Race Bikes With Large Tire Clearance

harringtonp

I'm looking for a bike which will primarily be used on road in winter but has enough tire clearance that I can put on a different set of wheels and explore gravel with friends. It should also be racy enough that it serves as a backup race bike by putting on light wheels. And there's a budget of course. I don't mind whether its labelled a "road" or "gravel" bike once these requirements are met

- Hydraulic disc brakes

- Ability to take most 32mm tires with enough clearance that you're not getting rub when pushing hard. Even better if it could fit some 35mm tires..

- Chainring with at least 48 teeth so you're not spinning madly when the speed on the road is high. This likely means double chainrings as I've yet to see a single with 48 or higher.

- Tubeless ready wheels and preferably shipped with tubeless tires

- Ability to get the weight between 8.0 and 8.5kg (without pedals) by fitting a light enough wheelset (1500g) with light tubeless tires (e.g. Schwalbe Pro One) and possibly swapping for a light saddle (which means a preference for a standard saddle post)

- Compatibility with an 4iii Ultegra left crank arm power meter (so looking at Shimano crankset)

- And finally coming in price wise not more than 3000 EUR

Perhaps a lot to ask for but are there any bikes out there that fit these criteria ?

CantGetNoSleep

Giant Defy might be worth looking at - think it ships with 32mm tubeless as standard (although I haven't been too impressed with the Cadex tubeless tires on my TCR)

Paul Kiernan

I think the Specialized Roubaix Sport ticks most of those boxes.

harringtonp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Giant Defy might be worth looking at - think it ships with 32mm tubeless as standard (although I haven't been too impressed with the Cadex tubeless tires on my TCR)

Yes looking at

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and most requirement would be matched. I see that the crankset is Shimano FC-RS510, 34/50 and that with a L frame size they use 175mm crank arm lengths. I would be optimistic that I could put my 4iii ultegra left arm PM onto this crankset but would need to check it out ?

One big omission on their site is the overall weight. Rose/Canyon make their weights very obvious and when a manufacturer doesn't I'm always slightly weary.

Can anyone verify the weight of a bike in this range ?

G1032

If you need it as a back up race bike will you not need at least a 52 ring?

harringtonp

Paul Kiernan wrote: »

I think the Specialized Roubaix Sport ticks most of those boxes.

An initial look at

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/roubaix-sport/p/170245?color=&searchText=94420-6144

and they do mention taking a 33mm tire (where do you buy 33mm, thought 32 and then 35). But it also shows a praxis alba crankset. In addition to my 4iii power meter I have an older P2M powermeter with a 24mm spindle and 53/39 rotor chainset but am not sure either would be compatible with the bike. I'd like to be able to ride with power on any new bike without having to buy a third PM.

Also they don't list weight. Their first reviewer enthuses over the light weight but 9kg is not my idea of light.... my current race bike is 7.5kg with pedals, cages and 50mm deep section wheels and while I don't expect this from a new purchase I'd be hoping for under 9kg.

"You will fall in love with this bike! It's crazy lightweight and crazy fast, only 9.08 kg!! I've had this bike for a week now and we've racked up about 100 miles getting to know each other and I couldn't be more excited, this is a great bike and a good value. The frame is insanely light and aero,"

Tony04

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

harringtonp

G1032 wrote: »

If you need it as a back up race bike will you not need at least a 52 ring?

Being racing years now and at A3 level I've never had the feeling of spinning out. I do ride with 53/11 but am very confident 50/11 would be no problem and suspect that even a 48/11 on a twin chainring gravel bike would be enough for the majority of races at that level. Just look at the ratio juniors ride. Back up for me means it doesn't have to be ideal, just adequate,

Paul Kiernan

harringtonp wrote: »

"You will fall in love with this bike! It's crazy lightweight and crazy fast, only 9.08 kg!! I've had this bike for a week now and we've racked up about 100 miles getting to know each other and I couldn't be more excited, this is a great bike and a good value. The frame is insanely light and aero,"

:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

Ok, I'd forgotten it was all 105 except the cranks. The frame is however very light. As I remember their top S-works frame is only 700g with 200g more for the bouncy Future Shock stem. It's Fact 11R carbon. All the other models are Fact 10R carbon and I think only 50g heavier but I could be wrong. Current models also have a more aggressive race geometry than the traditional Roubaix.

G1032

harringtonp wrote: »

Being racing years now and at A3 level I've never had the feeling of spinning out. I do ride with 53/11 but am very confident 50/11 would be no problem and suspect that even a 48/11 on a twin chainring gravel bike would be enough for the majority of races at that level. Just look at the ratio juniors ride. Back up for me means it doesn't have to be ideal, just adequate,

Fair enough. That makes perfect sense.

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

Happiest with online. Looked at

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/2041/scultura-endurance-4000

Weight seems ok, tubeless rims, should take my 4iii. Can I assume its hydraulic, no specific mention ?

Main problem with this bike is its hard to see where you would buy it or how much you pay ? A specific link to any place selling it would help.

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

Happiest with online. Looked at

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bike/2041/scultura-endurance-4000

Weight seems ok, tubeless rims, should take my 4iii. Can I assume its hydraulic, no specific mention ?

Main problem with this bike is its hard to see where you would buy it or how much you pay ? A specific link to any place selling it would help.

Hydraulic yes

Frame is going to be good considering merida make all specialized frames

The 4000 version seems to be priced at 2300. The scultura endurance is new for 2021 so mightnt be available immediately.

Where are you based?

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

+1 for the giant defy also try merida scultura endurance.

Are you willing to go online

If you own a Giant Defy any chance could you weigh it and report back ?

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

If you own a Giant Defy any chance could you weigh it and report back ?

Dont own one but according to giant japan website its 8 9kg.

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant20/bike_datail.php?p_id=00000023

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Hydraulic yes

Frame is going to be good considering merida make all specialized frames

The 4000 version seems to be priced at 2300. The scultura endurance is new for 2021 so mightnt be available immediately.

Where are you based?

Clare so if its through a dealer Ennis or Limerick would be closest towns

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Dont own one but according to giant japan website its 8 9kg.

https://www.giant.co.jp/giant20/bike_datail.php?p_id=00000023

Found a review at

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/giant-defy-advanced-1

listing the weight as 8.6kg for L frame. They mention the cables at the front possibly catching the knees when out of the saddle. Something to watch out for.

Tony04

harringtonp wrote: »

Clare so if its through a dealer Ennis or Limerick would be closest towns

Yeh i think the scultura endurance is best suited for your description.

Alot of meridas bikes are seriously good value for money, as they are a taiwanese brands making their own frames as well as othe companies including specialized/ s works. So the scultura endurance is pretty much a discounted specialized roubaix with maybe a little less r and d.

Merida has a lot of dealers, even more than listed on their website.
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/frontend/dealer-search/index?dealer-search%5Blocation%5D=Limerick&dealer-search%5Bradius%5D=100

Scultura endurance review
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2021-merida-scultura-endurance/

They also have an ultegra version for 2500 (a little heavier because of cheap crankset)
https://www.merida.nl/racefiets/scultura-endurance-5000-matt-fog-green-black/2021/.

The giant defy would be your alternative seems to be a little heavier but then youve got the d fuse seatpost.

Zen0

Canyon Endurace

harringtonp

harringtonp wrote: »

An initial look at

they do mention taking a 33mm tire (where do you buy 33mm, thought 32 and then 35)

Michelin Power Gravel TLR tyre is one that comes in 33mm, there are couple of others.

devonp

Trek Domane ....lots of tyre clearance....but heavy even in carbon (only carbon ?) >9kg

TGD

Trek Domain (a 50x 11 with 28mm tyres will give you about 60kph @ 90rpm)

Paul Kiernan

This review covers many of the bikes mentioned above -

https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/22-best-2020-sportive-bikes-217137

CantGetNoSleep

harringtonp wrote: »

Yes looking at

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and most requirement would be matched. I see that the crankset is Shimano FC-RS510, 34/50 and that with a L frame size they use 175mm crank arm lengths. I would be optimistic that I could put my 4iii ultegra left arm PM onto this crankset but would need to check it out ?

One big omission on their site is the overall weight. Rose/Canyon make their weights very obvious and when a manufacturer doesn't I'm always slightly weary.

Can anyone verify the weight of a bike in this range ?

I was thinking of the Defy Advanced Pro - there are different versions but one should have full Ultegra spec and should be doable in your price range, possibly a previous year's model

harringtonp

Tony04 wrote: »

Yeh i think the scultura endurance is best suited for your description.

Alot of meridas bikes are seriously good value for money, as they are a taiwanese brands making their own frames as well as othe companies including specialized/ s works. So the scultura endurance is pretty much a discounted specialized roubaix with maybe a little less r and d.

Merida has a lot of dealers, even more than listed on their website.
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/frontend/dealer-search/index?dealer-search%5Blocation%5D=Limerick&dealer-search%5Bradius%5D=100

Scultura endurance review
https://www.bikeradar.com/news/2021-merida-scultura-endurance/

They also have an ultegra version for 2500 (a little heavier because of cheap crankset)
https://www.merida.nl/racefiets/scultura-endurance-5000-matt-fog-green-black/2021/.

The giant defy would be your alternative seems to be a little heavier but then youve got the d fuse seatpost.

https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-gb/bikefinder/tag/scultura-endurance-265

shows the latest scultura endurance models. There seems to be very little weight difference listed between the Ultegra and 105 versions. The bike does look nice and unlike the Giant Defy Advanced the cockpit looks neat.

I'm coming to the conclusion that when determining weight your best trying to find out the weight without the wheelset. The Giant Defy Advanced 1 comes with Giant Gavia Fondo 1 Tubeless Ready tires. These are listed on bike24 as weighing 445g each so straight away there is an easy 400g weight saving there. Other components are less easy to change (and there is less reason), thats why the weight without wheels is key IMO

harringtonp

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

I was thinking of the Defy Advanced Pro - there are different versions but one should have full Ultegra spec and should be doable in your price range, possibly a previous year's model

Actually how can the RRP difference between

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ie/defy-advanced-1

and

https://www.giant-bicycles.comie/defy-advanced-pro-3

be explained ? The pro3 is priced almost 800E dearer but comes with 105 instead of Ultegra ?? Surely there not charging a huge excess for the integrated stem..

Tony04

The more i look the more it seems the scultura endurance and the defy are pretty much the same thing, but from two different companies. Both have 35mm clearence, both have shimano bbs(easy to replace, no compatibility issues), simalar weights, the merida has mudgaurd mounts and the defy also seems too aswell...

I think when us bike enthusiasts buy bikes its usually not a package as such, unless on a budget, but we are buying the bike for the frame. Merida and giant have undoubtedly the best bike frames for the price, excluding direct to comsumer brands, as they unlike other brands manufacturer their own as well as other brands frames, therefore theyre able to be alot cheaper while yet remain the same quality. If money is not an issue however id be looking at buying from a brand such as look who manufacture their own bikes on a smaller scale but to a very high stand thus no issues like creaky bbs.

In terms of weighing without wheels, how do we know the defy wasnt weighed tubeless and hence a weight savaing. The best way to weigh is the frame to be honest. Ive seen every part adding weight apart from the groupets. Aluminium seatposts, 300g oem saddles, tyres etc.
Alot of oem wheels on bikes are never the greatest and would benefit from an upgrade. It almost always works out cheaper to buy them yourself then buy the next model up.
Wheels is a place where the value of direct to consumer brands like canyon etc shine as you usally get a decent not to heavy branded wheel.

In terms of your question on the defy pro 3 vs defy 1. The pro 3 has a more expensive frameset. Brands claim they use more exoctic carbon fibres in these but in my experience theyre just seem to built a little lighter frame and add stiffness in areas like the bottom bracket etc. This little bit more engineering adds to the cost as its harder to mass produce.

headbanger.

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/focus-paralane-8.9-887674
Focus Paralane 8.9. Full carbon frameset, full Ultegra groupset, tubeless ready wheels and tyres, space for 35mm tyres and claimed weight of 8.3kg. It also gets good reviews. Not sure if you can find it in local shops though so probably has to be bought online.

harringtonp

Zen0 wrote: »

Canyon Endurace

Its alu but the price and spec of

https://www.canyon.com/en-ie/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/endurace-al-disc-7.0/2394.html

looks good and the weight isn't too bad either. I've come across various reports of the endurace taking tire widths from 30mm to 35mm. Would be great to get confirmation of this.

Wheels aren't tubeless though

I can't remember what bike I saw this on but when dealing with clearance for larger tyres they had a warning re: tyres beyond a certain size, I'm thinking 35mm + they mentioned they could be a problem in relation to the tyre clipping your toes when turning ??

Likely due to the geometry of the particular bike? I'm 90% sure it was one of the Decathlon ones.

headbanger.

Deleted User wrote: »

I can't remember what bike I saw this on but when dealing with clearance for larger tyres they had a warning re: tyres beyond a certain size, I'm thinking 35mm + they mentioned they could be a problem in relation to the tyre clipping your toes when turning ??

Likely due to the geometry of the particular bike? I'm 90% sure it was one of the Decathlon ones.

When I read a review of a Triban RC 520 it was said that manufacturer's specified max tyre width is 36mm. Actually bike has space for wider tyres but they are not recommended due to possibility of toe overlap.

nilhg

OP, I understand the following would be budget busting but throwing it out there as an example of what's possible coming from the smaller manufacturer gravel side of the industry

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/geoff-kabushs-descent-destroying-open-up-gallery/

https://opencycle.com/UP