Road bike buyers guide, part two - ENDURANCE

With the changing times that we are all living in now, it can be hard to qualify a new bike purchase, especially a high-dollar model that will last you years. However, we have been experiencing a demand for bikes at every price level since the beginning days of the pandemic here in the US. 

We field calls and emails daily about bikes, what kind to buy, what to do with them (how and where to ride), and what bike to buy at a given price point. We are hoping that this “bike boom” will continue for many reasons, but the only one that really matters is we hope it continues so the health and growth and love of the bicycle continue.

With that, we are hoping that this series of buyers guides will be helpful, entertaining, and educational enough to empower you to decide what bike is for you, how much to spend, and above all, help open the door to the love of cycling.

Road bikes are probably the largest category and the easiest to recognize out there as they represent maybe 40% of the sales out most shop doors. To further complicate things, there are multiple categories within the term “road bike” that I will address here first.  The categories are (in no particular order), aero, endurance, climbing, general/all around, and gravel.

We here at Incycle try to simplify these by putting them into only three groups: Performance, endurance, and gravel/cyclocross. The performance category is basically any road bike that will have a component group you can race with and will generally have a carbon fiber frame, and a really nice wheelset. By really nice, we mean at least ¼ of the cost of the overall package is spent on the wheels. Now by “nice wheels” we are not talking full carbon, they may be carbon rims, they may not be, but they will have a high-quality hub with the best bearings that manufacturer makes and 24 to 28-spoke count. We lump aero, climbing, general, and some endurance into this group. 

Now you may be asking yourself, "self, what is an 'endurance' road bike?" Well, self, let me tell you. An endurance road bike is one specifically designed for long-distance riding, over potentially rougher roads. These are by no means a "gravel" bike, but they could handle the occasional hardpacked dirt road if necessary. Moreover, they are the bike you will want for that Gran Fondo, and if you are the type that looks at a 50+ mile day in the saddle as an awesome time. These bikes will generally have a wider tire with room to spare, a more upright, less tucked position and geometry and a few inherent, built-in comfort features such as flex points in the frame/fork or in the components. Most will have a wider gearing range as well. 

Not that these bikes are any slouch off the couch, they are all quite fast, climb and descend well and can hold their own in a local crit or "Wednesday-night Worlds" ride, they just are more at home on those long, inflective rides that we all find our inner peace on. 

Cannondale  Synapse Carbon disc 105

Synapse Carbon disc 105 is a road bike that’s light, stiff, fast, and surprisingly comfortable. It's performance-focused, but with a slightly more upright geometry, perfect for long days in the saddle and confident handling on all road surfaces. Micro-Suspension in the rear triangle and fork keeps you comfortable and in control, while the frame's BallisTec Carbon construction and full carbon fork deliver exceptionally low weight for this category and result in a high-performance feel. With clearance for tires up to 32mm wide and subtle, hidden fender mounts for exploring the wilder side of endurance riding, the Synapse Disc is ready for adventure. And at $2600, you just can not lose!

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With seven wins at Paris-Roubaix, the Roubaix has proven that Smoother is Faster. Until this moment, however, smooth has admittedly come with some compromises. But not anymore. The all-new Roubaix Comp now delivers compliance without compromise by introducing a radical new Future Shock 1.5 that gives you more control on rough roads, a new Pavé seatpost that creates our most balanced Roubaix to date, aerodynamics that equal the Tarmac, and a Rider-First Engineered™ frame that's shed some serious weight. Is it still comfortable? Sure, but don't call it a comfort bike, because the performance was behind every engineering decision we made. This is the new Roubaix.

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Scott  Addict RC 20

A lightweight HMF Carbon frame and fork, Shimano Ultegra, Syncros components, and Shimano Hydraulic Disc Brakes combine to create a lightning-fast climber that performs at its best in ALL weather conditions.
A stiff carbon frame with a geometry that's dialed for centuries or road races forms the core of the Addict RC 20. The tapered steerer tube on the full carbon fork and the oversized bottom bracket ensure you don't lose energy from torsional flex, and that the maximum power you're putting into the pedals gets translated into forward momentum. Additional features such as internal cable routing and a direct-mount rear derailleur contribute to its sleek design. You get all this and an Ultegra groupset with all-around smooth Syncros RP2.0 wheels and 20mm Continental Grand Sport tires for $3499.99

The C3 is a bike you will trust and enjoy all types of rides. Its geometry is designed for riders wanting to ride further, faster; the frame is tuned to smooth the ride; and wider tires (up to 32mm wide) increase comfort and traction.  The C3's user-friendly features include disc brakes compatible with all commonly-used calipers and rotor sizes; through axles for improved alignment and safety; and a down tube guard and chainstay protector to help prevent damage on mixed surfaces.  Wider tires, vibration-damping frames, and custom geometry are combined with Cervélo's expertise in engineering light, high-performing bikes. This is a bike that will take you where you want to go - the commute to work, a Gran Fondo, or an epic long ride on the weekend. ​All for the price of $4200, you really can't beat it.

 Bianchi Infinito CV Disc

The Bianchi Infinito CV Disc comes in next, with its re-designed frame shape, has been developed with endurance-specific geometry and thru-axle rear dropouts for optimum integration with disc brakes.

Longer chainstays help smooth the ride, and a taller aero headtube gives the rider a low-stress neck position, enhanced by Countervail’s vibration canceling capacity. The specific CV tuning process reduces the rider’s muscle fatigue and increases control for better overall performance, especially on bumpy roads and cobblestone sections. 

Riding long distances requires a special focus on the perfect fit. The downtube diameter on the 57-61cm frames is Infinito CV Disc is increased by 5mm to increase torsional stiffness and optimize weight.

Infinito CV Disc uses an integrated-look carbon seatpost, featuring a saddle rail clamp that is adjustable for fore/aft position from +25 to -10mm. This allows riders to create the perfect seated pedaling position for maximum performance over extended hours. With a Shimano Ultegra Di2, Fulcrum Racing 518 Disc wheels, 28mm tires (with room up to 32mm), you get an amazing bike for  $4499.99

 

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In a league all its own, the Specialized Roubaix Pro 

 The new frame delivers compliance without compromise via the perfect balance of aerodynamics, light overall weight, compliance, and Rider-First Engineering™. Meanwhile, to ensure the weight and ride quality, Specialized turned to a Rider-First Engineered™ design to deliver optimal stiffness and compliance across all sizes, from 44 to 64cm. Of course, the frame has shed some serious weight in the process. And to prep you for your own Hell of the North, we’ve made room for 33mm tires.

The build on this Roubaix Pro goes as all out with a focus on getting every ounce of performance possible for your money. It features the superlative SRAM Force eTAP AXS 12-speed build kit you've probably been reading about, lightweight Roval CL 32 carbon wheels, Specialized's all-new S-Works Pavé seatpost, S-Works carbon Hover bars, and our fan-favorite Power Pro saddle. Coming in at $6999.99 and worth every penny, this Roubaix is going to let you unleash all you have on the road ahead.