike labelled "cyclo-cross" as a valid candidate as an "endurance" bike. Of course, very race-oriented CX frames might be too aggressive for long hours in the saddle.

    * Her dynamo hub has been essential for some of her events, so I'd recommend budgeting for a decent dynamo hub built into a decent rim. You can pay as little or as much for a dynamo hub these days as you like. Her one is a Son and it has been flawlessly reliable, but you don't need to budget for that to get a good one. And pair it with a decent pair of lights - a USB port is a good option too so that you can charge your phone on long events. Last time I checked there were not many lights that came with a USB port, NamelessPhil's is a B&M and she has been very happy with it but it's at the pricier end of the scale too.

    * For audax you'll likely want mudguards. And because you won't want to have to wrestle with them at 2am on a cold wet night when you still have 100km to cover, you'll want the most robust and least fussy mudguards you can get. I have CrudRacers on my winter bike and I really like them, they'll fit on a wide range of bikes but I occasionally have to adjust them by hand a little mid-ride, and on even slightly gritty roads you end up with a bit of noise from grit sticking to the tyre and scraping off the mudguard - on a 4hr winter ride these are minor annoyances, but I reckon that on an 8hr+ audax event they would make me absolutely psychotic as I grew more tired and the wind picked up and home seemed further and further away. I appreciate that not everyone is as sensitive a soul as me though, but for the safety of your own mental health and the safety of those around you, get a frame with mudguard eyelets and fit decent "permanent" mudguards such as SKS.

    * If you are doing multi-day events will you like/need a pannier rack? If so, look for a frame with eyelets for one. You can attach racks to seatpost or seatstays too of course, there are lots of options there, but for peace of mind it's hard to beat attaching a decent rack to solid and robust mount points that are built into the frame structure/design.

    * If you are certain that 28mm is as wide as you want to go for tyres then that's an important choice made. NamelessPhil uses 25mm but her frame could take 28mm and her mudguards could too just about. Personally I think it's good to have the option. In terms of performance that's a topic of heated debate but some people consider 28mm as being the optimum mix of comfort, grip, and rolling resistance.

    * Disc versus rim brakes. Daddy or chips. You mention disc so I assume that's your preference. Again, with audax in mind, you should consider in your choice how easy any brakes (disc or rim) are to adjust on the road. I put Avid BB7 on NamelessPhil's bike and while I don't ride that bike I can certainly say that from maintaining and servicing both her and my bikes that they are superior to the Hayes CX-Expert on my commute bike - as an example, you can adjust both pads in/out on the BB7 by hand (it's a bugger to do the inner/fix one by hand, admittedly, but do-able if you have strong thumbs and otherwise easy with a single torx key) so you could adjust for at least some cable slack on the side of the road without having to resort to undoing the cable bolt, pulling the cable, and re-doing bolt. That's a small benefit on a nice summer afternoon at the side of the road, but potentially the difference between sanity and a rage-induced murderous rampage in the middle of the night. (I should mention that I have anger issues that make me see things in a slightly different light to many people...)

    * Just on the topic of Ultegra versus 105 as components, my personal experience is that Ultegra parts last longer. So I choose Ultegra every time for that reason, I never really care about the weight difference. (But that's for NamelessPhil's bikes, I use Campag for my own bikes :) ).

    ...but all that said, why do you want to do audax anyway, sure they're feckin' nuts that lot! :pac:

    Yeah but anything over 200k is the Croix De Fer's gig.

    The question I've been asking isn't what Endurance Bike it's if an endurance road bike is just too close in character to the Croix De Fer seeing as it's a replacement for my other bike which is a fairly aggressive road machine.

    All things being equal I'll be doing a 200 on my also very aggressive and responsive (and noticeably lighter) singlespeed on Saturday.

    Perhaps that will answer my question better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,830 ✭✭✭doozerie


    If you plan to use the Croix De Fer for stuff over 200km then it sounds like you are sorted for an endurance bike. And it sounds like your singlespeed suits your purposes for 200km and less. And your Tifosi should be more than adequate for any 200km and under rides where you want gears (unless its gear range is a limiter).

    So the question is what gap you are trying to fill. Of course, there is nothing wrong with buying a bike even if it's not going to fill a particular gap, "because it'll just be fun to ride" is plenty reason enough.

    Personally, if I was looking at an endurance bike it would be because I wanted a workhorse. I'd want to fit 25mm tyres to it sometimes and 28mm for those times where I wanted the extra comfort or extra puncture resistance. I'd want it to take full mudguards for the winter. I might want it to take a pannier rack in case I ever decided to do some touring again. I'd stick on a dynamo hub and lights, mostly for winter training or very long rides. I'd want it to be flexible enough to provide a range of gears according to what I wanted to do - so maybe compact chainrings for hilly rides (or just a larger cassette and a medium/long cage rear mech if needed), and standard chainrings when I wanted a narrower range (or just a narrower range cassette).

    At that stage it would replace my winter bike, because it would provide everything I'd need for winter training and more besides. But then again, I don't do audax so it's extremely rare for me to do a ride of over 200km, and my current winter bike (titanium) and my race bike (carbon Canyon) are perfectly fine for rides up to 200km.

    So here is another option to consider, replace your Tifosi with a new race bike, one that makes for a faster and more responsive ride than your Croix de Fer and is also comfortable enough for long-ish rides. I've been highly impressed with my Canyon Ultimate CF for 8 years now, if that's any help. Of course, if your Tifosi already ticks those boxes then it's a harder choice and maybe you'd be better off looking at putting the money elsewhere e.g. new wheels, new groupset, new kit, dynamo hub wheel, or anything that adds to the fun of using any of your bikes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Just looking to fill the hole in my heart...

    Nah, CDF is about to get 105 and has been steadily upgrading but since I've done all of one Audax and two 200s to date hub dynamos hadn't really come onto my radar yet.

    Tifosi is a bit bendy around the BB compared to my brief carbon fibre experience (I didn't fall in love with my rental bianchi) and 20 year old alu racing framed Singlespeed.

    That's really the only performance issue. Otherwise it's paint damage and rim wear.


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,812 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Just a thought, but given your interest in mucking about with bikes as well as riding them, would you get more pleasure from building your ideal bike and having something unique rather than buying one? Much as I love my Rose, I sometimes find it a bit soulless by comparison to my old Ridley hack that I've rebuilt however many times. Getting a new bike that didn't need any tweaking felt a bit anti-climactic.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,812 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    doozerie wrote: »
    I think you've seen NamelessPhil's audax bike

    Now that is one lovely bike. Well built that man.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    doozerie wrote: »
    * If you are certain that 28mm is as wide as you want to go for tyres then that's an important choice made. NamelessPhil uses 25mm but her frame could take 28mm and her mudguards could too just about. Personally I think it's good to have the option. In terms of performance that's a topic of heated debate but some people consider 28mm as being the optimum mix of comfort, grip, and rolling resistance.
    I, OTOH, being somewhat larger than NamelessPhil much prefer the 35mm tyres. I'm around 94kg with another 20kg of loaded for audax bike.
    * as an example, you can adjust both pads in/out on the BB7 by hand (it's a bugger to do the inner/fix one by hand, admittedly, but do-able if you have strong thumbs and otherwise easy with a single torx key) so you could adjust for at least some cable slack on the side of the road without having to resort to undoing the cable bolt, pulling the cable, and re-doing bolt.
    For info, you're not supposed to adjust the cable on the BB7 at all after initial setup/cable stretch. The caliper adjustment covers the full range of pad wear.
    ...but all that said, why do you want to do audax anyway, sure they're feckin' nuts that lot! :pac:
    But sure you wouldn't have us any other way...
    smacl wrote: »
    Now that is one lovely bike. Well built that man.
    Well ridden also. NamelessPhil is into her fifth RRTY at this stage and has clocked up some serious mileage on that self-same bike.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,479 ✭✭✭rollingscone


    Well. I decided to forego the option of a new bike and put the money in savings.

    But the lesson of today is that I do ever get to replace Tifosi it'll be with a race bike (Still not going to race though)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Well. I decided to forego the option of a new bike and put the money in savings.

    But the lesson of today is that I do ever get to replace Tifosi it'll be with a race bike (Still not going to race though)

    If that's the case get a TCR, absolutely fantastic at downhill cornering....


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