Kind of a wide range because I am def willing to spend more to buy a nicer bike but I also know I don’t need a carbon frame for my first bike. Do any of these scream good deal or best starter bike?
1. 2019 Giant Contend 3 with brand new 105 group set (11-25t cassette) and rim brakes – $550
2. 2017 Giant Contend SL 1 Disc w/ 105 Groupset – $850
3. 2017 Trek Emonda SL 6 CF with ultegra group set and rim brakes – $1k
4. 2021 Canyon Endurance CF 7 w/ a 105 group set and hydraulics – $1250
I got sent a video of the Giant Contend, looks like the brakes haven’t even been used on the back rim and that feels like the price I’m most willing to pay? Like 105 group set already and I can upgrade the wheels/tires for less than the Canyon. Just seems like I’m stuck using giant stem and forks. But the canyon sounds awesome from what I’ve read on here!
by Internal_Set1283
2 Comments
The emonda has a lot of scuffs from a chain on the back clearly, no repair needed according to the owner. I think I’d have to see it in person because it looks painted over from the photos he sent me? Also forgot to mention this is just for general riding. I’d like to be able to work towards a century.
First off eliminate any bike without disc. Currently you’ll find more disc related products. Cross off the Contessa. Stick wit carbon. It rides nicer. That leaves you with two.
The Emonda is a very nice bike. It’s Trek’s lightest road bike, geared towards climbers. You definitely can do a century on this bike, just be warned that this is a more aggressive positioning bike.
The Endurace, IME/O, is the best bike geared towards those longer rides like metrics and centuries. This is what I’d go with for the comfort, but it’s still a race bike. Hence the name.
I had a 2014 Specialized Roubaix setup for max comfort. Cannondale Save seatpost, Ultegra tubeless wheels, 28c Cintinental GP5000 tubeless tires (I wish I could’ve gone larger). Able to run around 60 psi, Specialized S-Works carbon bar. The most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. Wish it came with disc.
The Endurace has all those same features. Tubeless wheels, 32c tires with max tire size 35 or 38. Can’t remember which. Disc brakes, nice seat post that deflects. Nice components.
This will be my next bike. I still have a couple things to cross off riding bikes.