Really stupid questioning, I know – I apologize… but this is my current struggle point. I’m extremely close to pulling the trigger on my next bike and I’m having a hard time settling on an Endurace out of fears that down the road when/if I get better, that it’ll hold me back and I’ll wish I had a more race-oriented bike like the Ultimate.
I’ll never be a professional rider but that isn’t the point. I like to get better as I compete with myself and sometimes others via Strava. I really love the Endurace line; the seatpost is appealing, the versatility is appealing, and the price-per-spec’s seem to be slightly lower than the Ultimate.
If I get an Endurace and want to eventually race with it – can I modify the bike to essentially make it an Ultimate? IE – lower the cockpit (slam the stem or whatever), get lighter wheels, etc… or will I regret not just getting an Ultimate in the first place?
I know the geometry is slightly different but looking at sites like 99 Spokes and their graphs… it really doesn’t seem like they’re THAT different at all. One of the measurements was something like an inch difference which apparently leads to a higher posture but couldn’t I just get down an inch lower and more or less cancel that out? Or is there some other geometry differences that make the Endurace objectively slower?
For reference, right now this is the current bike I’m looking at: [https://www.canyon.com/en-cr/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/cf-slx/endurace-cf-slx-7-di2/3710.html?dwvar\_3710\_pv\_rahmenfarbe=R077\_P01](https://www.canyon.com/en-cr/road-bikes/endurance-bikes/endurace/cf-slx/endurace-cf-slx-7-di2/3710.html?dwvar_3710_pv_rahmenfarbe=R077_P01)
Thanks in advance for any input and again, I apologize for the super novice-esque questions.
by dimforest
7 Comments
Ihmo everything is subjective . People race on grizzly. I doubt that there would be even half mile difference. I don’t have ultimate, I have endurance cf 7 di2. My max attacking speed is 24mph on flat. My regular commuting speed 16-18 mph on 11-mile commute. I am 48 yo, overweight dude who spends most of his time in an office working on accomputer
IMO if you think you might want to race you should get Aeroad or Ultimate, depending on what kind of riding you find most fun. Can you race Endurace, sure. But if you do want to race you’ll end up wanting to get one of these two bikes (whether or not you really need it!)
I have an Aeroad, it’s not insanely aggressive or anything. If you are reasonably fit and flexible you’ll love it.
At the end of the day you need a bike that you are proud of in addition to it fitting.
I have an endurace and an ultimate and I say go with the ultimate. It’s a fantastic bike for the money. Buy once, cry once etc. Also, weirdly, I find the geometry more comfortable on the ultimate but I guess that depends on your body/size/fitness etc
yeah. it’s a road bike. sure it’s more relaxed geometry but you can always use the drop bars to become more aero. it’s really the engine that counts, though.
i had an endurance until a month ago. got the ultimate, but due to the drop it was causing me so much lower back strain and while it certainly feels faster when i sprint (1 lb lighter, more aero position) it makes me slower overall in the long run because of how uncomfortable it can get.
i do not race. most cyclists don’t. i’d say an endurance bike is a better fit for 90% of riders. you can always adjust your position to be more aero when you need it. you can also slam the stem.
in my opinion, comfort can increase speed
How old are you? How fit? Get an ultimate unless these questions give you pause.
I have the endurace, aeroad, and grizl.
The endurace is fine, although because I have an aeroad as well I race primarily on that. The aeroad is definitely faster and more aerodynamic. It cuts through the wind and rolls very fast. The power transfer is better because it’s stiffer too. If you want to race, get a race bike.
The Endurace is super comfortable. Sure you can race it and drop the stack to get more aero but once you get to a certain level you’ll probably want to get something more suited to racing if that’s your goal.
I started with the endurace and regretted not getting the ultimate a few months after I got it. However, the stars aligned and I went full on with the aeroad and I barely ride my endurace anymore and I’m likely selling it. The aeroad can do it all – the new geometry is super comfortable and I’ve done 3000m climbing days on it no problem (although with a bigger cassette and lighter wheels).
Hope that helps.